What kind of Democrats are the most feared by Republicans? The ones that know the importance of getting out the vote, of course! What could be more dangerous to Republican candidates than liberals and progressives talking about what they are most passionate about, sharing the truth about taxes, civil rights, the environment, etc. and then encouraging people to vote? Even though November 6th is over four months away, now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to help GOTV.
To start, a quick review of the 2 to ways to GOTV. Some organizations are non-partisan, like Rock the Vote or Nonprofit Vote, and their main focus is getting people registered to vote and then to the polls. The other is done by campaigns, and since this is a website dedicated to electing democrats I will focus on getting out the vote for specific candidates.
What are some tasks that make up GOTV? Most involve contacting individuals either through phone banking or canvassing.
Phone banking is the most common and is used to identify potential voters and their intention to vote, raise money, and recruit more volunteers. If you have never done this before, no need to worry! There are scripts to follow, and tips to help make your time successful. Here is a simple example of rules from the Florida Democratic Party:
VOLUNTEER PHONE BANK RULES 1. Smile – voters can tell 2. Stick to the script 3. Decide ahead of time if you are going to leave a message on an answering machine. 4. Use a uniform marking system 5. Don’t get into prolonged discussions – move on 6. Allow for five rings 7. Ask to speak to an adult 8. If you get a wrong number, don’t cross the name off. Try to find the correct number.
Canvassing is the face to face version of phone banking. Voters can be identified and persuaded, literature can be shared, volunteers can be recruited, and sometimes money can be raised. The campaign office supplies all of the materials and maps with specific areas, streets or households to contact.
Yale's Institution for Social and Policy Studies GOTV website shares an interesting study that concluded that voting appears to be contagious within a household:
Door-to-door canvassing is found to increase turnout not only in the person directly contacted by the canvassers. In two-member households, the uncontacted member of the households is also mobilized by GOTV canvassing.
On election day, getting out the vote can mean driving people to the polls, continuing to call voters to remind them to vote, handing out sample ballots and information near polling locations, and more canvassing.
Wellstone.org has some great information, not only for GOTV, but has loads of information to help "train activists in the nuts and bolts of grassroots organizing, voter engagement, political advocacy, and leadership development."
An important decision to make is how much time you able and willing to spend helping out. Deciding on which candidates to get involved with is a big decision, especially if your time is limited. Being passionate about the candidate is important, but you could also be in a situation where you feel more passionate about your senator, but your congressperson may be in a tougher race and need more help. Obviously there is no wrong answer,and the GOTV effort usually has a positive impact on the entire ticket.
Once you have found an organization to help, the easiest way to get in touch is through their website, using the email or phone number provided. Many times you can even indicate how you want to help before you even contact anyone. For example Bill Foster, the person that I will be supporting for congress in Illinois' 11th distrtict, has the following choices on his "get Involved" page:
I'm willing to: I need an absentee ballot I would like to early vote Knock on doors Place a Sign in My Lawn or Window Call Other Voters Host a House Party or Fundraiser Staff events, fairs, and festivals Work at Headquarters Organize my neighborhood or precinct Write a Letter to the Editor
I Flipped Three Republican GOTV Callers And This Is How I Did It...
GOTV Stories Mine and Yours
How We Won Ohio A GOTV Foot Soldier's Perscective
GOTV Exercise - Through the Eyes of Others
I Hate Canvassing
Phonebank with me!! Now!
Phonebanking: What am I doing wrong?
Jump on our bandwagon and follow I Vote For Democrats by clicking the orange ♥ at the top of this diary. Or better yet, write a diary about why YOU vote for Democrats and help us remind people of what is at stake.
More reasons... Why I Vote for Democrats:52-47 Why I Vote For Democrats: One Image Why I Vote for Democrats: the Lincoln connection Why I Vote For Democrats, the Council on Women and Girls I Vote For Democrats: Jobs and Arrested Development The 2 biggest reasons why I vote for Democrats.
Why I Vote for Democrats:52-47
Why I Vote For Democrats: One Image
Why I Vote for Democrats: the Lincoln connection
Why I Vote For Democrats, the Council on Women and Girls
I Vote For Democrats: Jobs and Arrested Development
The 2 biggest reasons why I vote for Democrats.
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