Table of Contents
Armed with the right GOTV script samples, your campaign can help turn an election in your favor especially in close runs – where a 2 or 3% swing can be the difference between victory and defeat.
The primary goal of a GOTV campaign is to increase voter turnout by encouraging individuals to cast their ballots on election day. Crafting persuasive messages that emphasize the importance of voting and highlight the potential impact of individual participation on the outcome of the election is the name of the game, along with providing support to voters, like information about where their voting booth is and if they need a ride to the booth. These GOTV campaigns typically happen over phone calls.
As you can tell, saying the right things to voters over that one phone call you can make to each voter is critical. Hence, the a need for the right GOTV script.
What is a GOTV script?
A GOTV (Get Out The Vote) script is intended to motivate supporters into going out and voting for your cause or candidate, as well as (hopefully) changing the minds of some who were yet undecided about how they would cast their vote.
The GOTV script samples below will give you an idea about two broad versions of the most successful of these scripts – the linear and dynamic forms.
GOTV script samples in phonebanking setups
GOTV scripts have two main purposes – to minimize the time that calling agents spend on calls to supporters who are already going to vote for you and to maximize the impact those agents will have when they try to sway undecided voters.
Through these examples, you will get an idea about what kind of script you can choose for your campaign and the kind of questions you will have to prepare for.
GOTV: Linear script sample
A linear GOTV script is a scripted conversation used by volunteers when contacting voters to encourage them to vote in an upcoming election. Unlike a dynamic script, which allows for more flexibility and personalized interaction based on the voter’s responses, a linear script follows a predetermined sequence of talking points with minimal deviation.
It is best to use these for a segmented list of your supporters, where the conversation is unlikely to be complicated.
Here’s our sample:
Hi, am I speaking to (first name)? Hi, this is (agent name), and I am a volunteer for (campaign). We spoke to you (time) ago, and you had mentioned then that you planned to vote for (candidate) on November 2. Do you still intend to vote on Tuesday for (candidate)? If ‘yes’ That’s great to hear! We’re hopeful you’ll be one of our game-changing supporters mobilizing for victory from (voter’s region)! Your polling place is at (location.) Do you know where it is, or would you like some directions? We will be on hand at the polling station all day to help you cast your vote. Do you have any other questions? (If no, thank them and end the call) Thanks for helping us win! If ‘no’ Do you feel comfortable sharing with us why? I Well, our opponent doesn’t support the kind of change everyday voters like you want to see in (region). And it is people like you who can make the change happen. If we all vote on Tuesday, surely change will be our reward. So your vote’s really important. Can we count on it? (If yes, refer to the ‘yes’ section above. If not, try to ask for their concerns. But don’t linger.) Thanks, and have a great night! |
GOTV: Dynamic script sample 1
In a dynamic script, the conversation can adapted based on the voter’s responses, allowing for more personalized and engaging interaction. This flexibility can help address specific concerns or provide additional information as needed, ultimately increasing the effectiveness of the GOTV efforts and increasing voter turnout.
Hi, am I speaking to (first name)? Hi, this is (agent name), and I am a volunteer for (campaign). We spoke to you (time) ago, and you had mentioned then that you planned to vote for (candidate) on November 2. Do you still intend to vote on Tuesday for (candidate)? (Your software tool at this point should provide you with multiple options you can select based on the call disposition and the answer the person gives. You have to define each possibility in the script. ) If yes, select option 1. If no, select option 2 Option 1 (Yes): That’s great to hear! We’re hopeful you’ll be one of our game-changing supporters mobilizing for victory from (voter’s region)! Your polling place is at (location.) Do you know where it is? If yes, select option 1a. If no, select option 1b Option 1a: Great! We will be on hand at the polling station all day to help you cast your vote. See you there! Do you have any other questions? Option 1b: Here are some directions to the place. Can we send it to you as a text message? We will be on hand at the polling station all day to help you cast your vote. Do you have any other questions? (thank them and end the call) Thanks for helping us win! Option 2 (No): Do you feel comfortable sharing with us why? From your list of options created beforehand, choose from options 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e Option 2a: While we realize our position may seem counterintuitive, passing this version of the bill opens us up for a better version by the next session. Do you have any more questions? if yes, go back to the step option 2. If no, go ahead to step option 3 Option 2b: We have spoken to experts, and our position is backed by scientific evidence. Would you like to hear some case studies? If yes, go to option 2ba. If no, go to option 4 Option 2ba: (Read out the case study.) Do you have any more questions? Can I share another study? if yes, go back to the step option 2. If no, go ahead to step option 3 Option 2c: The option you are suggesting has been proven not to work. However, there is a version of it that has worked in other districts. I would like to explain a few examples. (Read out statement) Do you have any more questions? if yes, go back to the step option 2. If no, go ahead to step option 3 Option 2d: Our opponents have launched that as a smear campaign and misrepresented the words of the candidate. To be clear, our candidate has clarified their position. Which is…(read statement). Do you have any more questions? if yes, go back to the step option 2. If no, go ahead to step option 3 Option 3: Can we count on you to come out and vote on the big day? If yes, go to option 3a, if no, go to option 3b Option 3a: Thanks, and have a great night! Option 3b: Well, our opponent doesn’t support the kind of change everyday voters like you want to see in (region). And it is people like you who can make the change happen. If we all vote on Tuesday, surely change will be our reward. So your vote’s really important. Go to option 3a Option 4: Do you have any more questions? if yes, go back to the step option 2. If no, go ahead to step option 3 |
GOTV: Dynamic script sample 2 (Bi-partisan)
Hi, am I speaking to (first name)? Hi, this is (agent name), and I am a volunteer for (campaign). Could you confirm the (campaign) can still count on your vote on Tuesday? If the answer is your candidate, skip to option 3. If the answer is your opponent, continue to option 4 Option 4 “Among these policies, which one do you feel strongly influenced your choice?” Option 1: Abortion (If the caller selects this one, go to option 4a) Option 2: Financial policy (If the caller selects this one, go to option 4b) Option 3: Tax breaks (If the caller selects this one, go to option 4c) Option 4a Are you aware that (your candidate) has the following position about abortion (read the statement.) Does this stand address your concerns? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 3 Option 4b Are you aware that (your candidate) has the following financial position whose direct beneficiary will be you (read the statement.) Does this address your concerns? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 3 Option 4c Are you aware that (your candidate) has promised to pass the following tax breaks, which will directly benefit you (read the statement.) Does this address your concerns? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 3 Option 3 Okay. Please remember that voting is extremely important and can decide the nation’s future. Only voters like you can make a difference. Thank you for giving us your time! |
GOTV script samples with Relational Organizing
A GOTV calling campaign typically involves scripted interactions between volunteers or staff members and individuals being contacted. Such a GOTV script may vary in complexity and can be linear or dynamic, as discussed earlier.
Specifically, GOTV calling campaigns target a broad audience, such as registered voters within a particular district or supporters of a specific cause.
The effectiveness of your calling campaign can really vary since, after all, you are speaking to strangers. This is where Relational Organizing has a leg up – on a smaller scale.
Relational organizing focuses on leveraging personal relationships and networks to mobilize support for a cause or candidate. Instead of relying solely on scripted interactions, relational organizing encourages supporters to engage with their friends, family, and acquaintances directly.
Here at CallHub, our tool adds your existing contacts to your campaign, allowing agents to easily involve their family, friends, and peers in your campaign – all through a click of a few buttons. With our relational organizing tool, they can reach out to contacts, collect survey responses, and do follow-ups- all from one place.
When it comes to Relational organizing for calling agents, it is critical your script be:
- Informal
- Casual and familiar
- Refer to known family, friends, and common moments
- Don’t come off as pushy. But keep it conversational
Here are our samples:
Relational organizing GOTV: Linear script sample
“Hi (contact name)! It’s (your name). You know I am a volunteer with (campaign)? So I signed up because things like (read out parts of your candidate’s manifesto) really resonated with me. I am calling to check if you are going to vote on the big day? If yes Great! I’ll see you on voting day then. Do you want a lift? (Thank the contact and end the call) If no Why not? It is very important to vot. It can really change an entire election. How many elections have been lost by just a few votes? You should really consider it. I’ll give you a lift on the day, if you want. Closing… Thank you! Say hi to (relative/other friend/spouse) from me. See ya! |
Relational organizing GOTV: Dynamic script sample
“Hi (contact name)! It’s (your name). You know I am a volunteer with (campaign)? I am calling to check if you are going to vote on the big day? If yes, choose option 1. If no, choose option 5 Option 1 Cool! I can arrange a lift if you want. The (campaign) can count on your vote? If your candidate, go to option 2. If the opposing candidate, go to option 3 Option 2 Great! I’ll see you on voting day then. Do you want a lift? (Thank the contact and end the call) Option 3 Okay. I hear you. So among these policies, which of them are you are basing your choice on?” Option 1: Abortion (If the contact selects this one, go to option 3a) Option 2: Financial policy (If the contact selects this one, go to option 3b) Option 3: Tax breaks (If the contact selects this one, go to option 3c) Option 3a Are you aware that (your candidate) has the following position about abortion (read the statement.) And that’s what convinced me, actually. Don’t you think that’s a good way to deal with it? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 4 Option 3b Are you aware that (your candidate) has the following financial position whose direct beneficiary will be you (read the statement.) Does this address your concerns? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 4 Option 3c Are you aware that (your candidate) has promised to pass the following tax breaks, which will directly benefit you (read the statement.) Does this address your concerns? Make a note of their answer, and then skip to option 4 Option 4 Okay. Please remember that voting is extremely important and can decide the nation’s future. Only voters like you can make a difference. Thank you for giving us your time! Option 5 Why not? It is very important to vote. It can really change an entire election. How many elections have been lost by just a few votes? You should really consider it. I’ll give you a lift on the day if you want. Closing… Thank you! Say hi to (relative/other friend/spouse) from me. See ya! |
To close, don’t forget a well-crafted GOTV script can be a powerful tool in mobilizing voters and driving participation in elections. Whether it’s through dynamic engagement, personalized relational outreach, or structured calling campaigns, the goal remains the same: to encourage voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
So let’s pick up the phone, and reach out to our networks – because every vote counts, and together, they can make a difference.