Phone Calls for GOTV: 7 Best Strategies for Voter Turnout

Phone calls for GOTV are the single most effective way to increase voter turnout. Experts have witnessed an increase in voter turnout by an average of 3.8 to 4.5 percentage points through GOTV calls, making them one of the most effective strategies in tight election races.

Phone calls for GOTV are affordable and highly scalable, utilizing autodialer technology, which can reach thousands of voters in short durations. They create a direct, personal link to voters, helping campaigns mobilize up to 3x more supporters per day compared to manual calling or texting.

Unlike impersonal mass messages, phone calls provide a genuine two-way connection, allowing volunteers to encourage, inform, and motivate constituents to participate. This drives measurable increases in turnout and shapes election outcomes in competitive races.

Let’s examine how you can conduct a successful phone calls for GOTV campaign.

Phone calls for GOTV: How to run an effective GOTV phone calling campaign

The right phone calls for your GOTV strategy will ensure that you drive as many voters as possible to the polling booths or get them registered to vote – whichever is your aim. Here are the steps that you can take–

1. Plan in advance.
2. Keep it personal.
3. Prepare a solid script.
4. Use the right tools.
5. Decide what type of calls to make.
6. Know GOTV laws.
7. Keep your call simple and brief.

We explain these in detail below.

Step 1: Plan your phone calls for GOTV in advance

Although you will make your GOTV calls only a few weeks before the elections, it’s a good practice to prepare in advance. Here’s how you can plan your GOTV calls:

1. Determine the universe of voters you would like to target. How many people would there be on that list? How many phone calls would you need to make? Acquire voter data and contact lists to begin your calling campaign.
2. Lay out a timeline for both voter ID and GOTV calls, and what your plan of action for both of these calling campaigns will look like.
3. Select the technology that enables you to connect with this universe of voters. The abilities and features of the technology you choose help you determine the number of working hours your campaign requires, the number of days needed to reach voters, the number of volunteers required, and for how long.
   

• You can take our quiz to find out which autodialer best suits your campaign.
• You also have to decide on additional means of communication, such as text messaging or email, for follow-ups.

Learn the difference between different dialers through our article Power Dialer Vs. Predictive Dialer: What Is Best For Your Campaigns? 

4. Calculate the number of volunteers you require for your campaign. You will need more volunteers to cover your ground if you are opting for a manual dialing campaign compared to using an automated dialer, such as a power dialer or predictive dialer. 

This difference appears because an autodialer enables your volunteers to make more phone calls (approximately three times) an hour compared to a manual dialer. 

Here’s how you can calculate the number of volunteers you require-

​​Volunteers required = (Total contacts) / (Dials per hour X Days X Hours per shift).

Total contacts are the number of contacts on your list

Dials per hour refer to the number of calls a single volunteer makes in an hour. This number depends on your dialer and the time volunteers spend on each call.

Days you plan to run the campaign

Hours per shift refer to the number of hours in a daily shift assigned to each volunteer.

You can read our article ‘Recruit Volunteers Today: 6 Quick-Start Steps for Your Cause’ to learn how you can quickly recruit volunteers for your GOTV campaign.

5. To ensure they are fully prepared to make the calls, train volunteers, and practice mock calls so that they are familiar with all possible queries that might arise during the phone call. 
6. Your volunteers will also need to be aware of the necessary information, such as the state ID requirements for voting, the procedures for voting via absentee ballot, and whether a particular state allows early voting. Ensure they are updated with state-wise voter registration laws.

Step 2: Use a personal approach in your calls

Being personal and having a two-way conversation can significantly impact the effectiveness of your call. When agents are friendly on the call, they make a stronger impression on the constituent, leading to a greater likelihood of them voting. When your agents call, here are a few things you can ask them to keep in mind–

• Be nice and polite.
• Ensure that agents refer to contacts by their name to create an element of friendliness. 
• If they repeat a script in a robotic voice, there’s a good chance that voters might be put off by the monotonous tone; allow for flexibility in calls. 

This brings me to my next point.

Step 3: Prepare a strong GOTV call script

Creating a good phone script helps in different ways: 

1. Your volunteers will be confident about what they say during the call.
2. It helps them remember and stick to the objectives of the call, thus improving your results. 
3. It prompts them to talk about information that is too tedious to remember, and the message is clear and consistent. 

Of course, there are instances where, as a phone banker, you will be required to deviate from the script; however, it remains a strong guide for your GOTV call. Alternatively, CallHub offers branching script features that allow agents to branch into different scripts based on the constituent’s response. 

We’ve included a GOTV phone call script for your reference:

Sample GOTV Script

Introduction –

Hi, my name is {agent_name}  and I’m calling from {campaign_name}. Am I speaking with {constituent_name}?

If the answer is no: Can I speak with {constituent_name}? OR When will {constituent_name} be available?

If the answer is yes: {Constituent_name}, I’m calling today to remind you that you can cast your vote on {election_date}. 

Question- Can we count on you to vote this year?

If the answer is no: Why not? Voting this year is more important than ever because {insert reason depending on your campaign’s stance}. We can help you register to vote if you would like.

If the answer is yes: That’s great! Do you need our assistance with anything when you vote this year? Have you been registered to vote? How will you vote? 

Thank you for your time, {constituent_name}; I hope you have a great week!

Step 4: Choose the best GOTV calling tools

Without exception, you’ll need to make your GOTV calls to many people to mobilize them to vote. Tools like CallHub help optimize your efforts. With a phone banking tool, you can get volunteers to target contact lists at 3 times the speed of a manual dialer.

We’ve listed some software tools you can explore to improve your GOTV phone calling campaign– 

With CallHub, you can also connect with CRMs like NationBuilder, NGP VAN, and The Action Network, where your contact data is instantly updated in the CRM. 

Step 5: Schedule GOTV phone calls for maximum impact

Several states in the US allow early voting, which takes place before the actual elections, so you should make your calls at least a few weeks in advance to remind people of this, depending, of course, on where they live. 

Additionally, create a list of absentee ballot request deadlines and contact your constituents in advance to provide the necessary information regarding absentee ballot rules, in-person absentee voting, and other relevant details, so that they are well-prepared to vote in the most convenient way for them.

Read Also: Why You Must Include Mail-In Ballots in Your Next Campaign 

Step 6: Follow legal guidelines for GOTV phone calls

Compliance with regulations should be your top priority when conducting a calling campaign. You can avoid getting fined and discontinuing your campaign if you follow specific rules set by the Federal Election Commission.

Here is a list of FEC guidelines to follow when making GOTV calls–

• Unions and corporations can make GOTV calls within their organization, asking people to get out the vote or vote for a particular candidate or party.
• Organizations can provide transportation to their employees or members to the polling booth.
• As an organization or union, you can operate phone banks to urge your members to vote or vote for a particular party or candidate.
• If you are making communications that contain express advocacy, you must include appropriate federal disclaimers. Look up your state’s disclaimer requirements to learn more.
• You cannot call voters on the ‘Do not call’ list.

Step 7: Keep GOTV calls short and clear

Lastly, GOTV conversations must be brief. Your campaign is reaching busy people and taking up their time, so ensure your agents convey their points clearly and answer associated questions in a minimal amount of time. Seven seconds is all they will get to make an excellent first impression.

If someone is unsure or doesn’t want to vote, agents can follow the above script, but train your agents not to spend too much time trying to convince them otherwise. After all, they also have many calls to make, right?

GOTV efforts via phone calls are convenient for convincing, reminding, and mobilizing people to vote. Utilize the tips above to optimize your efforts and achieve maximum results.

Related reading: 10 Last-minute GOTV tips to Increase Voter Turnout for Political Campaigns (Scripts Included)

Apart from these tips, let’s look at a few Do’s and Dont’s you can follow to make your GOTV calls even more effective.

Dos and don’ts for effective GOTV phone calls

Knowing which ideas to implement and which to avoid when making GOTV phone calls can make all the difference between a vote and a no vote. Follow the Dos and Don’ts mentioned below to enhance your campaign.

Dos

1. Keep it brief: You are calling a constituent and impeding their time. Keep your calls concise and convey your message clearly and concisely. You do not want people to hang up on you.
2. Train agents for every likely scenario: It may be a rude recipient or a child who picks up the phone. How a volunteer reacts in that scenario depends entirely on how you train them.
3. Have an FAQ list: An FAQ list answers questions that an agent is most likely to be asked. A handy FAQ list in your calling software will serve as a good pointer for the agent and help the campaign prepare the best answers for common questions in advance.
4. Be a good listener: Often, volunteers can gather valuable information on their GOTV phone calls if they listen closely. You may find out that a constituent intends to vote but is unsure how to register. You can help them if you are alert.
5. Have a follow-up strategy: Following up with constituents is a great way to remind them of the action you want them to take – get out and vote. You can schedule a mass text or a voice blast reminding them to vote. 

Do Not:

1. Be caught lacking information: As someone who is supposed to guide voters and help them register or get out to vote, you need to know as much as possible about the voting process. 
2. Focus only on yourself: Let the person on the other side speak if they want to. It can be daunting, especially if you have a script to follow and you are in the flow, repeating the same script to multiple people back-to-back. However, allowing space for people to talk may help you gain insights, register more people they know, or address their concerns.
3. Ask too many questions: There might be a fine line between gathering information and seeming intrusive. Know the exact questions you need to ask when calling and ensure they are important to the conversation. 

GOTV phone calling: Next steps for your campaign

A GOTV phone calling campaign is crucial for reaching as many voters as possible. 

While a strategy is in place, the next step is finalizing a calling software that supports your campaign’s goals.

CallHub’s calling software is designed to cater to campaigns like yours, ensuring you run effective campaigns . Try CallHub for free for 14-days to see for yourself.

Frequently asked questions about GOTV phone calls

What are GOTV phone calls, and why are they effective?

GOTV (Get Out the Vote) phone calls are campaign outreach efforts in which volunteers or staff contact voters by phone, reminding and motivating them to vote. Studies show that these calls increase voter turnout by 3 to 4 percentage points, making them one of the most effective methods, especially in close elections.

How do autodialers improve GOTV phone banking campaigns?

Autodialers automate the process of dialing phone numbers, enabling volunteers to speak with three times as many supporters daily as with manual calling. This efficiency boost enables campaigns to reach more voters in less time and maximize the impact of their volunteers.

What legal rules must GOTV phone callers follow?

GOTV callers must comply with federal and state regulations, including respecting ‘Do Not Call’ lists, providing required disclaimers for advocacy, and ensuring that communications are nonpartisan if made by nonprofits. Knowing the law helps avoid fines and interruptions to your campaign.

When is the best time to make GOTV phone calls?  

Campaigns achieve the best results by starting calls a few weeks before Election Day, especially in states with early voting or absentee ballot deadlines. Timely outreach ensures voters are informed and ready to participate when polls open.

Featured Image Source: Mikhail Nilov

Shiksha Sharma

Shiksha Sharma is a Content Marketer with over 5 years of experience in the B2B SaaS industry. She has extensively written about software that helps organizations work easily. Her areas of research include politics, nonprofits, advocacy, and business.