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There is no getting around the fact that door-to-door canvassing can be uncomfortable. Knocking on someone’s door and asking them to stop whatever they were doing to have a chat with you about politics is awkward and seems unnatural.
So why go through all the trouble?
Because it works.
In a study on MoveOn GOTV operations, researchers found that contact with MoveOn volunteers increased voter turnout by approximately 9 percentage points. Because, unlike a conversation on a social media platform, face-to-face interaction is deeply personal. Two people having a respectful conversation on a doorstep are more likely to find common ground.
Related reading: 6 proven strategies to help you increase voter turnout
Why is it important to be prepared when canvassing?
Your campaign and your volunteers need to be in sync. That’s because successful canvassing involves:
- Conveying the right message to the right voter group (ex. GOTV for supporters)
- Collecting the data you need to facilitate further communication
- Making sure constituents have everything they need to cast a vote.
Hence this post on political canvassing tips.
So, all in all, how do you get better at door-to-door canvassing?
In this article, we’ve rounded up some door-to-door campaigning tips for both campaign managers and volunteers to help you maximize your success rate.
Key Takeaways
Door-to-door canvassing feels awkward but delivers measurable turnout gains and requires upfront planning to be effective.
Why Canvassing Works
- A study on MoveOn GOTV operations found that contact with MoveOn volunteers increased voter turnout by approximately 9 percentage points.
- Face-to-face interaction is more personal than conversations on social media platforms, making it easier for two people to find common ground on a doorstep.
Why Preparation Matters
- Campaigns and volunteers need to be in sync so the right message reaches the right voter group, such as GOTV messaging aimed at supporters.
- Canvassers need to collect the data required to facilitate further communication with constituents.
- Canvassers must ensure constituents have everything they need to actually cast a vote.
Setting Objectives Before an Event
- Objectives should be set before planning the canvassing event and spreading the word to supporters.
- Political canvassing can serve voter ID purposes by gathering information on voters in a locality.
- Canvassing can also raise awareness about an issue, help with voter registration, persuade undecided voters, identify registered voters and residents who haven’t voted in a long time, or convince supporters to vote through GOTV efforts.
- Canvassing scripts and walk lists should change depending on which of these campaign objectives is being pursued.
Door to door canvassing tips for campaigns
Set your objectives
When? Before planning your event and spreading the word to supporters.
Political canvassing is typically done to:
- Gather information on voters in a locality (Voter ID)
- Raise awareness about an issue
- Help with voter registration
- Persuade undecided voters to increase voter participation (Voter persuasion)
- Identify registered voters, likely voters, and residents that haven’t voted in a long time
- Convince supporters to vote (GOTV)
Your canvassing script and walk lists will change depending on your campaign objectives.
Learn more about creating a canvassing script for door-to-door campaigns.
