Canvassing Guide

• Trust your instincts —safety first.

• DON'T walk on lawns.

• Take off your sunglasses.

• Knock or ring the bell, step back, and smile.

• Avoid reading directly from a script on your phone.

• Pay attention to who you are talking to and personalize!

• Use information on your walk list (age, party preference). Confirm that you are talking to the voter on the list.

Tell them in your own words why you are there.

“I’m a volunteer in the neighborhood hoping to hear from you and voters like you.” 

Don't ask if they have time to talk with you.

• Start right in with, “I will only take a minute of your time,” and then proceed to key concepts. If they aren’t receptive, play it by ear and try to make some key points. Give literature.

If you encounter rude voters (rare)

• Don’t let it discourage you or waste your time. Every canvasser at one point or another has had a difficult interaction, but they are rare.

• If voter is clearly not going to vote Democratic, thank them for their time and move along.

Ask with empathy and interest.

Sample Opening Questions to assess Key Voter Issues/Thoughts:

• We’re interested in what voters are thinking. 

• Wondering what thoughts you are having about our election?

• What issues are important to you these days?

• What keeps you up at night?

• What things are on your mind these days?

• Looks like you have children; is education important to you?

• If you could change just one thing in your state, what would it be?

Validate concerns: Use “Active Listening” and reflect back what you hear from the voter.  Use the 75/25% rule: Listen 75% of the time; talk 25% of the time.

• I hear you.

• I can definitely relate to that.

• Tell me more about that.

• Share a personal story, if fitting.

Follow-up Questions

• Have you been following the election?

• Are you a pretty regular voter, or just sometimes?

Connecting the voter's top issues to the candidate's positions will help motivate the voter.

• Emphasize how our candidate will address the voter's top concerns.

• Use Candidate or Campaign Talking Points — but adapt to each voter.

Asking voters what their plan is for voting is one of the most effective ways to ensure they will actually follow through. And asking them to  be a voter is more effective than asking if they will vote.

• If they don’t already have a plan, help them make it.

Sample Questions on Getting Commitment

• So have we got a deal then? (extend hand or elbow)

• Can we count on you to join with us this year?

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to be a voter?

• Can we count on you to support ____?

• If they are a supporter, ask them to volunteer, take a yard sign, or encourage their network to vote.

Sample Questions on Enlisting Help or Reaching out to Others

• Will you volunteer or take a yard sign?

• Are there other people you can reach out to, to help us win?

• Are there 3 friends and family you can reach out to, to help us win?

• Does anyone you know need to be registered? Including those who have moved, including new neighbors who might support us?