Volunteer Field Guide

A canvassing shift is a chance to meet neighbors, hear what matters to them, and introduce your campaign. Your organizer gives you a walk packet: a group of voters to visit in one area.

Here is how to use it on your first shift.

Before you leave

Sign in, select your campaign, and open the packet your organizer assigned you.
Read the Canvassing Script so you know what to say and ask.
Look over the map so you know where you are headed.
Charge your phone. Ask for a printed packet if you prefer paper or expect poor service.

Your phone may ask to use your location. This helps show nearby voters and can share your location with campaign organizers while you use the walk view. You can allow or decline it.

At the door

Find the address on the map or in your list, then select the name of the person you are speaking with. Follow the script and listen to their answer.

Record Support, Oppose, or Undecided based on what they tell you. Choose Not Home if nobody answers.

Add a note for anything your team should follow up on, such as a question you could not answer. Mark a yard-sign request when someone asks for a sign.

Several voters may live at one address. Record each person’s answer separately. If you choose the wrong result, select their name again and change it.

Find your next visit

Use Pending to see voters without a recorded result. Use Not Home when your organizer wants you to try those homes again.

Finish your shift

Tell your organizer about questions, yard-sign requests, and homes that need another visit. If you used paper, hand back the sheets so your team can enter the results in Neurelect.

For more about your packet, see Walk Packets.