GOTV: What Do You Need for Get Out The Vote?EveryAction Admin Mon, 09/16/2024 - 08:00 by Enrique Rivas (He/Him) GOTV is Your Ally Get Out the Vote (GOTV) matters. Campaigns demand long hours, unpleasant conversations about fundraising, and massive dedication from the candidate, the campaign team, staffers, and volunteers. After all the resources (including your sanity) are poured into your campaign, a robust GOTV strategy and efforts are vital to end on a high note. Here are a few things to think about for GOTV as you plan your last push to the finish line: GOTV message: GOTV messaging should include the basic information a voter needs. This information should include the candidate’s name, the voter’s polling location, polling hours, and phone numbers to call and ask for a ride to the polls, and for reporting problems at the polls. Additionally, if you’re running a program in a state where voting laws have recently changed (think about states where they have implemented new voter ID requirements), it will be helpful to include that information in your GOTV messaging. GOTV lit drops:Lit drops are not as effective and impactful as door knocking, so it’s important to use them judiciously in your GOTV efforts. However, given that time is limited, they are an excellent method for reaching voters who are inclined to support your campaign but might need a gentle nudge to cast their ballot. Typically, lit drops are most effective for GOTV in locations where your party traditionally performs well. But remember, make sure that everyone, especially your volunteers, know that lit cannot be left in mailboxes.  GOTV canvassing list:Your GOTV canvassing list should primarily include ID’ed 1s and 2s. The best (and the most important) times for canvassing are right after work (think 5 PM), until the polls close, as well as over the weekend (at appropriate times). As always, make sure your canvassers are equipped with good walk packets. These packets usually contain maps, scripts, enough literature to pass out, clipboards, and any other basic instructions that are relevant to the canvassing effort. GOTV for early vote:Early vote is here to stay, and it’s important that your GOTV strategy reflects this. Voter turnout programs should be timed to include early vote dates and include voters who are permanently in the absentee voter list. If you miss or ignore these voters, you will be overlooking a very, very large portion of your supporter base. Early voting has grown in popularity, and we saw this with the high rates voters who voted early in 2022, following the trend from the 2020 presidential election. GOTV mail:If your budget allows it, consider adding direct mail to your GOTV communication mix. As with ALL other communication methods, timing is crucial. Your mail should align with all voting dates and provide the needed and detailed information on how to vote. Additionally, consider including a positive social pressure in your mail, as we’ve seen this to be an effective tactic for GOTV. This approach doesn’t need to be a strong or intrusive one, rather, a gentle reminder can work really well. For instance, we’ve had good success reminding people that early voting is not only convenient but also offers peace of mind allowing them to relax knowing they’ve done their part and that their civic duty is complete. GOTV phones:You might be wondering: Do I still need to plan to use phones as a tactic in my GOTV campaign? The simple answer is yes. It is important to know your audience when you’re planning to use phones for GOTV. Phones encompass a variety of approaches such as texting, paid live calls, volunteer calls, and even robocalls. We’ve seen texting to be an effective GOTV tactics for younger audiences, while robocalls remain a positive persuasion tool for older audiences. If you’re relying on volunteers, calculate the number of calls that need to be made, the number of phones requires, and the shifts that need to be staffed. Make sure you provide clear scripts and instructions. Schedule calls to start at the beginning of your GOTV campaign up until 10 minutes before the polls close. Visibility plan for GOTV: Consider visibility as the icing on the cake. Before focusing on visibility efforts, make sure that you’ve cover your bases with primary voter contact methods like canvassing, phones, and mail. However, visibility can also serve as a great tool to energize volunteers, especially if you’re lucky enough to have extra hands available. If you decide to include visibility in your GOTV tactics, for maximum impact, choose high-traffic corners for signs and target these areas during rush hour. Poll watchers plan for GOTV: Poll watching is a volunteer-intensive task but it’s crucial for focusing efforts on supporters who haven’t voted yet. It’s important to know the rules of poll watching well in advance and make sure that all volunteers involved are well-informed and following those rules.Just a reminder, this is by no means a fully comprehensive list. GOTV strategies vary depending on the campaign, but this should serve as a solid foundation for you to start developing your GOTV plan. Have a question? Drop us a line.  Meta Keywords GOTV Meta Title GOTV: What Do You Need for Get Out The Vote? | Voter Turnout Meta Abstract GOTV or Get Out The Vote is a key part of any campaign. Here are tips for your GOTV program. Meta Description GOTV or Get Out The Vote is a key part of any campaign. Here are tips for your GOTV program. Categories GOTV Tags Early Vote| Voter ID| Digital GOTV| Democratic GOTV| GOTV for Democrats| GOTV Calls| GOTV Costs

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