Nuts & Bolts: Inside a Democratic campaign—the last full week ahead

It’s another Sunday, so for those who tune in, welcome to a diary discussing the Nuts & Bolts of a Democratic campaign. If you’ve missed out, you can catch up at any time: Just visit our group or follow the Nuts & Bolts Guide. For years I’ve built this guide around questions that get submitted, hoping to help small-race candidates field questions. I’ve been grateful to so many campaign managers, field directors, communication directors, and volunteers for sharing their experience, which has continued to be a big part of the story presented every week in this series.

Next week will be the last full week before Election Day. In normal years, we would think of this week as “the push,” a week to make sure our own voters turn out, get to the polls, and cast their votes. Right now, however, in many states, the focus has changed: This week is ballot chase. Making sure that voters who received a ballot by mail turn their ballot in, and that they understand the process of how to make sure their vote counts. Let’s talk about the art of a ballot chase.

Chasing absentee ballots has always existed

The existence of absentee ballots, even for people who have disabilities or known valid excuses, is a given in almost every state. Until COVID-19, campaigns would include a ballot-chase program as a part of their strategy, certainly, but in dealing with low and mid-propensity voters they would put more resources into at-the-door voter turnout.

2020 changes that. Thanks to COVID-19, more voters will be casting ballots via advanced ballot or absentee ballot programs, and they hope to make sure their votes are counted. So how do we do that?  

Using tools available to the campaign (NGP-VAN), campaigns can see voters who have absentee ballots that were mailed to them as well as the status of those ballots—if they’ve been turned in or if they are still “out.” By keeping track of who has turned in a ballot and who hasn’t, you can focus your efforts and refine them to make sure that you increase your chances of turning out the voters you need. Text messaging tools are often ideal ways to communicate with many voters in a quick fashion. Campaigns report that more voters say they are less annoyed by text messages than phone calls—but I’d love to hear your comments on that down below!

Be courteous!

You want people to turn in their ballot. That’s certainly the goal. The bigger goal is to have them turn in their advanced ballot voting for your candidate. They may have a position on the presidency, but this is an ideal time to address a great state House, state Senate, county sheriff, or any other race that may be on the ballot. Be courteous with the voter. Don’t waste their time, but friendly reminders to vote the entire ballot can help make sure that your candidate doesn’t suffer due to a lot of undervotes—people who vote in the presidential race, for example, but don’t vote at all on other positions on the ballot.

Don’t snap at, be rude to, or be condescending to anyone via text or on a call. If they disagree with you—if your data is wrong and they are going to vote Republican—find out early. A script may read: “I’m texting for future senator XYZ.” If the response is, “I’m voting the other way,” thank them and move on. Quickly move on. Do not proceed, do not pass go—end the conversation with a thank you. 

Get ballots into the mail early

Election Day is coming fast. It’s a good idea to inform voters that Election Day is just the last possible day to vote, not the only day to vote. The earlier they get their advanced ballot in the mail, the easier it is to make sure that it gets counted. Another benefit: The moment campaigns see that their advanced ballot has been received, it means the number of phone calls and contacts with them drop completely off. And who doesn’t want that as a reward?

Many Democratic voters are motivated to turn in their early votes. They do so through direct in-person voting, or through ballot drop boxes, or through the mail. Voting early and by mail is easy. Voting early at a drop box is convenient. Encourage voters to use either method, if possible. 

Bring humor and humanity

Outside of being courteous, bring humor and humanity. Many voters feel disconnected thanks to COVID-19, and contact from someone can actually give many voters a positive feeling. It’s okay to laugh and share a joke, or just some humanity. Wish people a good day. Tell someone a dad joke. Let them know you’re a human being, and you know they are too. Treating people as you want to be treated is always a winner.

from Daily Kos https://ift.tt/35vtaPi