Frequently Asked Questions
The smallest geographical unit in politics; typically, a neighborhood, but based on a number of voters.
To identify supporters and to bring the message to those who are not supporters: by ringing the doorbell & talking to them, answering questions, leaving literature. If they're strong supporters, we invite them to join as volunteers, take yard sign, etc.
Usually just registered voters, & which ones depends on the election. Sometimes only Democrats, sometimes Decline to State (independent). We may also want to knock on doors with no registered voters in order to try to register additional voters.
You get a list showing name, address, phone, age, party, whether they voted in the last 5 elections (P=went to polls, A=voted absentee). All this is public record. You also get a map of the precinct, a script that you can follow if/as you like, copies of candidate flyers, voter reg forms & absentee applications for people who want them.
We can also phone them, usually with a script from the campaign, to ID voters, answer questions, send stuff to them if they want.
No, you can choose to do a different one. However, it is convenient to do one's own, and contact from a neighbor has been shown to be the most effective way to connect with voters.
It's coordinated for the next step: try to convince people who are leaning, recruit volunteers from the strong supporters, finalize the ID process for getting out the vote. We might walk again, or phone.
GOTV is reminding the ID'd supporters before the election to go to vote (or vote absentee), supplying rides/babysitters if necessary. On election day, precinct captains will keep track of who has voted on the list posted outside the polling place door, and contacting those who have not voted yet to get every identified supporter to the polls.