What is canvassing?

Canvassing is the practice of visiting households or businesses in a particular area to promote political candidates. This involves knocking on doors and engaging with voters about your chosen candidate’s platform and message. The goal is to persuade them to vote for your candidate over others by providing information and answering questions.

Canvassing can be done either individually or in groups. When done solo, the volunteer typically works from a pre-determined list of addresses provided by their campaign team, while those who canvass together may cover different areas within a larger geographic region. Regardless of how it’s carried out, though, research shows that canvassing is the most effective way to connect with voters and win elections.

Who can take part?

Firstly, you need to be comfortable on your feet, walking from door to door for a couple of hours. You must be over 18 years old and fluent in English. Passion about politics is essential: people on the doorstep will respond to your energy. Secondly, confidence and good communication skills will help you along - you will engage with voters on a personal level and respond to their questions or concerns. But some of our most successful volunteers and organizers are introverts!

If you volunteer with Vote Blue, you don’t need any training or experience in advance: we’ll provide you everything you need on the morning of the day. Our friendly, approachable and helpful bus captains will talk you through the issues relevant in the district, some background on the candidate, and provide you a packet with all the information you will need. We also provide a delicious bag lunch, coffee and soft drinks to keep you fueled up for success.

Where will we go?

Vote Blue’s buses leave from a convenient central location in New York City and travel to swing districts in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania within a couple of hours’ drive. We meet local organizers at a field office, where we’ll collect literature about the candidates on the ballot and receive lists of addresses to visit. We often meet congressional candidates face-to-face, too, and hear directly from them what motivates them to work in public service. Then, we’ll either walk to voters’ homes, or take a ride with volunteers who live nearby.