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STRATEGIES TO WIN IN EARLY VOTE STATES

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Rick

Ridder

STRATEGIES TO WIN IN EARLY VOTE STATES

RBI Strategies & Research

Henri Makembe

Hamlin Street Group

@henrim

Dave Johnston

POOLHOUSE

Danielle Cendejas

The Strategy Group

@dccendejas

Edith�Jorge-Tuñón

Republican State Leadership Committee

@edith_jorge

MODERATOR

Sylvia

Allen-Hoover

United States

Postal Service

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When Surveyed Voters Prefer to Receive Direct Mail

Utilize Direct Mail as a Starting Point For Engagement

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Leverage the Unique Voter Relationship with Direct Mail

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Some of the Types of Campaign Information Surveyed Voters Want to Receive Through Direct Mail Pieces

Communicate Comprehensive Information in Mail Pieces

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TV Advertising and Early Voting

  • AB/EV is increasingly larger share of total votes cast
    • 2016: 33.2% AB/EV
    • 2020: 59.9% AB/EV
    • 2022: 46.2% AB/EV
  • The Rules and The Data
  • Messaging and Mix need to peak at the right time

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EARLY VOTING IN 2000

Source: The Center for Election Innovation & Research, The Expansion of Voting Before Election Day, 2000-2004

40% of all voting-age citizens lived in states offering at least one option for early voting.

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EARLY VOTING IN 2024

Source: The Center for Election Innovation & Research, The Expansion of Voting Before Election Day, 2000-2004

Nearly 97% of all voting-age citizens live in states offering at least one option for early voting.

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CA EARLY VOTER DATA

Always or Usually Early = Ballots Returned Before 8 Days Out

Always or Usually Late = Ballots Returned in the Last Week of the Election

Source: Political Data Inc.

Ballot Return Behavior

Statewide Voters

%

Combined Early/Late

Registered Voters

22,061,247

Always Return Early

631,799

2.9%

Usually Return Early

2,864,261

13.0%

15.8%

Return Early and Late

1,379,657

6.3%

Always Return Late

4,510,090

20.4%

54.0%

Usually Return Late

7,398,596

33.5%

Unknown

5,276,872

23.9%

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CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

Always or Usually Early = Ballots Returned Before 8 Days Out

Always or Usually Late = Ballots Returned in the Last Week of the Election

Source: Political Data Inc.

Ballot Return Behavior

Statewide Voters

%

Combined Early/Late

Registered Voters

621,573

Always Return Early

20,210

3.3%

Usually Return Early

79,326

12.8%

16.0%

Return Early and Late

40,203

6.5%

Always Return Late

138,193

22.2%

55.0%

Usually Return Late

203,916

32.8%

Unknown

139,725

22.5%

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

Candidate Field of 5: 4 Democrats and 1 Republican

1 Dem candidate mostly self-funded, with a war chest of $3.4 million

Our candidate raised $920,000 and had the official Dem Party endorsement

THE CHALLENGE:

Sustaining a Communications and Field Campaign for a 5-week Super Tuesday Election Day, knowing we’ll be outspent

Source: Political Data Inc.

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

7 Week Mail Plan

TARGETS

DROP DATE

Intro/Comparative

All

Jan 17

Reproductive Rights Comparative 1

All

Jan 26

Reproductive Rights Comparative 2

All

Jan 31

Education 1

All

Feb 5

Education Comp 2

Ex Always Early Voters

Feb 16

Homelessness Comp 1

Ex Always Early Voters

Feb 19

Homelessness Comp 2

Women ex Always Early and Voted

Feb 23

Homelessness Comp 3

Women ex Always Early and Voted

Feb 26

Endorsements

Women ex Always Early and Voted

Feb 27

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

Digital Plan

TARGETS

Flight Dates

15s, 30s Custom List Targeted Cross Device Video, CTV, and Youtube

Foothills Area Targets

Jan 26-Mar 5

15s, 30s Custom List Targeted Cross Device Video, CTV, and Youtube

Lower San Gabriel Valley & Glendale Targets

Feb 9 - Mar 5

Meta – Video & Graphic

District Zip Codes

Jan 31 – Feb 15

Meta – Static Graphic

District Zip Codes

Feb 19 – Mar 5

Meta – GOTV Graphic

District Zip Code

Mar 2 – Mar 5

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

Field Plan

TARGETS

Dates

Progressive Leaning, High Propensity, AND Early Voting Precincts

South Pasadena, Pasadena, Claremont

Jan 5 - Feb 4

Progressive Leaning, High Propensity AND Early and Late Voters

South Pasadena, Pasadena, Claremont

Feb 10 – Feb 25

Progressive Leaning, Mid Propensity, excluding Not Voted and Early Voters

South Pasadena, Pasadena, Claremont, Glendale

Feb 26 – Mar 5

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

Text Plan

TARGETS

Text Date

Reproductive Rights

Women Mail Targets in Foothills

Feb 4

Education

Men and Women in South SGV area Mail Targets

Feb 6

Comparative

All Mail Targets

Feb 19

Spanish

Spanish Speakers Only

Feb 23

Targeted Audiences

Mail Targets + Mid Propensity excluded voted

Feb 26 - 29

GOTV X 4

Mail Targets

Mar 2, 3, 4, 5

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

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2024 PRIMARY: CA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

February 27 March 5 Final

76% Ballots Were Returned in Last 8 Days of Election

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Strategies to Win in Early Vote State

  • Focus on how easy it is to vote (Not on the issues)
    • Social pressure works but can be creepy online
  • Create surround sounds around the target audience
    • Reinforce the message across mediums/channels
  • Getting the data/data process and flow right is more crucial
  • Time early to leave room for experimentation
    • Messenger & Medium