Voter Contact:

Who, Why, and How?

Understand the WHY of what we’re doing, and the importance of the specifics of HOW.

Walk away with a clear grasp of #1 to transfer to your vols!

Deep dive and practice a couple of script elements.

GOALS

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Who?

UNIVERSE #1: MOBILIZATION

Likelihood to Vote

Likelihood to Support

UNIVERSE #2: PERSUASION

Likelihood to Vote

Likelihood to Support

TYPES OF CONVERSATIONS:

VBM Chase

EV In-Person

Persuasion

VBM Generation / Education

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE UNIVERSE

• Our day-to-day calls and texts are made into a “blended universe”
• The universe exists for a reason
• Don’t call out of the universe!

Why?

Let’s zoom out a bit!

What are we trying to accomplish?

OUR GOAL:

Mobilize and persuade voters

OUR GOAL:

Maximize the number of high-quality contacts to mobilize and persuade voters so we can win

Voter contact works.

SCIENCE!

• Study after study shows: voter contact works.
• The closer we get to a face-to-face conversation, the better.
• But it must be scalable.

Voter contact works. Period.

COMPARE OUR CAPACITY TO MARGINS

• Average vote difference across prior elections: �xx
• Average margin across these elections: �xx%
• Our projected number of voter contacts: �xx

How?

How [will we contact voters]?

OUR MOST POWERFUL TOOL

The Dialer.

Why the dialer?

OUR GOAL:

Maximize the number of high-quality contacts to mobilize and persuade voters so we can win.

THE DIALER

• Very, very efficient
• Massively expands our ability to connect with voters.
• The most powerful voter contact tool in our toolbox, canvassing, isn’t possible right now.
• So, we have to have MASSIVE impact on the phones -- the dialer lets us do that.

THE DIALER VS. OPEN VPBS

• We’re aiming for an 80/20 split (dialer/VPB)
• Not eliminating VPBs, but the dialer should be the default.
• (Remember: The dialer is our door knocking!)
• The dialer can be a challenge; it’s exhausting, and a little different. We have to push it anyway.

How [will we talk to voters]?

LET’S DEEP DIVE OUR SCRIPT

Script here

SCRIPT ELEMENT: THE INTRO & RATIONALE

XX SCRIPT

SCRIPT ELEMENT: THE ID & PERSUASION

SCRIPT ELEMENT: VOTE BY MAIL!

SCRIPT ELEMENT: ORGANIZING

THIS SCRIPT ISN’T AN ACCIDENT!

• Every conversation has a purpose: mobilization and persuasion.
• It’s why we start with a rationale.
• It’s why we actively listen.
• It’s why we push supporters to commit to VBM or make a plan.
• And then to organize by vote tripling and organizing.

EMPHASIZE:

• Voters have options on how to cast their ballot, and that voting early is convenient.
• Everyone is very motivated to vote this year. Nothing will stop us. Turnout will be high.
• Vote as early as you can. You have options. Make a plan.

EVERY SINGLE CONVERSATION

Don’t forget about tone: positive, warm, sincere. Smile!

Deliver a positive Joe message.

Deliver a positive voting message.

Get a commitment; make a plan.

SCRIPT & TIER PENETRATION ARE KEY.

• We will attempt every person in our universe multiple times.
• Every contact needs an ID; every 1 needs a VBM ask. Hundo to hundo.
• We will be laser-focused on quality.

Every volunteer needs to know and understand this.

Scripts will change as voting options are available to voters, but the language we use in our approach to the conversation will stay familiar.

OUR SCRIPTS WILL ADAPT TO THE TIMELINE

We will use specific scripts for each step.

Before ballots drop: �VBM generation.

After ballots drop: �Ballot chase & make a plan.

After in-person voting starts:�Make a plan.

Let’s zoom in on persuasion!

PERSUASION REVIEW

Listen

Acknowledge

Relate

Connect

REVIEW ACTIVE LISTENING TACTICS

We’re going to have to ensure our volunteers know how to do this well.

Be Present

Give Feedback

Take Notes

What type of issues do you think you will see during GOTV events or in conversations with voters?

let’s practice

1. You will be put in a breakout group.
2. Take one minute to review your Messaging Grid.
3. Practice using “as someone who” to persuade a voter.

You have 10 minutes

How did this practice go?

How does the “as someone who” framework help your conversations with voters?

How will you work with your volunteers so they understand how to do this too?

debrief

Voter contact matters. Period.

We must use the dialer. It’s hard. But it’s worth it. Get your volunteers bought into the script and the tool.

Stick to the script. Stick to the universe. And...

TAKEAWAYS

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Questions?