Trick-or-Vote
2006
Canvass Training
WALKING & KNOCKING
for DEMOCRACY!
• We will be knocking on doors to get out the
vote. It’s the best way, on the best day!
• Everyone going out today gets a map and
walklist. That’s your “TURF.”
• Each turf is for a PAIR of Trick-or-Voters.
• You can choose to walk separately (for
example, on different sides of the street), or
walk together.
• Stay on your turf so you don’t overlap other
Trick or Voters.
WALKING & KNOCKING
for DEMOCRACY!
• There are three kinds of turf
– RED: lots of apartment buildings
– YELLOW: a mix of apartments and
houses
– GREEN: mostly houses
GREEN & YELLOW TURF
• If you’re on a green or yellow
team, you’ll get a map that
highlights your assigned turf.
• You will also get a walk-list of
voters who HAVEN’T YET
VOTED (as of Thursday).
Focus on knocking on those
doors.
• Each turf is for two people,
and contains between 100
and 150 doors.
YELLOW TURF
YELLOW
TURF
• Yellow turf includes both houses and
apartments.
• Knock on doors until you get to an apartment
complex. If it’s locked, try your best to get in!
RED TURF
• If you are on a RED team, you will have a
map of APARTMENT BUILDINGS (not houses)
that are assigned to you.
• Each pair of Trick or Voters will be assigned
between 1 and 5 apartment buildings.
• You will also get a list of registered voters in
each building. (NOTE: Unlike green & yellow turf,
your turf will NOT tell you whether people have
voted in this election.)
RED TURF
• Some buildings have openers. Some do not.
If you have an opener, please don’t share
their name with anyone else in the building.
• If your turf is mostly students, you will have
student-specific voter guides to leave for
people.
• Be subtle, polite, and persistent, like a ninja.
Materials
TO DISTRIBUTE:
• Nonpartisan ballot measure
guide + ballot drop site info
• Door Hangers
• A few Trick or Vote flyers
• Candy
TO USE:
• Clipboard & pen
• Volunteer sign-ups
• Candy
What to do at the door…
TRICK OR VOTE!
Hi, I’m a volunteer
with Trick or Vote and
we’re all over the city
today reminding
people to vote in the
November 7th
election.
Have you turned in
your ballot?
What to do at the door…
If the answer is “NO”…
Well, here’s some information
about ballot measures and a
list of your local drop boxes.
If you wish to turn in your ballot
tonight, I can call a ballot
collector to come pick it up.
Happy Halloween!
What to do at the door…
If the answer is “Yes”…
Super! Here’s some
information -- please
give it to someone who
hasn’t voted yet. Have
a Happy Halloween!
What to do at the door…
In EITHER case, if the person at
the door is friendly, or says
something like, “Trick-or-Vote?
That’s a great idea”…
The Bus Project volunteer
team does this sort of thing
regularly. We’d love to let
you know about future
events. Do you have an email address?
What to do at the door…
If the person asks,
“Can I still mail my ballot in?”
You can, but do it SOON.
Ballots must be RECEIVED
by Nov. 7th.
Friday Nov. 3rd is the last
day to mail it in.
It’s easy for one of our
ballot collectors to get it
today.
What to do at the door…
If the person at the door would
like their ballot collected
tonight…
I’ll call our ballot collector right
away!
OR
You can call this number and a
ballot collector will be by to get
it right away!
13
Tips
1
Walk Quickly, Talk Slowly
More doors = more votes turned out.
Move quickly from door to door and
from house to house, but don’t rush
when you talk to someone.
2
Use Your Map and Walklist
This will keep you from getting lost or
double-knocking doors, and will make
you more efficient.
3
Knock Three Times
Give residents time to get to the door.
4
Smile
This will put residents at ease and
make them more open to talking to
you.
5
Listen
This makes residents feel like you really
care…
6
Give Literature
You will have nifty and informative stuff to
hand out so use it!
- Leave the ballot measure & drop site guide at
EVERY door you knock
- Leave a door hanger too, if no one is home
- Giving candy is discretionary
7
Be Comfy and Safe
A comfy canvasser is an effective
canvasser, so take care of your needs.
Use your judgment on the street; never
put yourself in a situation where you do
not feel safe.
8
Leave No Trick-or-Voter
Behind
Meet up with your team before you
leave the turf. Make sure everyone is
accounted for. Don’t leave your
partner behind.
9
No Mailboxes
It is against the law to leave material in
mailboxes. Don’t break the law.
Leave hand-outs on the porch, rolled
up between the door-knob and doorjam, or under the door.
10
Leave Things Nice
You are a guest in the neighborhood
you canvass in, so act like it. Respect
property.
11
Sign ‘em Up!
If anyone seems remotely interested in
the idea of Trick-or-Vote (or getting the
vote out period), then sign them up to
get more info about other events like
this one. Always ask!
12
ID Yourself as a Volunteer
Identify yourself as a volunteer…you
will usually be welcomed.
13
Stay Focused, Keep Moving
You will run out of time before you run
out of turf! Try to hit as many doors as
possible.
Hand Out Turf
and Practice!
Trainers -- give out turf!
Trick or Voters -- Pair up and
try it with a buddy
… and have fun!
Trick-or-Vote
2006