FAQ
Why do you focus on phone banking and canvassing?
Many organizations reach voters with letters, postcards, text messages, and more. Knock for Democracy is currently focusing on making phone calls and knocking on doors because we believe in the power of the one-to-one conversation: by making direct human connections with voters (even those with opposing views), our volunteers gain valuable information about the issues that matter most, can pass along important insights to our campaign partners, and help foster dialogue that is critical to the health of our democracy. Through a single conversation, you could help someone to feel connected with the political process in a way they never thought possible. Moreover, studies have shown that direct voter contact is the most effective way to win elections!
How are your events different?
We recognize that this work can be intimidating, so we worked hard to develop a format that is both fun and supportive. By making calls all together on Zoom, we’re able to create a sense of community and shared experience - seeing the dozens of other volunteers calling at the same time is far less isolating than trying to phone bank alone in your room! And a key part of our events are our story breaks, where volunteers can share notable conversations or anecdotes, commiserate, learn and laugh. We strive to foster the same community experience in our door-to-door canvassing events, building an environment where everyone feels safe to participate and make a real difference together.
In addition, our team has developed close relationships with each of our local partners, so we can make sure your time and energy are deployed in the most effective way possible.
Do I need experience or training to join?
You don’t need to have any experience -- we’ll provide everything you need to have comfortable, confident conversations! Every event starts with call introductions, and we review the scripts and procedures in detail. Leaders are available the entire time, so once we get to it, we’re there with you to troubleshoot and answer questions.
What if I don’t know much about the states or candidates you are calling for?
That’s no problem at all -- we always provide you with talking points as well as resources on voting procedures in each state. This allows you to have key facts handy should a voter ask you a question. It always helps to go over these documents beforehand, but is not necessary. We discuss them in detail at the start of each event.
What will I be talking about in these conversations?
Our conversations typically fall into two main categories. First is Voter Turnout, making sure registered Democrats are familiar with the candidates and have a plan to vote -- whether by mail or in person. Second is Persuasion, contacting independent and swing voters to share information on relevant issues and encourage them to support Democratic candidates. And often conversations are a combination of both!
Sometimes voters are unsure of who they’re voting for or if they’re going to vote at all, providing us with a perfect opportunity to have a personal conversation and listen to their concerns. Sometimes listening closely, providing a bit more information about a candidate, and talking about why we’re excited about them is enough to get a voter to commit to supporting them too! And even if we don’t win over their support, a positive conversation can make someone feel included in our political system and more likely to participate thoughtfully in the future.
What interactions can I expect to have?
Often these calls are cordial and pleasant, and sometimes truly wonderful. Occasionally, you might have a less pleasant interaction with someone who is not a fan of the candidate.
It’s important to remember, these conversations across ideological divides can sometimes be the most valuable. Even if we don’t reach a place of agreement, speaking with someone outside our political bubble in a respectful, non-judgmental way can provide us with greater insight and empathy for a wide range of perspectives.
That being said, we never want our volunteers to be in unproductive or uncomfortable situations. You are encouraged to politely end a call if there is someone who is rude or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. And we’re right there with you to offer support, air grievances, and commiserate!
How does the phone banking work? Will I use my own phone?
You will need a laptop, desktop, or tablet (though the first two are preferred!) in addition your phone for doing the dialing. Headphones with speaker capabilities are also recommended.
The dialing tools generally fall into two types: Automatic/Predictive Dialer, where you sign into a dialer system that makes calls on your behalf and only connects you to voters who have answered the phone; and Manual Dialer, where you manually dial telephone numbers on your phone. If you don’t want to use your personal number for Manual Dialer calling, we recommend creating a Google voice account (you can even do it with an area code in the state where we’re calling!). Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set it up.
How many people can I expect to talk to?
The truth of the matter is, some people don’t answer the door and many don’t pick up the phone! If you’re speaking to a handful of people in a two hour shift that is a great response rate. Each person that we persuade or turn out - particularly in these close races - makes all the difference.
That said all of this work, whether you’re talking to voters or not, is incredibly valuable to the campaigns. We gather data with every call we make and door we knock, which allows the campaigns to clean their lists and hone their voter contact strategy as we approach election day. For example - if we log a wrong or disconnected number, that person will be removed from the contact list - which allows the campaign to focus on correct numbers during crunch time. We call that political dusting! Every. Bit. Of Data. Helps.
What if someone asks me a question and I don’t know the answer?
That is absolutely OK! We’re all volunteers, not experts or slick political operatives and are never expected to know the answers to everything. In fact the more you stumble or fumble for words, the call the more authentic a conversation you’re likely to have.
Our team will be available to field any questions. It’s fine to say, “I’m not sure, let me look that up for you”, and either discuss with our team or check the campaign website. If the question is more complex, you can make a note in their file and have the campaign follow-up with them directly.
Any tips on how to have productive conversations?
You bet! While the main thing is always to be your authentic self, here is some advice we’ve found most helpful:
Use the script as a guide! While it’s certainly ok to read it verbatim, it’s great to put it into your own voice. This typically becomes easier once you’ve had a few conversations and get into a rhythm.
Jot down a few notes about why you’re excited about a candidate, or something that stands out about their platform. That way you’ll be ready when a voter asks.
Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” You’re a volunteer, not an expert and it’s better to be right and take your time than to give a misleading answer quickly. You’d be surprised how many voters are happy to wait patiently for you to look something up!
What if someone asks where I’m from?
While this rarely comes up, if you are asked, be honest! You can explain that you’re doing this work because their district is critical to the outcome of this year’s election and you’re excited about the candidate we’re supporting.
Can I take breaks?
Yes! We always take a 10 minute break in the middle of phone banking events to debrief, but you can pause your calls at any time. And canvassing allows for ample breaks in between doors!