CANVASSING: THE FRIENDLY FACE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Photo courtesy of NCDP.
Sarah O’Brien is the Organizing Director of the NCDP, and former C2C Co-Director.
Canvassing on a rainy afternoon in March, I met Macky, the self-proclaimed mayor of his neighborhood in Hickory. From the doorstep of his house on the corner, he told us about rallying his neighbors to go vote. In Burlington, I knocked doors with Stephanie Enoch, a Green Level Council Member. Our list included her former colleague, two cousins, and her son’s friend. She cheerfully implored each one to come to the next Democratic Party meeting. In Rockingham, I was “reverse canvassed” for the first time – called over by a pair of young men in the driveway, curious to know whose campaign we were with. Not only was one of the men related to the candidate for County Commissioner, but he was also a former student of my canvassing partner.
It's no wonder that one-on-one conversations are the most powerful tool campaigns have to change minds and behavior. When we engage voters face-to-face, we discover old connections or form new ones. In an age of disinformation, we build trust with a smile, eye contact, and a handshake.
Across the state, volunteers have been signing up to be the friendly face of the Democratic campaign to win North Carolina this year. County Party leaders have gamely opened their headquarters and warmly welcomed organizers from the State Party as partners in these early canvasses. In this most important of election years, we’ve worked alongside 27 county parties to put together 40 canvasses; 24 more counties have one on the calendar (Find one near you: https://linktr.ee/knocknc.)
The North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) is calling this endeavor Project 100, our commitment to robust voter contact in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Wherever we go, we’re talking with folks who have sat out recent elections and voters we need to win back to our side. Our scripts are based on the premise that we need to show up early, listen more, and talk about local priorities. We celebrate the candidates running for local and state legislative offices, knowing that down ballot races have up ballot effects; knowing that supporting local candidates makes recruitment easier next time; knowing that building a deep bench is insurance for the future.
Partnership between the NCDP Regional Organizing Directors (RODs) and County Leaders is the heart of Project 100. RODs are long-term residents of their regions, with deep respect for the work their counties are doing. They know that it’s easy to get a volunteer to come once – so they strive to make each canvass a rewarding experience that engages volunteers with their County Party for the long haul.
To cast a net this wide takes the full support of NCDP. Project 100 is the initial investment in grassroots organizing that the reform-minded NCDP Board promised when they were elected last year. Led by Chair Anderson Clayton, NCDP worked tirelessly to raise funds to have organizers on the ground by the end of 2023. The Training, Data, Digital, and Organizing Departments work in close collaboration to ensure that canvassers show up on the right doors, literature in hand and prepared to have quality conversations. Best of all, perhaps, is that Board Members and NCDP staff are regular participants in Project 100 canvasses — firing up the volunteers and then heading out to talk with voters themselves!
Each Monday, I open the NC Field Activity map, noting clusters of dots where there were Project 100 canvasses. And I smile to see the dots covering neighborhoods in Wake, in Wilson, in Granville — knowing that my friends from County-to-County and Neighbors on Call were out, working hard on behalf of the legislative candidates in must-win districts. Literally and metaphorically, there is a lot of ground to cover, and it is going to take all of us this year.
Ready to join us? Here’s what to expect!
A day or two before the canvass, your organizer will send you an email with where and when to meet and to confirm your participation. It’s helpful to download the MiniVAN 9 app from the App Store or Google Play. MiniVAN is the app we use to get our walk lists — gone are the days of paper lists! NCDP offers a training on using MiniVAN every Thursday night (sign up here), and your organizer can help you when you get to the canvass!
Arrive at the canvass prepared to walk for a couple of hours - bring sunscreen, a hat, water, comfortable shoes, plus your fully charged phone. If you like to canvass with a partner, you will be matched up with someone (or bring a friend!). You’ll get your MiniVAN list number and a script before you head out.
You may be nervous! You’ve got this — I promise. Most people who open the door are friendly, and none of them are going to riddle you with policy hardballs. You’ll make a difference just by showing up, sharing something genuine about yourself, and really listening to the voter. People remember stories, not statistics and talking points.
At the end of their shift, the majority of first time canvassers are ready to do it again. It is exhilarating to go outside your comfort zone, have good conversations, and act on your values! See you there!