This feature is best for campaigns who want to take a more hands-off approach to door to door efforts and trust their block walkers. Walkers can simply go to any neighborhood in district, and be insured that they are speaking with target voters who have not been previously contacted by the campaign.

Some tips for clients interested in using this feature.

Administrators
1. Setting target criteria: from your menu, go to Manage > Near Me Settings and simply add the criteria for your target voter for anyone using the “Near Me” feature.
2. Once saved, the “Near Me” feature will always display voters who meet that criteria, but have never been contacted by the campaign. This prevents duplication of effort with any existing call or walk efforts.

Block Walkers
1. Log into your account on the phone and permit the site to access your location.
2. Once logged in, simply click on the button that says “Voters Near Me.” Target voters will appear on your map, and you can just go to the house closest to your location.
3. Periodically, your list will update to show voters who are closest to your new location while removing those from the map to which you have already spoken.
4. While somewhere near a 100 voters initially appears, the voters will continue to appear on screen as long as you want to continue walking.

The post Automatically Created Walklists – Near Me appeared first on Voter Gravity.

There has been an argument recently that both parties have been neglecting their swing voters and instead of trying to persuade these swing voters, have focused their efforts on much more involved voters.

Political Autonomy

Before you can begin to try to persuade independent voters toward your cause, you need to have a little more information about what makes them tick. The first thing that identifies an independent is political autonomy, meaning that they are proud that they don’t think like the rest of the population, and because of that, they are proud not to have the label of “Republican” or “Democrat.”

Dislike for Political Parties

Secondly, more often than not, independent voters have a very strong dislike for political parties and partisan players, and the next thing that sets independents apart would be that they are indifferent to any and all political parties and their affiliates.

Inconsistent Voters

Finally, independent voters could be classified as being inconsistent. Independents might vote Democrat during one election and then Republican the next.

There is a case to be made for saying that the Independents who lean Republican are different from the Independents who lean Democrat. According to Zachary Cook’s research in “The Younger, More Independent Republican Leaner,” he argued that this was because independents who leaned toward the GOP were less economically conservative than the party, and thus felt more cross pressure than independents who leaned toward the Democrats.

Even though independent voters are more likely to pride themselves on thinking outside of the box, it is interesting to note that according to a study done in 2012 by the Pew Research Center, independents are less likely to be informed when it comes to what is happening in the world of politics.

Download the Voter Gravity report here by Dr. George Hawley, assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama, to dive into the latest research revealing recent trends that impact your campaign. Discover the answers to these important questions:

• Partisans are your most reliable voters, but are many independents closet partisans?
• What is the difference between independents who lean toward the Democratic Party, and those who lean toward the Republican Party?
• Is the number of self-described independents increasing and if so, at which party’s expense?
• Do independents pay less attention to politics?

Download Full Report: Political Independents: Who They Are and How to Reach Them

The post Political Independents and Why They Matter to You appeared first on Voter Gravity.

By using Facebook, President Obama was able to connect with voters during the 2012 election cycle, in swing states who lacked listed phone numbers. According a survey released in 2012, 22 percent of registered voters used a social media site —such as Facebook or Twitter—to let others know how they voted. 30% reported that they were encouraged to vote for either President Obama or Governor Romney by friends and family on a social networking site, and 20 percent used a social networking site to encourage others to vote.

These numbers are even higher when we look exclusively at younger voters. Among voters under the age of 30, these percentages were 45 percent, 29 percent, and 34 percent, respectively.

During the 2012 election, face-to-face communication was the number one way of encouraging voters to get out and vote. The second most frequent method was social networking sites – social networking sites were used for this purpose more frequently than emails, texts, or phone calls.

Clearly, average voters are using online social networks to influence their friends and family on political matters. Facebook even has the option for you to let people know that you voted—and you can even pick who you voted for.

In 2006, it was found that Democrats were more likely to engage in campaigning online than Republicans were. This edge over the Republicans only became stronger during the 2008 election. Interestingly enough, Republican congressional candidates were found to have a stronger presence on Youtube than Democrats.

Before the Iowa caucuses in 2008, a study found that nearly 48 percent of students and young people received their news from a social media site, which it’s not hard to figure out that they would use social media to gather information on political candidates.

The idea that a well managed social media campaign can turn out a high volume vote can’t be dismissed due to the fact that individuals who saw that their friends voted/who they voted for were actually more likely to vote.

According to Facebook, the candidates who were most successful on Facebook, won their races. Following the 2010 congressional elections, Facebook claimed that in 74 percent of House races, the candidates with the most Facebook “fans” won their races. This was also true of 81 percent of Senate candidates. With that being said, however, we should be more skeptical of data and results received from social media than say, gallup.

Use your social media accounts to build name recognition, get your message out there and turn out the vote to win! Find out more by downloading Social Politics: The Impact of Social Networking on Political Campaigns:

Download the Voter Gravity report here by Dr. George Hawley, assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama, to dive into the latest research revealing recent trends that impact your campaign. Discover the answers to these important questions:

• The impact of internet activism on past elections
• What actions voters take online, and how best to reach them
• How to use social media to reach young voters
• How social media can work in conjunction with your ground game

The post How Social Media Impacts Elections appeared first on Voter Gravity.

What you might find surprising is that, while technology is critical, direct mail is often the largest source for campaign fundraising.

After Barry Goldwater lost to Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Richard Viguerie went to the county clerk’s office and received a list of the individuals that gave $50 or more to Goldwater’s campaign. He then wrote to those people, asking them to contribute to conservative causes. Thanks to this effort, the National Rifle Association, The Conservative Caucus, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Human Events, and several dozen others were founded.

Studies show that for every 200 pieces of nonpartisan, issue-based mail, you will see an additional one voter turnout in the election, yet partisan or party affiliated mail don’t turn out a single extra voter.

Studies have also shown that if you list the voting records of significant others or even neighbors, then voter turnout will be even higher due to the fact that it uses social pressure to turn out votes.

While partisan mailings with negative messaging drive down voter turnout rates, you can use positive mailings to your advantage. For example,  you can release mailings stating your positions in a positive light  before your opponent does so in a negative one.

The effectiveness of a direct mail campaign can be directly related to just how accurate their mailing list is. Chances are that your information will be sold to other conservative, like-minded organizations hoping that you will donate to them. While it has been proven that direct mailings might not have an effect on turning out voters, it can help persuade undecided voters.

Download the Voter Gravity report here by Dr. George Hawley, assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama, to dive into the latest research revealing recent trends that impact your campaign. Discover the answers to these important questions:

• The impact of direct mail on vote choice
• The responses to partisan and nonpartisan direct mail
• How direct mail succeeds when using social pressure
• Why some campaigns rely on direct mail more than others
• How to maximize the effectiveness of a direct mail campaign

The post Does Direct Mail Still Matter for Your Campaign? appeared first on Voter Gravity.

One of the most effective ways of getting your name out there and turning out voters is through face-to-face neighborhood canvassing. While it is much more tedious than phone banking, putting in the extra work of canvassing can make all the difference in your campaign.

As we have seen so far in the 2016 election, ground game is a key factor in a campaign’s success. Ted Cruz’s ground game in Iowa gave him that decisive victory. According to a study done by Gerber and Green in Get Out the Vote: How to Increase Voter Turnout, statistics show that for every 14 voters reached by knocking on the doors, a campaign will gain a vote.

Identifying and targeting voters based on party affiliation has played a large role in turning out the vote. Knowing which doors to knock on is more effective than knocking on all doors in a precinct.

So who should you talk to? A lot of campaigns take independent voters at their word. Independents claim not to be associated with a political party, however, these “independents” will lean one way or another based upon the issues. So, don’t count out your independent voters just because they say they don’t associate with a particular party.

One of the most important things to remember about getting out the vote is that while you could have the best message, the way in which you deliver your message matters. Taking the time to go door-to-door as the candidate not only enables you to know what your voters think and consequently, helps you tailor your message, but speaking to your voters face-to-face might just be more important than your message. Take the time to run surveys door-to-door to find out what your voters care about.

For more in-depth information on this topic, check out “In the Trenches:What Republican Operatives Need to Know About Voter Canvassing” written by Dr. George Hawley, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama.

Download the full report to learn:

• The cost-per-vote of door-to-door canvassing
• Why you shouldn’t take Independents at their word
• How demographics can tell you a lot about how someone will vote
• The strength of wedge issues to peel away voters
• Which is more important: the message or the method?

The post The Stats: Why The Ground Game is Key to Winning appeared first on Voter Gravity.

• Next-Level Campaign Guide: The days of paper walk books and clipboard surveys are over. Use this next-level guide to learn how to run a leading-edge campaign, top strategies for cutting-edge campaigns, how to set a vote goal, and how to integrate all aspects of your campaign.
• Student Activism Guide: Only 43% of millennials are politically literate and a mere 26% are getting involved. Use this guide to learn how to leverage cutting-edge technology, impact local politics, and talk about issues without making enemies—all while still in college.
• Community Activism Guide: You are on the front lines, so this guide will give you the top tips you need to bring fiscal sanity and principled leaders to your communities. Learn how to build a grassroots activism network, stay informed on local issues, and engage your network to #win2016.

Download Now

The post Download Now: CPAC Campaign & Activism Guides appeared first on Voter Gravity.

The boot camp lasts from March 2nd to March 4th, but on Wednesday, learn how to revolutionize your campaign with the leading-edge technology and effective strategies in the Campaign, Data, & Tech Track (Chesapeake 4-6), featuring the following speakers:

• Jessie Nicholson, Wisconsin Women’s Council Board Member, on “Campaign Messaging: How to Come Across in a Me-First World.”
  
• Steve Sutton, Vice President of Development for the Leadership Institute, on “Setting and Reaching the Right Vote Goals.”
  
• Chris Littleton, Director of Operations for Voter Gravity, on “What Is Political Database Technology and How Will It Help?”
• Austin James from SOLVE, on “Social Media, SEO, and Campaign Branding: Use It or Lose It.”
• Ned Ryun, CEO of Voter Gravity and Founder and CEO of American Majority, on “Say Goodbye to Clipboards: How to Run a Campaign from Your Smartphone.”
• Rachael Robertson, Development Officer for American Majority, on “Money Made Easy: Campaign Fundraising.”

Click here for the full agenda. 

Attendees gain exclusive access to the Wednesday evening Activism Boot Camp reception with special VIP guests!

If you want to #win2016, register for CPAC happening next week in National Harbor, MD. The CPAC 2016 Activism Boot Camp is included in your regular conference pass. Register today!

The post Voter Gravity Trains on Campaign Tech at #CPAC2016! appeared first on Voter Gravity.

Voter Gravity’s Ned Ryun, Chris Littleton, and Aubrey Blankenship are set to speak at the CPAC Activism Boot Camp March 2-4 on campaign technology, GOTV, and digital activism. If you’re attending CPAC, the boot camp is included in your conference pass.

This year’s CPAC Activism Boot Camp is set to build on last year’s talks. Featuring the best speakers in the industry, each day will bring a slew of engaging topics to get you prepared for campaign season. Candidates, campaign staff, and campaign volunteers will find valuable training tailored to fit their prospective roles in modern campaigns.

The program starts at 1:00 on Wednesday, March 2, with training tracks designed specifically for three groups:

Candidates, Activists, and Tech Industry

Learn about the impact, importance, and capabilities of technology in this candidate-focused track, but not for candidates only! Anyone wanting to make an impact on their local political scene should consider joining these sessions.

Don’t miss the following tracks:

Voter Gravity’s Chris Littleton speaks on Wednesday at 2:30pm on “What Is Political Database Technology and How Will It Help?”

Voter Gravity CEO Ned Ryun presents on Wednesday at 4:00pm titled “Say Goodbye to Clipboards: How to Run a Campaign from Your Smartphone.”

Students

From recruiting fellow students, engaging in student government, and learning how to exercise your right of free speech in liberal-dominated universities, if you are a student wanting to make an impact in campaigns and on campus you will not want to miss this opportunity!

Community Activists

Organization is critical to the success of any election. From the lofty Presidential campaign to the lowly city council race, any campaign without organization is doomed from the beginning. In this track, interested activists will learn how to organize in a post-Obama world, how to beat the Left at their own game, and much more.

Be sure to check out “Social Media: How to Become the Digital Activist Every Movement Needs” by Voter Gravity’s Digital Marketing Manager Aubrey Blankenship at 3:15 on Wednesday.

The training doesn’t slow down there! Starting at 10:00am on Thursday, March 3rd learn to reach veterans and minority voters, become the press, engage millennials, and loads more!

Finally, beginning Friday, March 4th at 10:00am with presentations ranging from conservative talk radio and citizen journalists, to how to get out the vote with digital strategies.

Regardless of how you plan to help in the 2016 election season, you are sure to find trainings that will intrigue, inform, and inspire you to make a difference in your community. Join us March 2-4! For more information, visit the CPAC Activisim Boot Camp website at http://cpac.conservative.org/activism-boot-camp/

The post Voter Gravity will be at CPAC, will you? appeared first on Voter Gravity.

Campaign Hack: Creating a Single Umbrella Tag

While we provide many options for developing your target audience, whether for door-to-door efforts or phonebanking, it’s possible that from among selections of election histories, party affiliations, and other options you may find yourself wanting to reuse that same criteria over and over again. Rather than choosing from each individual field every time you load a new precinct to pare down which voters you wish to contact, you can eliminate those steps by developing a single umbrella tag.

Under the Voter Data menu selection choose Export List. From here, choose from the various options for building a target universe just as you normally would in other areas of the system. Remember, in this screen you don’t have to select geographic parameters if you want to encompass all voters from your account.

After pressing Submit to apply those choices, you can scroll to the bottom of the page and select a tag, using Tag Filtered Voters, to label everyone. This of course requires you to first create that tag but, if you haven’t, it can easily be done under Manage in the menu sidebar and choosing System Tags.

Having completed this process once, you’re set for building your walklists and phonebanking lists by now choosing this new tag as the sole defining criterion. Especially when constructing walklists, working precinct by precinct, establishing this simple model beforehand can save you a lot of time!

We hope this campaign hack will help you maximize every possible moment during your voter contact efforts. If you have any questions or requests for future tips and hacks, please email support@votergravity.com.

The post Campaign Hack: Creating a Better Target Audience appeared first on Voter Gravity.