Has anyone done Canvassing?

[OliverQ]

Local candidate in my State is hiring canvassers to go door to door to get people to vote for her for the State House.

It's an entry-level campaign job, but I personally hate solicitors who come door to door, so I feel like it's probably a frustrating job to have people slam the door in your face.

Anyone tried it before? Did you enjoy it?

[we can do it]

1. I've done a lot as a volunteer. I love doing it.

[Raven]

2. I have. It's a mixed bag.

Some people will slam the door, others won't answer the door, still others will welcome you and some will even offer you something to eat.

I never did it alone, always had a partner which I think is a good idea.

I learned a great deal about the voters and what they were thinking.

I don't know anyone who rose in the campaign ranks who didn't begin by phone banking and/or canvassing. It's a good way to learn the ropes.

[underpants]

3. 1300 for Kaine in 2012

You'll get the knack of it. Get your own system going. The maps depend on the campaign and Kaines did theirs in a zig zag which is better than up one side of the street then back down the other side.

You'll develop a thick skin but I had little problem with assholes.

Get your short "elevator speech" ready and KNOW THE CANDIDATE. Also, take a sharpie with you and add notes to the handouts - see a college yard sign? Write GO _____s! (Know your mascots) etc.

[Brother Buzz]

4. I've volunteered to canvas, and I guess I'm a sucker because nobody paid me

Canvassing is what it is, but at the end of the day, I believe it doesn't impact an election much at all compared to mailers and media ads.

[MineralMan]

7. You believe wrongly, I'm afraid.

It can strongly influence elections, and has done so many times. An example I can give you is from my own State Senate district. A very unlikely candidate ended up winning both the primary and general election, based almost entirely on his own personal door knocking and help from his campaign's supporters. As a Hmong candidate, he should have finished dead last in the primary, and would have, except for that canvassing campaign. The candidate, himself, knocked on my door twice, once during the primary campaign and once in the general. He was well-prepared and had answers to any question asked of him.

He earned my support, and the support of many of my neighbors. He's now in his second term.

[Gothmog]

5. We call it block walking in Texas and yes I have done it

There are studies that show that this is one of the best ways to get a voter to the polls.

[MineralMan]

6. Well, there is some of that door-slamming, of course.

However, it's still worthwhile, based on my own experience.

[mythology]

8. Not for a candidate but for an environmental group

I was spectacularly bad at it. No worse than you're thinking. Some of it was I was still firmly entrenched in my "the world can fuck off phase", some because I'm deeply introverted.

[brooklynite]

9. Even if you don't "make a sale"...

...it’s useful for a campaign to know where not to focus resources.

[Garrett78]

10. I have, as both paid staff and as a volunteer. Just don't take anything personally.

As far as how many will tell you to get lost, much will depend on how targeted your canvassing is. Are you going to homes of registered Democrats and non-affiliateds? Or are you just randomly knocking on doors?

[Dem_4_Life]

11. I have done it for a few campaigns. We go in pairs.

It is always better when you have an organized list and go to specific houses. From my experience there are not too many people slam the door and if they don't want to talk to you they just won't open the door.

Bring lots of water!