Why do we canvass?
Canvassing is a vital way to identify voters who support us, or may support our party’s candidate in local and general elections, and then encourage them to actually come out and put their cross in the box.
Canvassing also has the added benefit of offering face to face interaction with constituents which helps to spread our message and manifesto as well as finding out what matters to them.
Where do we canvass?
Canvassing is done by ward. Here in Southport we have 7 different wards: Ainsdale; Birkdale; Cambridge; Dukes; Kew; Meols; Norwood.
Ahead of the canvassing session, the road group is decided using the programme that the data is stored on.
We want to get as much data from across each ward as possible!
Who do we canvass?
Data from the electoral roll tells us about which voters are at which address. If we have previously canvassed them, then their stated voting intentions will also be listed. Some people are happy to tell you their political preferences by party, others will only tell you whether they are for or against and some prefer not to say or do not vote.
There are often multiple voters at each address, so where possible we get the information for all the voters but this depends on who answers and whether politics is discussed.
How do we canvass?
The group has a board runner who has the list of houses and voters. The board runner will direct each canvasser to each house, equipping them with the name of the resident. Often, they will note who was sent where to make it easier when multiple people come back with data.
The canvasser will go to the house or flat specified, knock or ring and wait to see if anybody is in. If there is no answer, we leave an “out card” so the occupants know we have called and know who the candidate is and when the next election is.
If the occupant answers, the canvasser will establish they have the right person, introduce themselves and ask some simple questions about their voting intentions and history nationally as well as locally. Sometimes, there are further questions and sometimes canvassees will happily (or not so happily) raise issues.
Once the conversation is finished, the canvasser thanks the resident for their time and finds the board runner, who will have progressed along the road. The canvasser can tell the board runner the data which they record and then send the canvasser on to the next home.
How long do we canvass?
There are slight variations, but generally a canvass lasts about 90 minutes. This is long enough to get into the swing of things, but not so long that people get too tired/hot/cold/hungry.
When do we canvass?
Canvass times and days can depend on the ward in question and whether there is a campaign.
In my town, four of our wards have a regular canvass at the weekend currently and will have a week day canvass too. As the election draws closer there will be even more!
Between campaigns, we get data from across the whole town.
Who can canvass?
We would always say ANYONE can canvass. However, you may have a physical or mental health reason that puts you off. It is possible to do a short canvass, or have a buddy or consider telephone canvassing.
If the face to face really isn’t for you then you could think about running a board. Buddies can be arranged for this too.
It is really straightforward, and any new canvassers are paired up with more experienced canvassers so they can observe, learn and practice with the support of another person!
You don’t have to canvass in just your own ward, or even just your town. All canvassing relies on people power and you are always going to be welcomed.
Do you want to canvass?
Let me know and I will help!
