Four innovations to get out the vote in Virginia
Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a grassroots group in Virginia is innovating to get-out-the-vote (GOTV) in Virginia's primary election. Its volunteers will text 32,000 voters in three Virginia Congressional districts with details on where and how to vote in five days for less than 5 cents per voter.
Volunteers text reminders to Virginia low propensity voters to vote along with individualized details such as:
- What form of Voter ID is acceptable in Virginia?
- Where is the polling location in their precinct?
- Where is curbside voting offered?
- When are the polling locations open?
Project details
ROV has limited funds and staff and picked Text Per Cent. This DemLabs designed system lets ROV volunteers send peer-to-peer texts as SMS (Short Message Service) and images (such as acceptable Voter ID details) through MMS (Multi Media Service).
Text messages cost 1 cent and MMS messages cost 2 cents. A typical interaction with a voter might include an introductory text message, a response text from the voter and the volunteer replying with an image that includes a Voter ID details card. This comes to:
2 x SMS messages = $ 0.02
1 x MMS message with image = $ 0.02
Total per interaction with voter = $ 0.04
Cost to reach 32,000 voters = 32,000 x $0.04 = $1,280
Less than 5 cents per voter to remind them to vote and provide them the details they need.
![Four innovations to get the vote out in Virginia.](https://thedemlabs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-20-at-4.44.52-AM-1024x588.png)
Where do I vote?
Volunteers text voters by choosing from a set of messages pre-defined for them.
[VOTERNAME], Polls are open 6am to 7pm. You vote at [CALC2]. Virginia is still a Photo ID state; don't forget to bring your Photo ID!
The message above is automatically customized to the voter being texted. [CALC2] checks the voter's precinct to find the polling location address for that precinct. Volunteers quickly provide voters the info they need with just one click.
Jim, Polls are open 6am to 7pm. You vote at 105 Court Square, Montrose, VA 22520. Virginia is still a Photo ID state; don't forget to bring your Photo ID!
What Voter ID is needed?Volunteers send voters an image of acceptable forms of Voter ID as an MMS message which appears as image on the voter's phone. The images and GIFs to send are loaded into the system and the message looks like:
"Here is a card that explains acceptable forms of Voter ID in Virginia. [ATTACH; Virginia Voter ID Card; URL]"
Voter ID information comes from VoteRiders, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that helps ensure that all citizens can exercise their right to vote. It helps citizens secure their voter ID as well as support organizations, local volunteers, and communities to sustain voter ID education and assistance efforts. Read more about their programs and services.
VoteRiders provides information and free, expert assistance to help you with voter ID. It helps voters renew their expired IDs, obtain the documents needed to secure your ID, and cover the cost of getting to and from ID-issuing offices. Call or text VoteRiders’ Voter ID Helpline: 844-338-8743."
Curbside voting?
"If you are 65 or older, or have a physical disability, you may vote on Election Day without leaving your vehicle. This is called curbside voting. If you would like to use curbside voting, remember to bring a helper with you who can enter the polling place to ask an election officer for curbside assistance." - Virginia Department of Elections. ROV volunteers send voters an interactive map of locations that offer curbside voting. This map was developed by DemLabs using ArcGIS and is texted as a link by volunteers.
Take away
Every vote matters. Use affordable innovation to make sure so no voter is left behind. Learn more here.
Deepak
Democracy Labs
DemLabs is a project of The Advocacy Fund. It provides technology and storytelling innovation to progressive campaigns and groups.
DemLabs applies innovative technology and storytelling tools in service of democratic values. It lowers the barrier of funding for worthy candidates and non-profits by applying existing free/affordable solutions.
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Make videos the easy way. Free app includes hundreds of royalty-free video clips and soundtracks.
Videos get six times more traction on Facebook! Learn how to quickly and easily create videos for free with Lumen5. We created a 25 second video...
Reach more people. Caption and translate videos.
Reach the one in five Americans who do not speak English and others who prefer to watch videos on mute. Add captions and translations to your...
Double-talk. Denial. Stupidity. This week’s best political cartoons.
This week's top ten political cartoons lampoon Republican double-talk, denial and stupidity. "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon" - Saul Alinsky “It is almost impossible to...
The Greene Dossier
Some people are especially 'interesting'. Keep info on them handy with a dossier. Wakelet is a free app that makes it easy to create and share...
Memory loss, impeachment & hope. This week’s best political cartoons.
Political cartoons explain things as they are - with humor. This week's top ten cover impeachment, political excuse making, Q-Anon and Game Stop. Here are top...
Riots. Pardons. Change. The week in political cartoons.
This momentous week as captured in Political Cartoons. These ten cartoons best cover the siege of the Capitol and political aftermath. DeepakDemLabs Thin Blue Line -...
NAACP Atlanta Gets-Out-The-Vote with relational organizing
Increased Black voter turnout was key to Senator Warnock and Ossoff's victories in Georgia. NAACP Atlanta worked with a broad coalition of partners to increase Black...
Trying to reach more people? Use non-political headlines.
What gets read? What gets skipped? It all starts with the headline. How do you get your message read by more people across the political spectrum?...
Political Cartoons Say It Best
No description necessary... Feeding The Fringe - Adam Zyglis Les Deplorables - R.J. Matson Butthurt Base - David Fitzsimmons Trump or the nation? - Bruce Plante...
Managing a ZOOM event with several presenters? Use an on-screen teleprompter to keep things on track.
It is showtime! Your big Zoom event is at hand. The presenters are lined up and the audience is ready. How do you keep your presenters...
Relational organizing in action
"Relational organizing focuses on the most important tools at our disposal: our relationships and our ability to talk with one another about things that matter." -...
Stick to your script. Use an on-screen teleprompter.
Look 'em in the eye and deliver your message forcefully. It's easier with an on-screen teleprompter. Keep your audience engaged with an on-screen teleprompter to project...
GOTV Concerts organizes virtual concerts featuring Georgia musicians to get out the vote
Music can move people to action, but with COVID raging, online performances have replaced large concerts. Virtual events are tailored to local audiences. Turnout increases as...
Mobile app showing Georgia dropbox locations created in hours with free software and crowdsourcing
Voters need information fast in a form that's easily used. Phone based apps work well, but often take a lot of time and money to create....
Mobilize poor, rural voters without internet or cell coverage using VOICEBOTS
Poor rural communities are held back economically and silenced politically by denying them internet access. The lack of connectivity makes it hard for them to access...
How BLUE FUTURE uses textbots to mobilize young voters in Georgia
Young voters are a key Georgia voting group with many voting for the first time! They prefer texting over calling. This demands frugal innovation so organizing...
Innovating to get-out-the-vote in Georgia
Reclaim Our Vote and NAACP Atlanta will text over a million Georgia voters in December to get out the vote. Their innovative campaign provides voters with...
Mitch’s scheme to tax without representation
McConnell aims to cling to power by creating an American underclass that pays taxes but cannot vote and gets no benefits. His scheme overturns the American...
How to spot a disinformation zombie
Brad Pitt races to save virus infected zombies in World War Z. Back in the real world, disinformation is used to turn people into zombies immune...
Fundraising through ZOOM events made easy
ZOOM makes it easy to connect, but how do you get supporters to take the next step and donate? How can they do this while still...
Souls to the polls. Chatbots connect voters with volunteer drivers by SMS and voice calls.
RIDE TO VOTE : a chatbot powered service for organizer to match voters who need a ride to the polls with volunteer drivers. Voters are suppressed...
Inform eligible felons about their right to vote
Image: "Just Mercy" (Warner Bros.) People are prevented from voting in many ways. Not informing eligible felons about their right to vote is an especially cruel one. Many states...
Florida early voting locations map. How to crowdsource information to help more people vote.
Information on when and where to vote improves voter turnout, but often hard to find. Organizers crowdsource early voting and dropbox locations and freely share them...
You’ve moved? Handy guide explains how to make sure you can still vote.
"Did you move this year? Do you plan to vote in the November election? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you need to...
NBA supports voting. A slam dunk!
NBA stadiums won't be empty for long. They won't be filled with cardboard cutouts either. They will be filled with voters. Vote at the three point...
Youth group launches multi-lingual, interactive video campaign on BigStage to get-out-the-vote
Multi-lingual video campaign to get out the vote Gen Z voices urge others to vote with new technology that merges a recorded video with interactive buttons....
Suppression on the Reservation makes it harder for Native Americans to vote
Barriers being placed to prevent Native Americans from Voting-by-mail Denying postal services to suppress Native American votes It's despicable when Americans are prevented from voting by...
Trying to connect with ethnic minority voters? Find the right influencer with this free app.
Work with influencers trusted by a community in your outreach to minority groups. Ethnic Media Services promotes cross cultural communications through their network hundreds of journalists,...
Voting early? Checkout these maps of dropbox and early voting locations in NC and Michigan.
Early voting has started! Find the nearest early voting location or dropbox in North Carolina and Michigan with these free maps. See how Map My Vote...
How to deliver POWERFUL messages on video
Use these five expert tips to make a bigger impact in your online presentations. They have nothing to do with the lighting or the quality of...
Thank you for your service
Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’. The president has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and asked that wounded veterans be...
COVID-19 Death Counter app tracks what really matters
Ignore the distractions. Focus on COVID-19, which is killing a thousand Americans every day. Some politicians would talk about anything other than the Americans that die...
Don’t know where to vote early? Use these free apps to find out.
Voting is being made harder by choking the U.S. Postal Service. New apps help voters find early voting locations. The U.S. Postal Service is being crippled...
Expert tips on writing text messages that get attention
Peer-to-peer texting offers a personalized way to connect with voters. Texting campaigns costs much less than other forms of outreach. They get a higher read and response...
Which rural communities will be ruined by the U.S. Postal Service being crippled?
The U.S. Postal Service is the lifeblood of many rural communities. Seniors, veterans and farmers will all suffer from cutbacks. Where will the cuts hurt the...
Ten tips to make anyone a ZOOM fundraising pro
Zoom is child's play with these ten tips. 1. Test the technology Navigate technical issues before they happen to improve efficiency. Technical issues come hand in...
Save money. Do good. Crowdsource texting campaigns to low income American workers.
Campaigns save money with crowdsourced texting and help low-income American workers at the same time. A win-win solution. What is crowdsourcing? Crowdsourcing matches online workers with...
How do they feel about absentee ballots? Conduct surveys faster for less money with chatbots.
Conducting surveys in a pandemic the smart way. Use chatbots. How do voters feel about absentee ballots vs. voting in person? How does this vary by...
Lost your unemployment benefits? Petition your senator to #SaveThe600.
Unemployment benefits cut? Petition your senator. "The Federal $600-per-week unemployment supplement expired and millions of Americans out of work due to the pandemic are wondering how...
Miss that live virtual event? It’s your lucky day, it’s still going on.
Zoom meetings can now stay live for people who missed them. Never miss a live virtual event again. With BigStage Online, events can remain live and...
Do voters even care about that issue? There’s a way to find out.
More than 60 Green Berets pay their respects to the first U.S. soldier killed by hostile fire in Afghanistan. What issues do veterans prioritize? "Russia Secretly...
Want a fair 2020 election? Become a poll worker.
America is in the midst of a nationwide poll worker shortage. "Without enough poll workers, voting locations close and lines stretch for hours. That’s why it's...
President Obama’s eulogy used to get out the vote
Former President Barack Obama eulogized the late Rep. John Lewis as "a founding father of that fuller, fairer, better America" that lies in the nation's future. John devoted...
Five lessons in fundraising from infomercials
Listen closely and you can practically hear this photo. If you have ever found yourself dialing the phone number thats practically bursting out of your television...
Infographic contrasts coronavirus relief proposals
Infographic: Differing Coronavirus Relief Bills How will the latest Coronavirus relief proposals impact you? The different Coronavirus relief bills can be confusing. Most people don't have...
How grieving moms use protests against police killings to recruit supporters
Ishtyme Robinson lost two children to police violence. She founded Every Case Matters, a grass-roots organization devoted to stopping genocide of all black, brown and lives....
Mapping the spread of COVID-19 near Sinclair Broadcasting stations spewing Coronavirus conspiracy theories
What responsibility does Sinclair bear when it broadcasts information that hurts public health? "Baseless conspiracy theories about the novel coronavirus and Dr. Anthony Fauci, found a...
Republicans just don’t care. How to map the millions of families they’re about to make homeless during a pandemic.
Republican senators are blocking unemployment benefits for millions of Americans devastated by the Coronavirus. This will make millions of Americans homeless and cause more deaths. How...
How to create your own campaign videos for free at home
How does a candidate with little time or money get their message heard? Stephanie Moore, a candidate for State Representative of Michigan's 60th district, met this...
Fundraise Better On ZOOM
Fundraising has moved online with many campaigns choosing ZOOM for virtual fundraisers. But guiding donors from the impulse to give to actually making the donation during...
Social media analysis of reaction to masked Federal agents abducting Portland protestors
"Federal agents dressed in camouflage and tactical gear have taken to the streets of Portland, unleashing tear gas, bloodying protesters and pulling some people into unmarked...
HipHop Politics On The BigStage
COVID-19 has forced campaigns to move organizing and fundraising online. Conferencing apps are great for meetings, but lacking key features for political events where the goal...
Start a chain reaction
Savvy organizers extend their reach by having supporters text their friends. VoteForce makes relational organizing fast, easy and affordable. Here's how a slate of candidates in...
¡Yo hablo español, 中文 and हिन्दी too!
One in five American speaks a language other than English at home. CIS 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound. DigiDayThe message is clear: caption...
Mapping the protests across America
Preview(opens in a new tab) Protests sweep the nation, but it's hard to fully appreciate the hunger for change. Where are protests occurring? What are their...
David vs Goliath in Kalamazoo
Necessity is the mother of invention. A team of Kalamazoo candidates innovate to overcome their lack of resources. BackgroundThe candidates have little funding and few technical...
Don’t mess with Texas voters
Texas has an election on July 14th with early voting starting on Monday, June 29th and ending on Friday, July 10th. For more details, voters may...
Scan this to recruit volunteers
How to recruit supporters during a pandemic: Recruiting supporters at an event is hard. Lot's of people, activity and little time. How can it be done...
Voting. Georgia Style.
Georgia is truly special. Hours long lines to vote. Missing vote by mail ballots. $110 million spent on new voting machines. What gives? When in doubt,...
Let The People Speak
How do you bridge the divide between how elected officials vote and what their constituents want? Let people speak directly to power. Kalamazoo Commissioner Stephanie Moore mobilized...
Use Petitions To Harness Outrage And Build Contact Lists With Free New App
Harness the outrage through targeted petitions and also build lists of supporters. Petition drives work, but the pandemic has forced organizing online which demands innovation. Existing...
Nationwide Map Of Police Brutality Created From Tweets
Source: Twitter Police officers trample peaceful protestors in Houston. Police push 75 year old man to the ground and leave him bleeding in Buffalo. How can these...
Three Free Safety Apps For Protestors
Police violence and digital surveillance shouldn't be used to intimidate peaceful protestors. These free apps protect protestors exercising their First Amendment right to "assemble peaceably and...
More Police, Doctors Or Teachers?
Police budgets explode and prisons fill up. Coronavirus care and schools suffers. Voter suppression in black communities increases. How are the three connected? Tax payer dollars...
Convert Protestors Into Voters With Geofenced Ad Campaigns
[caption id="attachment_2449" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Protesters teargassed as police disperse them near the White House. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP[/caption] Protesting is good, but voting is even better. How do...
Record, Save And Share Videos Of Police Action With A Single Phone Command
Videos raise public awareness and hold public servants accountable for their actions. How do you record and share a video quickly in the middle of a...
NAACP Volunteers Use ‘Smart’ Texts To Reduce Lines At Georgia Voting Centers
Voters braving a pandemic, shouldn't have to struggle to find their closest polling location. It's easy for Georgia voters to get confused, and many end up not...
How To Track Twitter Trolls Promoting Racial Discord
How do trolls promote racial strife and violence on social media? "Outsiders, extremists are among those fomenting violence in Twin Cities" - MPR. "The goal is to attack...
How To Find Ballot Drop Boxes And Early Voting Locations In Georgia
Voters in Georgia's June 9th election can return their absentee ballots at drop box without a stamp or any human contact. How do they find the...
Organize Workers Forced To Re-Enter COVID-19 Infected Facilities
Workers pressured back to work in dangerous conditions have a tough choice: their paycheck or their lives? How can they organize for safe working conditions and fair wages in such a...
COVID19 Death Sentence
Over 2 million people are imprisoned in America. Most of them are black or Hispanic and they are dying in the hundreds from the Coronavirus. Is...
Who’s Against Heroes?
Politicians often vote against their voters' interests. How can the public track what they're voting for and let them know when they go wrong? In this blog you'll learn about:...
Speak To Voters In Their Language
Asian American voters are the margin of victory in many key races. Make sure you message reaches the. Translate & caption your videos. In this blog you'll...
Musicians Power Virtual Fundraisers
Musicians and progressive campaigns are teaming to raise funds online with live streaming performances. The Coronavirus has forced campaigns to innovate. How do you fundraise...
Geotargeted Campaigns Mobilize Voters Struggling With The Coronavirus
Use geotargeting to reach those struggling with the Coronavirus. Geotargeting uses data collected from mobile apps to precisely target messages based on people's activities and movements. For instance, patients visiting a hospital...
Who Lives? Who Dies?
Why do some black counties in Georgia have 20 times as many deaths as nearby white counties? What impact does voter suppression have on the healthcare provide to African...
Virus Free Voting
How can a virtual protest be organized during a pandemic? One where Congress gets to hear from real people? A virtual protest #VirusFreeVoting is planned by Indivisible chapters...
Conduct Polls In A Pandemic? Use Chatbots.
Collecting accurate, timely information in a pandemic needs innovation. Mothers Of Hope uses chatbots to collect information from Kalamazoo residents about their Coronavirus care and census participation. The group encourages community members...
Will You Be Counted In The Census?
[caption id="attachment_2319" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image: Lumen5[/caption] How can marginalized groups be inspired to take part in the census during a pandemic? Sharvin Lee with Michigan Voices is experimenting with difference approaches....
National Calendar Of Events Responding To The Coronavirus Pandemic
How can experts, volunteers and resources connect in a pandemic? NYC United Against Coronavirus (NYC UAC) shows how it can be done quickly and with few resources. They...
Visualizing 40,000 Deaths
Big numbers make it hard to fully grasp the size of a tragedy - such as the number of American deaths from the Coronavirus. The facts are...
Make Sure Everyone Hears Your Message – Regardless Of Their Language.
Make sure every one get to hear your message regardless of their language. One out of five American speaks a language other than English at home. Many...
Organize Gig Workers Digitally In A Pandemic
The pandemic has devastated gig workers. No unemployment insurance. No health insurance. Unsafe working conditions. How can gig workers organize to demand their rights when they...
Pandemic-Mode Voter Suppression
"Wisconsin's holding of a primary during a pandemic is just the latest example of Republicans’ naked bid to keep power at all costs." - The Guardian The story...
Teach Your Children Well – At Home With These Free Apps And Games
[caption id="attachment_2288" align="aligncenter" width="548"] Image: Inspired Teaching[/caption] Free home education apps and resources to teach their children how to cope with pandemic induced anxiety. Resources created...
Is Coronavirus Testing Really Color Blind?
[caption id="attachment_2285" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Image: Eddie Murphy "White Like Me" on SNL[/caption] How evenly are different ethnic groups being tested for the Coronavirus? Mothers of Hope is a...
Poor People’s VA Campaign Offers Local Coronavirus Newsfeed
How does a grassroots group with little funding keep locals informed of dangers and resources during a pandemic? How can vital information be quickly collected and...
Groups Connect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donors With Healthcare Providers.
Healthcare workers should not have to fear for lives because they lack personal protective equipment (PPE). These groups connect donors with workers to get them the equipment they need...
Vote by Mail. Leave No Voter Behind.
Voting by mail has worked well for years, but will be especially important in this pandemic. But how do voters without a computer or internet access...
Crowdsourced Infomap Helps Idaho Communities Prepare For Coronavirus
Accurate, timely information is valuable - especially while you're preparing for a pandemic. Which stores have supplies you need? Which facilities open? Which offices are open at different times?...
Coronavirus Guide. Mobile Training Delivered By Voice And Text.
Coronavirus safety training now available freely by phone. How can safety recommendations be shared with hard-to-contact groups in the middle of a pandemic? Technology designed to...
How Many Coronavirus Tests Has Your State Conducted?
"Testing is a key tool in limiting the spread of coronavirus. You need to know who has contracted the virus so those people can be isolated, and...
Bots Push To Overturn Roe V Wade Decision
Image adapted from Handmaid's Tale & Terminator Protests rage as the Supreme Court reviews a case that could could 'render protections by Roe v Wade meaningless'. How are...
Coronavirus Atlas Map US Cases, Safety Tips And Official Response.
There are facts - and 'alternative facts'. A means to find the truth is needed when alternate facts put lives at risks. Coronavirus Atlas is a free app created...
Group Uses Personal Video Testimonials To Encourage Use Of Vote-By-Mail Ballots.
Photo by Qim Manifester on Unsplash Make your videos more persuasive with personal testimonials. Video testimonials work but collecting them has been difficult for groups with limited time, money...
Activists Use GIFs To Demand Funding For CDC To Fight Coronavirus
Reach more people, faster and for less money with a GIF. GIFs are just seconds long but get your message heard. They play automatically and engage viewers immediately....
Drive To Get Out The Vote.
People lose their vote when it's hard for them to get to the polls. The elderly, disabled and low income voters in rural areas suffer the most. How can...
Don’t Zuck Up Democracy
Image adapted from the Economist Grassroots activists struggle to get heard against billionaires and corporations with their armies of lobbyists and PR experts. A free app...
Talk To Me
The disabled, poor, uneducated and senior citizens suffer from not knowing of healthcare cuts and new voting restrictions until it is too late to protest. Flyers,...
Community Oriented Political Outreach
How does a candidate with a small budget standout in a crowded field? Innovation. Seeyew Mo is running to represent S.F. Assembly District 19 at the...
Leave No Voter Behind
People in remote areas are often overlooked by the census and find it hard to vote. Many Americans in remote areas suffer because poor roads and...
Build Or Buy Campaign Software?
Elections have consequences. So do budget cuts. Mobilize voters on the issues that matter to them. People care when public safety is jeopardized by CDC funding cuts that limit...
Pledge To Vote Cards Go Digital
Canvassers improve voter turnout with pledge to vote cards. Digital pledge cards work even better than printed ones. DemLabs and Deliver My Vote are testing digital Pledge to...
Five Free Apps For Better Canvassing
Trying to find the right campaign app when you're tight on money and not tech savvy? Checkout the DemLabs site with over 110 solutions and Solution Guides like the one...
Free New App Streamlines Information Flow Against The Rush To War
Streamlines the flow of information against the rush to war with the free Wakelet app. Quickly collect, curate and share information for anti-war supporters with Wakelet. The app consolidates information...
Moscow Mitch Explains Impeachment In Russian
Spoof videos are weapons of mass persuasion. They convert popular movie clips into political messages disguised as satire. The videos are inexpensive to make, but get millions of views as they're...
We’re Not Lovin’ It
Image: Banksy Issues can be complicated. Relationship maps strip away the BS to show what's really going on. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned a prior ruling making it...
Young Activists Make The Best Storytellers
If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.Get to the table by engaging others to your side with story-telling. Young activists excel at crafting...
Three Free Apps To Create Campaign Videos With Just A Laptop
Fast news cycles demand a rapid response. Short videos work best, but how does a campaign with little money, time and video skills create a rapid...
App Immediately Translates Impeachment Testimony Into Videos In Different Languages.
Language should not be a barrier to knowing the facts. New software quickly and affordably translates and captions video clips for mass distribution. Background Most major...
The Beginner’s Guide To Running A Low-Budget, Geo-Targeted Political Ad Campaign.
Reach voters on their phones even if you don't have their phone numbers with geo-targeting. Tips on running a smart, frugal campaign. Background "Bhuwan Pyakurel is running...
Map The Battlefield, Before You Launch Your Campaign.
Activists fight with limited resources against well funded political incumbents. They have to pick their targets strategically. Good mapping software can be the equalizer. Which incumbents...
Does Your Congressperson Support The Impeachment Inquiry? Ask The Common Cause Chatbot On Facebook.
Politicians can run, but they cannot hide from where they stand on the impeachment inquiry. Common Cause's new Facebook chatbot tells voters where their congressperson stands...
The Iowa Caucuses: Analyzing What, Where And When The Candidates Doing?
Campaigns have to make the most of limited time, money and staff. What events should be held? Where? When? What are the other campaigns doing? Software...
Grassroots Group Uses Radio Ads, Chatbots & Mobile Apps To Arrange Rides To The Polls For The Needy.
Why do those with the most to gain from change, face the most hurdles in voting? Living in remote rural areas, a lack of transport, cell...
New App Lets Progressive Volunteers Find Free Lodging With Local Supporters.
Volunteers donate their time and energy to canvas and get-out-the-vote. But often they're cash-strapped and need a place to stay. Supporters have lodging to share....
Impeachment Inquiry Timeline. ‘Cut To The Chase’ With An Infographic.
Some issues are intentionally made confusing to distract people from the truth. Infographics cut to the chase. They combine facts, events, and videos into simple visuals that...
Black Voters Matter Uses Clips Of Policing In Video Campaign To Encourage People To Vote.
The outrage from incidents shared on social media soon disappears. People are jaded and don't vote because the outcome doesn't improve their lives. How can social media...
Persuasion To Go. Voting Rights Group Uses Billboards To Get Out The Vote In North Carolina.
Billboards work. They're persuasive and cost effective. Here's how Center For Common Ground used billboards in North Carolina-3 to increase voter turnout in the recent special election. Results Cost of billboard...
Lessons From Black Voters Matter Geofenced Get-Out-The-Vote Mobile Ad Campaign In NC.
Geofenced mobile ads reach more people with better precision for less. Black Voters Matter campaign in North Carolina's special election put the approach to good use. African American voters are important voting...
Grassroots Group Harnesses Consumer Spending To Local Businesses Supporting The Community.
Money talks. And it walks. Every purchase is a vote of support for that business. A consumer boycott is a vote against firms that live off the community but give back little in...
How Indivisible Michigan Uses Advanced Software To Coordinate Activities To Flip Swing Districts.
Planning makes all the difference - especially when you're underfunded. Grassroots groups make a bigger impact with better software. StateWide Indivisible of Michigan (SWIM) is a...
Multimedia App Explains Money At Play In Blocking Gun Control Reform.
Short TV segments don't explain complex issues well. How can sustained public support for gun control be built, when mass shootings are soon forgotten and politicians obfuscate? It's not...
App Helps Florida Residents Track Hurricane Dorian And Explains How Cuts To FEMA Will Hurt.
App tracks storm in real-time to help Florida residents prepare for Hurricane Dorian. How will the $155 million cut to FEMA disaster-relief funds hurt? What is behind the cuts? Timely,...
How To Enrich The Voter File With Other Data Sources For Better Results.
Use the best tool(s) available. It's no different in campaigns. Enrich the Voter File with other data sources for better results. Smarter targeting and canvassing. Better results in fund raising and finding unregistered voters....
American Soybean Farmers Suffer From Tariffs On China. StoryMap Explains The Issue.
Why would the Chief of the US Department of Agriculture mock farmers hurt by trade wars as 'Whiners'? A volunteer research team found that farmers' suffering was both real and widespread. "Net farm...
Disinformation Primer: Using The Overton Window To Change What’s Acceptable.
Banning muslims? Putting kids in cages? A president for life? How is the public manipulated to tolerate such extreme steps? How can the range of ideas...
As State Close Down Clinics, ACN Uses New Apps To Help Women Find The Nearest One Still Open.
It's becoming increasingly difficult for patients to get care as more and more reproductive healthcare clinics are forced to shut down. Families are being forced to travel further, spend more, and take more time...
Who Profits From The Private ICE Detention Center Boom? Mapping This Swamp To Expose Money’s Role.
Dangerous creatures hide and thrive in swamps. It isn't easy to understand what goes on in swamps - real or political. Details are concealed. Motivations are masked. People have...
Rapid Response To ICE Raids In Las Vegas With Community Sourced Video Campaign.
A rapid community response is needed for imminent threats. Make The Road Nevada (MTRN) a grassroots group, decided to ask community members for video comments about a single mother...
Western Native Voice Uses Free App To Organize Native American Communities.
Organizing Native American communities is challenging. Tribal lands span hundreds of square miles often without internet or cell coverage. Community members often use mailboxes instead of a street address which...
Think Outside The (Mail)Box. Virginia Candidate Uses Voter File For Targeted Mobile Ad Campaign.
People respond more to their phones than letters. It's time for campaigns to think outside the (mail)box. An insurgent campaign in Virginia is innovating to try to unseat the incumbent...
New Map Highlights ‘Hard To Count’ Communities That May Be Left Out Of The Census.
The 2020 census will be different. It's counting on more people to complete census questionnaires online to reduce the need for field workers. This hurts communities without dependable internet access,...
Free canvassing app for voter registration & census turnout – works without internet access.
Many rural communities suffer from a lack of connectivity. It's harder to stay informed, benefit from online services, locate polling locations, vote and take part in the census. Organizers struggle to reach...
How does your audience feel? Find out with an instant poll using the free DirectPoll app.
How does your audience feel about an issue or candidate? A quick poll is best way to find out but hard to manage in a noisy, densely packed room. A count of hands is easy but error-prone. Paper questionnaires are...
The Florida League Of Women Voters Mobilizes To Help ‘Returning Citizens’ Regain Their Right To Vote.
"In November, a supermajority of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to former felons who’ve completed their sentences. Florida legislature advanced a bill that will strip hundreds...
Advocates install a ‘breathing billboard’ to rally public support for curbing air pollution.
How do you draw public attention to a deadly, but invisible killer? Jhatkaa works on social justice issues including how to build public support to curb air pollution. Their recent campaign generated...
As Alabama Legislators Close Abortion Clinics, Chatbot Jane Sees Surge In Searches Out-Of-State.
Lawmakers Vote to Effectively Ban Abortion in Alabama "These bills essentially ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected, usually about six weeks into pregnancy, a time...
Get Your Message Heard Without Breaking The Bank. A Workshop For Underfunded Campaigns.
Necessity is the mother of invention. So is lack of funding. Underfunded campaigns need new ways to compete against better funded opponents. Technology can level the playing field, but awareness and...
Lessons From How The NRA Quickly Mobilizes Its Members For Maximum Political Power.
"The NRA activates its membership when elected officials are facing gun-related legislation, resulting in phone calls and emails and letters to Congress", reports NBC: "How the...
Virginia Candidates Create Issue-Specific Campaign Videos With Free, Innovative App.
"There is an 80% increase in the time spent on watching videos ... 45% of the people surveyed in North America said they expect to watch even more videos on...
Target ads with geographic info on people’s movements and the places they’ve visited.
Farmers use digital tags to monitor their livestock. Advertisers have it easier. People voluntarily carry tags that constantly report their position and activity: mobile phones. Geomarketing Personal...
Up your game with this library of free campaigning and organizing ‘how to’ guides.
Grassroots organizing changes constantly with new tactics and apps. How can the lessons learned on one campaign be quickly shared with other progressive groups? Blueprints for Change converts know-how from campaign organiziners into free...
Make Your Point Clear. Create Infographics Easily With This Free App.
It's hard to quickly explain the scope of corporate welfare and how to bring it under control. How can the case for reform be presented in a simple, engaging manner? Infographics convert complex issues...
They only listen to their own voters. Use geocoding to mobilize better and focus supporters’ energy.
Elected officials only listen to their own voters. So it's essential for campaigns need to direct their supporters to lobby the right official. How can this be done with shifting...
Let Voters Tell You Directly What They Care About With Real-Time Crowdsourcing.
Sean Frame is running for Congress in CA-4 against a well funded incumbent. He's trying a new way to engage voters and raise funds. He is asking...
David vs Goliath. Rookie Virginia candidate uses free apps in challenge to powerful incumbent.
In a modern day version of David vs Goliath, a rookie candidate uses high tech stones to challenge a powerful incumbent. The ending has yet to be written... Herb Jones a retired...
Two Free Mapping Apps To Better Target Campaigns
Winning campaigns want to focus their resources and efforts to maximize impact. The challenge is where to focus for the most votes and what issues to emphasize?...
How To Find And Mobilize Voters With Geo-Fenced Mobile Ads
Where and when someone goes reveals a lot about them. Savvy marketers use these clues to target their ads. Mobile apps report their user's location so they can get a...
Build opt-in text lists by helping people with their issues.
There is no red poverty. Nor blue poverty. Campaigns can engage more people by addressing the issues that really matter to them, and collect information about them in the process. Campaigns find...
2020 Census: Let’s count everyone.
Who do you trust for advice? Probably someone you already know who shares your values and concerns. How can such trust encourage more people to take part...
A smart way to find addresses of people to persuade.
Ready. Aim. Fire. Accurate targeting matters. That's why businesses spend billions for the best data to target their outreach. It's the same with campaigns: data quality will determine...
Free resource to locate potential swing voters (and more)
Finding swing voters is hard. Locating people with specific traits, has typically required money, time and technical skills - putting it out of the reach of...
Speaking truth to power – Through digital storytelling.
Powerful corporations hire marketing experts and lobbyists to push their agenda. How does a small community group get the truth heard in such an uneven fight? Here is an...
‘Sí, Se Puede’. Spanish-Speaking Chatbots Offer Voter ID Advice.
Voter ID regulations can be confusing - especially when English isn't your first language. They vary by state and often change at short notice. How can the...
Use the news cycle to amplify your marketing
Winning marketing campaigns successfully surf the wave. The message goes further with less effort. Marketing campaigns aligned with the news, increase the odds of getting picked up by...
Leave no voter behind
Many people don't vote because they can't get to their polling center. Several groups offer rides, but requesting a ride is often the bottleneck. Many rural voters have neither internet access nor a cell...
Fight fire, with fire.
It's ironic: the same technology companies use to slash their workforce is also being used to organize workers demanding fair treatment. Automation is eliminating jobs for...
Micro Target Your Canvassers
Uber does it. Lyft does it. Send drivers to where there's known demand - rather than going to the same old locations as many cabs do. It's...
Micro-targeting made simple
"GoFundMe raises thousands to place billboard of Trump's anti-Cruz tweet in Texas". Where exactly should you place a billboard to reach the people you want to target? Companies...
Reach more people
Just as with any interaction, people respond better when you speak their language and reply personally to their questions. How's this done online with thousands of...
We’re on the warpath
Five million Native Americans live in battleground states such as Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada and North/South Dakota. They could have a big impact in the midterms - if they voted. But voting...
Where’s my prescription?
"An Arizona women was suffering a miscarriage and her pharmacist refused to fill her prescription because he decided that his beliefs were more important than what she and...
Alexa, what ID do I need to vote?
Over 25 million eligible voters lacking the right Voter ID may be prevented from voting. And getting an acceptable ID in thirty four states with Voter ID laws is both confusing and difficult....
Join The Search Party For Fifty Million Unregistered Voters
There are FIFTY million unregistered voters in America! The number of voters is being threatened with voter roll purges and restrictive voter ID policies. Every single...
Let’s talk about values
When Super Bowl ads are more compelling than campaign messages, we have a problem. How can we appeal to people's values across the political spectrum? We...
3 creative ways people are using our zoom tools
Life hacks have turned digital. Now that virtual meetings are the norm, people are finding ways to innovate and get creative while presenting, fundraising, or performing...