Electoral Campaigns
Why work on a electoral campaign?
Volunteers and interns are the engine of a electoral campaign. No campaign will be successful without a passionate crew bringing the message to the constituency and getting the voters to take action. If you care about a political platform or agenda then working on a campaign is an impactful way to take action.
In the process of campaign work you will build skills and face some challenge areas for personal growth. You'll solidify your beliefs and ideology and learn how to communicate them to others. Whether a volunteer, intern or employee you will build team skills and experience the value of committing to a purpose. Campaign experience will expose you to new roles and possibilities for academic inquiry when you resume your studies or career.
In the process of campaign work you will build skills and face some challenge areas for personal growth. You'll solidify your beliefs and ideology and learn how to communicate them to others. Whether a volunteer, intern or employee you will build team skills and experience the value of committing to a purpose. Campaign experience will expose you to new roles and possibilities for academic inquiry when you resume your studies or career.
Find Your Candidate
- Find a candidate you agree with. To do this you need to know your own positions and what excites you. Working on a campaign will take energy and commitment so make sure you've got the right passion match.
- Who is running and for what? There are websites out there to help you locate campaigns in the works for 2020. Consider Vote Smart or Ballotopedia as good starting points.
- Evaluate local, state, and national options and compare those with your resources and goals.
- According to former volunteers and interns, as well as political campaign officials, the general wisdom is that working on a down-ballot (more local) campaign can provide greater opportunity for growth in your role and access to your candidate.
- Working for a national campaign is definitely appealing, but consider the impact you might have working for a vibrant local candidate who aligns with your values. Volunteers on a national campaign are largely focused on contacting potential voters with paid professional staffers taking on other roles. If you want an internship on a national campaign be prepared to work very hard, network with everyone you know, and persist in your application efforts.
How to volunteer or find an internship
Volunteer vs. Intern
Network
Apply
- There is no uniform distinction so look at both.
- There is a push toward making internships paid experiences, but this is not uniform, yet.
- Generally internships require a full-time commitment for several months at a minimum.
- Internships often require a particular skill set, but for the most part the most desirable skill is determination and a willingness to work hard.
- Internships can be quite competitive, particularly on larger campaigns, but can also be rewards for dedicated volunteers on smaller campaigns.
- Volunteering is for everyone. Campaigns need your help!
- Volunteering can be occasional or full-time. The more time you put in the more your role will grow.
- Campaigns are meritocratic and dedicated volunteers are generally rewarded with new responsibilities, and possibly paid positions.
Network
- Does your high school have a political action student group or participate in a statewide group (i.e.: Massachusetts High School Democrats)? Often these groups have useful resources and relationships to tap into.
- Do you or your family know anyone who is politically active in your community? Start with an exploratory conversation about your interest in campaign work.
- Let your peer group and your teachers know what you are looking for. Do they know someone who can offer you an informational interview or introduce you to someone on a political campaign?
- Contact your local town political party committees. Often these committees are led by well-connected and activist individuals who will want to support an enthusiastic gaptivist and could help you get started. If your town doesn't have such a committee you'll likely be able to find a nearby town that does.
Apply
- Fill out online applications.
- Make follow up phone calls and be persistent.
- Visiting campaign offices might be appropriate, especially for volunteers. Treat this like a job quest.
- The campaign season: From spring into summer most campaigns will be working on winning in the primary and building their supporter base. Between August and Election Day in November it is all hands on deck for the general election candidates. The pace of contact with likely voters picks up along with efforts to actually get out the vote on Election Day.
Working on a campaign? Get ready to canvass!
CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE & ROLES
VOLUNTEER ROLES:
- Candidate
- Campaign Manager
- Directors (Policy, Fundraising, Field, Communications). These segments of a campaign may offer paid internship and/or volunteer opportunities for those with relevant skills.
- Volunteer coordination falls under the Operations Manager, sometimes called the Field Director. This is generally the largest part of a campaign. At the state level there will be coordinators for each county, and deputy coordinators for even smaller districts.
VOLUNTEER ROLES:
- Volunteer roles include collecting signatures to get a candidate on the ballot, canvassing, mailings, phone calls and texts, helping with office tasks, coordinating coffees and house parties, and distributing campaign literature at events, positioning yard signs, and election day get out the vote efforts.
- Volunteering will require thinking about your own ideology and how it matches the candidate. You will need to be comfortable talking about your beliefs and why they matter. This is an excellent personal exercise!
- Canvassing (cold calls and door knocking) is a very important volunteer contribution. Don't underestimate the difference you can make.
