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Door-to-door canvassing is an essential part of your political campaign toolkit. Canvassing lets candidates and volunteers connect one-on-one with voters, whether it’s to increase campaign visibility, gather voter signatures, or get out the vote ahead of election day.
The right canvassing app can make all the difference in making your canvassing strategy more efficient and effective. In this guide, we’ll explore the core benefits of investing in a canvassing app for your campaign, plus our top three picks for the best political canvassing apps of 2024.
Harnessing the Power of Canvassing Apps
Canvassing apps are digital tools designed to help campaigns reach out to voters more efficiently. Canvassing software can make the door-knocking process easier by simplifying processes including:
Organizing and managing voter lists
Planning door-knocking routes
Gathering data collected while canvassing
The main advantage of using a canvassing app — as opposed to entering voter data and keeping door-knocking plans organized manually — is increased efficiency and organization. With a good canvassing app in hand, volunteers can keep track of their routes, engage with voters, and then immediately enter data and insights. Canvassing apps can also give volunteers access to existing information about voters, so they can personalize their approach to each unique community member.
Finally, political canvassing software can make your campaign strategy more cost-effective by letting you optimize routes, cut down on the cost of physical canvassing materials, and scale up your efforts as your campaign grows.
Questions to Ask When Choosing Canvassing Software
There are a variety of options available for canvassing apps. When deciding which software to invest in for your campaign, consider the following questions:
How user-friendly is the software? Especially if you have a large number of volunteers working on your campaign, make sure the canvassing app is easy to use and learn.
Does the app allow for real-time reporting? Staying up-to-date and on the same page is key for campaigns with a strong team of volunteers. Being able to sync data in real time can be a major advantage during block walking.
How customizable is the software? How easily can you customize the canvassing app to meet your campaign’s needs? You might also consider how the app’s capabilities line up with the scale of your campaign.
Does the app integrate with your existing campaign tools? Be sure to choose a canvassing app that integrates with your voter database and other campaign software.
Does the pricing align with your campaign budget? Depending on the size and scale of your campaign, cost-effectiveness could be a major consideration for which canvassing app you choose.
Does the app offer offline functionality? Especially for campaigns in rural areas or small towns, being able to access and collect data without an internet connection can be an advantage.
Remember to consider the unique needs of your campaign when choosing which political canvassing app is right for you.
Top 3 Canvassing Apps for Political Campaigns in 2024
Below are our picks for the three best canvassing apps for political campaigns in 2024. Each platform is available for use by candidates across the political spectrum, including independent and non-partisan candidates.
#1: Ecanvasser
Ecanvasser is a leading canvassing app with a strong track record. Boasting over 200,000 users in 70 countries, Ecanvasser is a tried and tested app that covers the major bases of door-to-door canvassing.
Main Features:
Walk App: Ecanvasser’s Walk App lets you send walk-list assignments to your canvassers’ mobile devices, track their progress in real time, and simplify the process of post-canvassing data entry.
Dashboard: The Dashboard keeps your campaign’s canvassing data organized in one place. Options for customization and advanced filtering are included.
Go App: This mobile app lets canvassers easily enter data from online and offline interactions with voters, as well as from surveys.
Leader: This feature is designed for campaigns with multiple chapters or locations, making it easier to stay organized and up-to-date across a broad campaign.
Integrations:
Ecanvasser offers integrations with NationBuilder, L2, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and CallHub.
Pricing:
Plans begin at $99 per month, or $64.35 per month if billed annually. A seven-day free trial is available.
#2: Ground Game
Developed by Moonshadow eCommerce, Inc., Ground Game is a mobile canvassing app designed for use on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Main Features:
Walking Lists: The app gives canvassers direct access to the block walking lists they need to plan their routes.
Interactive Maps: Ground Game combines satellite and street mapping with voter data, so canvassers have the clearest picture of their canvassing routes and goals.
Voter Survey Questionnaires: Questionnaires let volunteers quickly gather data on voter preferences and more.
Integrations:
Ground Game offers integrations with L2, NationBuilder, and CallHub.
Pricing:
Plans begin at $99 per month.
#3: Organizer
Currently in the process of expanding their services, Organizer includes a door-to-door canvassing app designed to streamline the door-knocking process. Organizer works on the web, iOS, and Android.
Main Features:
Customizable Surveys: Question-branching surveys let canvassers personalize their questions to the voters they meet.
Dashboards and Reporting: Organizer’s web dashboard lets you analyze canvasser and survey metrics, so you can see what’s working and what needs improvement.
Data Syncing: Data syncs between the mobile app and web dashboard, reducing the amount of time spent entering post-canvassing data.
Location Monitoring: The app monitors canvassers’ locations in real time to enhance volunteers’ safety and accountability.
Integrations:
Contact Organizer to learn about integrations.
Pricing:
Contact Organizer to learn about current pricing options.
Bonus: Free Canvassing Tools for Independent Campaigns
Want free campaign tools for your independent, non-partisan, or third-party campaign? Good Party offers free tools for candidates running for office outside of the two-party system.
Good Party’s AI Campaign Manager includes tools designed to streamline your door-to-door canvassing strategy, like custom door-knocking scripts that you can provide to your volunteers and campaign team.
The AI Campaign Manager also gives your campaign access to voter data, templates for compelling campaign materials, and expert campaign guidance. Get a free demo of our suite of tools today, and talk to a member of our team about how Good Party can help level up your campaign strategy.
