How to Volunteer for a Political Campaign in 3 Steps

Volunteers are the backbone of any successful political campaign. Political campaign volunteers directly influence the democratic process. They actively participate in shaping the future, and they have the opportunity to advocate for the issues they care deeply about. 

Volunteering also offers numerous benefits, like gaining real-world experience in politics, building a network of like-minded individuals, and making a tangible impact in local communities. If you’re looking to make a difference in your community and engage in politics, you might consider joining a political campaign as a volunteer. 

In this guide, we'll explain how you can volunteer for a political campaign and go over the ways you, as a volunteer, can help political campaigns succeed. 

How to Become a Political Campaign Volunteer

Volunteering for a political campaign can be a rewarding and impactful experience. It's essential to understand the steps involved to get started. To help you get involved, we’ve broken the process of volunteering in a political campaign down into three steps: determining your availability, researching opportunities, and using your skills to help campaigns succeed. 

Step #1: Determine Your Availability

Whether you’re a student or work a full-time job, political campaigns love having volunteers for however many hours they can commit. However, you don’t want to over-promise and under-deliver. So, by taking a look at your schedule before signing up to volunteer, you can know exactly how many hours per week you can contribute. Additionally, by only volunteering the number of hours you can comfortably manage, you ensure you’re showing up and delivering your best each time. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. 

LEARN MORE: See how GoodParty.org volunteer Sal Davis got involved!  

Step #2: Research Opportunities in Your Area or Online

Consider what types of campaigns you’d be interested in. Jot down some political issues you care deeply about, such as animal rights, diversity and equity efforts, or democracy reform. This will help with narrowing down your research.   

If you’re trying to volunteer for a political campaign, chances are you’re fairly civically engaged already, but it’s always a good idea to ensure you’re familiar with:

• When the upcoming election is

• What candidates are running and their platforms

• What issues are on the ballot

If there’s a candidate on the ballot in your city, state, or federal election, you can go to their website or reach out to them directly to see about volunteer opportunities. Ultimately, Independent candidates often desperately need the support of volunteers since they don’t have backing from major political parties. 

If an upcoming ballot measure aligns with your interests and political ideology, you can look for local groups handling grassroots organizing. Depending on whether it’s a state-wide or more localized ballot measure, you can also contact city hall or your local state representative to see if they can help you find ways to get involved with the campaign. 

LEARN MORE: Explore how grassroots mobilizing impacts both communities and politics.

Even if an election isn’t close, volunteers are still needed! Some places you can contact to get involved include: 

• Political parties

• City or county government offices

• State government offices

• Activism groups, such as animal rights movements, democracy reform organizations, or gender equality groups

Some organizations team up with influencers to get the word out or create volunteer recruitment events where individuals can learn about the campaign and get involved. However, social media groups are also a great way to find out about local volunteer opportunities. 

Step #3: Leverage Your Skills and Interests

Volunteers often help campaigns get their message out through door-to-door campaigning or working a phone bank. They can also work on fundraising efforts, voter registration drives, or event planning. 

The Internet has revolutionized political campaign operations. Most campaigns now rely on social media, online fundraising efforts, and digital organizing. So, if you’re more of an introvert or the idea of going door-to-door and making phone calls doesn’t appeal to you, you can still get involved through online campaigning, like making and sharing social media posts. You can also help with behind-the-scenes activities such as making posters or writing pamphlets. 

LEARN MORE: Check out how volunteering remotely inspired GoodParty.org volunteer Kieryn McCann.

Ultimately, your unique skills and interests may determine what opportunities are available. For example, if you’re good at graphic design, you may want to help make postcards, yard signs, or other campaign materials. Or, if you have an eye for editing, you could be instrumental in crafting policy positions and messaging. 

How Volunteers Help Political Campaigns Succeed

Political campaigns rely on volunteers for a wide variety of tasks, like door-to-door canvassing and community building. These are crucial parts of any successful campaign and provide volunteers with real political experience and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the political stage. 

Door-to-Door Canvassing

Put simply, canvassing is making direct contact with voters for a specific candidate or movement. Political campaign volunteers can help canvassing efforts by going door-to-door, speaking with potential voters, and educating them on the issues. Through door-to-door canvassing, volunteers also help establish trust with voters and promote community building. 

LEARN MORE: Explore the techniques behind door-to-door canvassing. 

Fundraising

Campaign finances are highly regulated, and many campaigns rely on fundraising from individual donations to succeed. Volunteers can play a crucial role in supporting fundraising efforts by organizing events, spreading the campaign's message, and actively seeking donations. 

Social Media Efforts 

Whether it’s sharing a post or managing a full social media account, volunteers are a vital aspect of campaigns’ online messaging and marketing efforts. Volunteers can help their campaign succeed by boosting engagement on social media posts, sharing posts with their friends and family, and creating posts that highlight important parts of the campaign’s focus. 

Additionally, volunteers can speak about their experiences behind the scenes, helping to humanize a campaign and convert it from “just politics” to a real community effort led by real people. 

LEARN MORE: Learn how social media impacts and influences political campaigns.

Voter Registration

In the United States, you can’t vote if you aren’t registered. Volunteers can help campaigns succeed by increasing the number of registered voters in the area. Some ways campaigns improve voter registration include holding voter registration drives, talking about voter registration processes during canvassing efforts, and creating social media posts to remind people about voter registration deadlines. 

Phone Banking 

Phone banking is another form of canvassing. Rather than going to individual doors in a neighborhood, political campaign volunteers can connect with voters through calls and texts. These phone calls give volunteers the power to inform and persuade voters, amplifying the campaign's reach beyond physical boundaries.

Community Building

Community building involves fostering connections and creating a sense of belonging among supporters. A community is formed when individuals come together based on shared interests, values, and goals. Building a community is crucial for the success of a campaign because it attracts committed supporters, amplifies the impact of a campaign, and creates a network of supporters committed to driving change.

LEARN MORE: See how volunteerism in politics empowers citizens to shape their nation and communities.

To help campaigns build community, volunteers can:

• Use social media platforms to connect with like-minded individuals and promote campaign activities.

• Organize events to bring people together, fostering personal connections and shared goals. 

• Sharing success stories and examples of effective community building to inspire and motivate others to get involved.

Conclusion: Why Should You Be a Political Campaign Volunteer? 

By following these steps, you can play a vital role in building a vibrant and engaged community as a political campaign volunteer. Volunteering for political campaigns offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact. 

Civic engagement is a rewarding action, and through volunteering in a political campaign, you can inspire voters and advance change. Volunteers are also an important part of building stronger, healthier, and happier communities. Together, we can drive positive change and create a better future. Start making a difference now!