Turning Support into Victory: The Vote Phase of a Political Campaign

The final weeks of a political campaign can be some of the most important — and most trying — of any candidate’s journey to elected office.

At GoodParty.org, we like to divide the process of a political campaign into three phases: the Awareness Phase, Contact Phase, and Vote Phase. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the Vote Phase.

Want an overview of all three campaign stages? Read our full guide here.

What Is the Vote Phase of a Political Campaign?

The Vote Phase is the final and most critical stage of a political campaign. It’s when all the work that has been done during the Awareness and Contact Phases comes to a head. The ultimate goal of any campaign is to turn support into votes, and the Vote Phase is where that happens. A well-executed get-out-the-vote (GOTV) strategy can make all the difference on election day, ensuring that your supporters show up to the polls and make their voices heard.

To break things down further, we can separate the Vote Phase into two sections: 

1. The Weeks Leading Up to Election Day: The Vote Phase begins in the final weeks leading up to election day. During this period, the campaign focuses on finalizing its GOTV efforts and ensuring that all supporters are ready and committed to vote. This is a time of intense voter outreach, with phone banking, canvassing, and digital efforts ramping up.

2. Election Day: The Vote Phase peaks on election day itself. This is when all the campaign’s efforts come together to ensure maximum voter turnout. On election day, the campaign’s focus is on tracking voter turnout, addressing any issues that happen at polling places, and making final pushes to get supporters to the polls.

On the day of the general election, candidates find out the result of all their efforts throughout the campaign cycle.

A Candidate’s Main Goals During the Vote Phase

In the Vote Phase of a political campaign, the main goal is to encourage the campaign’s supporters to turn out to vote on election day.

Here are some smaller goals to build toward this:

• Get out the vote. Send out reminders to the campaign’s supporters about how, when, and where to vote on election day. Volunteers can support get-out-the-vote efforts through door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and text banking.

• Prioritize digital outreach. Get your campaign’s message to voters through online advertising, social media campaigns, and email outreach. Remember that voters may need multiple reminders to get to the polls.

• Provide solutions to voters’ logistical challenges. Organize volunteers to provide transportation and logistical support for voters who need it. This can include arranging transportation for elderly or disabled voters.

• Track voter turnout. During early voting and on election day, monitor voter turnout to see which parts of the electorate need extra reminders to get to the polls.

• Assign volunteers to polling places. Stationing volunteers near polling locations can generate enthusiasm among voters and encourage undecided voters to consider your candidacy. Be aware of any relevant laws regulating how close campaign volunteers can be to polling stations.

• Prepare for victory or defeat. Managing expectations and planning your next step regardless of the election’s outcome is an important step leading up to election day. How do you plan to thank supporters after the election? How will you respond to victory or defeat as election results roll out?

At the end of your campaign, it is crucial to either transition seamlessly into office or accept a loss with grace and tact. Keep in mind that a defeat in the general election does not mean an end to your political career. In fact, having run for office can put you in a better position to put your name on the ballot in the future.

How to Navigate the Vote Phase of a Political Campaign

The Vote Phase has the power to make or break a political campaign. That’s why getting the best support possible is essential to giving your campaign the highest chance of success.

GoodParty.org offers free and low-cost campaign tools for grassroots candidates across the country. Here are just a few of the ways GoodParty.org’s resources can support your campaign during the Vote Phase:

• Voter File Access: Voter file access is critical during the Vote Phase, particularly for final GOTV efforts. Focus on voters who are most likely to support your campaign and ensure they are reminded to vote.

• Integration with Ecanvasser: Use Ecanvasser to power last-minute canvassing efforts. GoodParty.org’s integration with Ecanvasser lets candidates and volunteers cut turf, track interactions with voters, and make the most of canvassing data.

• Proven GOTV Scripts: Use GoodParty.org’s AI-powered campaign content generators to create proven get-out-the-vote scripts.

• Live Support from Experts: Get real-time support and advice from experts who have navigated dozens of political campaigns before. Candidates who use GoodParty.org’s Pro tools get access to dedicated one-on-one support all the way through election day.

GoodParty.org also offers candidates access to our volunteer network in Discord, along with free campaign training sessions to get your campaign across the finish line.

Get Started with GoodParty.org’s Campaign Tools

The Vote Phase is the culmination of all your campaign efforts. It’s when the campaign turns support into votes, ensuring that every identified supporter shows up to the polls. By executing a well-planned GOTV strategy, campaigns can maximize voter turnout and increase their chances of victory.

GoodParty.org’s resources and voter file access are invaluable tools during the Vote Phase of a political campaign. Whether you’re tracking voter turnout or managing election day volunteers, these tools can help you execute a winning election day strategy.

With the right tools and strategies, your campaign can turn support into votes and achieve success on election day.

Ready to get access to GoodParty.org’s campaign tools? Make a free account to get started today, or book a meeting with our team to talk about your options and campaign strategy.

Want to learn more about the phases of a successful political campaign? Read our guides on the first two phases of an effective campaign here:

• Learn about the Awareness Phase

• Learn about the Contact Phase