What Do Candidates Do on Election Day? 7 Key Activities

Election day is the culmination of months of planning, outreach, and community building. But for candidates and their teams, it’s far from a day off. While voters head to the polls, campaign staff and volunteers are working behind the scenes to make sure every supporter casts their ballot.

In this quick guide, we’ll break down what candidates do on election day, from last-minute get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts to monitoring polling sites, and how the right tools can make a big difference when it counts most.

What Candidates Do on Election Day: 7 Key Campaign Activities

From checking in at polling places to making final calls to supporters, election day is all about execution. Here are the most common things candidates and their teams do to ensure every vote is counted.

#1: Visit Polling Places

Most candidates spend part of election day visiting polling places across their district. 

These visits are a chance to:

• Thank volunteers for their hard work throughout the campaign

• Meet supporters and keep energy high

• Reassure undecided voters that their voices matter

• Capture content for social media posts reminding others to vote

Consider posting a photo or short video from the polls with a caption like, “Democracy only works when you do. Have you voted yet?”

However, keep in mind that campaign laws typically require candidates and their teams to keep a certain distance from polling locations, typically 50 to 200 feet. So, you can greet supporters and talk to the press nearby, but not directly outside the doors. Always check your local election laws to stay compliant. 

Smart campaigns also coordinate visits based on real-time turnout data, using updates from poll watchers or field organizers to target key precincts where votes are still needed.

#2: Watch and Monitor Polls

Many campaigns designate trained volunteers as poll watchers or election monitors. Their job is to make sure the election process runs smoothly and that voters aren’t facing barriers to casting their ballots.

Poll watchers may:

• Track voter turnout throughout the day

• Report long lines or accessibility issues

• Alert election authorities to possible problems

It’s one of the most important behind-the-scenes roles for protecting fair elections and ensuring everyone’s vote counts.

LEARN MORE: See how poll watchers impact elections and support transparency at the polls.

#3: Boost Visibility Near Polling Places

While the candidate visits polling sites, volunteers often take charge of visibility efforts nearby. These activities focus on keeping your campaign top-of-mind as voters head to the polls.

Common visibility tactics include:

• Sign waving at busy intersections or sidewalks near polling places, beyond the legal distance boundary, usually 100 feet or more.

• Wearing campaign apparel or stickers to show support and enthusiasm.

• Holding banners or creative displays that reinforce your campaign’s name and message.

Visibility volunteers don’t need to engage voters directly. Their presence itself serves as a reminder to vote. Done well, these efforts create a sense of community momentum and excitement that reflects positively on your campaign.

Always confirm your state and local rules on electioneering before assigning volunteers to polling places. Staying compliant keeps your campaign above reproach and focused on turnout, not controversy.

#4: Manage Real-Time Data and Rapid Response

While your volunteers are keeping visibility high in the field, your campaign’s command center is busy coordinating everything behind the scenes. On election day, many teams operate what’s often called a war room or command center, where staff monitor turnout, coordinate volunteers, and respond to emerging issues in real time.

Core responsibilities often include:

• Tracking turnout data from poll watchers or canvassers to identify precincts that may need an extra push.

• Communicating updates quickly between field teams, volunteer captains, and campaign leadership.

• Troubleshooting problems such as polling place delays, ballot shortages, or transportation gaps.

• Adjusting GOTV priorities based on where supporters still need reminders to vote.

Having a central coordination hub ensures your team can act fast, stay organized, and keep communication clear throughout the day. It’s also a good place to keep morale high. Your field team may be scattered across the district, but the command center keeps everyone connected and informed.

#5: Make Last-Minute Calls and Texts

Even on election day, voter outreach doesn’t stop. It intensifies. The final hours are all about reminding identified supporters to vote and closing the gap between intention and action.

Campaign teams and volunteers often:

• Send personalized GOTV texts reminding voters where and when to cast their ballots

• Make quick phone calls to supporters who pledged to vote but haven’t checked in yet

• Follow up with chase lists, or supporters identified earlier who may need a final nudge to get to the polls

• Share urgent updates, like extended polling hours or weather-related delays

These conversations aren’t for persuasion. Rather, they’re for motivation. Research shows that personal outreach, like door knocking or direct calls, can increase voter turnout by 2 to 8 percentage points, often enough to decide a close or local race. A friendly reminder text or call on election day can help move people from planning to doing. 

Local elections are often decided by dozens of votes, not thousands. So, every call and text on election day is an opportunity to make democracy more representative. Use your texting platform to send quick, localized reminders throughout the day, targeting neighborhoods or supporter lists where turnout is lagging.

LEARN MORE: Check out our full guide to GOTV texting for message templates, timing tips, and compliance best practices.

#6: Provide Rides to the Polls

Transportation shouldn’t stand between someone and their right to vote, yet for many voters, it does. That’s why successful campaigns plan ahead to offer or coordinate rides to the polls on election day.

Common approaches to help people get to the polls include:

• Volunteer driver programs that match available drivers with voters who need a lift

• Partnerships with community organizations or local nonprofits that already offer transportation services

• Phone or text hotlines voters can contact if they need help getting to their polling place

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 1 in 4 nonvoters in 2022 cited logistical issues, like lack of time, transportation, or access, as a key reason they didn’t vote. Providing rides can help seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income voters participate fully. It can also increase turnout in rural areas where polling places are farther apart. 

Additionally, offering this level of support and compassion to your community can show that your campaign genuinely cares about access and inclusion. It sends a simple, powerful message: every voter counts, and no one should be left behind.

#7: Election Day Canvassing

On election day, door-to-door canvassing becomes all about turnout. The goal is simple: make sure every identified supporter actually votes.

Field teams and volunteers typically:

• Visit high-priority precincts where turnout is lagging

• Check in with known supporters who haven’t yet cast a ballot

• Provide quick reminders about polling locations, hours, or ID requirements

• Offer help, like connecting voters to rides or confirming accessibility options

These short, friendly conversations can have a big impact and mobilize your supporters. Remember to keep canvassing lists tight and focused on supporters, not undecided voters or people who have already cast ballots. Every minute counts, so prioritize doors that drive turnout.

Door-to-door engagement also helps candidates stay visible when it matters most. Even brief interactions reinforce your campaign’s commitment to showing up for the community, not just asking for votes, but helping people exercise their right to be heard.

LEARN MORE: Explore get-out-the-vote strategies that help campaigns finish strong.

Tips for Handling Election Day Calmly and Confidently

Election day can feel like the longest, fastest, and most emotional day of your campaign all at once. You’ve put in the work. Now it’s about staying calm, centered, and focused on what you can control.

Here are a few ways to manage the stress and stay grounded while the votes come in:

• Start the day with intention. Take a quiet moment before things get hectic. Breathe, review your plan, and remind yourself why you ran in the first place.

• Stick to the schedule. Follow your campaign’s election day plan rather than chasing updates or rumors. Structure creates calm.

• Delegate and trust your team. You’ve trained them for this moment. Let them lead field operations while you focus on visibility and morale.

• Take breaks when needed. A quick walk, a snack, or a few deep breaths can help reset your energy.

• Limit doom-scrolling. It’s tempting to refresh results constantly, but that drains focus. Let your data or communications lead handle updates.

• End with gratitude. Whether you win or not, take time to thank your volunteers, voters, and community. Campaigns end, but relationships last.

Remember, election day isn’t just about the results. It’s about showing up with integrity, composure, and appreciation for everyone who made participation possible.

LEARN MORE: Download your free election day checklist to keep your campaign organized, compliant, and focused when it matters most. 

Finish Strong on Election Day

Election day is the moment every campaign works toward, when all the planning, organizing, and conversations finally come to life. It’s busy, emotional, and unpredictable, but also deeply meaningful. Whether you’re visiting polling places, checking in with volunteers, or sending those last few texts, every effort helps ensure that your community’s voice is heard.

When the day is done, take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished. Running a campaign, especially as a grassroots or Independent candidate, takes courage and commitment. Win or lose, you’ve helped strengthen democracy by giving voters more choice and a reason to believe in local leadership again.

If you’re preparing for your own election day, GoodParty.org’s free tools and resources can empower you to stay organized, mobilize voters, and keep your campaign running smoothly from start to finish.

Photo by Mark Riechers on Unsplash