Money, Money, Money
Can't phonebank without good snacks! Can I use chapter budget to buy food and drinks for my voter contact event?
No, unfortunately no chapter budget can be spent for voter contact events or any event where you're advocating on behalf of a candidate
We want to go to a town hall in our red shirts. Not all the candidates are GSCs. Can we?
Yes!
Where do the lists come from of who to send post cards to?
Voter lists could come from 2 places: Post Card in a Box lists will come from us, and if campaigns or other orgs have post card programs, they will provide those lists to you.
Post card lists should not come from VAN.
What is our goal number of voters we want to contact during this election cycle?
ONE MILLION VOTERS!
Can there be more than one Gun Sense Candidate (GSC) in a race?
Yes!
If we can't spend any money on tabling events, how does my group get those cool stickers and palm cards to hand out?
We've got you! If you fill out our supporter generated elections event form, we'll email you and ask why type of event you're having (house party, tabling, etc) and see what type of swag you need!
Can I wear my red shirt to canvass for a non gun sense candidate?
No, we ask that you not do elections work in your moms shirt for a candidate that doesn't have our distinction or endorsement
TRUE OR FALSE: The chapter can buy postcards and postage to write post cards to voters with out of their chapter funds?
FALSE! We can't use chapter budget for express advocacy
But does contacting voters really work? I hate it when people call me.
Yes it does! Door-to-door canvassing consistently shows a stronger per-contact effect on voter turnout, with face-to-face conversations lifting turnout by 7-9% and 2-4% for phone calls! Elections are won and lost by these margins every cycle.
If a GSC got their distinction in 2024 or earlier, they don't need to get it again, right?
Incorrect! Gun Sense Candidates must re-apply each cycle to receive a new distinction.
What is the one main recruitment tool we CANNOT use to recruit for elections events with?
Spoke/P2P texting. We CAN use EA8, phone banks, and the app!
Can I speak at a candidate fundraiser in my moms shirt?
No! Please participate in fundraising events in your personal capacity only.
Are postcards the most effective way to do voter outreach in support of candidates?
No, postcards are one method of voter contact, but the most effective forms of voter contact are 1:1 conversations through phone banks or door knocks.
Can our data lead create a phone bank in VAN for us to call voters in support of gun sense candidates?
No! Your data lead can create a phone bank to RECRUIT to events in support of gun sense candidates, but we cannot create our own voter contact phone banks.
True or false: We can ask candidates to come speak at our meetings.
FALSE. In the past we've been able to do this, but the rules have changed this year.
I love the new Gun Sense Voter tabling program! Can we use chapter funds to pay for tabling fees for those?
Unfortunately not. But we can look for FREE tabling opportunities to get the word out about Gun Sense Candidates!
A candidate asked us not to wear our red shirts to her door knock, can we still participate?
Yes! Some districts and neighborhoods may be more likely to engage in conversation with folks who appear neutral. Follow the lead of the campaign you're supporting.
If a group like Indivisible is having a post card event, can I make that a Moms Demand Action event and put it in VAN?
Yes! Just be sure the candidates they're writing post cards about are Gun Sense Candidates and that the Chapter is not spending any money on the event.
I've never phone banked or canvassed before and I'm nervous. Will I receive training?
Absolutley! We'll help you every step of the way and we can't wait to contact voters with you!
A GSC reached out for help with phonebanking and canvassing, can we help them?
No! All outreach from candidates should be redirected to campaignrequests@everytown.org.
Is there a free and effective way to recruit volunteers to join us at voter contact events?
YES! Build a phonebank in VAN, it's free and proven to get people out. Confirmation and Thank you calls are also free and help people feel supported and welcomed in your group <3
An endorsed candidate want me to appear it their promotional video or photos in my red shirt. What should I do?
Make sure you identify yourself/are identified as a gun violence prevention advocate or "volunteer WITH Moms Demand Action" and email campaignrequests@everytown.org so they can keep track of these asks.
What should I write on postcards to voters?
Campaigns usually provide a preferred script for postcards you send, if no script is provided, highlight their commitment to gun violence prevention as a gun sense candidate!
Wait, if I can't talk to the candidate or their staff, where am I supposed to get information about phone banks and canvasses?
Lots of places! You can learn about candidate events anywhere that is public--an email list anyone can sign up for; their website; social media, or Mobilize.
Unfortunately not. They'll have to be off-boarded while they're running and if they win, but we'll look forward to having an ally in their elected seat!