Hi,
Something we hear a lot from people who are considering canvassing is, “I’m an introvert and knocking on doors to talk to people I don’t know makes me nervous.”
We get it. Some of you might even be thinking:
“What if people are hostile?”
“What if they ask me a question I don’t know the answer to?” or,
“What if I’m not good at this?”
If any of these questions sound familiar to you, you’re definitely not alone. Many Swing Left volunteers start out feeling the exact same way.
The truth is you don’t need to be outgoing, extroverted, or have a script memorized to be an effective canvasser or phone banker. What voters respond to most is someone who is genuine and willing to listen.
That’s a core idea behind Ground Truth, Swing Left’s innovative volunteer-powered program that’s fundamentally transforming how Democrats connect with voters to win elections. Volunteers knock every door in a swing district and ask open-ended questions, listening deeply to voters’ real-world concerns to rebuild trust. Because before we can persuade, we have to listen.
Using brand-new technology, we then share these on-the-ground insights and rich data directly with the most competitive Democratic House campaigns and state parties, strengthening their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
This Saturday, January 24th, is the first time Ground Truth is launching nationwide—giving everyone across the country the chance to take part in this work. If you’re interested in volunteering with Ground Truth, you can sign up here.
Many volunteers, especially introverts, find that Ground Truth feels more natural and meaningful than traditional canvassing. And 93% of volunteer canvassers indicated they would recommend Ground Truth canvassing to a friend. As one Ground Truth volunteer put it:
“People surprised me with their willingness to share their stories. I think when we aren’t trying to pressure people into voting or supporting a particular position, we can really connect with them and learn a lot.”
— Drew L., OR
And before you ever interact with a voter, we’ll make sure you are set up for success.
For many voters, a knock on the door or a phone call from a volunteer like you might be the only time someone truly listens to their concerns before an election. That kind of connection matters in rebuilding trust with voters—which is especially meaningful in swing House districts, where outcomes can come down to just a few thousand votes.
Swing Left is laser-focused on winning a Democratic majority in the U.S. House to put a material check on the Trump agenda. But that will only be possible if we work together to scale this work.
If knocking on doors doesn’t feel right for you right now, that’s okay. Ground Truth includes both in-person canvassing and virtual phone banking, so you can choose what’s best for you.
To get started with Ground Truth, fill out our volunteer interest form. It will ask you questions about your location and what you like to do, and direct you to the volunteer opportunities that are best for you.
A lot of people are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure how to help right now. Volunteering is a way to turn that energy into something powerful. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up.
However you choose to get involved, we’re grateful you’re a part of this effort to protect our freedoms and our democracy.
— Swing Left
|
Since 2017, Swing Left has channeled the energy of grassroots volunteers and donors to elect Democrats, up and down the ballot, focusing on the most competitive races that can swing the national balance of power. Right now, Swing Left is investing in early grassroots organizing in key swing districts and initiatives across the country to lay the foundation to win back the House in 2026. If you’d like to help support our work, you can make a donation using this link. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Paid for by Swing Left, swingleft.org, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
