[1]Swing LeftSwing Left
Hi John,
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. [ [link removed]- ]If you’re interested in volunteering with Ground Truth, you
can sign up here.
[ [link removed]- ]Sign up to volunteer
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.
* You’ll receive volunteer training, so you feel prepared and know what
to expect before you start.
* Scripts, and guidance on how to use them, are provided, so you’re
never left wondering what to say.
* Swing Left staff and fellow volunteers are here to support you along
the way.
* And once you get comfortable, you can adapt the conversation to feel
more natural to you.
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.
[ [link removed]- ]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.
[ [link removed]- ]Sign up to volunteer
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
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]-
