There is a goldmine of voter data out there at the moment, don’t miss this opportunity to gather it.
Every weekend the Preston Lib Dems have a canvassing action day. Since the General Election it has never been easier to collect accurate and detailed voter intention data.
Canvassing is the best way to accurately collect data as well as showcase our brand as a party, and your candidate. Political campaigns are like marketing campaigns, we are selling a product, be it a policy, our party or a person.
Data is key to selling effectively. When time, money and manpower gets tighter towards polling day, you want to be as efficient as possible. Voter ID, along with marked register & postal voter, data allows you to do that.
Right now is the best possible time to get out canvassing. After a big General Election that changes the Government, people are far more open about how they voted. And why they voted.
Even residents that we have a strong voting history for, right now is the perfect time to fully flesh out their political preferences.
While canvassing I always ask first if they need to report anything to me or if I can help in any way. This is important because it makes the conversation about them and not you. Once that is done I ask, “This year has been a busy one for politics, with a general election and a change in Government, do you still vote in elections?” I actually already know this from the marked register but it’s a much less direct way of getting into political preferences part of the canvassing script.
Most people say they have no issues but at this point you have generally maneuvered the conversation into the area you want, voter ID.
You’ll usually get loads of body language and other hints on their political preferences, especially if they don’t like the current Labour Government BUT you must not make assumptions. Always ask the political question!! I follow up with, “Do you mind if I ask which party you usually support?”.
They answer “Always Lib Dem”, “Voted Labour this time.” etc etc
I follow up again to get the most vital data with something like, “Is that the same for local elections as well?”
The standard script on minivan has 5 questions you can use to build a really detailed profile of a resident.
- Which party will you be voting for in the next local election?
- Which party do you usually support?
- Which party did you vote for in the 2024 General Election?
- Which party did you vote for in the last local elections in your area?
- Would you consider voting Lib Dem?
Examples that have happened to me personally this summer:
Long time Labour voter, switched to Reform at the General Election but votes Lib Dem in local elections and will do next time because of Winter Fuel Payments etc.
- Which party will you be voting for in the next local election? Definite LD
- Which party do you usually support? Labour
- Which party did you vote for in the 2024 General Election? Reform
This gives us lots of data for us to know how to target this voter in the elections to come.
Another example was a lifelong Tory voter but was so disgusted at the last Govt. He didn’t vote in the General Election but did vote Lib Dem in the last locals. He is naturally a Tory but would consider voting Lib Dem again locally.
- Which party will you be voting for in the next local election? Soft Conservative
- Which party do you usually support? Conservative
- Which party did you vote for in the 2024 General Election? Did not vote
- Which party did you vote for in the last local elections in your area? Lib Dem
- Would you consider voting Lib Dem? Yes
Both these examples we have our foot in the door but it’s touch and go whether they will vote for us. Both will require targeted messaging and probably a 2nd canvass knock to bring them on board fully.
We can’t do any of that if we don’t knock on doors and collect that data. Before Xmas is the best time to do it. Go knock on doors and give yourself the best chance of winning next year and beyond.