Safety 

As canvassers, our goal is to approach strangers’ doors with courage, curiosity, and compassion. Deeply engaging conversation is both a motivation and a reward. When we make a positive connection at a door, it can inspire us to keep going even if the next five doors stay shut. 

At the same time, a negative experience can be unsettling and even frightening.  It’s important to recognize that knocking on strangers’ doors carries some element of risk—and that “courage” is an individual choice with a personal definition.  As a canvasser, you get to decide for yourself what level of risk you wish to accept.  You get to make that choice without judgment or blame. We can all agree that personal safety is our top priority. 

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for promoting safe canvassing:

Craft the list carefully.  Team leaders will choose criteria in the Votebuilder database to generate canvassing lists, and the group may want to decide together what those criteria should be.  For instance, including strong Republican voters may carry higher risk for hostility and rudeness at doors than choosing Undeclared voters who lean Republican.   

Respect posted warnings:  If a homeowner has posted No Trespassing or Private signs, you do not need to proceed.   Entering that property increases the likelihood that someone answering the door will be unhappy to see you. 

Canvass with a partner:  Having another person with you can increase your sense of safety.  You can consult on whether a particular home looks ominous and decide together if you’ll approach.  For maximum safety in remote areas, we recommend two canvassers and a driver, who can stay in the car while the pair goes to the door.

If you have other recommendations for safe canvassing, please let us know and we’ll be glad to share them here.