Knock doors in swing states. Win the Midwest.

Pick an upcoming Saturday or Sunday shift. State whether you need a seat or can drive others. Your carpool captain connects with you on Friday.

Arrive at the field office in Kenosha, Racine, or SW Michigan. Local campaign staff review talking points, demonstrate MiniVAN, and answer questions.

Spend 2 to 3 hours talking with friendly voters with your buddy. Regroup at staging for celebratory snacks and ride home together by afternoon.

Upcoming weekend canvass launches

How do weekend canvassing carpools from Chicago work?

Operation Swing State coordinates weekend carpools departing from neighborhood hubs across Chicago (such as Logan Square, Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Evanston, and Oak Park). We pair drivers who have extra seats with volunteers who need a ride. Departure times are typically Saturday or Sunday morning, with return trips by late afternoon.

Do I need previous political canvassing experience to knock doors?

No experience is necessary. Every canvass launch kicks off with a comprehensive 30-minute training session. First-time canvassers are always paired with an experienced volunteer buddy, given printed conversation guides, and trained on the MiniVAN smartphone app.

Where do Chicago volunteers canvass in nearby swing states?

Our carpools primarily target critical battleground districts in Southeast Wisconsin (Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee County, and Janesville) and Southwest Michigan (Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, and Niles). Most staging hubs are within a 60- to 90-minute drive from Chicagoland.

What should I bring and wear on a canvassing trip?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate layers. Bring a fully charged smartphone with the MiniVAN app installed, a portable phone charger battery pack, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and any necessary weather protection (sunscreen or an umbrella).

Why is door knocking more effective than other campaign tactics?

In-person voter canvassing is scientifically proven by electoral research to be the single most effective voter turnout tactic, generating up to a 10x higher turnout boost compared to digital ads or mail. Face-to-face conversations build trust and ensure voters have an actionable voting plan.