Ground Truth: Changing how we talk with voters
We’re knocking on every door, listening deeply to all voters, and making insights available to Democratic campaigns to help win competitive elections.
People aren’t just frustrated or tuned out of politics. They believe the system is broken, and that nobody is listening to them.
Ground Truth is how we’re rebuilding trust, one conversation at a time.
Here’s what knocking on doors with Ground Truth typically looks like:
Pre-canvass
Receive your materials
Ahead of the canvass, you’ll get all the materials you need from Swing Left, and the option to attend a virtual training.
Pre-canvass
Canvassers assemble
Gather with a few friends or a couple dozen like-minded neighbors in a swing district to kick off the canvass together at a home, in a park, at the local library—anywhere with space to meet up.
Pre-canvass
Host leads a training
The host(s) shares the script and walks canvassers through a thorough training designed by Swing Left. Your host will make sure you have a buddy, and send you out to cover a specific area.
Canvass
You’ll be trained on a very conversational script, so there’s no need to be nervous—the voter will likely do most of the talking at the door! During a typical shift, you'll canvass for about two hours.
Start talking with voters
Post-Canvass
Talk about the topics that came up a lot, discuss positive experiences, and share challenges with each other.
Debrief with the group
Typical canvass
☹ Awkward script
☹ Prioritizes more conversations
☹ Talking more than listening
☹ Transactional
☹ Talk mainly to likely Democrats
Ground Truth canvass
☺ Trust-centered script
☺ Prioritizes quality conversations
☺ Deep listening to every voter
☺ Relational
☺ Talk with everyone
Leading a Ground Truth Canvass
Multiply your impact
If you live in or near a swing state or district on Swing Left’s map of target races, leading a Ground Truth canvass is the highest-impact way you can volunteer to help swing the national balance of power.
Hosting a canvass multiplies your personal impact by reaching more voters. It also introduces other prospective volunteers in your area to Ground Truth and gets them involved in knocking on doors.
Big, small, or somewhere in between
It’s not the size of the canvass that matters—it’s the quality of the conversations you have with voters in your community. An event can be you and three close friends, or 50+ like-minded neighbors who want to come together to help save the country.
Nerves are normal
Introverts, we see you, and we have good news: Ground Truth is for everyone, because our conversations start with listening! Still, organizing an event can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Our team is available to support you along the way.
Experience needed:
None. Swing Left has tools, training, and team members available to ensure you can lead a successful canvass, whether you’re a seasoned host or a first-timer!
Time commitment:
90-minute host onboarding with the Swing Left team.
1-2 hours to confirm all details and post your event on Mobilize.
A few minutes here and there to recruit your network (emails, texts, etc.) and to correspond with attendees.
1-2 hours prepping materials and making confirmation calls to attendees.
3-5 hours the day of the canvass for set up, training, knocking on doors, and debriefing.
Resource commitment:
This varies a lot. Hosts should print copies of the conversation guide for all canvassers. Some hosts provide transportation to and from the event, light snacks and water for attendees, even stickers and other identifying accessories. It’s up to you and what you’re comfortable with!
Attending a Ground Truth Canvass
Connect with voters
If you live in or near a swing state or district on Swing Left’s map of target races, attending a Ground Truth canvass is a high-impact way to connect with voters, help rebuild trust, and gain insights that we can make available to Democratic campaigns.
Share your experience
Many folks haven’t had the opportunity to canvass and aren’t sure it’s for them. One powerful thing you can do is share the experience with others! Take photos during your canvass, record a selfie-style video of your activities during the event, or post a voice note to your friends and family debriefing your canvass when you get home.
Listen better
Ground Truth is all about less talking at voters, and more deep listening to voters. Our carefully crafted script will help guide the conversation at the door, but really it’s all about listening to voters and making sure their voices are heard.
Experience needed:
None. Your canvass host is trained by Swing Left and ready to share their door-knocking wisdom with you!
Time commitment:
1-hour to attend a Ground Truth new volunteer orientation (optional).
30 minutes ahead of your canvass to pack your bag, download the People App, and get yourself psyched up to talk to voters.
3 hours the day of the canvass for arrival, training, knocking on doors, and debriefing.
Resource commitment:
This varies a lot. Some attendees bring snacks and drinks, their own notepad, a portable phone charger, and a good pair of walking shoes. The People App is free to use, and your host will provide any other printouts you need.
The Data So Far
Key Ground Truth insights
Voters feel the system is broken
About 50% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike mentioned broad frustration with both political parties and a sense that the government isn’t working for them. Notably, we have not yet seen a federal or state party entity systematically tracking this theme in their canvassing and voter files.
There’s untapped voter potential for Democrats
Democrats have an opportunity to make up ground with the demographic groups they lost in 2024 and also persuade Trump supporters. Expanding whom we talk to and improving how we talk with them can uncover meaningful new support. In our pilot data, 1 in 4 of the voters campaigns typically classify as very unlikely to support Democrats expressed serious concerns about Trump's actions and the direction of the country—indicating that traditional voter contact efforts are missing potentially persuadable voters.
Voters are very eager to engage
Two-thirds of people who answered their door were willing to have a real, 10–15 minute conversation. Voters across the spectrum also expressed their pleasant surprise that Democrats are interested in talking and listening to them, not just asking for votes—an important step in rebuilding the broken party brand, and proof that when someone shows up and listens, voters are eager to be heard.
Conventional “issue framing” isn’t quite right
Early results also indicate that the traditional single-issue based framing used to categorize voters is increasingly insufficient. In more than 80% of our conversations, voters brought up at least two motivating issues. Ground Truth’s approach is helping Democrats think more holistically about the narratives people believe in and what truly drives their engagement.
More questions?
We’re here to help make your Ground Truth canvass a success! Reach out to team@swingleft.org with any additional questions you have.
