Getting Started with Canvassing

Canvassing is the most effective way to earn votes. Pulsar makes it easy to organize volunteers, target the right voters, and track results. This guide covers everything you need to get started.

The Field Operations dashboard in Pulsar

What you'll learn

• How canvassing works in Pulsar

• Setting up your canvassing program

• Key concepts: turfs, shifts, and walk lists

Why Canvassing Matters

Research shows door-to-door canvassing is the single most effective voter contact method:

• 7-10% persuasion effect - Meaningful vote shift from quality conversations

• Personal connection - Builds relationship between campaign and voter

• Data collection - Learn what voters care about

• Volunteer engagement - Meaningful work that builds your team

Canvassing Workflow in Pulsar

Here's how the pieces fit together:

• Create Turfs - Divide your district into manageable territories

• Schedule Shifts - Set times when volunteers can canvass

• Volunteers Sign Up - Team members claim shift slots

• Generate Walk Lists - Create targeted voter lists for each shift

• Canvass - Volunteers knock doors and record results

• Sync Results - Data flows back into your database

• Analyze - Review progress and adjust strategy

The canvassing workflow from setup to analysis

Key Concepts

Turfs

A turf is a geographic area assigned to canvassers. Good turfs are:

• Walkable - Can cover in 2-3 hours

• Dense enough - 50-100 target doors

• Clearly bounded - Easy to know where to go

Shifts

Shifts are scheduled canvassing time slots. Each shift includes:

• Date and time

• Meeting location

• Assigned turf(s)

• Volunteer slots

Walk Lists

Walk lists are the voter targeting for each canvass. They include:

• Names and addresses

• Voter history and demographics

• Optimal route order

• Talking points and survey questions

Start Small

Begin with 2-3 turfs and one shift type. Perfect your process before scaling up.

Setting Up Canvassing

Import Voter Data

Ensure you have voter data with addresses loaded. You'll need this to create targeted walk lists.

Create Your First Turf

Go to Field → Turfs and draw your first territory on the map.

Schedule a Shift

Go to Field → Shifts and create your first canvass shift.

Invite Volunteers

Share the shift signup link with your volunteers so they can claim spots.

Complete each step to launch your canvassing program

Next Steps

• How to Create and Manage Turfs

• How to Schedule Canvass Shifts

• How to Create Walk Lists