Precinct Committeeman Battle Plan!

For Building a Winning Precinct

Illinois State Central Committee Training Subcommittee & Demetra DeMonte, National Committeewoman for Illinois

 

 

“You’ve been elected or appointed Precinct Committeeman!”

Now what???

Congratulations!

Let’s Start with the Obvious!

No matter what else we do...No matter how much fun we’re having…

First and foremost we’re here to elect Republicans!

The better organized our precincts are - the better results we’ll get!

Battle Plan

Let’s Conquer!

Precinct Committeemen Our Super Heroes!

Yes you are!!

Today’s Agenda

Why you are so important!Job DescriptionGetting to know your precinctGetting to know your votersGetting out the vote

Because you are the representative of the GOP at the grassroots level!

In other words … …you are the closest to the voters …you are the ground…you own the ground!

Why are Precinct Committeemen so Important???

Job Description

In a Nutshell…

Precinct Committeemen: Walk the precincts Meet the voters Get to know the voters Register the voters Make sure they Vote!

Getting Started

1. Review your precinct list from Clerk’s Office

2. Get access to GOP Data Center

GOP Data Center:Access voter data online Search for individual voter records

Create walking and calling lists for precinct committeemen with the following criteria:

GeographyPartyVoter historyAge/gender breakdownAnd more!

Contact County Chairman to apply!

Now…let’s go!

Drive or walk around your precinct to learn its:

1. boundaries

2. characteristic of neighborhood

Get to Know your Voters

• Walk your precinct• Introduce yourself to the voters• Identify party affiliation• Regularly communicate with them

• Identify and contact new residents

• Register new voters• Register people turning 18

Make sure our Republicans are registered!

~Don’t forget when walking your precincts:

If voters are Republican:a. Will they need absentee ballot? b. Will they need a ride to the polls?c. Would they like a yard sign(s)?d. Would they like to volunteer?

Do’s and Don’ts!

Do’s

• Make a first good impression! • Be brief, 5 minutes should do it!• Be polite• Be friendly• Dress neatly• Wear a name tag or GOP shirt

Don’t’s

• Don’t start your conversation asking their party affiliation

• Never argue• Never make derogatory remarks• Don’t make statements you can’t

prove• Don’t canvass after dark

Pick time and dates when voters are more likely to be at home

Saturday – after 10 a.m.Sunday – after 12 p.m.Weekdays – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Again…Never after dark

Rome wasn’t built in a day!!

You don’t have to walk your entire precinct in one day.

Take your time!

Other election responsibilities:Recruit Honest - Reliable Election Judges and Poll Watchers

“I’m honest and I’m reliable!”

They can help prevent:

fraud the need for lawyers recounts

Also – Find great sign locations and get those signs planted!

Signs demonstrate support and help your candidates advertise!

Why do some people drink Coke and not Pepsi? Taste? Maybe. But it could be the advertising!

Election Day has Arrived!• Contact every Republican

voter to make sure they are going to vote.

• Do they need a ride to the polls?

* Then…If you are a poll

watcher you have access to who has voted; you can then call those to who have not voted to remind them to vote!

Show Appreciation to yourJudges and Poll Watchers

How about bringing some donuts or cookies to the polls?

Your volunteers will think you are great!!

“Make a perfect list of the voters and ascertain with certainty for whom they will vote… Keep a constant watch on the doubtful voters and have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence… On Election Day see that every Whig is brought to the polls.”

Getting Out the Vote Abe Lincoln said:

You can make a big difference in GOTV results, especially if you are well-liked by the voters!

Your personal efforts and endorsements speak volumes – much more than money the candidates spend!

When you are a Hardworking Precinct Committeeman…

Other Responsibilities:

• Pass Petitions for Candidates

• Volunteer at festival booths• Walk in parades• Attend breakfasts• Help support the county

party by attending Lincoln Day Dinners and selling tickets.

• Vote for County Chairman and State Central Committeeman

But…Precinct Committeemen can’t always do it all… even if you are Super Heroes!

 

Why not recruit other super heroes… Precinct Volunteers!

How to Divide Precinct and Recruit Precinct Volunteers Get a map of precinct Get a precinct list of Republican voters Walk precinct to introduce yourself to

Republicans voters Provide voters a signup sheet to get

their e-mail and other contact information

Find at least one enthusiastic Republican voter for each street (or however you want to divide your precinct)

Duties of Precinct Volunteers Voter canvassing Voter registration Candidate petitions Distributing absentee voting

information Identifying election judges Finding locations for yard signs Sharing candidate information and Getting out the

neighborhood vote on Election Day!

Benefits of Precinct Volunteers!

WIN ELECTIONS with neighbor to neighbor contacts

Get petitions done quickly & easily

Doesn’t require $$$ Army makes it easier to do

fundraising More ground troops makes

victory easier and much likelier ! 

Nothing is more effective than neighbor-to-neighbor canvassing

Volunteers: They make it happen!

Encourage your friends and family to join us!

Encourage people of all ages

Invite homeschool families

Let’s build a family of people who want to get involved and and who work well with others!

 

Showcase our strengths

Brag a little – tell them how great our organization is

People want to be part of a winning team!

Enthusiasm is Contagious! Be a Volunteer Magnet!

Be actively engaged: During Election Season and Between Elections! Participate in Special Projects

Monthly Breakfasts

Christmas Parties

Promotes camaraderie!

A Story in Building Camaraderie

Henry our designer!

Don former city mayor

Jim former county sheriff

We started with a drawing

Finished trolley

Rick and Ed at work

And… Engaged people are happy people!

They will encourage their friends and families to join in…increasing your volunteer base!

Even Grumpy’shappy!

Parades: The ultimate in visibility! Try to walk or ride in all of them! Besides being visible,

they’re fun!

And a great way to connect with your team and promote team spirit!

Festivals: Showcase your County! Volunteer to Man the Booth!

Pop Up Tent with Logo

Display Board

A Festival Tent Gives us Access to Thousands of Potential Voters! Provides candidates with a venue to meet voters

Opportunity to recruit volunteers and precinct committeemen

Opportunity to sell merchandise

In 2010 Bill Brady needed just 3 more votes per precinct to win the Governor’s race

In 2014 Bruce Rauner won by 16 votes per precinct to win the Governor’s race

Election Day: Better Organization = Better Results

Closing Comments

You are not Alone! Share your best practices

Participate in meetings

Stay connected with the party

Let’s not reinvent the wheel We’re much too busy!

KEEP THE FAITH

One person can make a difference!

STAY POSITIVE

Last,

but certainly not least…

Thank you!

Enjoy and Have Fun!