Infographic titled “One-Page Campaign Plan: $1,000 Budget” showing a grassroots political campaign strategy with a budget breakdown for filing, print materials, digital outreach, voter contact, and emergency funds, alongside icons for door-knocking, social media, yard signs, and Election Day turnout.

1. Filing & Compliance – $50 in Maryland (Varies from State to State)

ItemCost
Filing fee/petition costs$150
Basic compliance tools$50
Subtotal: $200

You must be legal before you are visible.

2. Print Materials – $350

ItemQuantityCost
Palm cards (4×6, color)1,000$200
Yard signs (1-color)25$150
Subtotal: $350

Every door = one card. Every busy street = a sign.

3. Digital Presence – $200

ItemCost
Domain + basic website$75
Simple branding/graphics$50
Boosted social posts$75
Subtotal: $200

 Post photos of you knocking doors, not stock graphics.

4. Field & Voter Contact – $200

ItemCost
Access to voter list (party / free tools)$100
Clipboards, pens, packets$50
Gas/travel$50
Subtotal: $200

5. Emergency / Flex Fund – $50

ItemCost
Reprints or last-minute needs$50
Subtotal: $50

TOTAL CAMPAIGN BUDGET: $1,000

CategoryAmount
Filing & Compliance$50 (in Maryland)
Print$350
Digital$200
Field$200
Contingency$50
TOTAL$1,000

What This Budget CAN Do

  • Get you on the ballot
  • Put your name in voters’ hands
  • Establish a digital footprint
  • Test grassroots support

What It CANNOT Do

  • X Mass persuasion
  • X Paid mail
  • X Media buys
  • X Replace candidate time

How to Win With $1,000

  • Knock every door twice
  • Attend every community event
  • Leverage earned media
  • Ask every voter for $10–$25
  • Convert support → volunteers → donors

At this level, you are the campaign.

One-Page Campaign Plan — $1,000 Budget

Candidate: ____________________
Office: State Assembly
Election: ☐ Primary ☐ General
District: ____________________

Campaign Goal

Win by maximizing personal voter contact, building name recognition, and converting time + volunteers into votes—while staying fully compliant and disciplined with spending.

Core Strategy

At $1,000, the candidate IS the campaign.

We will:

  • Focus on door-to-door voter contact
  • Use simple, repeatable messaging
  • Prioritize visibility in high-traffic areas
  • Leverage earned media and social proof
  • Convert supporters into volunteers and small donors

Message Framework

One Sentence Message:
“I’m running for State Assembly to fight for [1 core local issue], [2nd issue], and common-sense leadership for our district.”

Three Talking Points:

  1. Local issue voters feel daily (taxes, schools, safety, roads)
  2. Independence / reform / accountability
  3. Personal connection to the district

(No policy papers. No buzzwords.)

Budget Allocation — $1,000

CategoryAmount
Filing & Compliance$200
Print (Palm cards + signs)$350
Digital presence$200
Field & voter contact$200
Emergency reserve$50
TOTAL$1,000

Field Plan (Primary Focus)

  • Knock every reachable door in priority precincts
  • Hit high-turnout blocks first
  • Re-knock strong supporters
  • Ask every supporter:
    • “Can I count on your vote?”
    • “Can you give $10?”
    • “Can you bring one friend?”

Weekly Goal:

  • 250–400 doors/week
  • 20–30 conversations/day

Literature Plan

  • Palm cards only
    • Name
    • Office
    • One photo
    • One sentence message
  • Leave at every door
  • Carry at all events

Digital Plan

  • One simple website or landing page
  • Facebook + Instagram only
  • Post:
    • Door knocking photos
    • Community events
    • Endorsements (even small ones)
  • Boost only real photos of the candidate

Visibility Plan

  • 25-yard signs in:
    • Busy roads
    • Volunteer yards
    • High-visibility corners
  • Attend:
    • Civic meetings
    • School events
    • Local fairs
    • Faith/community gatherings

Earned Media Plan

  • Submit:
    • One letter to the editor
    • One short op-ed
  • Reach out to:
    • Local bloggers
    • Community Facebook admins
  • Announce:
    • Campaign launch
    • First endorsement
    • Milestone (e.g., 500 doors knocked)

GOTV (Final 10 Days)

  • Re-knock supporters
  • Hand-deliver palm cards
  • Personal texts & calls
  • Election Day:
    • Poll greeting
    • Sign holding
    • Visibility, visibility, visibility

Rules of Discipline

  • No consultants
  • No mail
  • No TV/radio
  • No unnecessary spending
  • Every dollar must increase voter contact

Definition of Success

  • Name recognized
  • Base established
  • Volunteer list built
  • Donor list growing
  • Credible showing or upset win
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