The last few weeks of a campaign can feel like a sprint. But a candidate’s schedule, a few more speeches, and a final round of ads won’t make up for weak turnout operations. Now is the time to raise money, make calls, and help supporters get their ballots in on time.
1. Keep asking for money
There’s still work to pay for: calls to voters who haven’t returned their ballots, staff at busy early-voting sites, Election Day volunteers, digital ads, and help for voters whose ballots are rejected.
Make the ask specific; don’t be vague. Tell donors exactly what their money will cover; give them all the details: “Your contribution today will pay for Saturday’s ballot-chase calls,” or “We need another shift at the polls Tuesday.” People are already thinking about the next election. Give them a reason to help with this one.
Campaigns can run out of money at exactly the wrong moment. Don’t let that happen because fundraising went quiet in October.
2. Treat early voting as part of Election Day
Early voting isn’t a warm-up. For many voters, it’s when they’ll cast their ballot, and campaigns need to be ready.
Know the hours, locations, ballot-request deadlines, and rules for returning a ballot. Put volunteers at the busiest sites. Each day, reach out to supporters who have received a ballot but haven’t sent it back. Then contact persuadable voters in the same position.
The goal is simple: get your voters to cast their ballots as soon as they’re ready. Waiting until Election Day to discover that a supporter still has an unreturned ballot is a preventable problem.
3. Check the ballot file every day
When new ballot information is available, pull it and update the campaign’s records that day. If someone’s ballot is marked as returned, take them off the follow-up list before the next calls or texts go out.
Now this is really important for candidates. Each morning, ask one question: how many identified supporters still have ballots outstanding? If that number isn’t dropping fast enough, add people to the phone bank or canvass. Another persuasion mailer won’t solve a turnout gap by itself.
Keep the calls useful and brief. Ask whether the voter has the ballot. Share an official return option. As the deadline gets closer, remind them of the deadline and hours, and offer a ride if the campaign can provide one. This is particularly helpful for the elderly who choose to vote by mail.
4. Help voters fix rejected ballots where the law allows
A rejected ballot may still be fixable, but the rules depend on the state and, in some cases, the county. Use the official rejection list and the local election office’s form and instructions. Don’t take possession of a ballot or signed cure form unless the law clearly permits it.
Start with the cases that have the earliest deadlines. Keep notes as you go: cured, plans to cure, couldn’t reach, or needs a ride. That way, the next volunteer knows what has already happened.
In Maryland, voters may cure a defective mail-in ballot by 10 a.m. on the 10th day after the election. Other states have different deadlines and procedures, so check the current official guidance before contacting voters. www.ncsl.org
5. Follow your state’s calendar
No single national ballot-cure deadline exists. (REMEMBER THIS ONE) Some deadlines fall on Election Day; others come later. The timing can depend on the problem with the ballot and how the voter submits the correction.
Build your operation around the deadline that applies locally. Don’t wait for a letter to reach the voter before making contact. By then, valuable time may be gone. Make sure volunteers have the right instructions for the voter’s county and know where to direct questions.
In the final days, the best campaigns are often the ones that keep doing the basics well: raising money, updating their lists, making the calls, and helping supporters follow the official rules. That’s how you turn good intentions into ballots counted. Remember, don’t take your foot off the gas pedal even if you are ahead in the polls; campaign like you are down. Run up the Score if possible.