Overview

This playbook provides the step-by-step process for organizing a GOTV campaign — from voter registration drives through Election Day operations and election protection. It connects to the 56 state/territory voting guides in the Patriot knowledgebase.

Emergency Reference: Election Day

Voter suppression / intimidation: Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) Spanish: 888-Ve-y-Vota | Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE Voter turned away: They have the right to cast a provisional ballot. Demand it. Voter intimidation (federal crime): DOJ: 800-253-3931 | Election Protection: 866-OUR-VOTE

Step 1: Full GOTV Operations Guide

Read: Get Out the Vote: Campaign Operations Guide

The complete operational guide covering:

• Campaign planning (target universe, timeline, goals)
• Voter registration drives (legal requirements, best practices)
• Canvassing (proven 7–12 point turnout increase)
• Phone banking and text banking
• Vote-by-mail programs
• Election Day operations
• Election protection

Step 2: Know Your State’s Voting Rules

Read: Your relevant state file(s) in the State Voting Guides section

56 jurisdiction guides for all 50 states, DC, and 5 territories. For GOTV work, focus on:

• Registration deadlines (key for timing your registration drives)
• Same-day registration / automatic voter registration (changes your strategy)
• Absentee / VBM eligibility (for vote-by-mail programs)
• Voter ID requirements (critical for VoteRiders partnerships)
• Early voting schedule (target early voters)

Step 3: Voter Registration Drive Setup

Read: Get Out the Vote: Campaign Operations Guide (Part II: Voter Registration Drives)

State-specific legal requirements for third-party voter registration organizations:

• Some states require registration as a voter registration organization
• Forms must typically be submitted within 10 days of collection
• Know the deadline in your state — missed deadlines mean unregistered voters

Resources:

• vote.gov — federal portal with links to all state registration systems
• TurboVote.org — online registration tool
• VoteRiders.org — voter ID assistance for new registrants

Step 4: Build Your Canvassing Program

Read: Get Out the Vote: Campaign Operations Guide (Part III: Canvassing)

Canvassing is the highest-impact GOTV method (7–12 point turnout increase, Green/Gerber research). Set up your program:

• Obtain the voter file from your state’s Secretary of State office
• Select GOTV tools (MiniVAN, Action Network, or OpenVPB for open-source)
• Train canvassers (2-hour training minimum)
• Divide geography into manageable turfs
• Establish staging locations and check-in protocols

Step 5: Election Protection

Read: Get Out the Vote: Campaign Operations Guide (Part VII: Election Protection)

Election protection is distinct from GOTV — it focuses on protecting voters’ rights on Election Day:

• Poll monitoring (credentialing requirements vary by state)
• Provisional ballot rights
• Voter intimidation reporting
• Hotline staffing

Partner with:

• Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (runs the Election Protection coalition)
• ACLU Voting Rights Project
• Your state’s election protection coalition

Step 6: Accountability Research — Secretary of State Profiles

Read: Relevant Secretary of State and election official profiles in knowledgebase/accountability/

Understanding the history and track record of the officials administering your elections informs election protection strategy: know who has attempted voter purges, closed polling places, or resisted certification.

Key Organizations

Related Role-Based Playbooks

• Voting Rights Activist Playbook
• Citizen Activist Playbook
• Political Activist Playbook

Related Use-Case Playbooks

• Witnessing Constitutional Rights Violations — documenting voter intimidation
• Organizing a Peaceful Protest — for voting rights demonstrations