Walk list, canvassing list, voter file
The raw voter file is the county's registration file. It has every registered voter in the jurisdiction with the fields the county releases to a qualified requester, and it is far too big to walk.
A canvassing list is the campaign's cut of that file. It is the set of voters worth a door knock for one purpose, such as persuasion or turnout, inside the district.
A walk list is one volunteer's share of the canvassing list. It is cut by geography so the doors sit close together, and it is short enough to finish in a shift.
- Voter file: everything the county released, for the whole jurisdiction
- Canvassing list: the voters the campaign chose to knock, for one purpose
- Walk list: one turf from that list, for one volunteer and one shift
Sources: California Secretary of State voter registration information file request
What belongs on the sheet
At the door a volunteer needs to find the house, know who to ask for, and write down what happened. Everything else is noise.
VoterFile's printed packet runs doors in walking order with the address, the voter names at that address, a result box, and a notes line. Script cues such as party or age earn a place only when the plan changes the script by voter type. Phone numbers and email belong on the phone and text lists, not the walk sheet.
- Address and walking order
- Voter names at each address
- A result box for the contact outcome
- A notes line for follow-up
- Script cues such as party or age only when the plan uses them
How a walk list is cut per volunteer
The cut starts with the canvassing list, not the whole file. Set a crew size, which is the number of voters per walk list, and the turf cutter packs whole precincts or ZIPs up to that size. Big precincts split into numbered parts. Each list shows its count against the target so you can even them out before printing.
Size the list to the volunteer. A first shift should be short. Two experienced people with two hours can take more. A finished short list beats a half-done long one. The turf cutting guide walks through each step.
Walk lists in the last eight weeks
Vote by mail changes the walk list. County elections officials mail a ballot to every active registered voter, and returns start coming back weeks before November 3. Filter the list to voters who have not returned a ballot before you cut, and re-cut as the county's return data updates. The chase list guide covers that step.
Sources: California Secretary of State vote by mail overview
How VoterFile fits
VoterFile keeps the filters, the turf cut, the printed packet, mobile canvass mode, and the results in one place. The campaign brings its own authorized county voter file. VoterFile does not provide voter data and does not file county requests. $299 is software.
Ready to print walk lists for a real race?
Pay the $299 BYO rate, bring the county voter file your campaign obtained, and hand each volunteer a list they can finish.
Questions
Is a walk list the same as a canvassing list?
No. The canvassing list is the campaign's full cut of voters to knock. A walk list is one volunteer's turf from that list.
How many doors should a walk list have?
Enough for one shift. VoterFile cuts from 25 to 300 voters per list. Start short with new volunteers.
Should a walk list include phone numbers?
Usually not. Keep the sheet to what the volunteer needs at the door. Phone work runs from its own list.
Can I print walk lists or use a phone?
Both. VoterFile prints packets and has a mobile canvass mode that keeps working offline after the turf is opened once.
Does VoterFile provide the voter file?
No. The campaign brings its own authorized county voter file. VoterFile does not sell voter data and does not file county requests. $299 is software.