What Kind of Gear and Equipment Should You Bring While Canvassing?

While canvassing, it is extremely important to be prepared and have all the gear you need. Depending on your route, mode of transportation, weather, and time of day, you will need to bring different types of gear. On top of the gear that you bring, you will possibly need to bring pamphlets/flyers or even signs. You should always make it a priority to present yourself as professional as possible, and being prepared is one way to look professional. These are the items that you should be bringing and wearing while out canvassing.

  • Business professional attire (if you are the candidate)
  • Business casual attire (if you are a volunteer for the campaign)
  • High visibility vest
  • Clipboard (if you are bringing physical notes)
  • Your notes
  • Writing utensils and spares
  • Campaign materials (not necessary but is recommended to bring a few of these)
    • Pamphlets
    • Informational cards
    • Business Cards
    • Signs
    • Merchandise that has already sold and needs to be delivered
    • Pins
    • Stickers
    • Anything else you can think of related to your campaign
  • Cellphone/tablet for electronic notes, directions, and form of communication
  • Depending on weather bring the following items
    • Rain jacket or umbrella
    • Cold weather jacket or vest, beanie, and gloves
    • Sunscreen, hat, or sunglasses
  • Water to stay hydrated
  • Snacks to keep your energy up

What should you be wearing?

If you, the candidate, are canvassing then you will want to look professional. Depending on the weather this means you may need to wear a suit and tie or nice dress. Imagine yourself talking to the president. You wouldn’t want to look unprofessional would you? If it is hot outside you can always go with business professional attire to business casual. You should dress this way because it shows to the homeowners that you are professional and that you put the time and effort to look good, and you’ll do the same while representing them. Now if your volunteers are canvassing, it is still recommended to be in business casual attire, but it is also recommended that you wear a high visibility vest. This is to help keep your volunteers safe while they are walking the streets. A high visibility vest also shows to the homeowners that these people are professionals and aren’t a threat. The whole point of canvassing is to reach the homeowner, and nowadays it is very difficult for people to answer their door if they weren’t aware it was going to happen. The high visibility vest and other gear that you or your volunteers bring, shows that you aren’t a threat, and the homeowner is much more likely to answer you.

What items should you be bringing?

While canvassing, there are some important items to bring with you. Most importantly are your notes, and what you are taking them on. If it’s paper and pencil then you need to bring a clipboard, your papers, and a few pencils. You can always keep spare writing utensils in a backpack, purse, or leave them in the car. Some other items you should bring are any kind of campaign materials, like pamphlets, business cards, signs, stickers, pins, campaign clothing (shirts, etc.), and anything else that you can think of. These are not necessary to bring, but you can knock out 2 birds with one stone if someone has purchased or requested campaign materials, you can deliver it to them personally.  It is highly recommended to bring pamphlets and informational business cards. These give you the ability to leave materials for someone if they weren’t home or didn’t answer. It also allows you to give someone a reminder card that may have your contact information, what’s your website and how to donate to you, and anything else you may think is important. It’s also extremely important to have a cellphone on at least one person in the group. If you are taking your notes electronically then you will need that no matter what, but it is also important for your safety. In the event that anything were to go wrong, then you will have the ability to call for help or ask questions. You can also use your phone for easy directions to each house that you are visiting, and much more with a cellphone. It would be nice to bring a spare battery pack, but it isn’t necessary if you make sure that you have a fully charged cell phone before you leave.

Other necessities you should be bringing

Always take a look at the weather before you leave to canvas. If it is going to rain make sure you bring a rain jacket or umbrella. If it’s going to be cold, bring a warm jacket, hat, and gloves. If it’s going to be hot, bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Never canvas while there is dangerous weather outside. Make sure you always bring water with you to stay hydrated. If it is hot weather then you will need to bring significantly more water. Lastly, bring some snacks with you to keep your energy up.

There may be more or less items that you decide to bring while canvassing, but it is important to be prepared. This is your chance to prove to your community that you are the candidate that they should be voting for.