Canvassing

Under Canvassing (Eng. " soliciting " or " canvassing " ) is the systematic initiation of direct contact to a certain group of people. This type of contact is often used in political campaigns. A campaign team (or a candidate) is in a predetermined area from house to house and involved the residents who are voters in direct talks. Canvassing may also be made by telephone (Telephone Canvassing ). Similar techniques are applied, if necessary, by non-governmental organizations, trade unions, faith groups, election analysts and even private companies, such as when door sales.

Conceptual history

The origin of the meaning is unclear. In the second half of the 16th century the word in England as the name of the campaign for votes in elections already common. Early it uses the English Bishop Hugh Latimer. In his 1555 published Sermons and Remains, he writes: "This object is ... canvassed for " German as: ". For this purpose, solicits votes " brand was the expression attributed as the English title for a Quintus Tullius Cicero Guides, the 1714 in London under the title the art of canvassing at elections appeared.

Objectives of the Canvassing

The main objective of canvassing is to find out how the voters will vote. Discussion or persuasion are of minor importance. This preparation is an integral part of a get out the vote strategy (Eng. about " get out the vote "), a procedure in which the well-known supporters ( voters ) are mobilized by a seemingly neutral organization go to the polls.

Canvassing can also be applied to achieve a combination of the following objectives:

• Identification of supporters in preparation for a "Get out the vote " operation ( GOTV ).
• Conducting GOTV during the election ( " scour " )
• Distribution of information or printed material
• Conviction of individuals
• Taking donations
• Recruitment of new members