GOTV
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is GOTV?
A: GOTV stands for Get Out The Vote and is a handy way of referring to any activities that help increase voter participation in elections, like canvassing, phone banking, or doing souls to the polls.
Q: Why does GIPL do GOTV work? / What is GIPL’s stance on voting?
A: GIPL is a nonpartisan organization, which means we do not tell people who to vote for. We do believe in an informed electorate that is empowered to make decisions on who represents them. As people of faith working to combat climate change, we know that who we elect to represent us matters, and we hope to help bridge an understanding of what elected officials and their offices can do to positively impact policy that will make the world a better place for all creation.
Q: Who should I vote for? Has GIPL endorsed any candidates?
A: GIPL does not endorse any candidates. As a nonpartisan organization, we work to inform voters of all their choices and work to empower individuals to make their own choices.
You can look up your ballot using our ballot builder: https://gipl.branch.vote/.
You may bring a printed copy of your decisions with you when you vote. You are NOT allowed to use electronic devices while voting, so GIPL encourages you to keep a record of your choices, especially when your ballot includes multiple offices.
Q: What is the Public Service Commission?
A: The Georgia Public Service Commission or PSC, is an elected body of 5 representatives who are voted on statewide (meaning every Georgian gets a say on every member who is elected). The PSC holds the authority to oversee and regulate Georgia Power, Georgia’s largest utility provider and power generator.
Q: How do I apply for a GOTV grant?
A: You can apply for the GOTV grant HERE.
Generally speaking, GIPL offers two cycles of these grants a year. One during the primary election season (March - May) and one during the general election (September - November).
The amount we are able to offer changes each cycle; however, receiving a GOTV grant is always contingent upon your organization’s ability to complete volunteer shifts from our GOTV program. Read the GOTV grant application thoroughly for more information and if you have any questions, please contact ayesha@gipl.org.
TEXT BANKS
Q: What is a text bank?
A: A text bank is an opportunity to Get Out The Vote using a tool where volunteers can text and have conversations with Georgia voters to remind them of upcoming elections.
GIPL uses an anonymous online platform to text bank. This means that volunteers can text through an internet-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Generally speaking, having a slightly larger screen may help navigate the website used for text banks. Volunteers will not be able to access the phone numbers or any other private information for the people they text, and vice versa; the people who are messaged during a text bank do not receive any private information, including phone numbers, from the volunteers texting.
Text banks may be virtual or in-person events. If you feel like you may need some support with the tool used to text bank, we encourage you to attend an in-person event so you can get hands-on support from our GOTV team.
Q: Who can text bank?
A: Anyone 18+ can text bank. While younger people may feel called to participate in a text bank, GIPL cannot control how others choose to respond to the texts sent. This may result in graphic content being sent that is not suitable for minors. Therefore, GIPL cannot allow minors to volunteer for this program.
GIPL will train volunteers on how to text banks and remain non-partisan in your replies at the start of every text bank. You may leave a text bank early, but you may not start texting until you have completed this training.
Q: What kind of texts are being sent?
A: GIPL sends election information reminders. These messages generally carry a central message of when people are able to vote and a reminder to pay attention to races like the Public Service Commission. GIPL may also text reminders to EMC customers to vote in their annual meetings or in other circumstances. GIPL is a non-partisan organization and will never text people to vote for a particular candidate or party.
Q: How do I sign up to volunteer for a text bank?
A: Information about GIPL’s text banks and all GOTV efforts can be found HERE.
PHONE BANKS
Q: What is a phone bank?
A: A phone bank is an opportunity to Get Out The Vote using a tool where volunteers are able to call and have real-time conversations with Georgia voters to remind them of upcoming elections.
GIPL and Faircount use an anonymous online platform to phone bank. This means that volunteers can make calls through an internet-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Generally speaking, having a slightly larger screen may help navigate the website used for phone banks. Volunteers will not be able to access the phone numbers or any other private information for the people they call, and vice versa. The people who are called during a phone bank do not receive any private information, including phone numbers, from the volunteers calling.
Because phone banks encompass multiple phone conversations from different people happening at the same time, most Phone Bank opportunities will be virtual events. We will gather to complete the training and then ask that you mute your microphone on Zoom or whichever virtual meeting platform is being used and complete your calls. If you run into any issues, you can use the Zoom ‘raise your hand’ function, and a member of Fair Count or the GIPL GOTV team will assist you.
Q: Who can phone bank?
A: Anyone 18+ can phone bank. While younger people may feel called to participate in a phone bank, or other GOTV events, GIPL cannot control how others choose to respond to calls. The person being called may use harsh or otherwise unsuitable language for minors. Therefore, GIPL cannot allow minors to volunteer for this program.
GIPL or Fair Count will train volunteers on how to phone bank and remain non-partisan in your conversations at the start of every phone bank. You may not start calling until you have completed this training.
Q: What is Fair Count?
A: GIPL often partners with Fair Count, another non-partisan organization, to run phone banks and provide our participants with additional opportunities to complete their GOTV grant requirements. You can learn more about Fair Count HERE.
Fair Count does not authorize any grants or funding from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light. They are also not responsible for offering any Get Out The Vote money to Green Teams or other partners of GIPL.
Applicants to the GIPL GOTV grant may attend any and only any Fair Count events listed in the Get Out The Vote Grant application. Changes to this will be announced by GIPL through official communication channels.
CANVASSING +
DOOR-KNOCKING
Q: What is canvassing or Door-Knocking?
A: Canvassing or Door-Knocking is a way to Get Out The Vote by working on the ground to visit selected residences and having face-to-face conversations about voting in the upcoming election.
Q: Is door-knocking safe?
A: We ask that everyone door-knocking work in groups of 2, wear neon safety vests, and an identifier badge that includes information about your legal right to knock on doors for GOTV purposes. While the doors we knock on are vetted in advance, we ask that all door-knockers use their intuition and leave any situation that feels uncomfortable, unsafe, or off in any way immediately.
Other helpful tips to keep in mind:
Never accept food or drink from the residences you visit
Never enter the property you are door-knocking
Keep your cell phone charged and do not separate from your door-knocking buddy
Let your canvassing captain (A representative from Fair Count or GIPL) know as soon as possible if you need to leave a canvass early or run into a situation that feels unsafe.
Only knock on the doors identified on your canvassing list
Keep a water bottle on you and stay hydrated. Take breaks as needed.
Q: Who can door-knock?
A: Anyone 18+ can door-knock. While younger people may feel called to participate in a canvass or other GOTV events, GIPL cannot control how others choose to respond to our attempts to have conversations with them. The person at the door may use harsh or otherwise unsuitable language for minors. Therefore, GIPL cannot allow minors to volunteer for this program.
GIPL or Fair Count will train volunteers on how to door-knock and remain non-partisan in your conversations at the start of every canvass. You may not start door-knocking until you have completed this training.
Q: What if someone isn’t home? Can I leave behind material?
A: You can leave any material that is provided to you during the training at the door / front steps of a residence. You may NOT leave materials in a mailbox or otherwise restricted area of someone’s residence.
Q: What is Fair Count?
A: GIPL often partners with Fair Count, another non-partisan organization, to run canvassing events and provide our participants with additional opportunities to complete their GOTV grant requirements. You can learn more about Fair Count HERE.
Fair Count does not authorize any grants or funding from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light. They are also not responsible for offering any Get Out The Vote money to Green Teams or other partners of GIPL.
Applicants to the GIPL GOTV grant may attend any and only any Fair Count events listed in the Get Out The Vote Grant application. Changes to this will be announced by GIPL through official communication channels.