In collaboration with Indivisible Oregon, we are conducting comprehensive and experiential trainings in “deep canvassing,” followed by actual canvasses with voters in Oregon’s Congressional District 5. Our goal is to encourage voters to tell us what issues are most important to them. This information is critical to helping candidates understand their constituent’s most important concerns so that candidates can shape policy messages that address voters in more meaningful and effective ways.

Deep canvassing is a method of voter outreach that involves having authentic, empathic conversations with individuals about how they want government to serve them. Unlike traditional canvassing, which uses a script designed to persuade voters to support a candidate or cause, deep canvassing fosters a more in-depth and genuine way of connecting with voters. The ultimate goal is to build a sincere relationship with voters by nonjudgmentally understanding their values, beliefs, and experiences rather than just gathering data through short conversations.

This is a 2-hour training, followed by 1-1.5 hours of canvassing, concluding with a short debriefing. After completing the training, attendees will be able to canvass on their own, or with a buddy, as often as they choose. Canvassing trainings will be scheduled regularly throughout June – October 2025.