INDIVISIBLE OREGON and INDIVISIBLE CEDAR MILL are partnering with SWING LEFT to conduct comprehensive and experiential trainings in “Deep Canvassing” or “Canvassing with Empathy”. The training will be followed by an actual canvass 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 in helping Members of Congress better understand their constituents’ most important concerns as they are making policy decisions in Washington D.C. Additionally, this data will help 2026 electoral candidates in swing districts shape campaign 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 one hour of canvassing. An additional hour is allowed for downloading “turfs”, explaining the “MiniVAN” app, driving to the canvassing locations and then returning to debrief. Afterward, trainees will be able to canvass on their own, or with a buddy, as often as they choose. Canvassing events will be scheduled regularly throughout June – November, 2025.