# Door-knocking script outline

From GOP Kit (https://gopkit.com). Free to copy and change. Fill in your own words, then read it out loud until it sounds like you and not like a script.

Candidate: ______________________  Office: ______________________

## The three issues (one sentence each)

1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________

## The conversation, in five beats

Knock. Step back a full pace. Smile before the door opens.

### 1. Who you are (one sentence)

"Hi, I'm ____________ and I'm running for ____________. I'm out meeting neighbors today."

If a volunteer is knocking instead of the candidate: "Hi, I'm ____________, I'm a volunteer for ____________, who's running for ____________."

### 2. One question, then silence

"What's the one thing you'd want the ____________ to get right?"

Stop talking. Let them answer.

### 3. Listen

Do not interrupt. Do not argue. Nod, and remember what they said; you will write it down after the door closes.

### 4. Connect

If what they said touches one of the three issues:
"That's a lot of why I'm running. ____________ (the matching sentence from above)."

If it does not:
"I hear that. Here's honestly what I think the office can and can't do about it: ____________."

### 5. Ask and leave

"Can I count on your vote on ____________ (Election Day)?"

Hand them the card. "Thanks for your time. The website's on there if you want to read more."

Go. The whole thing should take about ninety seconds.

## Branches

**Not home:** leave the literature in the door, never in the mailbox. Mark "not home" and plan a second pass on a different day and time.

**"I'm busy":** "No problem, I'll leave this with you. Thanks." Mark undecided.

**Supportive:** "Thank you. Would you be willing to put up a yard sign?" If yes, write the address down. "And would you be interested in knocking doors with us some Saturday?" If yes, get a phone number.

**Undecided:** answer one question briefly, then: "Fair enough. Here's the card; the three things I'd change are on the back. I'd be glad to talk more by phone." Mark undecided.

**Opposed:** "I appreciate you telling me. Thanks for your time." Leave. Do not debate on the porch. Mark opposed.

**A question you cannot answer:** "I don't want to guess at that. Can I get your number and call you back once I've checked?" Then actually call back.

**"Are you a Republican?":** "Yes." Then back to the issues. In a nonpartisan race: "I'm a Republican, and this is a nonpartisan seat; the three things I'm running on are ____________."

## After the door closes

Mark the walk list: not home / supporter / undecided / opposed / refused. Write any note the person asked you to pass on. Then the next door.

## Rules of the porch

- Go in pairs; one talks, one takes notes.
- Skip houses with no-soliciting signs or a dog you cannot see.
- Never open a screen door.
- Plain shirt, comfortable shoes, water.
- Back at the meeting point by the agreed time no matter what.