Step 6 of 6 · Connect with your community
Working with voter lists
Your district's voter list tells you who can vote for you and where they live. Getting one is usually simple. Using it well, and within the rules, takes a little care.
A local district can hold thousands of households, and you can't visit them all. The voter list helps you decide where to spend your limited time. It tells you who is registered in your district, where they live and, in some states, whether they've voted in recent elections.
Most first-time candidates have never seen one. This guide covers what's in it, how to get it, the rules for using it, and how to turn a spreadsheet of names into a weekly plan.
What a voter list is
A voter list, sometimes called a voter file, is a copy of the official voter registration records for an area. States decide what goes in it and who may get it. Common fields include:
- Name and residential address
- Voter registration number and registration date
- County, precinct and voting districts, such as council or school board district
- In some states, age or date of birth, and other demographic fields
- In some states, participation history: whether the person voted in past elections
It never shows how anyone voted. Your ballot is secret, and so is everyone else's.
Here's one verified example. South Carolina's State Election Commission says its electronic file includes name, address, race, gender, date of birth, registration number and date, county, precinct, voting districts, and participation history for the past two statewide primaries and general elections.
How to get one
Every state handles requests a little differently. The usual path looks like this:
- Ask your local election office who sells or provides lists. It may be the state election office, the secretary of state, or your county.
- Find out who is eligible to request one. Some states limit access to certain people or purposes.
- Choose your area and fields. Request only your district, not the whole county or state.
- Pick a format. A spreadsheet-friendly electronic file is the most useful. Printed lists and mailing labels may also be available.
- Pay the fee and keep the receipt. The cost is a campaign expense your treasurer will record.
Two examples show how much states differ:
| South Carolina | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles it | State Election Commission | Secretary of State or county auditor |
| Who can buy | Registered South Carolina voters | Requesters whose use fits the permitted purposes |
| Sample cost | Electronic list: $25 for 1,000 to 5,000 records, more for larger lists | $10 minimum for 20,000 records or fewer, more for larger lists |
| Use limits | Using public records for commercial solicitation is prohibited | Limited to election, genuine political, research or official purposes; commercial use prohibited |
South Carolina also advises buyers of lists for school, municipal or special purpose districts to check with the county board of voter registration and elections about pending updates first. District lines and assignments can lag, so it's worth asking wherever you live.
The rules for using it
Voter lists contain personal information about your neighbors, and states take misuse seriously. In South Carolina, the State Election Commission notes that knowingly using public records for commercial solicitation is a misdemeanor that can bring a fine of up to $500, up to a year in prison, or both. Iowa calls commercial use of voter registration information a serious misdemeanor.
Simple habits keep you on the right side of these rules:
- Use the list only for your campaign, never for a business, church directory or personal project.
- Don't sell, share or give the file to anyone outside the campaign.
- Give volunteers only the walk sheets they need, not the whole file.
- Store the file in a password-protected place, and collect printed sheets after each shift.
- Read the terms that come with your list. Your state may have conditions beyond these.
Turning the list into a plan
A raw voter file is just rows of names. A few steps turn it into a plan you can work.
Start with the people most likely to vote
If your list includes participation history, sort voters by how often they've voted in recent elections. People who vote regularly, especially in local or off-year elections, are the most likely to vote in yours. Knock their doors first.
Group by household and street
Combine voters at the same address into one household so you knock once, not three times. Then sort by street and house number to build door-knocking routes.
Add your own notes
As you and your volunteers talk with voters, record what you learn: supporter, undecided, wants a yard sign, cares about roads. Keep these notes in your own columns so the original data stays intact.
Use it for more than doors
The same list can guide postcards, phone calls and event invitations. Before you text or call voters, learn the rules that apply to those channels. Our sister company CandidateLaunch has a guide to texting voters that covers the basics.
Keeping it current
People move, register and pass away all year. A list bought in the spring may be out of date by fall. If your campaign runs for several months, consider requesting a fresh copy before your final weeks of outreach, and confirm with your election office whether district lines or precinct assignments have changed.
After the campaign
When the race ends, decide what to do with the file. Follow any conditions that came with it, shred printed sheets, and remove copies from volunteers' phones and computers. If you plan to run again, keep only what your state allows, stored securely.
The voter list is one step in a longer sequence. See where it fits in the campaign operations checklist.
Common questions
Where do I get a voter list for my district?
From the official source your state designates, usually the state election office, secretary of state or county election office. Ask your local election office which one handles requests in your state.
Does the voter list show who people voted for?
No. Ballots are secret. Some lists show whether a person voted in past elections, which is called participation or vote history, but never how they voted.
Can I use the voter list for my business too?
No. States limit how voter list data can be used. South Carolina and Iowa, for example, both prohibit commercial use, and misuse can be a crime. Use the list only for your campaign.
How much does a voter list cost?
It depends on the state and the size of the list. South Carolina's State Election Commission, for example, lists electronic files starting at $25 for 1,000 to 5,000 records. Check your own state's fee schedule.
Sources
- South Carolina Election Commission: Sale of Voter Registration Lists
- Iowa Secretary of State: Voter registration list requests
Rules change. Always confirm with your own state and local election offices.