Calculations for High-Density Urban and Suburban areas with 1 minute Traveling Between Doors
For this discussion, we’re considering a canvassing operation in High-density turf, where homes are closely spaced, minimizing travel time between doors. Canvassers are conducting a short survey consisting of five succinctly written questions or statements, designed to gather essential information or deliver a quick campaign message.
At addresses where voters are not home, canvassers follow a standard procedure: knocking once, waiting for 30 seconds, then knocking again and waiting another 30 seconds before moving on. This results in an average of 1 minute spent at "not home" doors. For the addresses where canvassers successfully engage with voters, they spend an average of 2 minutes in conversation, allowing time to ask the survey questions, listen to responses, and provide any necessary follow-up information.
The take rate—the percentage of doors where canvassers actually speak with a voter—is set at 25% for this scenario. This is a relatively high take rate, especially when accounting for factors such as people not being home, those who refuse to answer the door, or individuals who decline to engage in conversation. Achieving this level of voter interaction requires strategic targeting of households likely to be home and willing to speak, as well as skilled canvassers who can quickly establish rapport with voters.
These averages represent a carefully planned canvassing approach that prioritizes efficient time management and effective voter contact. By using high-density turf, well-trained canvassers, and short but impactful survey scripts, campaigns can maximize their outreach while keeping canvassers productive throughout their shifts. Understanding these dynamics helps campaigns set realistic goals and optimize their field strategies for success.
Time Spent on "Not Home" Doors (75% of total doors)
Each "not home" door takes:
1 minute waiting (knock, wait 30 seconds, knock again).
1 minute walking to the next door.
Total time for "not home" doors = 2 minutes per door.
Time Spent on Doors with Conversations (25% of total doors)
Each conversation door takes:
2 minutes talking (waiting for the voter to answer and complete a short survey.).
1 minute walking to the next door.
Total time for conversation doors = 3 minutes per door.
Weighted Average Time Per Door
To calculate the weighted average time:
(0.75×2 ) + (0.25×3) = 2.25 minutes per door.
Doors Hit Per Hour
With 60 minutes per hour, the number of doors hit is:
60 ÷ 2.25 ≈ 26 to 27 doors per hour.
Total Doors in an 8-Hour Shift
For an 8-hour canvassing shift:
26.67 × 8 ≈ 208 to 216 doors per shift.
Calculations for Low-Density Rural Areas with 7 Minutes Traveling Between Doors
In rural areas with homes spread far apart, traveling 7 minutes between doors is a realistic scenario, if the canvasser has a car. This significant travel time reduces the number of doors a canvasser can reach, making transportation, route planning, and time management critical. Let’s calculate the realistic door counts in this situation.
Time Spent on "Not Home" Doors (75% of Total Doors)
For "not home" doors, we assume:
1 minute waiting (knock, wait 30 seconds, knock again).
7 minutes traveling to the next door.
Total time for "not home" doors = 8 minutes per door.
Time Spent on Doors with Conversations (25% of Total Doors)
For doors where a voter is home and engages:
2 minutes at the door (waiting for the voter to answer and complete a short survey.)
7 minutes traveling to the next door.
Total time for conversation doors = 9 minutes per door.
Weighted Average Time Per Door
To calculate the weighted average time per door:
(0.75×8)+(0.25×9) = 8.25 minutes per door
Doors Hit Per Hour
With 60 minutes per hour, the number of doors hit is:
60÷8.25 ≈ 7-8 doors per hour
Total Doors in an 8-Hour Shift
For an 8-hour canvassing shift:
7.27×8 ≈ 56-64 doors per shift
Challenges of Rural Canvassing with Long Travel Times
When traveling 7 minutes between doors, canvassing becomes a time-intensive operation. This scenario often necessitates:
Reliable vehicles: Canvassers will need cars to cover such long distances efficiently. Without them, canvassing would be nearly impossible.
Higher campaign costs: Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, or reimbursements significantly increase the expense of rural canvassing.
Calculations for Mixed-Density Areas with 4 Minutes Traveling Between Doors
In mixed-density areas, canvassing is a combination of urban, suburban, and rural conditions. An average travel time of 4 minutes between doors represents this blend, where some homes are close together, while others require significant travel. This scenario balances efficiency and coverage, but travel time still limits the total number of doors canvassers can reach.
Time Spent on "Not Home" Doors (75% of Total Doors)
For "not home" doors, we assume:
1 minute waiting (knock, wait 30 seconds, knock again).
4 minutes traveling to the next door.
Total time for "not home" doors = 5 minutes per door.
Time Spent on Doors with Conversations (25% of Total Doors)
For doors where a voter is home and engages:
2 minutes at the door (waiting for the voter to answer and complete a short survey.)
4 minutes traveling to the next door.
Total time for conversation doors = 6 minutes per door.
Weighted Average Time Per Door
To calculate the weighted average time per door:
(0.75×5) + (0.25×6) = 5.25 minutes per door.
Doors Hit Per Hour
With 60 minutes per hour, the number of doors hit is:
60÷5.25 ≈ 11 to 12 doors per hour
Total Doors in an 8-Hour Shift
For an 8-hour canvassing shift:
11.43×8 ≈ 88-96 doors per shift.
Challenges and Opportunities in Mixed-Density Areas
Mixed-density areas require canvassers to be adaptable and efficient. Key considerations include:
Transportation flexibility: Canvassers may switch between walking, using scooters, or driving, depending on the specific area. Campaigns should plan accordingly to ensure the right tools are available.
Varied travel times: While some parts of the route may have homes close together, others might involve significant travel, reducing overall efficiency.
Efficient route planning: Optimized mapping is crucial to minimize unnecessary backtracking and maximize the number of doors reached.
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