How to Add Voter Contact in Votebuilder

Vote Builder is a powerful tool used by political campaigns to manage voter data, track interactions, and strategize outreach efforts. Adding voter contact information accurately is crucial for effective communication and successful campaign outcomes. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to adding voter contact information in VoteBuilder, ensuring your campaign maintains up-to-date and comprehensive voter profiles.

Understanding VoteBuilder and Its Importance

VoteBuilder, developed by NGP VAN, is the Democratic Party’s voter database system. It enables campaigns to access voter information, record interactions, and organize outreach activities. Accurate voter contact information within VoteBuilder allows campaigns to:

• Enhance Communication: Reach voters through personalized emails, phone calls, and mailings.
• Strategize Outreach: Identify and target specific voter demographics effectively.
• Track Engagement: Monitor voter interactions to inform future campaign strategies.

Accessing VoteBuilder and Voter Contact

Before adding voter contact information, ensure you have the necessary access to VoteBuilder:

1. Obtain Credentials: Access is typically granted by your state Democratic Party or campaign administrator. Ensure you have an ActionID to log in.
2. Log In: Navigate to the VoteBuilder login page and enter your ActionID credentials.
3. Verify Permissions: Confirm that your user profile has the appropriate permissions to add or edit voter contact information.

Navigating the Interface

Upon logging in, familiarize yourself with the main sections of VoteBuilder:

• My Voters: Contains records of registered voters in your area.
• My Campaign: Houses data related to your campaign’s contacts and volunteers.
• Main Menu: Located on the left-hand side, it provides access to various functions, including ‘Quick Lookup’ and ‘Create a List’.

Adding Voter Contact Information

To add or update a voter’s contact information, follow these steps:

1. Quick Lookup:

   • Navigate to the ‘Quick Lookup’ feature in the Main Menu.
   • Enter the voter’s details (e.g., last name, first name) to locate their profile.
   • If multiple results appear, use additional information like city or age to identify the correct individual.

2. Access Voter Profile:

   • Click on the voter’s name to open their profile page.
   • Review existing information to determine what needs updating or adding.

3. Add or Update Phone Number:

   • In the ‘Phones’ section, select the type of phone from the dropdown menu (e.g., Cell, Home).
   • Enter the new phone number.
   • Specify the verification status (e.g., Verified, Likely Cell).
   • If this is the primary contact number, set it as ‘Preferred’.
   • Click ‘Save New’ to update the record.

4. Add or Update Email Address:

   • In the ‘Email’ section, enter the new email address.
   • Click ‘Save New’ to update the record.

5. Add Notes or Activist Codes:

   • In the ‘Activist Codes’ section, use the dropdown menu to add relevant codes (e.g., Volunteer, Donor).
   • Click ‘Save’ to update the record.

6. Save Changes:

   • After making all necessary updates, ensure you save the changes to the voter’s profile.

Best Practices for Data Entry

Maintaining data integrity is essential. Adhere to the following best practices:

• Accuracy: Double-check all entries for correctness to prevent communication errors.
• Consistency: Use standardized formats for phone numbers and email addresses.
• Verification: Confirm the validity of contact information before entry.
• Confidentiality: Handle voter information with care, adhering to privacy policies and regulations.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter difficulties:

• Profile Not Found: Ensure correct spelling and use partial names if necessary.
• Insufficient Permissions: Contact your administrator to adjust your access level.
• Data Entry Errors: Review entries for typos or formatting issues.

Training and Support

For additional assistance:

• Training Resources: Access VoteBuilder training materials provided by your state party or campaign.
• Support Contacts: Reach out to VoteBuilder support or your campaign’s data team for help.

Conclusion

Accurately adding voter contact information in VoteBuilder is vital for effective campaign communication and outreach. By following this guide, you ensure that your campaign maintains a reliable and up-to-date voter database, facilitating successful engagement strategies.