Make Your Plan to Vote – And Take Action
Beginning Monday, October 19, Early Voting will be underway in Texas, and Election Day is fast approaching. We need all hands on deck to reach our fellow Texas voters in these final days. Whether you can make calls from home or knock doors in your neighborhood, there is a place for you in this year's GOTV efforts.
From there, we connect abortion to the full constellation of human rights – healthcare, housing, education, kinship, and economic security. People do not have to make all of the same decisions about these things. They just have to agree on what should be legal, accessible, and well-funded.
Relationship As Strategy
We know that personal conversations are the most effective way to turn out voters. Below, you will find opportunities to support our endorsed candidates, as well as general voter outreach and engagement efforts from a few of our partners.
Jump to: Phone Banking | Text Banking | Block Walking | Poll Monitoring
Phone Banking
What it is: Phone banking is one of the most effective ways to connect with voters. You’ll be calling fellow Texans from a provided list to remind them about upcoming elections, confirm their voting plans, and answer basic questions about how and where to vote. Most phone banks begin with a brief training and script review, so no prior experience is necessary. Calls are typically made through a virtual dialer platform, and you can participate from the comfort of your own home.
A Few Safety Tips:
- Protect your personal number. Use the dialer or platform provided—never your personal phone number. If you must use your own phone, use a Google Voice or similar masked number.
- Never share your home address or personal details with anyone you speak with.
- Stick to the script. If a conversation becomes hostile or uncomfortable, you are never required to stay on the line. Politely end the call.
- Don’t argue. Your role is to remind and inform—not to debate. If someone is uninterested, thank them for their time and move on.
- Report anything concerning. If you receive threats or encounter suspicious activity, notify your shift leader immediately.
Upcoming Phone Banks
Virtual
- Phone Bank for Texas Democrats with Reps. Hinojosa, Talarico, and Goodwin and Texas Together – October 20, October 22, October 24, October 25, October 27, October 29, October 31, November 1, and November 2
- Phone Bank for Rep. Rhetta Bowers in HD 113 with Rep. Bowers and Texas Together – October 20 at 6 PM
- Phone Bank for Gene Wu – October 21 and October 28 at 6 PM
- Weekly Phone Bank for Rep. Rhetta Bowers in HD 113 – October 22 and October 29 at 6 PM
- Phone Bank for Rhetta Bowers in HD 113 with Rep. Bowers and Texas Together – October 27 at 6 PM
- My Body, My Ballot GOTV Phonebank! HD 70 Mihaela Plesa with Rep. Plesa and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes – October 28 at 6 PM
- Election Day Phonebank with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes – November 3, starts at 10 AM
Dallas
- Weekly In-Person Phone Bank with Rhetta Bowers (Taco Tuesday) – October 20, October 27, and November 3 at 6 PM
Text Banking
What it is: Text banking allows you to reach hundreds of voters in a short amount of time. Using a peer-to-peer texting platform, you’ll send scripted messages to remind Texans about voting deadlines, early voting locations, and their plan to vote. Like phone banking, most text banks include a short training at the start of the shift. It’s a low-pressure, high-impact way to volunteer—especially if you prefer not to make live calls.
A Few Safety Tips:
- Use only the approved platform. Never text from your personal phone number or personal messaging apps.
- Follow the script and response guidelines. If someone asks to be removed from the list, honor that request immediately through the platform.
- Don’t engage with hostile or aggressive responses. Flag the conversation and move on.
- Protect your identity. Do not share personal information, photos, or social media handles.
- Report anything suspicious to your shift leader, including threats or attempts to identify you personally.
Upcoming Text Banks
- Self-Onboarding for Virtual Text Banking on Behalf of Texas Democrats – anytime
- Text Bank Training with Texas Together with Texas Together – October 20, October 22, October 27, October 29
- Haunted Hotline Text Bank with URGE-TX – October 27 at 6 PM
Block Walking
What it is: Block walking (also called canvassing or door-knocking) is the most personal form of voter outreach. You’ll be paired with a partner or small team and given a list of homes in a specific neighborhood to visit. At each door, you’ll have brief conversations with voters about their voting plans, share literature, and remind them of key deadlines. Training and materials are typically provided at the start of each shift.
A Few Safety Tips:
- Always go with a partner. Never canvass alone, especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep your phone charged, share your route with a friend or family member, and know your meeting point.
- Dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and visible campaign gear so voters know you’re a volunteer.
- Respect personal space. Stand a few feet back from the door, never enter a home, and leave immediately if asked.
- Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe—whether due to a person, animal, or environment—skip that door and move on.
- Avoid confrontations. If someone is hostile, politely excuse yourself and walk away. Do not engage in debates.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks. Texas heat can be dangerous. Bring water, sunscreen, and plan for rest stops.
Upcoming Block Walks
Dallas
- Texas Together Block Walk – South Garland with Rep. Bowers and Texas Together – October 17, shifts starting at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
- Texas Together Block Walk – South Garland with Rep. Bowers and Texas Together – October 18, shifts starting at 1o AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
- Knock Doors for Rep. Bowers on Halloween with Rep. Bowers and Texas Together – October 31 at 10 AM
Houston
- Block Walk for Gene Wu – October 17, October 24, and October 31 at 9 AM
Poll Monitoring
What it is: Poll monitors (also called poll watchers or election protection volunteers) play a critical role in protecting the right to vote. You’ll be stationed at a polling location to observe the voting process, help ensure voters are not being intimidated or turned away, and report any irregularities to your organization’s hotline. This role requires training and, in some cases, official certification. It is a nonpartisan effort focused on voter protection—not campaigning.
A Few Safety Tips:
- Complete your training first. Never serve as a poll monitor without proper education and understanding of Texas election law.
- Know your rights and limits. Poll monitors have specific legal boundaries. You cannot campaign, interfere with voters, or enter restricted areas. Follow your training exactly.
- Stay nonpartisan. Do not wear candidate gear, endorse anyone, or discuss politics with voters.
- Document, don’t confront. If you witness intimidation or irregularities, report it to your hotline or legal contact—do not intervene directly.
- Stay calm and professional. You may encounter tense situations. De-escalate by remaining neutral and referring concerns to election officials.
- Check in regularly with your shift leader or team so someone always knows where you are.
Upcoming Poll Monitor Trainings
- Texas Youth Election Protection Training (Poll Monitor Training) with Deeds Not Words – October 19 at 7 PM
- Texas Youth Election Protection Training (Poll Monitor Training) with Deeds Not Words – October 21 at 7 PM
- Poll Monitor Training with Common Cause Texas – October 20, October 22, October 24, October 27, October 29, October 31
Pol. adv. paid for by Avow, Inc
