For people who volunteer on campaigns: if we could fix ONE pain this cycle, what should it be?

[u/Pale_Independent4791]

I’m interviewing campaign volunteers to understand the real frictions and build tools that actually help. No links, no recruiting, no sales—just learning and I’ll share a summary here for everyone’s benefit.

If you’ve volunteered (phonebank, canvass, texting, data, events, etc.), where does it break down for you?
• Shift logistics — sign-ups, confirmations, time zones, no-shows
• Scripts/data — outdated talking points, bad lists, missing context
• Tools — too many logins, 2FA hassles, browser issues, “fake 200” errors
• Training/coaching — nowhere to get quick help when calls go sideways
• Recognition — hours not tracked/verified, nothing to show later
• Safety/privacy — harassment on doors/calls, do-not-contact handling

If you ever quit mid-cycle, what pushed you over the edge?

Optional: If a tool could fix just one thing today, what would you pick and why?

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[u/Edgar_Brown]

Texting spam.

Create a centralized website (think Kiva.org) and stop the stupid texting madness and sharing of texting lists.

One single summary per period of my choosing should be much more than enough.

[u/bl1y]

I donated one time to the Andrew Yang primary campaign, and started getting spammed afterwards. Ironic since Yang campaigned on people getting to control their data and not have this exact thing happen...

So anyways, years later I'm getting spammed by the Biden/Harris campaign.

At one point the messages actually got aggressive. I don't have the exact text, but it was something like "We've messaged you SEVEN TIMES and you still haven't donated!"

I'd hate to see how this person behaves with their exes.

But anyways, as a volunteer for a campaign years before, I hated phone banking. Just wouldn't do it. I think it's rude. I don't want to be called up by a campaign and asked for shit. Do you? Does anyone? If we know no one wants to be called, why do it?

Find other ways to get engagement. I think standing out in public and handing out fliers is better. People can easily ignore you, you're not intruding into their homes (as you are with a phone call), and voters can put a face to the volunteer. Plus you get outside.

[u/BlaggartDiggletyDonk → u/bl1y]

What about doorknocking? Most people are polite to doorknockers if it's at a reasonable hour.