Saw a Craigslist help-wanted ad: canvassing for the Democratic Party

[Marzupialis]

Here in Dutchess County. I need the extra cash on weekends. Has anyone done "canvassing" before? Can you describe the job? Do you usually go to a location and speak to the people in that same neighborhood? Or do you visit people living far away from each other during the same day?

[LeftinOH]

1. I've never canvassed (for politics), but Craigslist seems like an odd

place to be looking for canvassers. Could it be someone who wants to meet a "dirty liberal' face-to-face for some "fun"? Call me deeply cynical, but my own experience with Craigslist is that the site has a tendency to hook people up with scammers. Good luck.

[Marzupialis]

3. Just called the DNC

I called the DNC in Washington DC and asked if this sounds like a genuine Democratic ad and he didn't give me a definitive answer but told me that in his opinion the ad sounds "a bit abnormal." So I think I might play it safe and ingore the ad. Here's the ad by the way: http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/npo/2916345917.html

[Chan790]

7. I'm pretty sure it's legit.

I think I saw the same position earlier today on Jobs That Are LEFT meaning it had to be posted by a list-member (not a public and open list) or a campaign staffer. It's a one-day canvass gig IIRC. They want people to go out the day before some vote and talk up a position, also ID likely voters that might need a ride to the polls.

Like most canvass positions, the pay blows. The reason to take the gig is that it's a foot in the door if you want to work campaigns and lack other valuable experience to get hired on.

[liberal N proud]

2. I never got paid for any canvassing

It is simple, they give you a list with names and addresses on it. Usually targeted names, people who have voted Democratic in the past.

You go to the doors of these addresses and talk with them for 2 - 3 minutes to get an idea if they support the candidate. Early on you may also be asked to help register voters as well.

The list are usually broken down into neighborhoods and you park your car and walk the street and knock on targeted addresses.

[Scuba]

4. We're looking for canvassers here in Wisconsin also...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10842300

[snacker]

5. Here in Wisconsin

they usually send you out with a list of likely Democratic voters. Typically, they'll send you to certain neighborhoods.

[csziggy]

6. There was a post a few weeks back about a dubuious canvass type job

That really sucked. I don't have a link and can't find it but it was a good discussion of the types of jobs to watch out for.