1. Know your terms.  What’s a precinct?  A precinct is the 10-block radius around your polling place, or where you vote.  Precincts are the most local level of government organization in America.  In some areas of the nation, precincts are referred to as wards.  On average across the country, precincts tend to have about 1,100 voters, and a statehouse district is generally made up of 15-25 precincts.  Make sense?

2. Now we know what our precinct is, let’s figure out the dynamics of our particular precinct.  Go to your local county clerk or board of elections.  Ask for the voter registration list and historical voting totals from 2008, 2006 and 2004 for your local precinct.  This part is important: Ask for it on disc.  This will not only save you money and time because the staff don’t have to print it all out, but it will also allow you to manipulate the data and have a lasting database of your area.

3. Look at the numbers.  Try to identify what you can learn about your precinct.  Which candidates did your precinct vote for in 2008, 2006 and 2004?  What were the overall voter turnout numbers?  By what percentages did your type of candidate win?

4. Determine your goal.  I strongly believe that we must have a goal in mind if we are ever to achieve it- so what is your goal?  Are you going to survey the voters in your precinct to understand the issues they support or care about?  Do you want to talk to everyone in your neighborhood about a candidate you support?  Are you going to flyer each door in regards to an upcoming event, maybe a candidate BBQ you’re holding at the neighborhood park?  Determine your goal.  Then make it happen.

5. Start walking- or calling, depending on your physical limitations.  Knock on doors, explain that you live down the street, or across the road, and tell them what you’re working on.