GOTV Packages and Prices: A Practical Guide

What are GOTV packages?

GOTV stands for get-out-the-vote. In a political context, GOTV packages are bundled services offered by vendors to help a campaign mobilize supporters to cast ballots. Packages are designed to coordinate outreach, volunteers, and data-driven tactics across a defined period or project.

What’s included in GOTV packages?

Common components

• Canvassing and door-to-door outreach plans
• Phone banking and text messaging campaigns
• Volunteer coordination and training
• Data access, targeting, and voter contact lists
• Communication materials and scripts
• Digital and field operation management tools
• Day-of logistics support and event coordination

How the components fit together

Packages are often tiered by scope. A basic package might focus on a single channel (e.g., canvassing) over a few weeks, while comprehensive options combine multiple channels, data analytics, and real-time reporting.

Pricing basics: models you’ll see

GOTV pricing typically reflects the scope, duration, and channels included. Common pricing models include:

Flat project fee

A single price for a defined set of activities and outcomes. Easy to plan around, but may require clear scope boundaries.

Per-contact or per-action charges

Costs scale with activity volume, such as per door knocked, per call made, or per text sent. This can align costs with expected turnout effects.

Monthly retainers and service bundles

Ongoing support with access to tools, data, training, and coordination for a fixed monthly price.

Factors that influence package prices

• Scope and duration: longer campaigns and broader channel mixes cost more.
• Channel mix: adding digital outreach, data modeling, or field operations increases price.
• Geography: urban, rural, or hard-to-reach areas affect logistics and costs.
• Data and modeling: detailed targeting, analytics dashboards, and data rights can add to the price.
• Vendor experience and staff size: more experienced teams or large field operations typically cost more.
• Compliance and training: ensure proper procedures, privacy practices, and voter outreach ethics are included.

Estimating value and ROI

GOTV investments should be assessed against turnout goals and campaign capacity. Useful metrics include

• cost per contact or per activity averted or achieved
• incremental turnout attributable to the package
• efficiency of channel mix (which channels produced the best results)
• ability to scale up or down with campaign needs

Ethics and compliance considerations

• Respect voter privacy and data handling standards.
• Adhere to applicable election laws and disclosure requirements.
• Use ethical outreach practices and avoid pressure tactics.
• Seek clear agreements on data ownership and reuse rights.

How to choose a GOTV vendor

1. Define your objectives and success metrics clearly.
2. Request written proposals with scope, timelines, and deliverables.
3. Check references and past campaign outcomes.
4. Ask for dashboards, reporting cadence, and data-sharing terms.
5. Consider a pilot or trial phase before committing to a full package.
6. Review cancellation terms and scalability options.

Questions to ask before you buy

• What is included in the core package, and what costs are add-ons?
• How is success defined and measured for this package?
• What are the data rights and privacy protections?
• How quickly can you scale up or down if turnout targets change?
• Can you provide sample reports or a demo dashboard?
• What happens if turnout estimates miss targets?

Typical price ranges (illustrative only)

Prices for GOTV packages vary widely based on scope and region. In general, smaller local efforts may start at a few thousand dollars, while larger, multi-week, multi-channel campaigns can reach into six figures. Always align price with clear deliverables, measurable outcomes, and a planned evaluation of ROI.