Letter Writing Campaigns Have No Impact on Turnout

[RandySF]

Russell Berman: “In a study set to be released later today, the group behind the letter-writing effort, the nonpartisan Vote Forward, found that personal messages sent to more than 5 million occasional voters deemed at risk of staying home last fall had no effect on turnout.”

“What’s unusual is not Vote Forward’s lackluster findings, but that the group is ready to tell the world about them. Every election, a constellation of progressive organizations sells donors and volunteers on the promise that their data-driven turnout programs will deliver victory at the polls. These mobilization efforts have taken on ever-greater importance in an era of tight elections, where the presidency and majorities in Congress can hinge on just a few thousand votes.”

“Progressive groups are only too happy to brag about their wins; they’re much less likely to divulge details about their campaigns that flopped.”



https://politicalwire.com/2025/06/10/letter-writing-campaigns-have-no-impact-on-turnout/

[get the red out]

1. Not surprising

Just my personal routine, but when I go out to get my mail anything but bills etc.. doesn't make it past the recycle bin.

[Delphinus]

2. I am disappointed by this

I have participated in this for years.

[cadoman]

6. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it till the study is released

There can be a lot to the details of it. And for all we know it may be misdirection rather than honest reflection.

I know I would have appreciated such an outreach letter, but I am the kind of person who supports Democrats in every election possible, so I am not the target demographic.

[Delphinus]

8. I hear you

Can't remember a time in almost 50 years of eligibility that I've not voted.

[bearsfootball516]

3. There's data that shows postcard to voter campaigns have much bigger impacts on smaller elections.

In a national election, everybody is already voting anyway, so a postcard isn't going to suddenly spur someone to the polls.

It's a different case in off-year, local or special elections where the general public may not be super tuned in, and a strong postcard campaign can have an actual impact.

[Dulcinea]

5. Agreed.

Postcards to Swing States has been shown to be effective. https://turnoutpac.org/postcards-faq/

Every vote counts!

[ThreeNoSeep]

4. "Progressive groups are only too happy to brag about their wins..."

Right, and conservatives don't, especially that blowhard braggart sitting in the White House. What the hell is the messaging here, and who is editing political wire's articles?

[displacedvermoter]

7. Goddard seems the laziest "journalist"

out there. He seems to find other people's both sides pieces and forwards them along as a part of Political Wire, and they keep ending up finding their way here to DU.

[mopinko]

9. doors win elections. period.

i once knocked on the door of a northwestern poly sci prof. interesting convo.
he’d researched this. he said- mail pieces land in the trash and phone calls piss ppl off. but doors, face to face conversations, those will win.

my guy won that election, and every 1 of my plus 1s came out. and they voted for my guy, too. know this cuz they all early voted and we got 100% of the early votes.
it can b grueling, but it’s a lot of fun. it’s good for the soul, too.