Assigning Canvassers to a Turf

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Manual Assignments
Using Turf Code Assignments
On the Go Assignment

💡 Key Terms and Definitions

Turf - A turf is a small geographic area sized to be canvassed by one or two individuals. Portioning a larger district into small turfs makes it easier for campaigns to systematically send canvassers to areas based on geographic proximity or strategic priority. They also assure that a geography will be assigned to only one canvassing individual or pair.
- PDI Turfs - Small pre-built geographic areas designed for efficient door to door canvassing by PDI.
- Precincts - Small pre-built geographic areas created by the local Registrar of Voters. They are designed for district management and not always sized appropriately for door to door canvassing.
- Custom Turfs - Small pre-built geographic areas that can be created by your organization to meet specific size and dimension requirements.
Turf Assignments - Once a Door to Door canvassing project has been generated, the next step is to assign a small portion of the project data to canvassers within a specific geographic turf. This process is generally referred to as creating Turf Assignments.
PDI Connect Mobile Application - PDI Connect is a free mobile application (for iOS & Android) that works as an extension of your PDI Platform account for individual door to door canvassing use. Canvassers only access data from their turf assignment. Survey response data can be securely collected in the app and transferred back to your platform account.
Assignment Zone - An assignment is a group of turf that can be set aside for utilization on a scheduled date or can be used to filter the list of turf in a large district.
Manual Assignments - Manual canvassing assignments are created when a PDI user manually assigns a canvasser to a turf from one of the assignment pages. These assignments will automatically appear on the canvassers device.
Six Character Code Assignments - Canvassing assignments can be created by distributing a six character code to canvassers instead of manually entering assignments. The canvasser can enter the code in the PDI Connect mobile app to download the assignment data and register them and the canvasser for that turf.
On the Go Assignments - On the Go canvassing assignments allow individuals to download a limited amount of canvassing data for their current location without an actual turf assignment. The downside of On the Go assignment is that the campaigns have no control where people are canvassing. This makes it convenient and ideal for campaigns too small or too large to manage a robust canvassing effort.

Overview

Managing large groups of canvassers and assigning them to multiple turfs can be a challenge, especially when faced with limited time, last-minute arrivals, and uncertain turnout numbers. To address these challenges, we offer several assignment methods to fit your needs:

Manual Assignments: Directly assign canvassers to specific turfs by using the Map or List view.
Turf Code Assignments: Assign canvassers to turfs using predefined codes for efficient distribution.
On-the-Go Assignments: Allow canvassers to canvass their current location.

These options allow for flexibility and help you streamline the process, regardless of turnout or timing.

Manual Assignments

The manual method of assigning canvassers to turfs has traditionally been the primary process for organizations conducting strategic field canvassing programs. This process can be done through the Assignment Map View or List View pages.

From the Assign From Map page, you can assign canvassers to a turf by double clicking on a specific turf. If you want to assign a canvasser to more than one turf, you can click on the located on the right edge of the map

Once an assignment has been saved, the project data will be immediately available to the canvasser’s app and a record of the assignment will appear on the Active Assignment grid located below the map section.

You can find a listing of all active canvassing assignments for a project by scrolling down below the map view portion of the Assign From Map page.

This section of the Assign From Map page has a few filters to limit the data loaded to the grid as well as editable controls to extend, expire, or deactivate each canvassing assignment. Canvassers displayed in Red indicate that they have removed the assignment from their app.

The List View

The strength of the list view is the direct path to the data. No visual clutter or special functionality, just add names to a numbered turf. The downside is that the view does not give any indication as to the geographic location of turfs.

To assign canvassers from the Assign by List pages just enter one or two canvassers for any turf and click the Save Assignments button below.

Once an assignment has been saved, the project data will be immediately available to the canvasser’s app and a record of the assignment will appear on the Active Assignment grid located below the map section.

Using Turf Code Assignments

The PDI Platform offers a more streamlined and efficient alternative to the traditional manual turf assignment process. This method uses a simple six-character turf code. When a canvasser enters the code into the PDI Connect mobile app, the app automatically downloads the canvassing data for that specific turf and registers the canvasser to the assignment within the platform.

As canvassers arrive, you can quickly provide them with a turf code and send them off (ideally with some brief training and a water bottle). The assigned canvasser's name will appear in the system, and any collected data will be attributed to them.

Managing turf assignments using turf codes focuses on organizing turfs rather than managing individual canvassers. The PDI Platform has a tool that lets you easily select a group of turfs and save them as an assignment zone. You can then generate turf codes for a defined assignment zone from the Assign From List page.

If you only have a few turfs to select in your assignment zone, you can just do a single click on each turf (turning them pink). This selection method also works when your turfs a spread out in your district.

If you have a large number of turfs in the same general area, you can use the paintbrush tools on the Assign From Map page.

After clicking the paintbrush icon, adjust the brush size using the slider located below it. To select turfs, click and hold the left mouse button while dragging the brush over the desired areas. If you need to undo a selection, use the eraser tool to remove the selected turfs.

When you are finished selecting the turfs, click on the merge icon to name and display the zone in specific color on the map. Selecting a color is a required step. Click the Save button when finished.

The assignment zone is not displayed on your map.

Now that you have defined the area you want to canvas, you will want to view the turf codes which are listed from the Assign From List page.

On the Assign From List page, you can choose the assignment zone you want to view. The list can be exported to a text file for printing or off-site management.

The actual assignment can now be done by providing the canvassers with a turf code to enter in their app. They just click on the Get Assignments button, enter the code, and click the Submit button.

On the Go Assignments

On the Go Assignments are convenient and require no administrative effort. They let the canvassers go where they want which is often not advantageous for your organization’s strategic objectives. On the Go canvassing is usually done when an organization is not opposed to volunteers wanting to canvass but does not have the resources to effectively manage the effort.

On the Go canvassing only requires you to select it as your assignment method when creating your canvassing project. That’s it!

When canvassers log in to their app, they can click on the Canvass My Current Location button. The assignment consisting of nearby voters will be downloaded to the app within a minute or so.