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Cut Custom Turfs

Amelia Huchley
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Introduction

Create and Edit Turf Overview

Carving a Turf

Viewing Saved Turfs

Editing Turfs

Deleting Turfs

Printing Turfs

 

Introduction

The Cut Custom Turfs page allows you to place custom points on the map to generate your own custom geographies containing a singular voter or millions of voters. This will free your organization from relying on traditional geographic areas such as counties, cities, ZIP codes, and precincts to manage the geographic elements of your voter data.

There are limits to this functionality. A voter being incorporated into a turf relies on accurate geocoding of address from the county. If the voter is not properly geocoded, they may not show up in your turf. To help generate your turfs, you can display voters and households from a Voter Universe or Mobile Canvassing Project on the map, and display precinct lines.

The Cut Custom Turfs page can also be used as an alternative page to generate your paper list from the Process List & Files page.

  • To access the Cut Custom Turfs page, click on the Outreach section of the Navigation Menu, click Door to Door Canvassing, and click Cut Custom Turfs.

 

 

 

Create and Edit Turf Overview

Screenshot 2023-08-29 at 2.23.01 PM.png

The Create and Edit Turf page features a multitude of features. Below is a list of buttons accessed on the page.

  1. Show Voters by - Filters the list in the Load Universe On Map drop-down menu to allow you to select either Voter Universe or Mobile Canvassing Projects.
  2. Load Universe On Map - Displays the voters from the selected Voter Universe or Mobile Canvassing Project on the map.
  3. Adjust Map to Voter Area - Activating this checkbox automatically focus your map to display all of the voters in the universe.
    1. Note: If a Voter Universe or Mobile Canvassing Project has already been selected, you will need to deselect and reselect the item to display the full universe on the map.
  4. Universe Refresh - This is the icon of two circling arrows next to the Load Universe On Map drop-down. Clicking this button will refresh the voter points on the map to display the voters in view.
  5. Select Map Layer - Provides you with the ability to display Precinct Lines and Precinct Lines with Counts on the map.
    1. Note: The map will only load the precinct lines that are in view.
  6. Map Layer Refresh - This is the icon of two circling arrows next to the Select Map Layer drop-down. Clicking this button will refresh the precinct lines on the map to display those that are currently in view.
  7. Turf Group - Allows you to select a turf group to show on the map.
  8. Count - Displays the count of the loaded Voter Universe or Mobile Canvassing Project and those in the currently selected turfs.
  9. Merge Shapes - This button can only be used if you have selected more than one shape. It will create a new turf including all of the shapes you have selected. It does not overwrite the previous turfs you have selected.
  10. Paint Brush - This button allows you to select all of the turf within the area of the paint brush. Set the size of the paint brush using the slider in the top right corner, then click on the map to select turf.
  11. Eraser - This button allows you to deselect all of the turf within the area of the eraser. Set the size of the eraser using the slider in the top right corner, then click on the map to deselect turf.
  12. Panning Mode - This button allows you to change what part of the map you are looking at. Click and drag on the screen to move the map in the desired direction.
  13. Cut Turf - Allows you to manually create a new turf.
  14. Zoom Options (Plus and Minus buttons) - Allow you to zoom in and out of the map.
  15. Satellite - Changes the display of the map to a satellite view.
  16. Search Map - Moves the map to the selected location.
  17. Search by Turf, Turf Group - Filters the list of turfs in the table below to display turfs that match the text you enter.
  18. Turf Group - Filters the list of turfs in the table below to the selected turf group.
  19. Proceed To Assign Areas Page - Moves you to the Mobile Projects page, where you can assign areas to canvassers for your Canvassing Projects.
  20. Turf List - Activating the checkboxes of the turfs will display turfs on the map, allowing you to edit the turfs.
  21. Name Your List - Allows you to assign a name to your Printed List.
  22. Select a Template for a Printable List - Allows you to select the layout that will be used to generate your Printed List.
  23. Show Voters on Printed Maps - Activating this checkbox will display your voters on the maps that are generated in the pop-up.
  24. Select a File Pickup Page - Allows you to select the File Pickup Folder where your Printed List will be sent once it has been generated.
  25. Assign a Layout with Additional Question Capacity - Activating this checkbox will create more space for your questions in the Printed List.
  26. Create Printable List Template - Allows you to create a new Printable List Template.
  27. Print - Generates the printed list from the selected parameters.

If you select a turf on the map, more buttons will appear in the top right corner of the map.

Screenshot 2023-08-29 at 2.34.14 PM.png

  • Merge Shapes - This button can only be used if you have selected more than one shape. It will create a new turf including all of the shapes you have selected. It does not overwrite the previous turfs you have selected.
  • Paint Brush - This button allows you to select all of the turf within the area of the paint brush. Set the size of the paint brush using the slider in the top right corner, then click on the map to select turf.
  • Eraser - This button allows you to deselect all of the turf within the area of the eraser. Set the size of the eraser using the slider in the top right corner, then click on the map to deselect turf.
  • Panning Mode - This button allows you to change what part of the map you are looking at. Click and drag on the screen to move the map in the desired direction.
  • Count HH in Areas - Recounts the voters in the selected turfs.
    • Note: This should be used after voter file updates.
  • Edit Area - Allows you to edit the points in the currently selected turf.
  • Save Area - Resaves the selected turf.
    • Note: This should be used after editing a turf.
  • Hide Area - Hides the selected turf from being displayed.
  • Delete Area - Deletes the selected turf.
  • Cut Turf - Allows you to manually create a new turf.
  • Zoom Options (Plus and Minus buttons) - Allow you to zoom in and out on the map.
  • Satellite - Changes the display of the map to a satellite view.
  • Search Map - Moves the map to the selected location.

 

The Map

Screenshot 2023-08-29 at 2.50.01 PM.png

Voters meeting your selected criteria will be grouped with other voters nearby. The number in the circle indicates how many individuals that meet your criteria are in that area. You can click on the circle to zoom in, or you can click the Plus button on the right side of the screen. As you zoom in, voters will be grouped into smaller and smaller groups until each circle shows you the number of voters in a single household.

Clicking a singular point will display the household information in a pop-up. Points that are blue are pure Democratic households, red points are pure Republican households, and gray points can be mixed households or households that contain individuals registered to other parties.

 

Create Paper List Template Overview

Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.27.25 AM.png

The Create Printable List Template pop-up is accessed by clicking the Create Printable List Template button. This section is where you will create your Printable List Templates, which are used to generate your paper list using the map.

  • Name Your List - Allows you to set the name of your Printed List Template.
  • Choose your List or File Type - Allows you to set the type of file you will be using to generate your Printed List.
  • Select a File Layout - Allows you to select the layout that will be used to generate the Printed List.
  • Choose Your Survey - Allows you to select the Survey that will be displayed on the Printed List.
  • Include All Voters in the Qualifying Household - Activating this checkbox will display all of the voters in the household where at least one person meets the criteria of your selected universe.
  • Custom Options - Displays additional options.
    • Select a Universe to Display As Check Mark - Displays a check mark next to the name of any voter what meets the criteria of the selected universe.
    • Select a Universe to Display with Bold Print - Bolds the record of any voter that meets the criteria of the selected universe.
    • Select a Universe to Display a 3CC - Displays a three character code in the record of the individual that meets the criteria of the selected universe.
    • Code text box - Allows you to set the three character code that will be displayed for the individuals who are in the Voter Universe selected in the Select a Universe to Display a 3CC drop-down menu.
    • Choose Acquisition Type - Sets the Acquisition Type of the flags collected in the printed list that are generated using this template.
    • Do Not Remove Dead, NCOA, or Voted - Activating this checkbox will add the individuals in your Voter Universe who have been marked as dead, national change of address, or voted back into your Printed List.
  • Save Quicklist Template - Saves the Printable List Template.

 

Carving a Turf

Carving a Turf

  1. Click the Cut Turf button in the upper right-hand corner of the map, which will activate the carving ability.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.34.17 AM.png
  2. Use the cursor, which is now a + symbol, to draw a polygon around the area. Clicking will place a corner in the location of the cursor.
  3. Repeat step 2 until the shape has been completed.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.32.58 AM.png
  4. Click the starting point to close the shape or double click the last point placed. A pop-up will appear.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.31.56 AM.png
  5. Use the Naming Method textbox to select the method you will use to assign your turf to a Turf Group.
    1. (Optional) Use the Add New Area to Existing Group drop-down menu to select a group to associate with the carved turf.
    2. (Optional) Use the Use Area Name as Group Name button to add the turf to a new group, which will use the same name as the turf.
    3. (Optional) Use the Create New Group Name button to create a new group for the turf.
  6. Use the Name textbox to assign a name to the turf.
  7. If the Add New Area to Existing Group button is selected, use the Turf Group drop-down menu to select the turf group to associate with the turf. If the Create New Group Name button is selected, use the Group Name textbox to assign a name to the new Turf Group.
  8. Click the Save button.

Viewing Saved Turfs

The table located beneath the map contains all of your previously saved turfs. Activate the checkbox of each turf you would like to view on the map. The Search by Turf, Turf Group textbox and the Turf Group drop-down menu can be used to filter the list of turfs in the table.

Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.47.47 AM.png

 

Editing Turfs

The Cut Custom Turfs page can be used to edit the shape of previously saved Turfs. (If you would like to change the name of a Turf, go to the Manage Turfs page.)

  1. Activate the checkbox of the Turf you would like to edit, located in the table below the map.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.57.34 AM.png
  2. Click on the Turf in the map to activate the Turf.
  3. Click on the Edit button in the upper right-hand corner of the map. This will make the selected Turfs editable by activating their points.
    Screenshot 2024-02-22 at 10.59.31 AM.png
  4. Drag the square points to adjust the size and shape of the Turf.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 9.59.04 AM.png
  5. Click the Save button to save the changes to the Turf.

Screenshot 2024-02-22 at 10.59.58 AM.png

 

Deleting Turfs

Turfs can be deleted individually in the Create and Edit Turf page. (For mass deletion and Turf management, we recommend you use the Manage Turfs page.)

  1. Activate the checkbox of the Turf you would like to delete, located in the table below the map.
  2. Click on the Turf in the map to activate the Turf.
  3. Click on the trash can button.
    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 10.03.33 AM.png
  4. Click the Yes button in the pop-up.

 

 

Printing Turfs

 

Generating a Paper List Using a Printable List Template and Precincts

  1. Use the Load Universe On Map drop-down menu to select the universe you would like to use to generate your list.
  2. Use the Select Map Layer drop-down menu to select the precincts you would like to generate.
  3. Activate the Precincts you would like to generate on the map.
  4. Use the Name Your List textbox at the bottom of the page to assign a name to your paper list.
  5. Use the Select a Template for a Printable List drop-down menu to select the Printable List Template you would like to use to generate your list.
  6. (Optional) If you would like to display your voters on your printed map, activate the Show Voters on Printed Maps checkbox.
  7. Use the Select a File Pickup Page drop-down menu to select the File Pickup Folder where the printed list will be sent.
  8. (Optional) If you want additional space for your survey questions, activate the Assign a Layout With an Additional Question Capacity checkbox.
  9. Click the Print button. A pop-up will appear showing your map.

 

Generating a Paper List Using a Printable List Template and Turfs

  1. Use the Load Universe On Map drop-down menu to select the universe you would like to use to generate your list.
  2. Activate the checkboxes in the Turf List at the bottom of the page of the Turfs you would like to display on the map.
  3. On the map, click on the Turfs you would like to include in your list to activate them.
  4. Use the Name Your List textbox at the bottom of the page to assign a name to your paper list.
  5. Use the Select a Template for a Printable List drop-down menu to select the Printable List Template you would like to use to generate your list.
  6. (Optional) If you would like to display your voters on your printed map, activate the Show Voters on Printed Maps checkbox.
  7. Use the Select a File Pickup Page drop-down menu to select the File Pickup Folder where the printed list will be sent.
  8. (Optional) If you want additional space for your survey questions, activate the Assign a Layout With an Additional Question Capacity checkbox.
  9. Click the Print button. A pop-up will appear showing your map.

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