If you're looking for the form to request VAN access, you can find it here: http://txdem.co/VAN-Request


Introduction


Thank you for your interest in obtaining VAN access! VAN is an essential first step towards running a successful, data-driven campaign in Texas. VAN stands for Voter Activation Network, referring to the numerous tools included with VAN access that help campaigns contact voters smarter and faster. We have guides to all of those tools here in Freshdesk, so we encourage you to take a look through our documentation before getting started. 


If you want to get a head-start on learning VAN, you can sign up for the VAN Training Pipeline here: https://www.texasdemocrats.org/our-party/training/. Our program includes video trainings, useful documents, and even quizzes to assess your knowledge as you progress.


Requesting VAN Access


TABLE OF CONTENTS (WIP)


We ask all campaigns and organizations to complete the VAN request form for compliance purposes, even if to just renew VAN access. That form can be found here: http://txdem.co/VAN-Request.


Included below is a guide to each step of the process. The General requests section includes parts of the VAN request form that all applicants will fill out, then each subsequent section will cover the additional information required for each type of applicant (e.g. County Chair request versus PAC request). If you have a specific question, you can navigate using the above.



General requests


  • We first ask all campaigns and organizations to confirm that they need to fill out the form in the first place. If the request is from a Precinct Chair or someone interested in supporting an existing organization or campaign, they'll just need to contact their campaign manager or their county party. 

  • We ask you to specify exactly the type of applicant you so we can cater the remainder of the form to ask only the questions we need to get you into VAN. For instance, a non-partisan candidate will need to provide their voting precincts while a partisan candidate will not.

  • For this section, please put your own information, even if you are not the candidate. You can specify whether you are the candidate below, but it's imperative to put your own contact information so we are able to get in contact with you.
  • Below, you'll need to specify the candidate's information. This section is necessary for compliance purposes. 

  • Please specify here how you'd like the candidate's name to appear on the ballot. This is especially important if the candidate has a nickname or will not be appearing under the name on their voter registration.

  • In the first box, feel free to add any notes for us to keep in mind when evaluating your application. This can include specific Survey Questions you will need, important information about your organization, or whatever else. Please do not put questions for the VAN team here.
  • In the second box, please add specific questions you have about your request. We will respond within 24 hours if you submit your request during the work week! 

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Partisan Candidates

  • If you're running for a partisan election - specifically, a seat that requires you to run as a Democrat or a Republican - you'll need to fill out this section.

  • You'll need to first specify the office type, which can be either Federal, State, County, or Nonpartisan. If your race falls under "Nonpartisan," please switch to the Non-Partisan Candidates section, as this part of the guide is not for you.
  • Federal races refer to races outside of just Texas (e.g. Congressional), State refers to statewide seats or legislative districts not confined to specific counties, and County refers to seats within single counties. 
  • You'll then have to pick your election date. If you don't see it, just click Other.

  • Selecting a payment plan breaks up the total VAN fee into equal payments, invoiced on a monthly basis. We only need the first payment to set up your VAN committee, but we do require that all payments are received before election day. If you have questions or need a payment plan other than the options provided, please submit a ticket.   

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Non-Partisan Candidates

  • If you're running for a non-partisan election - specifically, a seat that does not require you to run as a Democrat or a Republican - you'll need to fill out this section.

  • To submit a non-partisan request, you'll need to select "Nonpartisan or City" first. Most importantly, please be sure to indicate the Position Type accurately or you will be charged the incorrect amount for VAN. "At-large" refers to a seat that does not cover a specific geography and that anyone in the municipality is eligible to run for. The other options generally refer either to a county-wide position or a position that represents only a specific part of the municipality, and only residents of that part are eligible to run.