The Newsletter

VBM Targets & Program Guidance


Hi Texas Democrat,

 

We are happy to share that the Vote by Mail Application Program is underway and the first of the VBM chase targets is available in VAN. This is one of the Texas Democratic Party's longest-running and most effective programs to get voters to the polls. 

 

We need your help to chase these applications and make sure voters know how to return them! Please read this entire email for important information about the VBM program, including:

  • What is the VBM Program?
  • Resources
  • What are VBM targets?
  • How to use VBM targets
  • VBM Scripts
  • VBM Chase General Guidance
  • Have questions? Submit a ticket and bookmark txdem.co/vanhelp 
 

What is the VBM Program?

Some of you may be wondering if this message pertains to you and your campaign, county party, or organization. Although the VBM program is primarily a partnership between the TDP and County Parties, we appreciate everyone's help encouraging voters to turn in their applications! So - whether you are a county chair with past VBM experience, or you're reading this and learning about the VBM program for the first time - please read on!

 

The TDP first introduced the VBM Program in 2014, with the aim of getting applications for a ballot by mail in the hands of as many Democrats as possible. The goal has always been to make voting as accessible as possible. The program has evolved cycle-after-cycle but always with that goal in mind.

The program now essentially involves these steps:

  1. The TDP Political Team coordinates with County Parties to help fund as many applications as possible.
  2. The TDP Data Team creates a list of voters for whom receiving an application for a ballot by mail will be particularly helpful.
  3. The application for a ballot by mail is sent to the print and mail vendor with the goal of hitting mail boxes at the end of January.
  4. Targets are made available in VAN to help county parties and other volunteers identify who has been mailed an application.
  5. Application recipients receive a prime text (and phone call, if volunteer capacity permits) urging them to be on the lookout for their application for a ballot by mail. These voters are identified in the 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM App Prime target in VAN.
  6. When applications have landed in voters' mail boxes, the TDP Data Team makes an 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM App Chase target available in VAN. Volunteers use this target to identify voters who need to be called and reminded to fill out and return their application to the Secretary of State. The TDP also sends out text messages to these voters. 
  7. When applications have been returned, the TDP Data Team makes a 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM Ballot Chase target available in VAN, which is used to contact voters who will be receiving a ballot by mail and may need to be reminded to send it in, or who may need assistance from our Voter Protection Team. 
 

Resources

 

What are VBM Targets?

The VBM Targets make it simple to identify voters to whom an application for a ballot by mail have been sent. Targets are found under the "Create a List" section of VAN and essentially function as a saved list. 

 

There will be VBM Targets corresponding to each part of the VBM program - prime, application chase, and ballot chase. Each target will be made available as we pivot to the next stage in the program. 

 

At present, the target to use is: 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM App Prime - Primary 

 

The following will be made available in VAN as they become relevant: 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM App Chase - Primary and 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM Ballot Chase - Primary

 

You can learn more about these targets at txdem.co/TDP-Targets

 

How to use VBM Targets

Using the VBM Targets is relatively simple, which is by design! Our team's goal is to make it as easy as possible to assist with the VBM chase throughout each step of the process. 

 

We are currently letting voters know to be on the lookout for their VBM applications in the mail, which is also called priming. In order to identify this list of voters, you will:

  1. Navigate to "Create a List" in VAN
  2. Scroll down to the "Targets" section 
  3. Select the 2024 Vote By Mail: VBM App Prime - Primary target from the top of the list (or one the App Chase or Ballot Chase targets, as they become relevant)
  4. Narrow by any additional criteria relevant to your program (ex: a phone list to create a phone bank)

You can find more detailed guidance on how to create a VBM Phone Bank here: txdem.co/vbmprogramphonebankguide

 

VBM Scripts

In keeping with the goal of making this process as simple as possible, we have also worked with our Voter Protection Team to create carefully-crafted scripts for VBM Prime and Chase.

 

These can be added to any virtual phone banks or MiniVAN canvasses you set up in VAN. They are named:

*2024 Primary VBM Program App Recipient: PRIME Script - Branched
*2024 Primary VBM Program App Recipient: PRIME Script - Linear
*2024 Primary VBM Program App Recipient: CHASE - Linear 
(Will go live in VAN 01/31/24)
*2024 Primary VBM Program App Recipient: CHASE - Branched
(Will go live in VAN 01/31/24)
 

There will also be ballot chase scripts following the same naming convention after applications have been returned by voters. 

 

A copy of the prime and chase scripts are available to you at: txdem.co/vbmprogramscript 

 

VBM Chase General Guidance

We understand there are a lot of moving parts to keep track of, so our team has compiled general guidance on the VBM Program, including a calendar of key dates.

 

You can find that document here: txdem.co/2024VBM

 

Our VBM FAQ contains answers to commonly-asked questions and is available at: txdem.co/vbmprogramprimechasefaqs

 

This program has been immensely effective at turning out Democrats in past elections - due in large part to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, county party staff, and campaigns across the state. As always, your efforts are the backbone of our party's success in Texas.

 

Thank you for all you do and please do not hesitate to reach out with questions - we are here to be a resource!

Have Questions?

If you have any questions, please submit a help ticket  at txdem.co/vanhelp or by emailing our team at vanhelp@txdemocrats.org.

 

For VBM inquiries, please include "VBM in the subject line to help us more quickly get your request to the right member of staff. 

 

In service,

 

Sam Gostomski (he/him)

Data Director

Texas Democratic Party