A political campaign is an organized effort to elect a candidate for office, or pass a ballot initiative. Political campaigns take place in every state and local jurisdiction, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, local operations with two or three volunteers, and others are national or statewide operations that may involve hundreds of paid staffers and volunteers. Federal elections occur every two years, and many state and local offices are up for election on even-numbered years (called “on years”).
A key factor in winning a political campaign is having a clear message that resonates with voters. A strong message can overcome issues like negative ads and a lack of financial resources. A political campaign must also be able to adapt to changing conditions. For example, a political campaign in the United States may need to shift its message from focusing on a candidate’s patriotism and experience to one that emphasizes their opposition to a particular policy position.
Most political campaigns have a paid staff that handles project and budget management, fundraising, volunteer organizing, and voter engagement programs. A campaign manager or general consultant typically takes on the first set of responsibilities; a finance director or call time manager usually handles the second; and a volunteer coordinator or organizer handles the third. Volunteers also help with field operations, which include canvassing, polling, writing letters to the editor of local papers and press releases, and making persuasion calls to voters.
