Why phone banking works
Your number stays private
Automated dialers mask your personal phone number completely.
Training before you dial
Never make a call alone. A host walks you through the script and dialer, in person or on Zoom.
Zero wasted time
The system automatically filters out busy signals, voicemails, and disconnected numbers.
Flexible scheduling
Jump on for 1 or 2 hours on weekday evenings or weekend afternoons.
Reaching voters where they are
Direct phone conversations identify supporters, help voters make a concrete voting plan, and drive early voting turnout. In the final weeks before Election Day, Nov 3, calls shift to get out the vote (GOTV).
How to phone bank, step by step
Three simple steps to start phone banking at a calling party (or from home) and reach swing-state voters.
1. Get a quick training
A host walks you through the script and the calling tool, on Zoom or in the room, before anyone dials.
2. Open the dialer & script
Log into the dialer on your laptop or tablet. It calls voters for you, connects you when someone picks up, and keeps your personal number private.
3. Make calls & log each one
Follow the script, listen, and mark every result in the dialer (no answer, wrong number, supporter, undecided) so the campaign knows who to follow up with.
What to bring: your cell phone and charger, a laptop or tablet for the dialer and script, and headphones if you have them. No phone banking experience needed.
Upcoming phone bank shifts
Weekend of October 10 & 11
Make Calls with Operation Swing State
Week of October 12
Beverly Phonebank
Tue Oct 13 · 6:00 PM
Politics & Coffee
Make calls to swing states with Politics & Coffee! (In-Person)
North Center Phonebank
Tue Oct 13 · 6:00 PM
32nd Ward Dems
Voter & Volunteer Outreach with the 32nd Ward Democrats
Make calls, save democracy
Evanston Phonebank
Make calls to swing states with Pink Poster Club! (In-Person)
Oak Park Phonebank
Thu Oct 15 · 6:00 PM
Democratic Party of Oak Park
Make Calls to Swing States with the Democratic Party of Oak Park
Week of October 26
Make calls to swing states with Politics & Coffee! (Virtual)
Thu Oct 29 · 6:00 PMPolitics & Coffee
Phone Banking FAQs
Common questions about privacy, dialers, and calling swing-state voters.
Are phone banks in person or virtual?
Most of our phone banks are in-person calling parties hosted by partner groups around Chicagoland, where a host trains everyone in the room. A few are virtual, so you can phone bank from home with a computer or tablet and a phone after a live training on Zoom. Either way, the dialer calls voters for you and connects you when someone answers.
Will my personal phone number be displayed to voters when phone banking?
No. The automated virtual dialer masks your personal number and displays a local campaign phone number on the voter's caller ID. Your personal cell phone number remains completely private.
What equipment do I need to phone bank?
All you need is a computer, laptop, or tablet with an internet browser to view the voter script and enter responses, plus a phone (or computer headset) to speak with voters. A stable internet connection is recommended.
What kinds of conversations will I have while phone banking?
Calls focus on voter identification, educating voters on upcoming registration deadlines and early voting options, and helping supporters create a concrete plan to vote for Democratic candidates in key swing districts.
I feel nervous about calling strangers. How can I get comfortable?
Being nervous is completely normal for beginners. Every phone bank starts with a host walking you through the script, and hosts stay available during the shift to answer questions: on Zoom for virtual phone banks, or in person at calling parties.
Looking for more ways to volunteer?
Join a weekend carpool to knock doors in person, or write handwritten postcards at a local postcard party. See every way to get out the vote before Election Day.