Caught in the Ground Wars: Mobilizing Voters during a Competitive Congressional Campaign

Abstract

This project examines the effectiveness of a nonpartisan voter mobilization drive in Indiana’s fiercely contested Second Congressional District. A student-based, non-partisan voter mobilization coalition conveyed nonpartisan get-out-the-vote messages through door-to-door canvassing in three South Bend precincts on the weekend before the November 2002 election. These get-out the vote efforts took place during a competitive election season—one that included door-to-door partisan campaign efforts by interest groups, political parties, and candidate campaigns. While the nonpartisan mobilization campaign did little to increase the likelihood of voting among older voters, it had a strong effect on voters younger than thirty—the voters least likely to be contacted by partisan campaigns.