On The Download: DNC Launches Vote Builder
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While Republicans have been able to streamline their states’ files into a smooth-running turnout machine over the past few cycles, Democrats have continuously stumbled on the road to coordinating voter files across the country.
But the DNC might be on that same road to recovery starting this month when states began integration into Democrats’ new national voter file system, called “Vote Builder.” The company behind the technology, Voter Activation Network (VAN), was already working with more than two dozen states last cycle, but the DNC expects to have at least 90 percent (or 45 states) sign up for the new system.
"This deal is a crucial step to creating a truly national voter file that will allow Democratic candidates to have access to the best possible tool for running their campaigns,” said DNC Director of Technology Ben Self, who oversaw this $8M effort over the past couple years to create an in-house voter file for the DNC.
Contrary to popular semantics, this is not a replacement for Demzilla, the DNC’s donor database. It’s also not a replacement for anything else because the DNC has not had a national voter file system and was continuously playing catch-up to the RNC’s Voter Vault for the past few cycles [SHIRA TOEPLITZ].
The DNC signed a data swap agreement with states over the last two years to help keep files updated, but state parties will have control over their voter file information. This also means state parties can still sell their voter files to candidates at any price they name (You might remember when the Iowa Dems wanted to charge at least $50K to WH '08 candidates to use their voter files).
Jess Knox, the head of the coordinated campaign for Maine Democrats, said the fact that the DNC is providing this for state parties and concentrating on data will certainly help play catch-up to the RNC.
“The fact that the DNC is stepping up and taking a leadership role I think bodes well for 2008,” said Knox. “Look, we’ve got to be unified on this issue.
Knox said Maine Democrats were already under contract with VAN and was “elated the DNC chose them.”
The DNC is offering this for free to state parties, but the question remains whether all of them – in particular the swing states -- will take them up on this deal.
California is one state that says it’s sticking to its own system for now and not using Vote Builder, says their spokesperson Bob Mulholland. He said the state party has no plans to switch over because they’re already using “iPod of voter files in America.”
“We know where the Jewish disabled woman lives with the Irish husband,” said Mulholland. “And if they have a magazine subscription.”
Sounds good for most of the states who have no voter file or the existing system which is not good. Will this be used by the candidates ? What is the California system? Sounds interesting.
I used vote builder in Obama' s CA, WA campaign's.
"access denied" I want to be making calls to TX. Who can I e-m?
I used vote builder in Obama' s CA, WA campaign's.
"access denied" I want to be making calls to TX. Who can I e-m?
I used vote builder in Obama' s CA, WA campaign's.
"access denied" I want to be making calls to TX. Who can I e-m?
I used vote builder in Obama' s CA, WA campaign's.
"access denied" I want to be making calls to TX. Who can I e-m?
How do I find voter names in my precinct? I am in Ashtabula County, Ohio The precinct is Windsor 1
To whom it may concern,
My name is Michael Fitzgibbons, I am a registered Democrat in Sevierville, Tennessee. I am a representative for our 11th District. I have been working on continuing a grassroots campaign here to build membership for the Sevier County Democrats as well as getting more voters of our party registered.
I have found through internet research that the Democratic party has an online site called VoteBuilders. However, I have been unable to find a way to join or access that site in order to utilize it for Democratic campaigning and registering new voters? Can you help me by providing information on how to join and access that site?
I can be reached by e-mail (mpfitz@aol.com) or even better by phone (865-654-9349).
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Michael Fitzgibbons
To whom it may concern,
My name is Michael Fitzgibbons, I am a registered Democrat in Sevierville, Tennessee. I am a representative for our 11th District. I have been working on continuing a grassroots campaign here to build membership for the Sevier County Democrats as well as getting more voters of our party registered.
I have found through internet research that the Democratic party has an online site called VoteBuilders. However, I have been unable to find a way to join or access that site in order to utilize it for Democratic campaigning and registering new voters? Can you help me by providing information on how to join and access that site?
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Michael Fitzgibbons