Getting Started with the UpVote App: Volunteer Tutorial
Video Length: 4 minutes
Recommended for: New volunteers or anyone needing a quick refresher
Welcome to UpVote! If you’re just getting started with the app, this short tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know to begin making an impact for your campaign.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to enable contact sharing and start Contact Match
Match your phone contacts with the campaign’s voter file to find out who in your network can vote in your election. - How to add supporters to your mobilization list
Quickly tag supporters so you can organize and engage your contacts effectively. - How to use filters and sort tools
Find and prioritize voters based on criteria like party, location, or vote method. - How to send bulk SMS messages
Use pre-loaded templates to contact many voters at once through personalized text messages. - How to recruit and manage new volunteers
Learn how to invite others to join the campaign and keep track of their activity. - How to track voter turnout in real time
Mark voters as “Voted” and see campaign progress as your outreach grows.
Watch the Tutorial Now:
Written Step-by-Step Guide
Volunteer Walkthrough Guide
If you are unable to view the video tutorial, follow this written guide to get started!
Step 1: Download & Log In
- Download UpVote from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
- Log in with the phone number your campaign used to add you.
- If you don’t receive a one-time login code via text or WhatsApp, contact your campaign to confirm your number was entered correctly.
Step 2: Build Your Mobilization List
Your mobilization list is made up of people you personally know who can vote in this election.
Use Contact Match:
- Enable contact sharing for UpVote in your phone settings.
- Go to Contact Match in the app.
- UpVote will compare your contacts with your campaign’s voter file.
- For each match:
- Tap Add as Supporter to confirm the match.
- Use the pink X to dismiss incorrect matches.
- Use the Sort button (top right) and the Search bar to navigate your contact list.
Step 3: Add Supporters Manually
- Go to the Mobilize tab and tap Add Supporter.
- You can search by name, phone number, or address.
- Useful for:
- People you meet on the campaign trail
- Contacts saved under nicknames
- For each entry:
- Add them as a Supporter
- Or mark as To Be Determined if you’re unsure
- Fill out any details or tasks prompted by your campaign
Step 4: Bulk Message Your List
Ready to reach out?
- Tap the text message icon on your Mobilize tab.
- Use the drop-down to:
- Message everyone who hasn’t voted
- Message your entire list
- Select contacts by searching or checking boxes next to their names.
- Use Sort and Filter to target by:
- Voting method (e.g., VBM)
- Political party
- Any custom campaign field
- Tap Send (top right), then:
- Choose a template provided by the campaign, or
- Tap Edit to customize your own.
- Confirm and tap Next.
iPhone Users: You’ll be prompted to install the UpVote Apple Shortcut (one-time setup). Tap the blue buttons to install, then return to the app and tap the green buttons to send your messages.
Step 5: Recruit New Volunteers
When one of your contacts wants to join the campaign:
- Go to their voter card (in the Mobilize tab).
- Tap Add as Volunteer.
- Let them know they can now log in with their number.
- Use the Volunteers tab to:
- Track their activity
- View their connected voters
- Encourage them to keep engaging!
Step 6: Manage Groups
- Visit the Groups tab to see voter lists your campaign assigned to you.
- These are in addition to your personal contacts.
- Use the same search, sort, and filter tools to:
- Track outreach
- View real-time voter turnout
- Prioritize outreach based on campaign strategy
Note: Only campaign managers can create new volunteers or assign groups.
Don’t Forget!
- Check your notifications regularly — your campaign may send you reminders or updates.
- Stay active in the Group Chat to stay connected with other volunteers.
You’re All Set!
Thanks for joining the campaign and using UpVote to power your outreach. Your effort makes a real difference — now go mobilize your network and help win this race!
