Paper Versus Electronic GOTV Lists

Electronic lists

Electronic lists can remove already-voted voters quickly, show shared progress, prevent some duplicate work, and make reassignment easier. They can also preserve individual outcomes and timestamp activity without requiring later transcription.

The risks are account failure, weak connectivity, dead batteries, device loss, poor permissions, unfamiliar interfaces, and a campaign that assumes every volunteer owns a suitable phone.

Paper lists

Paper is easy to explain, works without power or internet, and can serve as a reliable backup. It is also easy to copy, lose, photograph, use after it is outdated, or return with handwriting that cannot be interpreted.

A paper system needs check-out, version labels, list numbers, return times, secure storage, data entry, quality review, and approved disposal.

Use one primary system

The campaign should decide which system controls the current universe. If electronic is primary, paper work should be marked as checked out and reconciled promptly. If paper is primary, data updates still need a central process before the next print run.

Two equal systems create duplicate contact and conflicting status unless one person owns reconciliation.

Build a controlled fallback

• Label the backup with creation time, date, zone, and list number.
• Define the event that activates paper use.
• Record who receives each list.
• Prevent electronic reassignment while the paper route is active.
• Set a return time and entry owner.
• Mark the list expired after reconciliation.
• Store or destroy it under the campaign’s data policy.

Choose by operational conditions

Use the format that the campaign can run accurately under pressure. A sophisticated tool with weak training can be worse than a disciplined paper process. A paper process with no version control can be worse than a simple shared digital list.

Test both the primary and fallback before Election Day.

A practical example

A campaign uses electronic lists as the source of truth but prints one sealed backup per zone the night before Election Day. Each backup is labelled with the creation time and list number. When one zone loses connectivity, the captain activates the paper list, command freezes electronic reassignment for that route, and data staff enter the returned outcomes before reopening the zone.

Working checklist

• Choose the primary source of truth.
• Assess connectivity, devices, accessibility, training, and account recovery.
• Create labelled paper backups only where useful.
• Control check-out, active status, return, and reconciliation.
• Remove already-voted records from the current universe.
• Test the primary and fallback workflows.
• Secure and dispose of voter information properly.

Common mistakes

• Calling both paper and electronic systems the source of truth.
• Printing backups without a version or activation rule.
• Allowing electronic reassignment while a paper route is active.
• Waiting until the next day to enter returned paper outcomes.
• Leaving used lists in cars, open boxes, or recycling.

Sources and further reading

• Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada — Guidance for political parties on protecting personal information
• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security — Fact sheet for Canadian political campaigns
• National Democratic Institute — Voter Contact

Election law, privacy, calling rules, voting methods, and campaign-finance requirements vary by jurisdiction and can change. Verify current requirements with the applicable election authority before acting.