Successful campaigning requires resources. But in the case of small campaigns, resources aren't always abundant. That being so, small campaigns need to be strategic about the tools they invest in.
So which political campaign software tools are the best for smaller campaigns? Here’s a list of political campaign software options that are best suited for smaller teams:
1. Political Data, Inc.
There is no campaign without voters. Before campaigns can even begin to canvass, call, or text voters, organizers need a detailed understanding of who they’re targeting.
For this, voter lists are essential. Political Data Inc. is well-known for its PDI Campaign Center, a political campaign software platform that helps campaigns manage detailed voter data, like phone and email lists. However, smaller campaigns that don’t need a comprehensive suite of features can order one-off voter lists from PDI.
Prices for a one-time purchase of voter lists can start at $1,000 per list, but costs can vary based on district, specific election universe options, and other filters.
2. Rock the Vote’s Online Voter Registration Platform
The number of registered voters steadily increases every election cycle, and voter registration continues to be a priority for campaigns.
Fortunately, there are various political campaign software tools that campaigns can use to ensure that their electorate can vote without any issues on Election Day. Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on civic engagement, offers an Online Voter Registration Tool that campaigns can add to their website. This political campaign tool is well recommended: it was even suggested by the 2014 Bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration.
The tool is available for free on Rock the Vote’s website — campaigns can embed the necessary code to their website immediately.
3. ActBlue
Fundraising is necessary to sustain campaign operations. And when donors want to give, it’s best to make the process as simple as possible.
ActBlue is a political campaign software that many large Democratic campaigns use, but it is also a great solution for small campaigns. The biggest benefit to using ActBlue is that it only charges a flat processing fee of 3.95% on each contribution. In comparison, other platforms can charge a processing fee plus additional fees of around $0.30 for each contribution. And at the end of the day, these additional fees can pile up, and it's best to avoid any uncertainty in additional costs.
Campaigns can get started with ActBlue by simply creating a profile. There are no starting fees or contracts.
4. Impactive
Political texting campaigns are essential for campaigns that want to engage their electorate. Whether it’s relational, peer-to-peer, or broadcast texting, campaigns can benefit from the quick and effective nature of political text messaging.
Impactive is the most accessible political campaign software to start robust texting campaigns. The Standard plan — best for small and self-sufficient campaigns — unlocks instant access to tools like Friends and Family Messaging so campaigns can harness the power of relational organizing right away. Relational organizing is one of the best ways to encourage action. In fact, studies have proven that relational organizing (using Friends and Family Messaging on Impactive) results in increased voter turnout and supporter engagement!
Impactive also works as a volunteer management tool, so small campaigns can manage and mobilize volunteers directly on the all-in-one platform. With features like Teams and Leaderboards, volunteers can build teams and earn points to make it to the top of the leaderboard.
Pricing for Impactive starts at $50 a month plus $0.03 per SMS and $0.05 per MMS text for peer-to-peer and broadcast messaging programs.
These four political campaign software tools can help campaigns build capacity, raise money, get out the vote, and win on Election Day!
