Resources

Since 2020, my colleagues and I have trained more than 5,000 volunteers nationally.

Our workshops teach volunteers how to communicate more effectively with voters. By engaging with respect, empathy and nonjudgmental curiosity, we can help elicit what is most important to a voter, and connect that to what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Following are some resources to help you in your own conversations with voters:

In-Person Ballot Curing Pro Tips

Some close elections will be decided by the number of ballots we can “cure” – helping voters who forgot to sign their ballot or have a signature mismatch ensure their votes are counted. Elizabeth Chur has cured almost 100 ballots in recent elections, including 49 in 2024 for Democratic Congressional candidate Adam Gray (CA-13) – helping him eke out a victory of 187 votes, and earning her the nickname “Elizabeth Cure” from campaign staff. Elizabeth shares her top tips for connecting with these sometimes hard-to-reach voters, and helping them complete their cure forms. For a helpful summary of ballot cure tips, click here.

No-Fear Guide to Canvassing

In this mini-training, Elizabeth Chur and Carol Blaney demystify canvassing. They demonstrate how to have fulfilling (not fearful) contacts with voters, share three magic phrases to transform any conversation, and explain why door-knocking—and listening—can change Congress.

Phone Bank and Canvassing Training for Introverts (& Friends)

Would you rather have a colonoscopy than talk with politics with strangers? Watch this training, which is designed for people “on the fence” about calling voters or knocking doors. Elizabeth Chur and fellow Swing Left San Francisco volunteer Myra Levy explain why talking directly with voters is the most effective voter engagement tool, and why it’s important to start now. They’ll give you pointers about what to expect when you phone bank and how to navigate the first minute of a call so voters are less likely to hang up. You’ll also learn Elizabeth’s Three Magic Phrases, which work in almost any situation.

Become a Great Canvasser: How to Build Bridges to Voting

Some conversations are easy: the voter supports your candidate, they’re ready to vote, and your job is pretty straightforward. But what happens when someone is undecided or conflicted—or tells you, “I don’t vote”? Veteran canvassers and trainers Elizabeth Chur and Carol Blaney will show you practical strategies for navigating more challenging conversations. Through real-life stories and demos, you’ll learn how to ask great questions, listen with empathy, build trust, and discover what matters most to a voter. Rather than jumping in with the “perfect” argument or a bunch of talking points, you’ll learn to listen for points of connection between a voter’s priorities and your candidate’s vision—and build on those connections to help people find their own reasons to vote for Democrats. Click here to download a summary handout.

You and the 34%: How to Have Meaningful Conversations with High-Potential Voters

In 2020, 34% of eligible voters didn’t vote. In this training, you will learn how to make “I don’t vote” the beginning (not the end) of the conversation. Jacqueline Tulsky, MD, and Elizabeth Chur share stories of success, and give you tools drawn from Motivational Interviewing to help you draw out “high-potential voters,” elicit their desires for change, and turn them into voters.

Spanish for Activists

These videos show how to engage in meaningful conversations with voters who are most comfortable speaking Spanish. We include vocabulary and phone etiquette tips to help you navigate the critical first 30 seconds of a conversation – including phrases that communicate respect and help you earn voters’ trust. Taught by Elizabeth Chur and Mayela Galindo, a Spanish teacher and native speaker.

Videos

Phrase List

Election Spanish for Absolute Beginners

Even if you don’t speak Spanish, learning a few key phrases can help you have positive interactions with voters. This video demonstrates a few phrases that help to convey respect, increase your candidate’s name recognition, and let the voter know that someone else who speaks Spanish will call them back. Taught by Elizabeth Chur and Mayela Galindo, a Spanish teacher and native speaker.

Motivational Interviewing to Re-Engage Volunteers

We need a huge outpouring of volunteers to power the next Blue Wave, but some former volunteers are hesitant to jump back in. Learn how to use Motivational Interviewing to reconnect with these wonderful activists and help them reignite their enthusiasm for voter engagement. Taught by Elizabeth Chur, Swing Blue Alliance volunteer Victoria Levi, MD, and Allies for Democracy volunteer Dara Friedman-Wheeler, PhD.

Finding Joy in the Home Stretch

Elizabeth Chur shares practical strategies for keeping your balance, preventing burnout, and protecting your energy when emotions run high. Whether you’re knocking doors for imperfect candidates, talking with grumpy voters, or wrestling with your own very human limitations, you’ll learn practical tools to care for yourself while strengthening our democracy when it needs you most.

The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers is now available on the following platforms:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

Kobo

Apple

Google Play