Cutting-edge GOTV tech, essential cybersecurity checklist, and AI-driven strategies reshaping the electoral landscape

We're in the final sprint to Election Day, and campaigns are pulling out all the stops to reach every last voter. In the critical final days before Election Day, the power of cutting-edge technology to transform Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts has never been more evident.

While grassroots organizing and compelling messaging are the heart of any campaign, technology is the force multiplier. Recently HGL convened a GOTV Innovations Showcase, bringing together innovative technologists and campaign strategists highlighting solutions that could tip the scales in tight races. From AI-powered targeting to personalized messaging at scale, these tools are helping campaigns make every minute and dollar count. Learn more about the powerful tools and case studies that were presented. ([link removed])

With the election fast approaching, it's also time for our 2024 Election Tech Survey ([link removed]) . This crucial research initiative captures fresh, real-time feedback from campaign operatives on the tech deployed this cycle, helping us understand what's working and what's needed in political tech. If you've been involved in campaign tech decisions this cycle, your input is invaluable here. By taking 10 minutes to share your experience, you directly help shape the future of campaign infrastructure and ensure we build on each cycle's hard-earned lessons. Take the survey here ([link removed]) — and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Dive into the rest of the newsletter for insights on GOTV tech innovations, essential security resources, and practical AI strategies to power the final push toward victory.

—Leah Bae
VP, Programs & Partnerships
2024 Election Tech Survey

HGL just launched our 2024 Election Tech Survey ([link removed]) in collaboration with Analyst Institute, Arena, ASDC, Bluebonnet Data, Cooperative Impact Lab, DMO, DNC, stac labs, TMC, Trestle Collaborative, and Zinc Collective. This crucial initiative captures fresh, real-time feedback from campaign operatives on tech deployed in the cycle, helping us understand what's working and what's needed in political tech. If you've been involved in campaign tech decisions this cycle, please take 10 minutes to share your experience. Your input here is invaluable — it helps identify trends, highlight areas for improvement, and guide future investments in political tech. And please share with your friends and colleagues ([link removed]) !
Take the survey now ([link removed])
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AI and Political Ad Content: Insights from an RCT Study

For the past year, Higher Ground Labs has been exploring the advancement of AI in the political space, especially in content creation. HGL’s Progressive AI Lab released a first-of-its-kind study researching whether AI can save time and money in political content while not compromising persuasiveness. The answer? Yes — but not always. Explore the RCT report below to discover our findings and recommendations, and why it's safe for political content creators to experiment with AI.
Download the report ([link removed])
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Winning at the Margins: How Tech is Transforming GOTV Efforts

In the final stretch before Election Day, every vote counts. With razor-thin margins deciding many races, campaigns are turning to cutting-edge technology to give them the edge in getting out the vote (GOTV). On September 26th, Higher Ground Labs brought together innovators and campaigns for a GOTV Innovations Showcase, highlighting the tech solutions that could make the difference between victory and defeat this election cycle.

If you missed the GOTV Innovations Showcase, read the full story below to learn more about the powerful tools and case studies that were presented, including BattlegroundAI ([link removed]) , Daisychain ([link removed]) , DonorAtlas ([link removed]) , Grow Progress ([link removed]) , Quiller ([link removed]) , SpeakEasy Political ([link removed]) , andUniverse ([link removed]) with a special guest appearance by Arthur Thompson, CTO at the DNC and HGL advisor.
Read the recap ([link removed])
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Protect Your Organization's Security

As Election Day nears, safeguarding your organization becomes even more critical. We recommend doing a final security check using the DNC Security Checklist ([link removed]) . The checklist highlights essential cybersecurity measures, including enabling two-factor authentication, strengthening password management, adjusting privacy settings, and implementing other best practices. Defending Digital Campaigns also has this comprehensive resource on implementing passkeys ([link removed]) to protect your accounts. By adhering to these guidelines, your organization can minimize the risk of breaches and disruptions, ensuring a more secure and seamless path to Election Day and beyond.
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Key Takeaways: Highlights From AI Open Mic Series

From November 2023 through August 2024, HGL’s Progressive AI Lab ([link removed]) , Analyst Institute ([link removed]) , Cooperative Impact Lab ([link removed]) , and Research Collaborative ([link removed]) co-hosted the AI Open Mic series. Over the span of 8 months, leading technologists in the space shared the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in artificial intelligence and how organizations across the progressive ecosystem can use AI to advance the movement. You can find the content from all 8 sessions below.
See all AI Open Mic content ([link removed])
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GOTV Resources

For campaign teams preparing to Get Out the Vote, Arena created a guide and template ([link removed]) for you to build out your own GOTV plan. Their 28 GOTV resources cover everything from campaign management and data tracking to organizing and digital tools. Whether you’re looking for canvassing checklists, targeting models, or guides on staff schedule, Arena’s Toolbox offers essential resources to ensure your team is ready for the final push.

You can also bookmark these handy how-to guides for the final weeks of your program from the Analyst Institute: What to Know about GOTV ([link removed]) , GOTV Recommendations ([link removed]) , and Toolkit ([link removed]) .
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How to Use AI for Media Monitoring and Research

In today’s fast-paced political landscape, staying on top of media trends and conducting thorough research is crucial. Narratives continue to shift and it’s time-consuming to keep up, which leaves campaigns at the risk of falling behind.

Generative AI is an impactful technology for campaigns and organizations looking to streamline their media monitoring and efforts. In this article, we’ve highlighted case studies and trends that show how AI can make these critical campaign functions more efficient and accessible.
Read the article ([link removed])
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Portfolio Highlights

Check out 30+ political tech job openings on the HGL Portfolio Jobs Board ([link removed]) . Apply to Software Engineer at DonorAtlas ([link removed]) , Analyst at INTRVL ([link removed]) , Digital Strategist at Social Currant ([link removed]) , and many more.
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Swayable (HGL2) worked with Ground Media to test two ads: one focused on immigration and border policy and the other on Kamala Harris’ background and character. Check out the research report ([link removed]) , powered by Swayable’s technology, to see which ad positively impacted key voters.

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Join Fathom today October 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET ([link removed]) for a webinar to help you unlock the full potential of your NPS and CSAT data using advanced text analytics. Learn how to enhance survey design, leverage unstructured feedback, and drive meaningful business improvements by transforming open-ended responses into actionable insights.

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Daisychain’s (HGL6) latest Get Out the Vote update ([link removed]) provides organizations with the tools necessary to deliver the most effective GOTV messages at scale. Features include polling place info pulled directly from the DNC’s iwillvote.com, one-click broadcasts for efficiency, personalized visuals through Daisychain’s Charms, and a deliverability dashboard to track your campaign’s progress.

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Change Research (HGL2) recently conducted a poll revealing different divisions among voters regarding Kamala Harris's 2024 candidacy, with perceptions heavily influenced by race and political affiliation. Check out the full results. ([link removed])

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BallotReady (HGL1) has spent over 20k hours working with local election offices and gathering all the research that makes their tools possible this cycle. In their latest article ([link removed]) , learn about their research team's process in putting together the best-in-class database for elections across the nation.

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Introducing: Rally the Vote ([link removed]) , Relentless' (HGL6) new data-driven relational GOTV feature. Rally’s new vote plan feature allows users to help their friends make plans to vote with accurate voting options, deadlines, and requirements in all 50 states.

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Grow Progress (HGL2) used their Rapid Message Testing tool to compare Lunchly's (a YouTuber-backed lunch product) ad campaign to Lunchables. The results highlight the complexities of market disruption, especially when new brands challenge established players. Read the full RCT ([link removed]) for a deeper dive into the data and its implications for brand campaigns.

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Enjoy our content? Follow us on LinkedIn ([link removed]) for regular updates on political tech, innovations, and events and opportunities. See you there!

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