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NGP VAN useful in political campaigns
May 13, 2024

NGP VAN useful in political campaigns

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with NGP VAN

I’ve used NGP VAN since 2015, to generate walk/mailing/phone lists for my campaigns and for others’ campaigns. It makes targeting voters much easier than using municipal voter lists. I especially appreciate the ability to lay turfs for walk lists. The miniVAN has been a super improvement since I campaigned in my own races because one no longer has to tangle with clipboards, paper, and pen. My county Democratic Party will be using NGP VAN this summer to list locations for installing large signs and to turf convenient routes. Plus the usual uses.
  • Lets user design and map out efficient walking/driving route
  • Users can use filters to designate the exact voters needed
  • MiniVAN makes canvassing so much easier
  • Accurate data depends upon people updating in a timely manner.
  • Sometimes I’ve had trouble putting lists into miniVAN, maybe a training need
  • In the past, had issues getting right permissions from state Dems to access NGP VAN
  • NGP VAN helped my county turn the county board blue this year.
  • Access to NGP VAN has encouraged progressives to join the Democratic party
  • MiniVAN has reduced the need for data entry volunteers.

Do you think NGP VAN delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with NGP VAN's feature set?

Yes

Did NGP VAN live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of NGP VAN go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy NGP VAN again?

Yes

Well-suited to generating lists targeting desired voters, laying turf for canvassing. We will have to improvise somewhat to add the information about who will display large signs. Will have to do it using hash tags in notes. I hope it works.
Efficient use is dependent on accurate data entry. We had issues with a candidate’s lists because the 2022 votes somehow didn’t get put in NGP VAN.

Using NGP VAN

Paid workers and volunteers. Mostly used in political campaigns—selecting voter lists, cutting turf, printing labels, keeping track of voters’ responses. I think the actual Dem staffers do more complex things but I don’t know what. I’m a volunteer.
Not sure of number. It varies. It’s people who already have NGP VAN experience, can be paid or volunteers. There are also staff at the state headquarters who can help if needed.
  • Filtering voter lists
  • Making canvassing lists and cutting turfs
  • Seeing canvassing and calling results
  • Starting to use if to track locations for big political signs for 2024 election. Database was previously in excel, but we Jerry-rigged a way to add it to NGP VAN.
  • More if the same
As long as I’m an active Democratic volunteer I will use it, unless the Dems quit using it. I enjoy using NGP VAN and discovering more capabilities as I spend more time with it.

NGP VAN Training

  • In-Person Training
I can hardly remember since it was years ago. Various individuals have also coached me since then. If I can actually play around with it myself that’s the best way to increase my proficiency.

Using NGP VAN

I think you have to have understanding of computer basics to master NGP VAN. I doubt a non-computer person, or someone who is hesitant about technology could do much with NGP VAN. It helps if you’re sort of a computer nerd (as I am, despite my old age) because then you don’t worry about experimenting.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
Slow to learn
  • Filter lists
  • Cut turf
  • Edit users
  • Choosing print variables. Have to redo every time.
  • Wish we could reorder drop down menus
Yes - Nicely. It’s much better than messing with paper, clipboards, pens. You can’t do as much with it, but it’s good for canvassing. I wish we’d had it when I was campaigning ten years ago!