A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making progress within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, by which representatives are chosen or referendums are decided. In modern politics, the most high-profile political campaigns are focused on general elections and candidates for head of state or head of government, often a president or prime minister.
Presidential campaign button for Abraham Lincoln, 1860. The reverse side of the button shows a portrait of his running mate Hannibal Hamlin.
Election campaign in East Timor: Truck Rally
NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe greet babies - a traditional campaign activity - at the Fête nationale du Québec in Montreal
A Conservative-led slanderous political campaign brochure for the Mayor of London
Canvassing, also known as door knocking or phone banking, is the systematic initiation of direct contact with individuals, commonly used during political campaigns. Canvassing can be done for many reasons: political campaigning, grassroots fundraising, community awareness, membership drives, and more. Campaigners knock on doors to contact people personally. Canvassing is used by political parties and issue groups to identify supporters, persuade the undecided, and add voters to the voters list through voter registration, and it is central to get out the vote operations. It is the core element of what political campaigns call the ground game or field.
Bill George door-to-door canvassing for Obama in the 2008 election year
British politician Jack Straw (on the right with a red rosette) canvassing with local councilors in Blackburn, Lancashire, in 2008
William Hogarth's 1754 depiction of the disreputable job of canvassing for votes.
George Caleb Bingham's positive portrayal of a candidate canvassing in the United States in 1852