This section covers how to access the Vottiv Canvasser App and get set up before joining a canvass. No app store download is required.

Step 1: Open Vottiv in Your Browser

When you arrive at a canvassing event, you’ll typically be given one of the following:

• A direct link, or

• A QR code to scan

Both options open vottiv.app in your mobile browser.

Step 2: Add the App to Your Home Screen (Recommended)

Adding the Canvasser App to your home screen gives you the best experience and enables offline canvassing. It opens full screen, without the browser bar taking up room on the map.

Vottiv works like an app on your phone, but there's nothing to download from an app store. You add it straight from your browser, and after that it opens with one tap right alongside your other apps.

When you first log in

Shortly after you log in, Vottiv will prompt you to install it. A panel slides up from the bottom of your screen.

On Android, tap Install and confirm. That's it.

On iPhone and iPad, Apple doesn't allow websites to install themselves, so instead of an Install button you'll see the steps to add it yourself. Follow those and you're set.

If you tap Not now, nothing is lost. You can add Vottiv any time using the steps below, and it will offer again after about a week.

Adding it later

On Android

1. Tap the three dots next to the website address

2. Tap Install app

3. Confirm

On iPhone or iPad

1. Tap the three dots next to the website address

2. Tap Share

3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen

4. Tap Add to confirm

You must use Safari on iPhone and iPad. Chrome, Firefox, and other iPhone browsers cannot add apps to the home screen. If you opened your link in one of those, Vottiv will tell you to switch to Safari — copy the link into Safari and try again.

Once added, the app appears on your home screen and opens like any other mobile app.

Step 3: Create Your Profile and Log In

Open the app from your home screen and log in.

You’ll be prompted to enter:

• First and last name

• Email address

• Phone number

Tap Sign in to continue.

Step 4: Enable Required Permissions

After logging in, you’ll be prompted to allow permissions that help the app function properly:

• Location access to find nearby routes and addresses

• Motion and orientation access to improve map navigation

If permissions don’t apply immediately, you may need to fully close and reopen the app after enabling them.

Step 5: Join a Canvass with a 6-Digit Canvass Code

Once you’re logged in and permissions are enabled, you can join a canvass.

To join:

1. From your dashboard, tap Add new canvass

2. Enter the 6-digit canvass code provided at the canvassing event

3. Tap Join canvass

The canvass will then appear on your dashboard and is ready to use.

No Downloads Needed (Progressive Web App)

Vottiv uses progressive web app (PWA) technology, which means:

• No app store download is required

• The app works offline

• Updates happen automatically

Using the Canvassing App

Once you’ve added a canvass, you’re ready to begin canvassing in the field.

What You’ll See After Joining a Canvass

After joining a canvass, you’ll have access to:

• Canvasses you’ve added

• Assigned routes or available routes nearby

• A map view with households and walking paths

• Tools for logging interactions and notes

When you start a canvass, you may also see instructions provided by the campaign. Be sure to review these before selecting a route.

All activity syncs automatically when you’re online.

Your Dashboard

The dashboard shows all canvasses you’ve added.

• Tap a canvass and select Start canvassing to begin

• Tap Add new canvass to enter another canvass code

Voter Lookup: If your user role includes voter lookup permissions, you will also see a Voter Lookup card below the "Add Canvass" button. Tapping this opens the voter search screen.

Select a Route

Canvasses are divided into walkable sections called Canvass Routes.

• Routes assigned to you appear at the top

• Additional available routes are listed below, sorted by distance

• Each route shows completion percentage, distance, and number of households

• Select a route and tap Start canvassing

You can also access the Voter Lookup tool from this page by tapping the button at the top of the screen.

Start Canvassing

The first time you open a route, the app will display a brief map tutorial.

Map indicators:

• 🟣 Purple dots: Households not yet visited

• ⚫ Dark gray dots: Marked as not home

• 🔴 Red dots: Declined, unsafe, or inaccessible

• ⚪ Light gray dots: Completed

The blue line shows the recommended walking path for the route.

Seeing and Switching Between Routes on the Map

When you open a route, the map also shows the other routes in the same canvass, so you can see where they are at a glance — especially when you zoom out.

• Each other route appears as a faint outline with its name labeled in the middle of the route.

• Households in the other routes appear as faded dots (the same status colors as your route, just dimmed), so you can tell which areas are already being covered.

• Your active route stays bright and fully colored, so it always stands out from the faded routes around it.

To switch to another route, tap its name, its outline, or any of its faded households on the map. A route details popup opens showing that route's households, distance, completion, and active canvassers. Tap Start canvassing to switch — the app downloads that route's data and loads it on the map.

A few things to know:

• Seeing other routes' faded households requires an internet connection. If you're offline, you'll still see the other routes' outlines and names, but not their faded households.

• Switching to a new route also requires a connection, since the app needs to download that route's data first.

• For precinct-based canvasses, other routes show their names and faded households but not an outline (precinct routes aren't drawn as shapes on the map).

At the Door

Tap a household to view additional details, such as:

• Distance to the address

• Household size

• Navigation options (Google Maps)

• Voter details (when available)

Tap Open canvass to enter the main canvassing interface.

Quick actions allow you to mark a household as:

• Not home

• Declined

• Complete

• Inaccessible

Depending on how the canvass is configured, you may also see options to:

• Record support or survey responses

• Collect signatures

• Leave information

• Apply tags

• Update contact information

• Register voters

• Open custom links (such as volunteer sign-ups)

• Submit requests (for example, yard signs)

Not all canvasses will include every option.

Working With Others

When multiple people are canvassing at the same time:

• Updates from others appear in real time

• Completed or updated households sync instantly

• Other canvassers appear on the map as orange dots with their names

This helps avoid duplicate work and keeps progress visible.

Location Sharing Privacy

You can control whether your real-time location is visible to other canvassers on their maps via the Share location with team setting.

• Where to find it: Open your profile by tapping your avatar in the top-right corner of the dashboard.

• Default setting: Enabled (your location is shared with your team).

• When disabled: Other canvassers will not see your position on the map, but your location data will still be recorded for route tracking and analytics.

Canvassing Offline

The Canvasser App supports offline use.

• All necessary data loads when a canvass is added

• Actions are saved locally if service is lost

• Data uploads automatically once you reconnect

Voter Lookup Feature

The Voter Lookup feature allows authorized canvassers to search for and view detailed voter information directly from the mobile canvassing app. You can search by name, phone number, or address to view profiles, notes, and tags.

Note: Unlike standard canvassing, Voter Lookup requires an active internet connection and cannot be used offline.

Access Requirements

Voter Lookup is permission-gated. You will only see the Voter Lookup options if your organization role includes the VOTER_LOOKUP or ORGANIZATION_ADMIN permission. Contact your administrator if you believe you should have access.

Smart Search

The search bar uses intelligent input detection to automatically determine what you're searching for:

A hint will appear below the search bar indicating the detected search type (e.g., "Searching by phone...").

Voter Profiles & Actions

Tapping a search result opens the full voter profile, where you can view:

• Basic Info: Name, Age, Party Affiliation, Gender

• Location: Full address, County, Precinct

• History: Voting history for the last 4 elections

Notes & Tags

• Notes: View existing notes from your team or add new ones. Notes are visible to all organization members with lookup access.

• Tags: Apply or remove existing organization tags to categorize voters. New tags must be created in the web dashboard.

From the profile, you can also navigate to the voter's address or start a canvass interaction immediately.

Important Note About Canvasses

When switching between campaigns, not all canvasses will automatically appear.

You will only see canvasses that you have joined using the campaign’s six-digit canvass code.

If a canvass does not appear:

• Ask the campaign administrator for the six-digit canvass code.

• Enter the code in the canvassing app to join the canvass.

Once you join a canvass, it will appear under that campaign’s account.

Complete Walkthrough Video

Prefer a visual walkthrough?
Watch the complete video for a step-by-step demonstration of accessing the app, joining a canvass, selecting routes, and logging doors.