The data shows Texas has historically low turnout (just 42% of eligible voters in 2022) with dramatic urban-rural divides that create unique opportunities for local candidates.
Win your race by maximizing your base turnout while strategically reducing opponent margins in key precincts. No need to win everywhere, just where it counts. And college students count!
Example: Harris County College Student GOTV Plan
Target Campuses:
- University of Houston (Main Campus) - 46,000+ students
- Texas Southern University - 9,000+ students
- Houston Community College - 60,000+ students across multiple campuses
- Rice University - 8,000+ students
Strategy Implementation:
Phase 1: Registration & Education (8 weeks out)
- Campus voter registration drives at all dining halls, student unions, and high-traffic areas
- Classroom presentations in first-year experience courses
- Partnership with Greek life and student organizations
- Digital registration push through campus email systems
Phase 2: Early Voting Mobilization (3 weeks out)
- "March to the Polls" events from campus to early voting locations
- Shuttle services from dorms and student housing to polling places
- Class excuse letters for students voting during class hours
- Professors offering extra credit for voting proof
Phase 3: Election Day Surge
- Dorm storming with wake-up calls and voting reminders
- Free breakfast for voters at polling locations
- Social media live streams from polling places
- Text banking to all registered student voters
Example: TX-18 Specific College Strategies
Target Institutions
- University of Houston (southern portion of district)
- Texas Southern University (heart of district)
- Houston Community College Central Campus
- St. Thomas University
Tactics
- Historical District Engagement: Leverage the district's legacy as a political anchor for Houston's Black community
- Community Partnership: Work with organizations like Mi Familia en Acción and AliefVotes
- Cultural Messaging: Bilingual outreach reflecting district demographics
- Local Leadership: Engage with student leaders who understand district-specific issues
Metrics & Deliverables
Quantitative Targets:
- Increase student voter registration by 25% at target campuses
- Achieve 55%+ turnout among registered student voters (vs. current 44%)
- Generate 15,000+ additional student votes in Harris County for example
- Secure 8,000+ additional votes in TX-18 for example from student populations
Qualitative Measures:
- Pre- and post-election surveys measuring student engagement
- Social media engagement metrics (shares, likes, comments)
- Campus organization participation rates
- Professor and administration support levels
What Happens If Candidates Do Not Implement
Without this specific college student focus:
- Missed Opportunity: Leave 20,000+ potential votes on the table in Harris County for example
- Competitive Disadvantage: Opponents who do target students will gain 5-7 point advantage
- Long-term Consequences: Fail to build the next generation of party supporters
- Wasted Resources: Spend more money chasing harder-to-persuade voters instead of activating natural base
Financial Impact:
- Cost per vote for student activation: $8-12
- Cost per vote for persuasion campaigning: $25-40
- ROI Difference: 300%+ better return on investment
The Base Package Includes:
- 6-week campus coordinator staffing
- Digital ad budget targeting students
- Printed materials and event supplies
- Shuttle service coordination
- Text banking platform access
- Performance analytics dashboard
The Premium Package Adds:
- Additional campus organizers
- Expanded digital advertising
- Paid social media influencers
- Professional video content
- Enhanced tracking and reporting
The data doesn't lie: Young voters who vote in their first election become lifelong voters. This is about winning one race but it's also about building a sustainable political operation for years to come. The colleges in major cities and more rural areas represent your most cost-effective, high-impact voting bloc available.
Please call for pricing.
