Assessing the Effects of Friend-to-Friend Texting on Turnout in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election

Political campaigns in recent elections have started to embrace friend-to-friend organizing, in which volunteers organize and encourage their own close contacts to cast a ballot on Election Day. Unlike traditional “get out the vote” (GOTV) campaigns, which often rely on texts, calls, or visits from strangers, friend-to-friend organizing is premised on the notion that GOTV encouragements are especially effective when delivered by trusted messengers, like friends or family members.