Background

After 20 years of Republican control of the Florida state house, the House Democratic Caucus was optimistic. With quality candidates filling the ballot in districts across the state, there was hope that Democrats could pick up seats and break the Republican supermajority that the outgoing Republican governor, Jeb Bush, enjoyed.

But, when a fierce Democratic gubernatorial primary threatened to suppress Democratic turnout in the 2006 general election, the House Democratic Caucus was again nervous. As early voting began, polls showed the Republican gubernatorial nominee with nearly a double-digit lead, sizable enough to carry down ballot candidates to undeserved victory.

Expectations for early voter turnout were high. Some predicted that 45 percent of the electorate would vote early. With these numbers it was essential to identify supporters and ensure they cast their absentee ballots.

Zata3 developed a strategic, multi-phase program to closely track the absentee ballot process. When the county registrars mailed the first absentee ballots to the permanent absentee voting list, we began our first round of calls, identifying supporters and undecideds. Next, we made follow-up calls to our identified supporters. Identified undecideds received a persuasion ID call.

We closely monitored the activity of the county registrar. Each time the registrar sent out absentee ballots to honor a request, we repeated the calling series. After each round we updated our call lists, deleting voters as the registrars received their completed ballots.

Throughout the absentee ballot cycle, we made seven rounds of calls to prospective voters, updating our call lists after each round.

All nine targeted candidates won. The House Democratic Caucus picked up seven seats and retained two open Democratic seats.

Significant planning and an extended timeframe made this campaign one of the most challenging of the year. This complex program required daily database and program management, constant call center monitoring, and tailored messages for each targeted district and each round of calls. Zata3 had the resources and experience to implement this intricate program, helping all of the targeted candidates to victory.