Ten important things that every campaign should prepared before election day - be prepared for a recount!
by: Maurice L Bonamigo, February 2006
1) Be sure to have experienced lawyers on your team
2) Be prepared for hiring additional lawyers
3) Make sure that you have budgeted funds for possible recount
You should also plan for additional expenses such as maintaining your office and paying additional staff to carry out your recount strategy.
One of the biggest mistakes that a campaign and make is to not have enough capital to maintain essential operations in those days following the election.
4) Identify your recount volunteers.
Always remember that your volunteers have the ability to make or break any recount efforts.
You need to consider volunteers who are teachable and have the ability to remain focused during this important process.
5) Create a recount plan based on your polling and fieldwork.
Any campaigner who will be seeking their recount will have a limited amount of time to obtain those signatures of registered voters for recount petitions.
6) Make sure that you have your training and recount materials in order.
We have to realize that we have little time between election day and a recount. You need to work strategically between your volunteers and your lawyers. Time is of the essence.
7) Have a media strategy in place.
Your campaign should have a distinct message to deliver for all possible election outcomes. If you have a clear distinct message about your prospective recount you'll have the ability to influence public opinion and your opponent's recount strategy.
8) Be sure to separate your advisers from your recount decisions.
Note, the recount team in your campaign staff should never be the same. You will now be working strictly with the advice of your lawyers who are handling the recount.
9) No vacations for anyone.
All campaign employees and candidates must never plan vacations immediately following the election. The rationale here is that you must avoid any distractions that may arise when plans need to be rearranged.
10) WIN - Do not let the recount become a distraction for you to win your election.
