Political Campaign Software Development: Digitizing Grassroots Canvassing

The Client

Our Client is a US-based technology company that specializes in providing a suite of digital tools designed to support political campaigns and organizations.

Their main products include a political campaign management app that connects campaigns with a national network of on-demand canvassers; a peer-to-peer texting app that enables sharing customized messages to contact lists; a fundraising app that streamlines the process of collecting donations.

By leveraging these digital solutions, the Client aims to level the playing field for campaigns and organizations across the United States. The company's technology has been deployed in the majority of states, providing access to powerful tools that were previously only available to larger, well-funded campaigns. Through this suite of products, they are helping to digitize and modernize political efforts at all levels, empowering a diverse range of campaigns to compete effectively in the digital age.

Binary Studio don’t just go through the motions - they take the lead, really listen to our vision, and then cook up working solutions tailored to our needs.

Their passion, initiative and roll-up-the-sleeves work ethic were key to making our ambitious platform goals a reality.

Political Technology Company

CTO

Political Campaign Software Development: Digitizing Grassroots Canvassing-1 USA

Objectives

The Client partnered with Binary Studio to develop political campaign software from the ground up. They sought a tech partner with a proven track record in providing end-to-end product development services, including process management, architecture design, and product deployment.

01

Digitalize the canvassing experience for political campaign management

Our Client aimed to create a platform that allows political organizations and candidates to design surveys and connect them with canvassers. These canvassers would then conduct in-person interviews with voters and submit responses via a mobile app, streamlining the data collection process. The primary objective was to release the core functionality, which included creating surveys in a web app and a linked canvassing app for managing walkbooks and processing payments.
02

Enable content sharing and peer-to-peer texting

To further support political campaigns, they wanted to introduce features that allowed campaign information to be distributed through peer-to-peer text messaging.
03

Expand the software capabilities and process large data volumes

Following the successful release of the core functionality, the Client decided to enhance the software's features. Given the cyclical nature of political campaigns, the current focus is on improving the software's ability to handle large data volumes and update the app accordingly, ensuring optimal performance during peak campaign periods.

Solution and Outcome

Binary Studio developed the canvassing app and the peer-to-peer texting app from the ground up, designing the entire architecture and implementing an automated CI/CD deployment process.
We’ve also been working on the Client’s fundraising platform, which is described in detail in this case study.
The software development process was divided into several stages, aligning with the client's objectives.

.NET

React

React Native

Flutter

MS Azure

PostgreSQL

Bitbucket Pipelines

Codemagic

Firebase

Stripe

Stage 1
In the first stage of the project, Binary Studio focused on delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with core functionality within a six-month timeframe. The MVP was designed to validate the concept and provide a foundation for future enhancements.
The political canvassing platform consisted of three main components:
- Server application (backend): The backend was built using .NET to handle all requests, including those from canvassers, ensure data validity, and manage the central database for efficient data processing.
- Web application (frontend): The web application was developed using React and designed for two primary user roles: Super Admins, responsible for platform settings and management, and Clients, who could create surveys and manage walkbooks.
- Mobile app: The mobile app was developed using React Native, enabling a single codebase to support both iOS and Android platforms. Designed for canvassers to conduct surveys and input data on the go, the mobile app provides a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and data entry. It communicates with the backend server to send survey responses and receive updates. Additionally, we integrated Firebase Cloud Messaging, a cross-platform messaging solution, to send real-time notifications. This integration allows the app to alert users about new canvassing tasks, updates on their assigned walkbooks, and other critical information, ensuring a seamless and efficient canvassing experience.
To manage payments for canvassers, Binary Studio implemented integration with Stripe. Before selecting and accepting a walkbook, canvassers can view its details, including distance, number of houses and voters, and the reward amount.
To ensure a smooth development process and maintain code quality, Binary Studio implemented automated releases and a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline using Bitbucket Pipelines along with Codemagic to automate mobile releases. This approach allowed for frequent iterations, early bug detection, and faster time-to-market.
The development process followed the Scrum methodology with two-week sprints, ensuring incremental releases and continuous improvement.
Stage 2
Following the successful release of the MVP, Binary Studio focused on expanding the platform's capabilities by enhancing functionality, security, and user experience.
- To optimize walkbook formation and minimize costs, Binary Studio developed an advanced distribution algorithm. The algorithm considered factors such as landscape details and accessibility for more accurate route planning. Population density and distance rates were calculated to exclude economically unviable routes.
- Advanced filtering options were introduced to allow canvassers to filter available walkbooks based on distance, number of houses and voters, and costs. This feature empowered canvassers to make informed decisions when selecting walkbooks that aligned with their preferences.
- Fraud detection was a critical feature implemented to ensure the integrity of the collected data. By utilizing location tracking and calculating survey completion times, the system could identify and prevent fraudulent activities. Suspicious behavior was flagged by monitoring the geographic location of canvassers and analyzing the time taken to complete surveys. This feature maintained the accuracy and reliability of the data, instilling confidence in the platform's results.
- To strengthen platform security, Binary Studio implemented Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for super admins. This additional layer of security required super admins to provide a second form of authentication, typically through a mobile device, in addition to their password.
- Payment options were also enhanced, with the addition of partial payout functionality and an expanded list of available payment methods. These improvements provided greater flexibility and convenience for canvassers receiving their earnings.
The feature enhancements implemented by Binary Studio significantly elevated the capabilities and security of the platform, making it a more robust and user-friendly solution for political canvassing.
Stage 3
To further support political campaigns and extend the reach of their platform, the Client requested the development of additional peer-to-peer text messaging functionality. It was decided to offer it as a separate app, to cater to the specific needs of political campaigns while maintaining the integrity and focus of the canvassing app.
With the goal of ensuring low development time, cost-effectiveness, high performance, and easy maintenance, we selected the combination of Flutter and Firebase to build the peer-to-peer text messaging app. It enables users to quickly and easily text donation links, event news, and other important campaign messages to their entire contact lists.
The key features include customized content sharing, instant outreach through push notifications, peer-to-peer text messaging, personalized contact with unique messages, and data analytics for monitoring engagement metrics.
Stage 4
As preparations for the 2024 elections began, one of the key objectives was to optimize the political campaign software’s ability to handle large data volumes of updated voter database.
To achieve this, Binary Studio's team collaborated closely with the Client’s CTO to design and implement a solution using Azure Functions. This approach enabled the platform to efficiently process files up to 20 GB in size without compromising server performance. By leveraging Azure Functions, the existing data import functionality was significantly enhanced, allowing the app to handle substantial datasets with ease.
In addition to optimizing data processing capabilities, Binary Studio continues to work on new features and improvements for the platform.
Throughout the project, the Client has relied on our expertise to manage the entire product development process, from ideation to deployment and ongoing enhancements. Binary Studio has played a crucial role in bringing the Client’s vision to life, providing a full range of software development services and ensuring the successful implementation of the platform.

Developing a Game-Changing Political Canvassing Software Platform

The collaboration between the Client and Binary Studio has resulted in a powerful canvassing solution that matches campaigns with a national network of over 1,000 on-demand canvassers, enabling the launch of full-scale field programs in days. The app streamlines canvasser hiring, deployment, and management, allowing campaigns to focus on their core objectives.
Equipped with smart route optimization, fraud detection, and seamless payment processing, the created platform has transformed the way political campaigns mobilize supporters and gather critical voter data.
Throughout the project, Binary Studio has consistently delivered comprehensive solutions that adapt to the Client's evolving needs. Demonstrating a strong sense of product ownership, Binary Studio has helped create a platform that facilitates effective voter engagement and drives meaningful change in the political landscape.

About Binary Studio

Binary Studio is a boutique software development company, regularly praised for its unique blend of engineering excellence and product ownership that enables its clients to build robust and scalable software products.
With our development team made up of top 0.5% international tech talent, we build web and mobile platforms using Node.js, .NET, React Native, Flutter, and integrating AI and ML. We also offer full-cycle QA and project management services to ensure the efficient delivery.
Our clients see us as a trusted partner dedicated to turning visions into great products. This is proven by 200+ delivered projects, more than two decades of business excellence, and stellar customer reviews.

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