VAN has an extraordinarily broad range of available tools to perform field actions and run analysis. However, another major benefit of using and improving VAN is that Democratic/Progressive firms have been building tools around the VAN data ecosystem that compliment and improve our field efforts. These tools integrate with VAN so that all our data stays in one easily accessible place.
TargetSmart ListMatch
We get information from tons of different, disparate data sources. If you’ve got an excel spreadsheet or csv of people that you need to match to the voter file, you can send it to the MDP data team and we’ll do our best to match it to the voter file. Once you’ve got a VAN ID for the people in your list, you can upload it to VAN as a saved list or bulk upload into an activist code or survey question.
Rules:
We only offer listmatching for lists larger than 300 records. It will be faster to match small lists by hand than through setting up an automatic process.
All lists must contain first name, last name, and zip code at a bare minimum. The more information you give us, the higher the match rate.
Lists must match the sample columns below.
Lists must be shared as a csv (comma separated values). You can convert .xls, .xlsx, .txt, .tsv, etc. to a csv
Sample list for matching: Lists MUST be in this format to be matched.
Other Vendors/Services
The above are services that the MDP is working with directly. However, there are many vendors and technology companies working in the progressive data ecosystem, and we’re happy to work with them to get you what you need.
We do have a couple rules if a vendor is going to be working with Michigan Data:
They must have a way to get any field data back into VAN
We require any texting vendor you’re working with to have an existing VAN API integration
We can work with non-texting vendors who might not have an integration, but you must have a clear plan to get this data back into VAN.
They must only work with Democratic or Progressive Causes
We cannot provide field or voter data to a firm that is working with Republican or conservative campaigns as well. This is a security risk.
List of Vendors with Approved VAN Integrations
The following vendors have approved VAN Integrations. You’ll have to work with their support team to get the API set up on the vendor side, but we can approve API key requests for the following vendors. Please see the next page for more information about what an API key is and how to request one.
We did our best to organize them by main function, but many of these vendors have multiple or overlapping service areas. Their inclusion here is not an endorsement, just an acknowledgement that they have a working VAN integration.
Peer-to-Peer Texting
TextOut (Website)
Hustle (Website)
ThruText (Website) (Formerly Relay)
Spoke (Website)
Scale to Win (Website)
Relational Organizing
Reach (Website)
Empower (Website) (Formerly myRVPlist)
OutVote (Website)
OutReach Circle (Website)
Team by Tuesday (Website)
Distributed Organizing
Control Shift (Website)
Email Engagement/Digital/Sign-Up Forms
Mobilize America (Website)
ActionKit (Website)
Blue State Digital (Website) (EA Tools)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an API?
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is how two different web services interact with each other in an automatic way. VAN has an API that external programs can use to communicate back and forth with VAN so that your contact efforts make it back to your campaign in a unified database.
Individual software vendors are responsible for developing their interface with the VAN API. You should be using vendors that can automatically sync your data back to VAN without bulk uploads. We require an API integration for texting and strongly recommend it for any other services (Phone Calls, Relational Organizing, Digital).
How to Request an API Key
If you’re working with a new vendor who has a VAN integration, you’ll need to request an API Key for that vendor.
Note: Only the top level user for a committee can request an API Key. Field Director or Data Director
Under the administrative menu in VAN, select “Integrations” then “API Integrations.”
In the top right, select “Request an API Key”
Select the Integration for your vendor from the dropdown menu
Once your request is approved, go back to the Integrations page, scroll to that particular integration, and select “Generate API Key”
Copy the API Key and either enter it into the service you are using or send it to the vendor’s tech team/account rep, depending on their workflow.
DO NOT send an API Key in a plain text email. Use onetimesecret.com if you need to transfer a highly sensitive credential electronically.
We can help with anything on the VAN side. However, you will need to work with the Vendor’s tech or support team to get the integration set up on their side.