While this document outlines the guidelines and rules for exports, the MDP reserves the right to approve or deny any export request at our discretion. 


Request and Approval Process


Any time a VAN user wishes to receive a list from VAN in an excel, csv, or txt format, an export request is required. Certain users with lower levels of access may not be able to export or may be limited in the size of export they can make. If the “Export” button on the “My List” page in VAN is grayed out, this is generally the reason. 


Once an export request is made, the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee (“MDSCC”) will review the request as quickly as possible. During that time, additional information may be required. If this is the case, the MDSCC team will follow up with the requester via email. Once reviewed, if the export request is approved, the user will have 48 hours to log back into VAN, choose the export type needed, and download the list. If the user is outside that 48 hours, they will need to request the export again. 


Export requests made before 6:00 pm EST will be reviewed as quickly as possible. Export requests  made after 6:00 pm EST will be reviewed the following morning, Monday - Friday. Requests outside those hours will be reviewed Monday morning. Please note that the support hours are expanded closer to Primary and General elections. 


When a request is approved or denied, the requester will receive an automated email to the email listed on its VAN user account. If approved, the user will need to login to VAN to download the export. 


Export Requirements

Targeted

All exports must be targeted. Full district exports will not be approved. 

Purpose of export cannot be done in VAN

Anything that can be done in VAN needs to be done in VAN. No exports for canvassing, phone banking, or lit drops will be approved. There are effective ways to set up these types of programs in VAN without the need of an export. 


Generally approved exports:

  • Householded Mailing

  • Postcards

  • Digital Advertising

  • Phone Vendors* 

    • *Additional requirements


Generally denied exports:

  • Phone banking 

    • Virtual Phone Banks are always recommended when possible. See page 18 of the VANual

    • See page 47 of the VANual for instructions for printing PDF call sheets. 

  • Door-to-door canvassing

    • MiniVAN is always recommended over paper sheets when possible. See page 23 of the VANual

    • See page 47 of the VANual for instructions on printing PDF walk sheets.  

  • Texting


Submitting an Export Request

When submitting an export request, you must include the following information in the Detailed Description of Usage box:


  • A description of what type of contact the export will be used for, e.g. mail, digital ads, etc.

  • A brief description of your targeting

  • If the list is going to a vendor, you’ll need to include the name, phone, email, and website for the vendor. 


Once your request has been submitted, our team will begin a review of your request. If follow up is required, you will be contacted via email at the email address you use to login to VAN. Once your request has been approved or denied, you’ll receive an automated email from VAN.