Walk list setup
How to build route-optimized walk lists from a territory, import voter data, and assign and reassign them to canvassers.
On this page
A walk list is the ordered set of addresses one canvasser visits during a session, scoped to a single territory. Only one canvasser can hold a walk list at a time. For an overview of territories and sessions, see Canvassing.
Generating a walk list
Open Canvassing, select Walk Lists, then Generate walk list. Pick a source territory. The system pulls every address within that territory's boundary and runs a nearest-neighbor route algorithm over them, producing a numbered sequence that minimizes walking distance.
Name the list, optionally attach a script, and set a scheduled date. The list starts in Draft and advances to Ready once entries are created. You can cap the entry count and filter by a contact segment to target a subset of addresses.
Importing voter-file data
Load addresses from a voter file or external list via the Import Voters dialog on the walk list detail page. Upload a CSV, map its columns to OrganizeOS fields (required: voter identifier and primary address; optional: name, city, state, zip code, phone, email, party affiliation), preview the records, then import. Each row becomes a walk list entry. The importer matches against existing CRM contacts on email, then on address and name, creating a new contact if none is found.
Imported voter data is stored per address entry and visible to the canvasser. If your plan includes a voter-file quota, the import warns before a batch would exceed it.
Assigning a walk list
On the walk list detail page, open Actions and select Assign Canvasser. If the list is checked out or has had activity in the last seven days, a confirmation dialog appears. Both assignees receive an in-app notification. You can include an optional note (up to 500 characters) on the notification to the previous assignee.
Checkout, ownership, and statuses
Starting a session claims the walk list. While checked out, the detail page shows who holds it and the Start canvassing button is disabled for everyone else. A checkout expires after four hours; a scheduled job runs every 15 minutes to release stale checkouts.
The holder can click Release to free the list immediately. Org owners and admins can Force release a checkout held by another user; the displaced canvasser is notified.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Created but entries not yet generated |
| Ready | Entries exist; list is available to start |
| In Progress | An active session is running |
| Completed | All entries have been worked |
| Archived | Retired from active use |
The detail page shows a breakdown of entries by attempt status, a progress bar, and a contact rate.
Why this matters
Walk lists turn a territory into a structured, accountable workflow. When each address is sequenced and owned by a single canvasser, you eliminate duplicate contacts, reduce volunteer confusion, and get an accurate picture of coverage as sessions complete. Assigning lists through OrganizeOS also ties every door knocked back to your CRM, so the data you collect in the field shows up immediately on contact records. Over time, that connection between field activity and your contact database makes follow-up and re-engagement significantly more effective.