A campaign rally is a high-energy political event where candidates and their supporters gather to hear a candidate speak. Rallies can be used to boost a candidate’s popularity, to raise funds or to inform voters of the candidate’s platform and message. They are often held in public spaces and can be recorded and broadcast for the media.
Many of the people attending a rally will have already decided who they will vote for, but it’s important to energize the base and encourage them to go out and vote. In addition to that, rallies can be a way for a candidate to make their pitch to undecided voters.
If a rally meets the criteria for a regulated campaign activity (which includes cost, purpose and attendance) then it must be reported to the Elections Office. The reportable costs can include the cost of promoting or advertising the rally, the cost of providing seating and any other expenses associated with hosting the event.
One of the key elements to a successful rally is to start on time and stay on schedule. When possible, it’s a good idea to start an hour before the scheduled starting time so that there are no unanticipated logistical issues. Also, it can be helpful to invite speakers from your own community to help energize the audience and keep things moving along smoothly. Additionally, chants can be a great way to get the crowd involved and energized. They’re quick, simple to learn and can be very effective.
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