Political campaign staff

Their tasks can include addressing envelopes, entering data into databases, and canvassing voters on behalf of the campaign.

The field department focuses on the "on-the-ground" organizing that is required in order to personally contact voters through canvassing, phone calls, and building local events.

Field staffers are the primary liaison between the campaign and local influentials such as interest group leaders and prominent community activists.

Field departments are also often primarily responsible for the local distribution of "swag" i.e. lawn signs, bumper stickers, buttons, and other such materials.

The communications department oversees both the press relations and advertising involved in promoting the campaign in the media.

Small campaigns often involve casual fundraising events and phone calls from the candidate to donors asking for money.

Larger campaigns will include everything from high-priced sit-down dinners to e-mail messages to donors asking for money.

The legal department makes sure that the campaign is in compliance with the law and files the appropriate forms with government authorities.

This department will also be responsible for tracking all financial transactions, including bank reconciliations, loans and backup for in-kind donations.

After the election, the compliance and legal department must still respond to audit requests and, when required, debt retirement.