Using Google Maps for Precincts

[austin356]

I have taken the data provided by the campaign (well I skipped and went directly to their source for better information) and made google maps of the precincts and now am collaborating the data with other nearby captains. I would have had to call off our massive 20,000 home canvass this weekend if the software did not exists.

Example of some of the precincts we have mapped:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102797575003937427916.000442f4776ed44d8c06a&ll=33.286916,-86.995239&spn=0.865571,1.450195&z=10&om=1

[wealeat]

Could you explain how you did it? I was going to do this, as well, and looking for pointers.

[austin356]

Could you explain how you did it? I was going to do this, as well, and looking for pointers.


You must be logged in with your Google account.
Then go to Google Maps and then click on the My Maps tab on the top left.

Then create a map. Then edit that map with the small fairly crappy toolbar that comes up at the top. All it has is lines, placemarks, and shapes.

Shapes outline the precinct.
Lines can divide up a precinct (important for a large precinct like we have in AL).
Placemarks can mark Ron Paul supporters and added contact information.


The trickiest part is getting the precinct maps data. Here is the precinct maps for College Station:
http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=2482

No such data exist anywhere in this state, even the SoS cannot provide it for me, so I had to make my own using the "search precinct for voters" function of the voter databases.

[wealeat]

Thanks.