PoliticsJuly 17, 2026
canvassing
/ˈkænvəsɪŋ/
Definition
The act of systematically contacting people to gather information, solicit votes, or collect registration forms.
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'canevas' (canvas), the term originally referred to straining through a canvas fabric. By the 16th century, it evolved to mean 'sifting through' or 'discussing thoroughly,' eventually leading to its modern political sense of vetting individuals or opinions.
In the news
In this article, the term refers to a group's efforts to collect and submit voter registrations, which became a point of contention when a Michigan official flagged them as suspicious.
Trump Says These Documents Prove His False Claims of Election Fraud. Here's What They Really Say
Read the full article ↗U.S. News & World Report