This summer, you could find our fellows registering voters at World Cup watch parties, tattoo shops, barbershops, concerts, citywide “hot girl walks,” dispensaries, and anime conventions. Not exactly the places you’d expect to find a Democratic voter registration operation. But that was the point.

When I joined the DNC this spring as National Voter Registration Director, I wanted to rethink how we reach young voters, especially working-class and non-college youth that traditional campaign outreach too often misses.

About 60% of young people ages 18–24 aren’t enrolled in college. Yet so much of what we think of as youth organizing happens on college campuses. Campus organizing is important, but it’s only part of the picture.

So where do we find everyone else?

That question helped shape When We Count, the DNC’s first-ever partisan youth voter registration fellowship, which my team and I built and piloted in Arizona and Nevada.

Our goal was to expand the Democratic electorate by reaching young people in places traditional campaigns often don’t have the time or resources to go, while training the next generation of Democratic campaign organizers.

Our fellows learned to find events on Instagram, Partiful, and Eventbrite; organize in third spaces; and register voters through their own social networks. They showed up everywhere from neighborhood businesses and concerts to Walmart parking lots and late-night food spots—often even registering voters on public transit between shifts.

Training the Next Generation of Democratic Organizers

Our Fellows are some of the most effective spokespeople for the DNC precisely because they do not come from traditional political or organizing backgrounds. Many found us through Instagram ads, and they reflect the communities we’re trying to reach and speak authentically to the issues that matter to working people.

Through rigorous training, our 112 fellows learned to navigate voting laws, organize in unconventional spaces, and persuade people who weren’t politically engaged that their vote mattered and that they should be Democrats.

In September, my team published our When We Count training materials in the DNC’s Playbook Addendum after training thousands of organizers and volunteers from state and county parties and coordinated campaigns across the country. We’re taking what we learned in Arizona and Nevada and changing how our party reaches voters in 2028 and beyond.

Thousands of New Voters Who Might Otherwise Have Been Missed

In just a few months, our fellows registered thousands of new voters across Arizona and Nevada. Of those voters, 89% were under 35, 61% identified as people of color, and 47% identified as Latino.

Our work is part of a broader shift in Arizona’s voter registration landscape. As NBC News recently reported, Democrats are beginning to reverse their voter registration losses following the 2024 election. In Arizona alone, Democrats gained ground on Republicans by 10,851 registrations between late 2025 and mid-2026. In the final weeks, our fellows helped outregister Republicans in Maricopa County more than 2 to 1.

We’re already scaling this approach beyond Arizona and Nevada, training thousands of organizers and volunteers nationwide and incorporating our strategies into the DNC’s Playbook Addendum. We’re building a new generation of Democratic organizers and changing how our party reaches voters in 2028 and beyond.

But here’s what should really scare Republicans: we didn’t disappear when voter registration deadlines passed.

Our fellows are now reconnecting with the young people they met over the summer and fall, picking up conversations they started at bars, community events, and neighborhood hangouts, and helping those voters make plans for Election Day.

These aren’t cold calls from strangers. They’re follow-up conversations with people our fellows have already met, talked politics with, and helped register to vote.

We’re turning one-time voter registration conversations into ongoing relationships, and those relationships into plans to vote.

For Republicans, the challenge isn’t just the new voters entering the electorate. It’s the possibility that those voters, and the young organizers reaching them, will still be showing up years from now.

There is still time to get involved and ensure every voter’s voice is heard. Help us show Republicans the power of grassroots organizing this Election Day.

Here is how you can take action today:

Make Calls to Our Key Battlegrounds

Direct conversations with voters are hands-down the single most powerful way to win elections. Join our national phone bank team to reach voters across key battleground districts and states! Every call helps move the needle in races that will be decided by razor-thin margins.

Help Get Out the Vote

Join Our Voter Protection Efforts

Protecting the right to vote is one of the most critical things we can do on Election Day. From answering hotline calls to supporting voters directly at the polls, our voter protection team is on the front lines to ensure every single vote is cast and counted.

Volunteer to Support Voter Protection

Don’t stop there! If you’ve already cast your ballot, take five minutes today to reach out to your family, friends, and neighbors to make sure they’re ready to vote too. They can easily check their registration and make a voting plan at IWillVote.com. Plus, download our Know Your Rights at the Polls guide to educate and empower voters across your community!

Know Your Rights One-Pager

Spanish Know Your Rights One-Pager

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We are exactly one week out from Election Day — the day we take a stand against the Trump administration, dismantle the MAGA trifecta, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot who will address the issues that matter most. We’ve been organizing, mobilizing, and rallying for two years for this very moment, and it’s officially time to take back our country

This week, we’re highlighting everything you need to know to cast your ballot on or before Election Day. From early voting information to critical deadlines and voter protection opportunities, this is your one-stop shop to ensure you and your community successfully make your voices heard on November 3.

Thank you for every second volunteered, every dollar donated, and for standing with us in this fight. Let’s achieve the blue wave together.

Best,

Olivia

Lock In Your Plan to Vote (It Takes 2 Minutes)

The most important thing you can do in these final days is to make a plan to vote. The midterms are coming down to the wire, and it’s time to decide how you’ll cast your ballot on or before November 3.

Making a plan to vote can feel intimidating. Navigating requirements like checking registration, finding polling locations, or requesting a mail-in ballot can often feel overwhelming.

That’s why we created IWillVote.com, your one-stop shop for checking your voter registration, finding your polling location, requesting an absentee ballot, and finding information on all things voting. Simply select your state and find all of your information in one place.

Take just two minutes to confirm your plan to vote today!

IWillVote.com

Once you’ve confirmed your voter registration and locked in your plan, let us know in the comments for a chance to win an official “I Will Vote” sticker or button!

Skip the Lines: Everything You Need for Early Voting

Check voting off your to-do list this week.

Across the nation, Democrats are turning out in record numbers for early voting. If you want to skip the lines on Election Day, early voting is open RIGHT NOW in states across the country. Help build momentum for the Blue Wave and make your plan to vote early today!

Early Voting Information

Become a VoPro Hero and Join Our Protection Team

Want to help ensure every eligible vote is cast and counted? Join our Voter Protection team as a volunteer!

Whether you serve as a poll watcher in your community, staff our hotline to answer voter questions, or share vital information with neighbors, there’s an impactful role for you in keeping our elections free, fair, and accessible.

Fill out our Voter Protection Volunteer Survey today to get involved!

Voter Protection Volunteer Survey

Got Questions at the Polls? We’ve Got Your Back

If you see something at the polls, say something!

Our voter hotline at 1-833-DEM-VOTE (1-833-336-8683) answers questions that can’t be easily answered online. If you have questions about polling or run into issues at the polls, call our hotline for answers.

Our team is monitoring the hotline and is prepared to field questions about voter purging, poll worker misconduct, voting machines, accessibility, and more. The hotline regularly operates on weekdays from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, and expands to both weekdays and weekends from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET starting in October during election years.

Voter Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss

Whether you plan to vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person on Election Day, staying ahead of key deadlines is essential. Check out our official State Voting Guide to find critical deadlines for voter registration, mail-in requests, and ballot return options in your state.

Help Us Flip Seats & Power the Blue Wave

Help us sprint across the finish line!

In the final eight days, our grassroots community must join the fight to help elect Democrats on November 3. If you have time this week, join us to call voters, knock on doors, and ensure that folks’ voter registration is up to date. Whether you want to volunteer right from your home or join members of your community, there’s an opportunity for you!

Explore our official volunteer hub to find an opportunity that fits your schedule and help us take back Congress.

Volunteer Opportunities

On the Ground: Latest Updates From Chair Martin

As we work to get out the vote, Chair Ken Martin has been on the ground organizing in communities nationwide and supporting Democrats up and down the ballot.

Catch up on the Chair’s recent trip to mobilize voters in Florida, where he kicked off his visit chatting with the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus and Luis Salazar, who is running for Florida House District 64.

Chair Martin also connected with Brian Nathan, one of 31 Democrats who have flipped state legislative seats since Trump took office.

To wrap up the trip, Chair Martin headlined a rally alongside Angie Nixon, inspiring voters to elect leaders who will champion working families in the U.S. Senate.

How Democrats Are Showing Up Early to the Polls

Across the country, voters are showing up early to cast their ballot! That means every moment counts as we work to turn out voters and secure victories in key battlegrounds.

The Democratic National Committee has invested year-round to build momentum, and early turnout numbers show inspiring results. Read the latest analysis of early voting trends across key target races!

Early Vote Totals in Battleground Races

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

With Election Day right around the corner, voting is already underway nationwide. Whether casting ballots by mail or in-person during early voting, millions of Americans are already making their voices heard. Michael Bland, Executive Director of Black Men Vote, knows how critical this participation is, especially for Black men. With a distinguished career in political strategy and civic engagement, including serving as Southern Battleground Director and Senior Advisor for Faith Engagement for the Harris-Walz campaign, Michael brings invaluable insight to this work. Under his leadership, Black Men Vote continues to lead transformative initiatives that educate, mobilize, and empower Black men, expand voter access, and drive lasting change in communities nationwide — a mission highlighted this Saturday with National Black Man Voter Day.

Below is our interview with Michael Bland.

Q: What is National Black Man Voter Day, and what inspired it?

National Black Man Voter Day is a coordinated national push to mobilize 100,000 new Black men to vote, anchored on October 24. Four organizations initially came together: the NAACP, 100 Black Men of America, the National Urban League, and Black Men Vote. What inspired it was simple. For years, Black men have been talked about every election cycle: under-analyzed, under-polled, and rarely debated. But they’re rarely talked to by the people and institutions they actually trust. We wanted to change that. Every one of these organizations already has deep relationships with Black men in barbershops, churches, fraternities, mentoring programs, and workplaces. This day connects those networks so they move together.

Q: Why the intentional focus on Black male voters?

When you don’t speak to someone directly, you shouldn’t be surprised when they don’t show up. Black men are not a monolith, and they’re not a problem to be solved. They’re a constituency that has been under-engaged, under-resourced, and often taken for granted. The gap between Black men who say they plan to vote and those who actually cast a ballot is real. In close states, that gap could decide elections for governor, Senate, school board, and district attorney. If we close it, Black men will have a stronger hand in the policies that shape their lives. Focusing on Black men isn’t exclusion. It’s precision.

Q: What key issues are driving Black men to engage today?

Economics comes first: careers, not jobs; wages; the cost of living; and whether you can build something to pass down. Black men want a fair shot at owning a business, buying a home, and keeping their families stable. Public safety and criminal justice come right behind, and they cut both ways. Higher education and the pathways it creates is another real resource that Black men see as critical. Then there’s the future: what our sons and daughters will inherit. Lastly is mental health, when Black men have a soaring rate of suicide that has skyrocketed in recent years. Altogether, Black men just want safe neighborhoods and fair treatment. What I hear most isn’t apathy. It’s “show me how this vote changes my block.”

Q: How does the initiative address fatigue, skepticism, and disengagement?

We don’t fight skepticism by pretending it isn’t earned. Many Black men have voted and watched promises go nowhere, so we start by respecting that. Then we meet them where they are, through messengers they already trust, not a stranger with a clipboard. We’re holding mass calls where Black men can dig into how voting actually works in their state. We’re running a storytelling campaign, #ThisBlackManVotes, so men hear from peers instead of politicians. And we focus on local races, where one vote visibly moves things. I always come back to something my mother taught me: Nobody’s going to save us. We have to show up for ourselves. That’s not cynicism. It’s ownership.

Q: What practical actions can individuals and leaders take?

For individuals: Check your registration today, plan when and where you’ll vote, and bring three men with you, whether that’s your brother, your barber, or your homeboy from the job. One man asking another is still our most powerful organizing tool. For community leaders, pastors, coaches, business owners, and fraternity brothers: Use your platform.

Host a voting conversation, share state deadlines, and post your #ThisBlackManVotes story. Then don’t stop on Election Day. The goal is to build infrastructure so Black men stay engaged in every cycle, not just the big ones.

Support Our Battleground States

As Michael Bland highlighted, real change happens when we show up and mobilize our communities. The future of our nation will be decided in key battleground states where every single vote counts. Get involved today to help turn out voters and build lasting civic power!

Sign Up to Get Involved

Join Our Voter Protection Efforts

Protecting the right to vote is central to expanding voter access for Black men and underrepresented communities across the nation. Join our voter protection team, from answering hotline calls to supporting voters at the polls, to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot and make their voice heard.

Volunteer to Support Voter Protection

Don’t stop there! Make sure to check your voter registration on IWillVote.com and prepare your voting plan. You can also download our Know Your Rights at the Polls guide to help educate and empower voters in your community.

Know Your Rights at the Polls

Know Your Rights at the Polls (Spanish)

Share Your Story

Peer-to-peer engagement and authentic storytelling are at the heart of empowering our communities. Share your voting story today to inspire others to make a plan and take ownership at the ballot box!

Join the Storyteller Form

Share, Subscribe, and Support The Blue Print

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These bootcamps are a free, game-changing program designed to strengthen the talent pipeline in Democratic politics. Building a strong staff is the first step to winning elections, and we’re equipping campaigns and state parties with the skills needed to dominate up and down the ballot in 2026, 2028, and beyond.

This week, we are spotlighting Ty, an alum of the NextWave Regional Bootcamp, who used the skills gained through the training program to cultivate a successful career in Democratic politics. We’re training the next generation of leaders like Ty, and building a pipeline that will help us win for years to come.

Subscribe now

Tell us about your background. What motivated you to pursue a path in politics?

My motivation to pursue politics as a career really started in high school. I’d always been passionate about politics, but I wanted to major in or pursue a career in psychology before going to college. In my last semester of high school, I had an assignment that asked me to reflect on what my life calling is. This became an assignment that I took very seriously. After deep reflection, I came to the conclusion that pursuing a path in politics was my calling. I picked my now-alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C., and majored in Political Science.

From that decision, I got involved in Student Government and founded an LGBTQ+ organization on campus. I was an organizer during the 2024 election and went on to be an organizer deputy for the 2025 Abigail Spanberger campaign in Virginia. Today, I work as a Finance Assistant for the Democratic Party of Georgia.

You attended the NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Charlotte, North Carolina. How did you learn about this program, and what encouraged you to apply?

I was at my college cafe and just happened to go on LinkedIn during a study break, where I saw a post about the DNC doing a free NextWave Regional Bootcamp in Charlotte, North Carolina. I read the program’s description, which sounded perfect as someone who is passionate about campaigns.

There were skills I wanted to develop in my career. For example, I wanted to expand my knowledge of campaigns and the ways different roles function. I’ve always been someone interested in “doing it all,” in a sense, and exploring different roles. I really wanted to get involved in the 2026 midterms in any capacity I could with as much impact as possible, which is why I applied to the NextWave program.

The NextWave Regional Bootcamps aim to train Democratic staffers to build better campaigns and state parties across the country. What trainings did you attend, and what did you find most interesting about them?

I attended the Campaigns 101 track training sessions, which covered a variety of topics for entry-level campaign staffers. We talked about organizing, voter protection and registration, volunteer recruitment and retention, campaign finance and fundraising, communications, digital strategy, and campaign structure.

Some of my favorite training sessions were the resume workshop, the digital strategy training, and the Arena Cup campaign simulation, which was great practice utilizing everything we learned.

There were some interesting findings from these training sessions. For example, we learned new ways to engage voters by meeting them where they are, even if it’s “unconventional.” We also learned how there can be many versatile ways to win a campaign through the campaign simulation, the Arena Cup.

What were the most important skills you learned during the NextWave Bootcamp?

I learned a variety of important skills during the bootcamp. I learned how to operate on campaign databases such as NGP Votebuilder, and learned new ways to create digital content from the digital training. For example, I learned how to design specific graphics to communicate your message. In addition, I discovered a lot more about campaign finance, which made me more drawn to it. Specifically, from the campaign finance and fundraising training, I learned how impactful call time is and about fundraising strategies.

Discuss your current role this election season. How have the skills you learned in the NextWave Regional Bootcamp allowed you to become a better staffer?

After the NextWave program, I began searching for jobs with Democratic campaigns and state parties. The DNC National Training Team, especially Training Manager Cassie Mohr, was incredibly helpful during the job search process.

I now work as a Finance Assistant for the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG). A lot of the work I am doing helps get Democrats elected up and down the ballot by raising money for the party through call time management, our own staff call time sessions, and executing fundraising projects. I also assist the digital team in making content as well, putting the skills learned from NextWave and past experience to use.

The skills I gained through the digital training allowed me to create content for DPG that is engaging for our target audience. The finance training helped me prepare for my role as a finance assistant by clarifying what to expect when staffing call time and how to stay organized and prepared in your schedule.

I am proud to say that I get to work on such an amazing team down here in the great state of Georgia!

Why is NextWave essential for building long-term Democratic power, and what real-world impact have you seen firsthand?

The DNC is building and retaining strong talent across the country by providing trainings like the NextWave Bootcamps to those who are new to campaigns. This allows all of us to be better staff, not only on campaigns, but in any field of Democratic politics.

NextWave is a true testament to how the DNC is helping Democratic state parties and campaigns. I would probably not be working at the Democratic Party of Georgia if it weren’t for NextWave, because I never realized how important our state parties were until this program.

The DNC is helping state parties and campaigns find strong talent to hire in the midterms. I have seen many of my fellow NextWave graduates go on to work for state parties or get involved in local Democratic politics for the midterms, and they do an amazing job. From friends in Colorado, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and more, I am seeing their amazing work and contributions to help Democrats this November.

For my next step in my career, some of my goals include either working on a presidential campaign, continuing to work for a state or national party, or working for an elected official.

It’ll come down to where the next journey will take me!

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Below is our interview with Chair Andrews.

Q: At this moment, what challenges to voting concern you?

The right to vote is under attack, and these attacks aren’t isolated or accidental. As someone deeply engaged in political campaigns and causes, I have a personal motto that guides my activism: Everyone should have access to the ballot box, be informed when they get there, and be confident that their vote will count.

Today, all three principles are being challenged.

Q: How is access to the ballot box being restricted?

Threats to voting access are becoming increasingly common. Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) demanded unredacted voter files. While more than 20 states refused and prevailed in court, my home state of Oklahoma agreed to share voter data in exchange for the DOJ dropping its lawsuit. These actions risk creating fear that personal information could be misused, discouraging voter registration and suppressing participation.

Closing or relocating polling places with little or no notice creates additional barriers. When voters’ carefully made plans are disrupted, especially for working-class people, caregivers, and families, participation suffers.

Q: What’s the impact of misinformation and disinformation in voting?

I am not a fan of the terms misinformation and disinformation. Let’s call it what it is: lies. Social media platforms can amplify lies and distort the public’s understanding of this administration’s record. Voters must seek reliable information, ask direct questions of elected officials and candidates, and respectfully demand answers. An informed electorate is essential to a functioning democracy.

Q: How are fear and intimidation used to shake voter confidence?

Threats of ICE presence at polling places and unfounded claims of widespread voting by ineligible individuals undermine public confidence. Intimidation and baseless accusations can discourage eligible citizens from exercising their rights.

Q: What can be done to counter intimidation tactics?

We must recognize these tactics for what they are: modern versions of counting the number of bubbles in a bar of soap or other barriers once used to deny Americans their fundamental rights. We overcame those obstacles before, and we can overcome today’s challenges.

We must educate ourselves and our communities, understand our ballots and candidates, make a detailed, researched voting plan and vote the entire ballot at every opportunity.

Q: Why do you persist with the fight to protect voting rights?

I remain in this fight because if my ancestors were resilient enough to fight for my right to vote, I can be resilient enough to protect it.

Alicia Andrews

Chair

DNC Women’s Caucus

Support Our Battleground States

The future of our nation will be decided in battleground states, where every single vote is critical. With control of Congress hanging in the balance, we cannot afford to wait. Get involved today and help us mobilize the votes needed to win!

Sign Up to Get Involved

Join our Voter Protection Efforts

Voter protection is essential. As Chair Andrews mentioned, this is a crucial time to protect the vote, and we offer a variety of volunteer roles in our voter protection programs — from the Voter Assistance Hotline to on-site support at the polls — to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot and that every vote is counted accurately.

Volunteer to Support Voter Protection

Don’t stop there! Make sure to check your voter registration on IWillVote.com and prepare your voting plan. You can also download our Know Your Rights at the Polls guide to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected.

Know Your Rights at the Polls

Know Your Rights at the Polls (Spanish)

Share Your Story

Every single story and every single vote matter right now. With Election Day quickly approaching, the stakes for our communities could not be higher. Share your story today and help mobilize our community to drive real change!

Join the Storyteller Network

Share, Subscribe, and Support The Blue Print

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**DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

We are officially in GOTV season, and here at the DNC, we’ve been working around the clock to mobilize voters and back Democratic candidates across the country. From local school boards to Congress, we’re leaving no stone unturned.

Winning big this November won’t be easy, and we need folks like you standing right alongside us. Whether you’re making phone calls from your couch or knocking on doors in key battleground districts, we need all hands on deck to secure wins up and down the ballot.

This week, we’re sharing a guide on how to jump in this GOTV season with great opportunities to help out no matter where you live.

Every single vote counts, and taking back Congress could come down to just a handful of votes. Now more than ever, we need you to show up for our democracy.

See you on the ground,

Olivia

Check Your Voter Registration

To take back Congress, we need to see everyone (and their friends) at the polls!

IWillVote.com is your one-stop shop to check your voter registration, request an absentee ballot, find voting locations, and encourage your friends and family to make a plan.

Check Your Voter Registration Today

If you or someone you know is a U.S. citizen living abroad, be sure to review your home state’s guidelines, request your mail-in ballot, and make a plan to send it back on time.

Information on Voting Abroad

Phone Bank for Democrats

Every single conversation matters this election season. Join the DNC Call Crew to connect directly with voters nationwide and discuss what’s at stake this November.

We will provide step-by-step training covering how to make calls, who we are reaching, and how to maximize your impact. Just log on with a computer and phone and we will walk you through the rest!

Together, we are ensuring voters across the country can make their voices heard in elections at every level. Sign up today!

Phone Bank With The DNC

Battleground Support Hub

The stakes are too high this year to sit on the sidelines. That’s why we’re introducing our Battleground Support Hub, a resource for volunteers nationwide to get involved in our most critical races.

From door knocking in battleground districts to phone banking from home, you can take action and support the races that will determine control of Congress.

Battleground Support Hub

Join Our Digital Network

Help us amplify our message across your community!

The DNC has a Digital Volunteer Hub where grassroots supporters can get real-time toplines, breaking updates, and immediate action opportunities.

Think of it as your one-stop shop for shareable details on key fights, making it easy to mobilize your network in an instant.

Join Our Digital Volunteer Community

If you’re looking for more curated content to amplify the issues that matter to you, click the button below to explore our digital toolkits. Every post makes a difference.

Spread The Word For Democrats Online

Support Voter Protection Efforts

As Republicans continue to threaten voting rights, we’re stepping up to protect access.

Whether you want to serve as a poll observer or share vital voting resources with your community, there are plenty of ways to help make sure every ballot is cast and counted.

Support Voter Protection

Election officials also need hundreds of thousands of people like you to staff your local polling places.

Click the button below to learn more about where to apply, available training, and application deadlines for election workers in your area.

Information on Poll Observing

Find An Opportunity Near You

Ready to head out into your community but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered!

Visit our volunteer homepage to explore local opportunities. Whatever your capacity or experience level, there’s a meaningful role for you.

With only 20 days until Election Day, it is more important than ever to mobilize as many people as possible.

Find A Volunteer Opportunity

The Latest From Chair Martin

When we organize everywhere, we can win anywhere, including Georgia, where Democrats’ momentum is stronger than ever.

Catch up on the Chair’s recent trip to the Peach State, where he met with local leaders, spoke with down-ballot candidates, and canvassed Georgia voters to get out the vote for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Georgia Democrats down the ballot.

Share, Subscribe, and Support The Blue Print

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

My name is Daniel Salazar, and I’m an email strategist on the DNC’s grassroots fundraising team. I help write and send daily emails to millions of our supporters nationwide to raise the critical funds needed to back Democratic candidates, power our voter contact programs, and win crucial races. I want to share my story with you and highlight how the DNC is standing up for our community.

My journey is unique. I was born in Villa Canales, Guatemala, and brought to Dallas, Texas, as an international adoptee before my first birthday. Raised in a Mexican American/Chicano household, my identity has always sat at a powerful intersection. My parents, friends, and community shaped my worldview, instilling in me a duty to use my privilege to fight for justice and dignity for everyone.

As a high school freshman, I witnessed the cruelty of the first Trump administration firsthand. From local officials to federal leaders spouting racist rhetoric, to ICE raids instilling fear in neighborhoods across Texas, I saw our immigrant neighbors targeted. In real time, my community faced the fear, distrust, and hostility driven by the MAGA movement.

Even in a deeply red hometown, my circle stood firm, unapologetically voicing our Democratic values. I constantly told my family, “I wish there was something I could do to help.”

I remember my mom’s response every time was: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”

For generations, Latino and immigrant communities have fought for dignity and justice. That legacy drove me to Texas A&M University, where I organized students, led community action days, and fought back against anti-immigrant policies. Organizing taught me a powerful truth: when we listen to each other, build solidarity, and take collective action, our movement is unstoppable.

Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just a celebration. It’s a rallying cry that our existence is resistance in all the rooms we walk into. With the stakes higher than ever, we can’t sit on the sidelines. I’ve been empowered by community leaders to help deliver mutual aid to immigrant families and sit in to watch immigration court proceedings. I’ve seen on the ground what solidarity looks like in action. Now is the time to mobilize and use our collective voice, vote, and power to fight for justice .

That’s why I’m proud of our work at the DNC. We fight for people, not billionaires. Our movement is powered by over one million everyday Democrats — teachers, nurses, and construction workers — stepping up with what they can to reject Trump’s reckless agenda. Their contributions fuel long-term investments in local organizing, strengthen state parties, and ensure we have the resources needed to win the midterms in November and bring Trump’s agenda to a screeching halt.

Our fundraising team is committed to sharing meaningful updates about our work and explaining how small contributions empower our people-backed movement across the country. Every single day, I am inspired by the millions of grassroots champions standing up for their neighbors against Trump’s inhumane agenda. Local organizers and community leaders are on the front lines of this movement, and it is our duty to ensure they have every resource needed to fight back, organize, and build an equitable future for us all.

If you’ve stuck with me all the way to the end of this, thank you! I truly believe that someday we’ll all look back at this moment and know we played a role in creating something revolutionary.

In solidarity,

Daniel Salazar

DNC Fundraising Team

Support Our Battleground States

Battleground states will decide the future of our nation, and every single vote counts. Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda threatens working families, from raising the cost of living to putting our communities at risk. With control of Congress on the line, we cannot wait another day. Get involved and help us turn out the votes we need to win!

Sign Up to Get Involved

Join our Voter Protection Efforts

Battleground states will decide the future of our nation, and every single vote counts. Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda threatens working families, from raising the cost of living to putting our communities at risk. With control of Congress on the line, we cannot wait another day. Get involved and help us turn out the votes we need to win!

Volunteer to Support Voter Protection

Don’t stop there! Be sure to check your voter registration at IWillVote.com or VoyAVotar.com and make a plan to vote. You can also download our Know Your Rights at the Polls guide to ensure your voice and rights are fully protected.

Know Your Rights at the Polls

Know Your Rights at the Polls (Spanish)

Share Your Story

Every single story and every single vote matter right now. With Election Day quickly approaching, the stakes for our communities could not be higher. Share your story today and help mobilize our community to drive real change!

Join the Storyteller Network

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You can also get involved with the Democrats by texting ‘GOTV’ to 43367

As Nevada’s first Black Attorney General and former State Senate Majority Leader, Ford has spent his career fighting for working families, taking on corporate landlords, opioid manufacturers, and price-gouging corporations.

This cycle, his “Working Class First” and “Stuff Costs Too Much” statewide listening tours took him across all 17 counties to hear directly from Nevadans.

Here’s a direct message from Aaron Ford about his vision for Nevada exclusively for The Blue Print:

“Thank you, Nevada.

I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be attorney general – or the Democratic nominee for governor! I grew up worrying about whether we could afford the basics.

My family relied on public schools and public programs that invested in kids like me. Later, as a single father at 21, I relied on food stamps, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, and WIC to stay afloat. I know what it feels like to do everything right and still come up short at the end of the month. That’s why I became a public school math teacher, and that’s why I’m running to be Nevada’s next governor.

Over the past year, I’ve crisscrossed every county in this state twice. I’ve sat in coffee shops in Pahrump and Tonopah and town halls in Henderson and Carson City – and I’ve heard the same thing: stuff costs too much.

In Reno, I met a young mother who had been laid off and was searching desperately for work to support her family. I’ve met Nevadans who are donating blood to make rent. In Reno this summer, I got behind the line at Señor Tequila with the owner, Mario, and helped make fajitas for the lunch rush. Between orders, he told me the pay he can give his employees isn’t enough for them to support their families. He’s doing everything he can, and the costs keep climbing anyway.

That’s the Trump Lombardo economy! Nevada ranks second in the nation for cost-burdened renters. Joe Lombardo vetoed the bill I fought for to stop corporate landlords from using algorithms to push rents higher. Donald Trump’s Medicaid cuts will push nearly 100,000 Nevadans off their coverage, and our rural communities will be hit hardest. His tariffs are squeezing small businesses like Mario’s, and I’ve sued over them.

As governor, I’ll sign that rent-algorithm ban on day one. I’ll limit how many homes corporate investors can buy, so families can buy them instead. And I’ll fight like hell to protect Nevadans’ healthcare from Washington’s cuts.

Joe Lombardo, on the other hand, has continued to put Trump over Nevada’s working families. Nevadans deserve a fighter who knows what it means to struggle and will lend them a helping hand.

Just as I have done as attorney general, I will continue fighting for you and our state. Nevada gave me a chance when I needed one.

Let’s work together and make Nevada a better place.”

Volunteer With Aaron Ford for Nevada

Democrats in key battleground states like Nevada are fighting to lower costs and strengthen local communities with leaders like Aaron Ford who are stepping up to deliver results and protect working families.

To learn more about the work of the Nevada Democratic Party, including upcoming events, candidate information, and opportunities to get involved, visit the party’s official website.

Nevada Democratic Party

We are also 29 days away from Election Day, and states need your support to help Democrats cross the finish line. If you have even an hour to spare, help Aaron Ford get out the vote!

Volunteer With Aaron Ford

Grassroots supporters like you are powering this movement. Follow Aaron Ford on social media for live updates on his path to flip the governor’s seat blue!

Follow Aaron Ford on Social Media

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When the Trump administration took over, states across the nation ceded their constituents’ rights in alignment with federal immigration policy. In Virginia, we felt the erosion of that public trust directly — with immigrant families across the Commonwealth living through raids that tore through neighborhoods and stoked fear in our communities

This threat wasn’t abstract for families across Virginia heading into last November’s elections. I called it “the second risk”: electing people who were willing to give away our autonomy for good, on top of everything these families have already been dealing with. Our members acted, endorsing candidates who committed to defending our rights up and down the ballot. I couldn’t sit that one out. We launched a strategic, member-led civic engagement campaign called “Know Your Rights, Elect Your Power: Virginia 2025.” Voters listened — and they acted. Latino and Black voters turned out because they knew our fundamental freedoms were on the line.

I know what that turnout was actually protecting because I’ve seen it up close. One family I met in Richmond years ago, one of the thousands of doors I’ve knocked on since 2012, built a life here while undocumented and, through that struggle, found a way to become their own voice, defending their rights in public rather than staying silent. Their daughter was born in Richmond as a United States citizen, but the constitutional promise that made her citizenship possible, birthright citizenship, is under legal and political attack again. As I wrote at the time, “When politicians start debating birthright citizenship, families don’t hear legal theory; they hear instability. If citizenship becomes conditional, belonging becomes fragile. And when belonging is fragile, democracy weakens.” Virginia’s leadership listened, and they’re acting to defend it. That’s the door-knocking effect: one conversation becomes a family’s courage, and a family’s courage can become a movement.

That’s why Hispanic Heritage Month is so much more than dates on the calendar for Latino families. — It’s a month that calls on us to reflect on who opened the door for us, and who we can open it for now. I felt that question directly this year. I was recently featured in the Latino Virginia Project, an archive preserving Latino stories across the Commonwealth. Around that same time, Governor Spanberger appointed me to Virginia’s Office of New Americans Advisory Board. I was sworn in on September 15: El Salvador’s Independence Day and the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. Both moments sent the same message: this work exists only because Black Virginians paid the price of breaking those doors down first, long before us. I said something in that archive I still stand behind: This month was never just about celebrating our own arrival. It’s about recognizing that our seat at this table came from someone else’s fight, and paying that forward means fighting for seats we haven’t even reached yet. That’s the door-knocking effect at its core: every door someone opens for you becomes a door you’re responsible for opening for someone else.

This is the door-knocking effect: one conversation on a doorstep builds trust, trust builds a movement, and a movement — sustained long enough — earns the seat where policy can be written. Hope isn’t something you feel once and move on from. It’s something you build into policy, one knock, one vote, one law at a time.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, that’s what I’m asking of you too: not just hope as a feeling, but hope as civic action.

Our call is HOPE:

H — Honor Your Story

Every family carries a story about what it took to get here and what keeps them fighting to stay. Yours is part of this country’s history too, and we want to hear it.

Join the Storyteller Network

O — Organize Your Community

Nobody builds this alone. I didn’t. Join a phone bank or canvass near you.

Sign Up to Get Involved

P — Protect Your Rights

Uncertainty spreads fastest when people don’t know where they stand. Make sure you and everyone you love have the information to protect yourselves.

Know Your Rights at the Polls One-Pager

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

E — Elect Your Power

The families who showed up last November changed what was possible in Virginia. Check your registration today, then help someone else check theirs.

Check Your Voter Registration

If this reflection resonated, pass it along. The next door someone knocks on might change everything for the family behind it.

About Eduardo Zelaya

Eduardo Zelaya is Director of We Are CASA in Virginia, where he leads organizing and advocacy for immigrant and working-class communities. Under his leadership, We Are CASA has built one of the largest immigrant-led organizing operations in the Commonwealth, focused on developing community members into organizers, advocates, and public spokespeople. His work has driven key policy wins: driver’s license access for undocumented residents (later expanded to longer renewal terms), a higher minimum wage, in-state tuition for undocumented students, and protections preserving trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. He also works at the intersection of immigration and climate policy, given the disproportionate environmental harms facing immigrant and working-class communities. Zelaya previously served as Secretary of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board. He is a professional bodybuilder and is completing a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Nonprofit Management at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

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We’re excited to feature today’s guest, Devon Murphy-Anderson, Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party.

Devon is deeply committed to connecting with folks across the state and hearing from Mainers about the issues that matter most. Since she started as Executive Director in 2025, the Maine Democratic Party has relentlessly scaled up its efforts to support Democratic candidates running up and down the ballot and flip seats.

Continue reading to hear about her incredible accomplishments and what’s ahead for Maine in the 2026 midterms and beyond!

You have a unique background, ranging from your early years lobstering in Casco Bay to your extensive experience in campaign finance and building grassroots voter engagement organizations such as Mi Vecino.

Can you share your journey to becoming Maine Democratic Party Executive Director?

I grew up lobstering with my dad in Casco Bay, and when I was 15, I bought my own skiff, painted it pink, and started a small fishing business. Lobstering is hard work and can be dangerous — the hauler can crush your fingers off, rough weather can capsize you, your feet can get stuck in the rope pulling you overboard — so you have to learn how to trust yourself. Fishing gave me the opportunity to build confidence as a young woman in a male-dominated field and helped me develop a relentless work ethic. No degree or experience has been more foundational in my success than the confidence and work ethic I built lobstering. Many fishermen are self-employed, which means that many families — including mine — don’t have healthcare. Seeing what that meant for my family drove me to get involved in local politics, and after college, I dove in: first working as a fundraiser on a congressional campaign and eventually serving as the Finance Director for the Florida Democratic Party for the 2020 cycle.

After that, I co-founded Mi Vecino, a year-round voter engagement organization in Florida that worked to register and turn out disenfranchised voters, because I had seen firsthand how important it is to build relationships with voters long before an election. Coming home to Maine to lead the Maine Democratic Party felt like an opportunity to bring all of those experiences together and build a state party that is strong year-round, rooted in our communities, and ready for whatever comes our way. My vision for the Party, which we’ve successfully been able to put in place, is to talk to voters on the ground every single day.

How do state parties operate during the general election, and how is the Maine Democratic Party supporting candidates running for office this November?

Strong state parties are absolutely essential to Democratic success, which is what makes our work so meaningful and important. Once we have our nominees, one of our biggest jobs as a state party is making sure candidates have the infrastructure they need to win. That means energetic organizers on the ground, accurate voter data, well-trained volunteers, an aggressive communications strategy, and coordination across campaigns so we are not rebuilding the wheel in every race.

In Maine, I’m so proud that we are supporting Democrats in every corner of our state, from our statewide and federal races to candidates running for the state legislature. Every campaign is different, so our support has to meet candidates where they are and center the people they are running to represent. At the end of the day, our job is to build an operation that can talk to as many Mainers as possible about what is at stake in November and give our candidates the strongest foundation we can.

Your team had roughly two weeks to organize and lead the July U.S. Senate nominating convention. Can you walk us through the process of organizing a convention, and how the Maine Democratic Party adapted to this quick timeline?

Normally, Maine voters choose our nominees through a primary, so what happened this summer was completely outside the norm for us. We were truly plunged into an unfathomable scenario. We had what felt like an impossibly short window to create a process that was secure, accessible, transparent, and gave Democrats across Maine a meaningful voice in choosing a new Senate nominee.

But I have the absolute best team in the country — a group of young people who truly stepped up to serve our state. We quite literally did not sleep until we had come up with a plan that was as inclusive as legally and logistically possible. We organized delegate elections across all 16 of our counties, built a system that allowed verified voters to participate from home, worked with thousands of people who wanted to serve as delegates, and then brought 601 delegates together for the convention in Bangor.

More than 20,000 Maine Democrats were verified to participate in the process, and more than 17,000 ultimately cast ballots in the delegate elections. I am incredibly proud of our staff, county parties, volunteers, and everyone else who stepped up, because we showed that even under extraordinary circumstances, this party has the infrastructure and people to pull off something incredibly difficult. This is just another example as to why strong state parties are vital to our success and how choosing to do the right thing — even if it’s not the easy thing — should be our north star as Democrats.

Maine is well known for being a ticket-splitting state. Maine is led by a Democratic governor, a Republican and an Independent Senator, and voted blue in the 2024 presidential election. What does it look like to lead the Maine Democratic Party in this political climate, and how can we connect with voters across the spectrum?

One of the guiding principles that I center in every one of my strategic decisions is that we cannot — and should not — take any voter for granted. That is especially true in Maine, where we pride ourselves on being independent-minded. I firmly believe that no political party should ever act entitled to anyone’s vote — so, at the Maine Democratic Party, we treat every single vote like it’s on the table and we go after it.

Our job is not just to talk to people who already agree with us; it is to organize everywhere and have real conversations with Mainers about their lives, their families, and what they want from their government. That means showing up in Portland, but it also means showing up in places like Machias, Farmington, Belfast, and communities where Democrats have not always invested enough time or resources. If we want to win races at every level, we have to be willing to go everywhere and talk to everyone.

And right now, like working people across this country, hardworking Mainers are being crushed under the cost of living. We have Democratic candidates on every level of our ballot that have actual, tangible plans on how to lower the costs of healthcare, heating, gas, groceries, and housing.

What is the most rewarding part of traveling across Maine and meeting voters in their own communities?

Maine is a small state in population, but massive in geography. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my siblings and I piled into my dad’s pick-up truck and driving all across Maine — trips to the dump, road trips up the coast to get a part for the boat, to a gravel pit to shoot our .22s, or up to Penobscot County to go hunting. Our communities have a lot in common — our resiliency, our work ethic, our love of New England sports — but also are incredibly different. The issues someone is talking about in a fishing community on the coast may sound different from what you hear from a family in rural western Maine, but so often the underlying concerns are the same: Can I afford to live here? Can my kids build a life here? Will there be a hospital nearby when my family needs one?

Those conversations are a reminder that good organizing starts with listening. They also make us better at our jobs, because the way we communicate should reflect what Mainers are actually telling us, not what people sitting in an office assume they care about.

State parties are only as strong as the infrastructure behind them. How do DNC investments translate into real capacity on the ground in Maine?

DNC investments give state parties the ability to build infrastructure before we desperately need it. That means maintaining our voter data, hiring and retaining staff, supporting organizers and volunteers, investing in technology, and having the basic capacity to respond when something unexpected happens.

This summer was a perfect example: When we suddenly had to build an unprecedented statewide nominating process on an incredibly short timeline, we were able to do it because there was already an organization in place. The DNC’s support for state parties recognizes that this work cannot start a few months before Election Day and disappear afterward. The more we invest in permanent infrastructure now, the stronger we are not just this November, but in every election that comes next.

For the donors reading this, what is a common misconception about state party work that you wish people understood better?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that state parties just operate during an election year, help candidates win, and then disappear until the next one. In reality, some of our most important work at the Maine Democratic Party happens long before most voters are thinking about an election. For example, last year was not an “off-year” for us. The MDP invested six figures in a massive statewide field operation that knocked over 50,000 doors and made hundreds of thousands of calls to help defeat a ballot question that would have made absentee voting much harder for rural, working, and senior Mainers.

We also invested in a Down Ballot Victory program with three field staffers who helped us win 51 of 70 local races like school board, town selectboard, and more. We also train and support county parties, build relationships in communities, and raise money to fund it all. A lot of that work is not particularly glamorous, and most of it will never make the news, but campaigns cannot succeed without it. Every investment in a state party helps us build something that lasts beyond one candidate or one election.

What does success look like for the Maine State Party in 2026?

Success means building the strongest possible operation to support Democrats in every corner of our state and making sure we are competing everywhere in Maine. Chair Ken Martin talks about the need to “organize everywhere” so Democrats can “win anywhere,” and that is exactly how we are approaching this election. Chair Martin himself even came up to Maine to help us win a special State House election in Lewiston, a community that was being terrorized by ICE.

We are investing in organizing across the state, strengthening our county parties, talking to voters in communities big and small, and making sure candidates have the infrastructure behind them to run strong campaigns. But I also want us to come out of November with a stronger party than the one we started with — more volunteers, deeper relationships with our communities, and more Mainers who see a place for themselves in our Party. Because we truly are the Party of working people. Winning elections matters, but building an organization capable of winning again and again matters too.

Learn More About the Maine Democratic Party and Get Involved

To learn more about the work of the Maine Democratic Party, including upcoming events, candidate information, and opportunities to get involved, visit the Party’s official website.

Maine Democratic Party

You can also follow the Maine Democratic Party on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) for updates on organizing efforts, legislative priorities, and statewide initiatives throughout the 2026 cycle and beyond.

If you’ve enjoyed our spotlights on party leaders here on The Blue Print, let us know in the comments who you’d like to hear from in the coming months!

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This week, we want to introduce you to Curtis Hertel, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Since taking office, he has worked tirelessly to modernize party infrastructure and invest in everyday working families by building a robust, year-round organizing program across the state. From major urban centers to the Upper Peninsula, the MDP is ensuring no community is overlooked as momentum builds across Michigan, especially in its fight to elect a Democratic trifecta this November.

Learn more about Chair Hertel’s background, recent accomplishments, and the party’s midterm strategy in our latest interview.

You have a remarkable career, previously serving in the Michigan State Senate. Can you discuss why you decided to run for Michigan Democratic Party Chair and what you hope to accomplish in this position?

I’ve dedicated my career to public service guided by a simple belief: when we work together, we make a real difference in people’s lives. Throughout my career in public office, I’ve stayed focused on delivering results. As an Ingham County Commissioner, I fought to expand healthcare access to thousands of residents before the ACA and helped pass a living wage ordinance.

Later, as Register of Deeds, I took on major national banks to keep families in their homes. In the State Senate, I helped build the coalition that won Michigan’s first Democratic trifecta in decades. And as Legislative Director for Governor Whitmer, I helped oversee one of the most productive legislative sessions in state history, restoring workers’ rights, lifting thousands of children out of poverty, and cutting taxes for working families.

At its core, the Democratic Party is the party of working people, and we’re at our best when we stay focused on that mission. As Chair, I’ve prioritized building year-round organizing and voter protection programs to deliver on that promise across all 83 counties. I’m optimistic about growing our strength this November so we can continue delivering for working families.

Michigan is a true battleground state, with a Democratic governor but voted Republican in the 2024 presidential election. What does it look like to lead Democrats in a swing state, and how do you focus on winning up and down the ballot?

As I mentioned, Democrats win when we deliver on our core mission of fighting for working families. That’s why rebuilding grassroots organizing has been central to my work as Chair.

The MDP’s job is to empower local organizers doing the critical work on the ground. During my tenure, we’ve helped revitalize dormant county parties and compete everywhere. Just last month, I visited every county in the Upper Peninsula. Even in traditionally conservative areas, the enthusiasm for Democratic values is palpable.

Heading into the midterms, we’re proud to have 25 field offices open statewide with nearly 80 full-time organizers on the ground.

State parties are only as strong as the infrastructure behind them. How do DNC investments translate into real capacity on the ground in Michigan?

We’re deeply grateful for the support of our coalition partners, including unions, grassroots activists, progressive groups, and the DNC. DNC investments allow us to sustain full-time organizing and voter protection operations year-round. This infrastructure ensures Democrats remain competitive in every district while safeguarding voting rights across the state.

Our goal is to ensure voters in every community know Democrats are present, listening, and working for them every single day.

You have helped deliver some of the biggest legislative wins in Michigan, from repealing the retirement tax to bringing thousands of children out of poverty. How have these accomplishments shaped your vision for your leadership?

The Democratic trifecta delivered transformative results: restoring labor rights, expanding access to free school meals for all children, lifting families out of poverty, and providing targeted tax relief for working households.

These policies have real-world impacts, ensuring kids don’t go hungry, workers are protected, and seniors can afford healthcare and groceries. Delivering tangible progress is why I do this work, and re-establishing our trifecta will allow us to keep building on that momentum.

Michigan held its primary election last month. How do state parties operate during the primaries, and how do they shift once candidates are selected?

I strongly believe the state party must remain neutral during primary contests to guarantee a fair, credible process for our members. At the same time, our pre-primary groundwork is vital. We maintain active, year-round field and voter protection programs so organizers and volunteers have the tools they need well before general election match-ups are finalized.

Our flagship organizing initiative, Project 83, operates across every county in Michigan. The program focuses on volunteer training, data infrastructure, community event outreach, and candidate support, acting as the primary link between the state party, local committees, and grassroots clubs.

This cycle, we are supporting more than 450 down-ballot candidates, building on the success of electing over 300 local leaders last cycle. By investing in local leaders today, we build the bench for state and federal leadership tomorrow.

We are quickly approaching our get-out-the-vote efforts nationwide. How are the Michigan Democrats organizing voters this election season, and how do these efforts drive turnout on Election Day?

Our organizing model isn’t seasonal; it runs 365 days a year. Right after the 2024 elections, we returned to work hosting community town halls, supporting local party leadership, and expanding voter outreach in every region.

Through Project 83 and our local partnerships, we maintain a persistent presence in all 83 counties to ensure voters stay engaged long before Election Day.

Ahead of the midterms, our 25 field offices and 70+ staff members serve as focal points for door-knocking, phone banking, and volunteer training efforts that turn enthusiasm into voter turnout.

What does success look like for the Michigan State Party in 2026, and what’s the one thing you want Democrats across the country to understand about what’s at stake?

Success in 2026 means re-establishing a Democratic trifecta in Michigan and electing our full statewide slate. Candidates like Jocelyn Benson, Abdul El-Sayed, Eli Savit, and Garlin Gilchrist are proven champions for working families, and we are committed to supporting them up and down the ballot.

Sustained, old-school organizing across every community is essential to building long-term political strength. Our year-round commitment in every Michigan county will be the foundation of our success this November.

Learn more about the Michigan Democratic Party and Get Involved

To learn more about the work of the Michigan Democratic Party, including upcoming events, candidate information, and opportunities to get involved, visit the party’s official website.

Michigan Democratic Party

We are also 36 days away from Election Day, and states need your support to help Democrats cross the finish line. If you have even an hour to spare, help the Michigan Democratic Party get out the vote!

Volunteer With The MDP

You can also follow the Michigan Democratic Party on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).

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I’m Becca DeFelice, a DNC member elected to represent Asian American and Pacific Islander Texans and the Vice Chair of Communications for the DNC AAPI Caucus.

Yes, Asian Americans live in Texas. In fact, more than 1.2 million of us are eligible to vote this November. We are the margin of victory, the untapped electorate, and the decisive voice in key races up and down the ballot, both in Texas and nationwide. Nine out of ten targeted U.S. Senate races feature an AAPI voting bloc larger than the projected margin of victory. Democrats recognize this transformative power. Look no further than 2020, when the Georgia Democratic Party’s dedicated investments in Asian American outreach helped deliver historic runoff victories for Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, flipping the Senate blue. When candidates authentically show up for AAPI communities, AAPI voters show up for them at the ballot box.

Republicans have noticed our growing influence, too. But rather than offering solutions to uplift working families or protect our communities, GOP leaders such as Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French have leaned into divisive tactics — spewing xenophobic rhetoric and attempting to question our place in American civic life. Under Donald Trump’s leadership, anti-Asian hate and violent hostility targeting AAPI families have risen drastically. Across the country, AAPI candidates face targeted online harassment claiming they do not belong in public service. But let’s be clear: We are not asking for permission to belong in America. Whether we are first-generation or fifth-generation, we are proud to be part of America’s strength and culture. Our rights, our dignity, and our votes are woven into American history just as much as anyone else’s.

That’s why Republicans lash out — because they fear our collective strength. AAPI Democratic leaders have consistently spearheaded transformative progress that benefits all working families across the country:

• Fighting Gerrymandering & Protecting Democracy: Texas House Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu has led fierce fights on the front lines to defend voting rights, challenge unfair redistricting maps, and advocate for marginalized communities in Texas.

• Championing Working-Class Families: Leaders such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have fought relentlessly for affordable housing, reliable public transit, and fundamental municipal services that ensure every neighborhood thrives.

• Securing Reproductive Rights: In Virginia, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi has stood as a bulwark for reproductive healthcare, helping secure legislation to protect access to contraception for millions.

• Expanding Healthcare & Economic Relief: In Cincinnati, Mayor Aftab Pureval spearheaded a groundbreaking program that erased millions in medical debt for residents, showing how AAPI leadership directly relieves financial burdens for entire communities.

And it doesn’t stop there. I am proud to say the DNC continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the AAPI community. When Hmong Americans were targeted in Minneapolis, the DNC organized a Lunar New Year Organizing Call to mobilize local resources and empower organizers. From Las Vegas to Milwaukee, we have hosted Know Your Rights workshops to educate residents on voter protection and push back against unjust enforcement tactics. Following attacks from Texas Republicans, the DNC joined forces with Asian American Democrats of Texas to host a “Hate Has No Home Here” Town Hall — reinforcing our shared values and reminding everyone that our rights are non-negotiable.

Over my 12 years in advocacy and political organizing, from starting as a grassroots volunteer to serving on the DNC, I’ve seen how often our community is overlooked. But I’ve also witnessed our extraordinary power and resilience. We have built civic infrastructure from the ground up, elected champions of equity, and demonstrated that when AAPI leaders lead, all communities benefit. This November will mark another historic milestone in that ongoing movement.

Support Our Battleground States

With the midterms offering a vital opportunity to flip the U.S. House and Senate, we are actively recruiting for Late Help roles in key battleground areas. Whether you’ve organized for one cycle or 20, your experience is urgently needed in these final weeks. Sign up for a Late Help role today to mobilize, empower, and turn out voters where it matters most.

Sign Up to Get Involved

Share Your Story

Stories like Becca’s exemplify the extraordinary difference grassroots leaders throughout our community make each day. With the midterms fast approaching, amplifying and honoring these perspectives is critical. We encourage you to share your journey and partner with us to spotlight authentic voices.

Join the Storyteller Network

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**DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

With just 41 days left, millions of Americans are stepping up to bring Donald Trump’s extreme agenda to a halt and deliver overwhelming, irrefutable victories for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Time is running out, and we need you in this fight more than we ever have. The DNC is pulling out all the stops to power thousands of Democratic campaigns to victory, but we cannot let up for a single moment before we cross the November 3rd finish line.

Our teams are burning shoe leather as we hit the doors to register young people to vote across the country. This issue of The Blue Print is your guide to how we’re fighting back—and how you can make a critical difference today.

We look forward to seeing you on the ground.

Best,

Olivia

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When We Count Expands to Nevada

When We Count is the DNC’s largest-ever partisan voter registration program aimed at meeting young voters where they are. You may remember hearing from Lani, one of our When We Count fellows, last month.

From registering folks at bars and restaurants to following up with them to ensure they cast their ballot, our When We Count fellows are making sure that young voters have a seat at the table.

We’re excited to share that When We Count has officially launched in Nevada! In this critical battleground state, our fellows are hard at work registering voters to close the gap with Republicans and elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November.

This partisan voter registration program will deploy dozens of fellows to reach, register, and turn out young Democrats across Nevada. Want to support When We Count? Make a contribution to the DNC today.

Support Voter Registration Today

White House Corruption Runs Rampant

It’s no secret: Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in history.

So far this year, Trump has raked in as much as $15.5 million through trading oil and gas stocks. While 80% of Americans believe Trump is not focused enough on the cost of living, he and his family continue to exploit their power for profit.

The American people aren’t hiding their feelings on the matter. A majority of Americans believe that the Trumps have inappropriately profited from crypto. Since returning to the White House, Trump has raked in at least $2 billion, all while working families fight to afford everyday necessities.

Want to help us hold Trump accountable? Follow us on social media to help spread the word online.

Follow @TheDemocrats

How We’re Holding the Trump Administration Accountable Online

Under RFK Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services, there seems to be a new recall each and every day. McKinley Lettre and our rapid response team are finding new and innovative ways to expose how everyday Americans are impacted by RFK Jr.’s leadership.

You may have seen these viral posts on social media about the numerous recalls happening across the country. A recent post highlighted a berry recall, paired with a photo of RFK Jr.’s berry-red face.

This series of posts has successfully poked fun at the Trump administration while holding them accountable for the harm caused to American families. As each post gains traction, more and more Americans become aware of the real impacts on food safety under RFK Jr.

“It seems like there’s a new recall every single day,” McKinley said. “Food safety is something that everyone can relate to.”

“The picture choice is very intentional,” McKinley said. “We’re trying to choose a picture of RFK that looks like the food that’s been recalled to try and get these posts into people’s group chats and into their conversations.”

Want to see more of these viral posts? Follow our rapid response accounts on social media.

Follow @FactPostNews

Good News: Democrats Deliver

New York City Sees Safest Summer Under Mayor Mamdani

This summer, New York City saw its safest summer in recorded history under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Since Mayor Mamdani took office, crime is down across the board, with major crimes down six percent since his inauguration in January. Democratic mayors are keeping our cities safe nationwide.

Pennsylvania Increases Funding for Schools Under Gov. Shapiro

Since he took office, Governor Josh Shapiro has increased funding for Pennsylvania schools by over $3 billion.

With this funding, Pennsylvania is restoring school infrastructure, providing mental health resources, increasing special education support, and ensuring all students receive free breakfast.

“My administration is proud to invest in our students’ success, and we’re going to keep delivering for students all across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Shapiro.

The DNC Is Fired Up This Election Season

The path to victory runs through the South.

We recently launched a new Southern States Resource Hub to ensure Southern Democratic state parties have the resources they need to message, fundraise, target, and staff as strategically as possible. This historic investment will help Democrats gain ground across the South by building a strong coalition of voters ahead of the midterms, 2028, and beyond.

Read More

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information for, or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

My name is Isha Arciba de la Cruz, and I serve as a Regional Voter Registration Manager for When We Count AZ, a historic, first-of-its-kind partisan voter registration program spearheaded by the DNC. With over 700,000 unregistered Latino voters in Arizona, I am profoundly honored to direct and mentor a team of dedicated Spanish-speaking fellows focused on closing this gap.

Raised in a home where political dialogue was part of daily life, my path was shaped by my parents, who immigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico. Throughout my childhood, they sent me to Mexico each summer to deepen my connection with our family. Our family roots run deep in a rural community that was very active during the Mexican Revolution, where my grandparents still farm land granted to our family as an outcome of that historic struggle. My family has always recognized that the pursuit of justice is continuous; their unwavering advocacy for local water conservation and environmental protection inspires me every day. However, making those summer journeys without my parents always left me asking, “Why can’t my parents be here with me? I wish they were here.”

“I wish” is a phrase I have heard—and spoken —far too many times throughout my life: “I wish my parents didn’t have to work all the time,” “I wish I could afford college,” “I wish my parents had papers.” We often use “I wish” to describe circumstances that feel unattainable or beyond our control, yet desperately need changing. This reflects a deep truth about how my community experiences these challenges, but it also underscores our collective desire for meaningful transformation.

This reality is precisely why organizing within Latino communities holds a deep personal meaning for me. Looking back on the conversations my friends and I had growing up, we never labeled them as “politics,” even though policy decisions directly touched every aspect of our daily lives. Through this work, I have realized how essential it is to help young Latino voters connect those dots. These issues have already shaped their lives, giving us a powerful opportunity to show them that wishing for change is no longer enough—we must step up and make our voices heard, because often all it takes is hearing from a peer who shares your background and experiences.

That is where When We Count comes in! Our Spanish-speaking fellows have mastered engaging young Latino voters through authentic, intentional dialogue. Given what our community faces under the current administration, we lead with directness and urgency—there is simply no time to beat around the bush. Our strategic approach has driven incredible results: 45% of voters registered through When We Count in Arizona identify as Latino.

The last year and half has brought deep fear and overwhelming uncertainty to my community, forcing people to drastically alter their daily routines and take unprecedented safety measures. The threat is so intense that my father feels compelled to carry his passport at all times, even though he is now a U.S. citizen. Many of our fellows come from mixed-status households, making this cause deeply personal for our entire team. Living under such unrelenting strain is unacceptable, and our community cannot afford to remain passive. With so much on the line, we must press forward with unyielding urgency—because it truly is now or never!

Learn More About When We Count

The work of Isha and the When We Count team has made a significant impact by driving meaningful engagement, expanding grassroots outreach, and strengthening voter registration efforts. Learn more about the progress being made and how this program has empowered communities across key regions through voter registration efforts.

Read about When We Count's Impact in AZ

Support Our Battleground States

Our path to victory runs directly through battleground states, where turning out Latino voters is critical. From the skyrocketing cost of living to threats to community safety, Latino families are directly impacted and harmed by Donald Trump’s agenda. With the midterms offering a vital opportunity to flip the U.S. House and Senate, we are actively recruiting for Late Help roles in key battleground areas. Whether you’ve organized for one cycle or twenty, your experience is urgently needed in these final weeks. Sign up for a Late Help role today to mobilize, empower, and turn out Latino voters where it matters most.

Sign Up to Get Involved

Share Your Story

Stories like Isha’s are just one example of the incredible impact within our community. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, uplifting and honoring these voices is more vital than ever. We encourage you to share your own story and join us in celebrating our shared journey.

Join the Storyteller Network

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**DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

This past May, voters across Idaho chose Terri Pickens as their Democratic nominee for governor. A fourth-generation Idahoan, award-winning lawyer, small business owner, and dedicated community advocate, Pickens has devoted her life to fighting for working families and giving a voice to abused children.

Now, her campaign is sparking a powerful movement across the state, fueled by over 2,000 donations from more than 1,000 supporters, and drawing an incredible 1.25 million social media visits last month alone.

Continue reading for an exclusive update from Terri from her time on the campaign trail, the challenges Idahoans are facing, and her unwavering belief in a government that truly works for the people:

“I started campaigning here right after Trump won 67% of the Idaho vote. Despite the steep hill, I was confident Trump would lose support. I was right. His Idaho approval has dropped below 50 percent. His supporters are demoralized.

My grassroots supporters, on the other hand, are ready to go. With more than 2,000 contributions from over 1,000 donors, we are in the position to compete in Idaho for the first time in years. This campaign VIBRATES with energy. My social media is highly active, with 1.25 million visits last month (that’s huge for an Idaho candidate!)

All the while, I HAMMER our governor for converting to full-MAGA. To kneel to the president, our governor betrays his supporters and opponents alike. He sold priceless public land to a billionaire donor. He didn’t speak up for ranchers when Trump planned to depress cattle prices by importing foreign beef. We just learned our governor wants our beautiful home to be the nation’s nuclear waste dumpsite. He welcomed ICE agents to bully citizens. He attacked LGBTQ+ rights, libraries and librarians, and women and their doctors. He is giving tax dollars to private religious schools. There’s so, so, much more.

People love what I bring to leadership. I am a mother, a small business owner, a successful attorney, an outdoorswoman, and a community leader. I volunteer legal help for abused children. I am unafraid. I believe truth matters.

Right now, this fall’s ballot gives women a chance to strike down Idaho’s vicious anti-abortion law. Those women have unprecedented enthusiasm. Those women are voting for me.

I believe the government should work for the people, not the other way around. I will tackle our housing affordability crisis. I believe workers need a break – billionaires don’t. I will end the Culture Wars and, together, we will take back our freedom.

Thanks again for your support.”

Volunteer With Terri Pickens For Idaho

Democratic candidates like Terri Pickens are fighting to deliver real results for working families this November, when we stand up against Donald Trump and show that Americans demand change.

We are full steam ahead leading up to the midterms, and grassroots supporters like you are powering campaigns across the country. Volunteer with Terri Pickens to help Idaho flip blue!

Volunteer With Terri Pickens

Follow Terri Pickens on Social Media

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information for, or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

My name is Lorenza Ramirez, and I’m the National Organizing Director at the DNC.

In April, we launched the inaugural Playbook, our guide for state parties and coordinated campaigns to win in November and beyond. Since its inception, the Playbook has accumulated over 14,000 unique views, 3,000 downloads, and has been downloaded and viewed in every single state in the country.

The reach of the Playbook has been astounding! We’ve received great feedback from campaigns large and small, and have helped organizing programs across the country implement new tactics to revolutionize their programs.

In the final months and weeks leading up to Election Day, we’ve been hearing from organizers that they want to learn how to apply the Playbook during GOTV season. That’s why we are introducing the Playbook Addendum.

My job is to make sure Democrats are reaching as many voters as possible. During a time focused on helping people register to vote and getting them the information they need, that principle couldn’t be clearer. Adapting our campaign strategy doesn’t happen by accident. It requires real-time learning and a commitment to providing updated guidance for campaigns of all sizes.

Through this brand-new update, we’re delivering refreshed best practices, expanded case studies, and actionable insights to strengthen our ground game nationwide. For the first time, we’re sharing important best practices on partisan voter registration through our When We Count program to register and turn out new Democrats nationwide.

The DNC has been putting in the work all year to secure our success. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Best,

Lorenza Ramirez

DNC National Organizing Director

DNC Unveils Playbook Addendum to Bolster Campaign Strategy for the 2026 Midterms

Traditional tactics aren’t enough on their own. The landscape has shifted, and we need updated tools to meet voters where they are.

When we launched the Playbook in March 2026, we built it to grow as new ideas emerged. The Addendum is that next step: updated tools, key case studies, and modern organizing standards. It includes best practices on having high‑quality voter conversations, results from our Local Listeners program and more.

On National Voter Registration Day, we’re emphasizing guidance that helps organizers turn out new Democrats. In the Addendum, we’re sharing the findings from our When We Count program, our partisan voter registration program. This provides best practices on how to effectively register and turn out new Democrats nationwide.

As we approach GOTV, sharing these learnings is critical. If we execute effectively, we can secure key victories up and down the ballot, but scaling this work depends on grassroots support.

Read The Playbook Addendum

What We’re Fighting For

Before going out in your community to turn out voters, it’s important to understand the Democratic Party’s core values and how we are fighting for the American people.

Our agenda is focused on lowering costs, improving healthcare, creating jobs, ending corruption, and protecting our democracy. While Republicans prioritize the interests of billionaires, Democrats stand firmly with working people.

Every American deserves a fair shot at the American dream. Check out our Party Platform so you can effectively share what we’re fighting for.

Learn About The DNC's Party Platform

Get Out The Vote: Volunteer Info Session

Ready to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot?

Join the DNC’s Get Out The Vote: Volunteer Info Session to find out how you can take action this fall. From phone banking high-priority voters nationwide to supporting specific battleground races or protecting the vote, we have a role for every schedule and comfort level.

We’ll guide you through flexible opportunities, while also providing insight on the most critical races. Register now to find your place on the team taking back the House and Senate this November!

Join Our Next Volunteer Info Session

Phone Bank For Democrats

Election season is in full swing, and Democrats need your support to win elections up and down the ballot.

Join us for a phone bank every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to ensure that voters nationwide are educated about their elections, candidates, and how to make their voices heard at the polls. We provide step-by-step training for callers to ensure that you have successful conversations and make genuine connections with voters.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up today!

Sign Up To Phone Bank

Battleground Support Hub

As Election Day grows closer, critical races across the country will determine control of Congress.

We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. That’s why we have created our Battleground Resource Hub, a critical resource for supporters nationwide to help make an impact in the most important races.

If you live in a battleground state, join your neighbors and canvass door-to-door to have meaningful conversations with those in your community. Not in a battleground state? Make an impact from home through a virtual phone bank.

Check our Battleground Resource Hub to learn how you can be the difference in these critical races.

Battleground Support Hub

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information for, or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

2026 Could Be Historic

In this year’s August Primary, Democratic candidates received 50%+ of the vote in 35 of Washington’s 49 Legislative Districts – that’s 71%! We are forcing Republicans to defend seats that are traditionally ruby red, including in Eastern and Southwest Washington. Four Republican State House incumbents were trailing their Democratic challengers in Southwest Washington, and Republican U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner failed to crack 50%. It will be an uphill climb to flip this seat that hasn’t gone for a Democrat since former U.S. Speaker of the House Tom Foley lost his seat there in 1994, but the independent candidate has already endorsed the Democrat in the race, former State Department official Carmela Conroy.

The Washington Blueprint

In the 2024 general election, every state had major shifts towards Republicans – but not Washington. As the rest of the country saw an average shift of 6% towards Donald Trump, Washington state held the line, keeping the shift below 0.5%. We won every statewide election, added seats in the legislature, and protected all 8 of our Congressional incumbents, including in the R+5 3rd Congressional District.

We estimate that in 2024 we turned out 538,000 more core Democrats than core Republicans and 77,000 more lean Democrats than lean Republicans. How did we do it?

A few ways…

Progressive Policies are Popular

100% mail-in voting. Automatic voter registration. Paid family leave. The highest state minimum wage in the country. We were already talking about kitchen table issues that most impacted real people in our state. Voters have rewarded Washington’s Democratic lawmakers fighting for tangible policies that improve their lives.

Professional and Year-Round Team

After November 2024, we didn’t stop organizing. We continued building out our field operation in 2025. The Washington State Democratic Party is one of the largest state parties by headcount, and we were the first state party in the nation to unionize. This gave us the benefits of long-term, year-round staff who bring institutional knowledge and deep community connections to the table. In 2024, we fielded one of the largest organizing staffs in state history, hiring 30 field staff to raise an army of volunteers. This year, we launched an early coordinated campaign to build talent, volunteer, and staff pipelines sooner than ever – and then we never stopped.

Year-Round Infrastructure

Our 2026 campaign is a direct outgrowth of the 2024 coordinated campaign. In 2025, we hired our first year-round Organizing Director and worked within communities to conduct deep organizing – knocking doors and making phone calls, not to ask people to vote for a specific candidate, but to listen to them and identify the issues that are top of mind for the people we need to turn out in order to win. This work helped us deliver historic results in this year’s midterm primary, including a pathway to a supermajority in our State House. DNC Party Infrastructure funding greatly supported this effort by providing essential monthly grants directly to state Democratic parties across the country. These key investments helped build permanent campaign infrastructure, keep year-round staff, and grow local voter registration and outreach before the midterms. This formula works, as we’ve seen in Washington state and as Chair Ken Martin accomplished in Minnesota. A well-resourced, strong DNC directly translates into greater opportunities, infrastructure, and wins on the ground all year, every year.

National and Down-Ballot Advocacy

As both a State Party Chair and DNC officer, I see it as my duty and responsibility to bring state and local issues to the national stage. State parties are the nerve center that provides real-time information to our national party about the issues motivating voters, and they are also the limbs of the party that implement national strategy on the ground. State parties in every U.S. state and territory are actively expanding the Democratic map, and I could not be more proud as these efforts bear fruit and lay the groundwork to restore Democratic leadership at all levels of government.

Get Involved with the Washington State Democrats

Grassroots organizing is the heart of our victories in Washington State. Whether you can knock on doors, make phone calls, or help power our ground game in your local community, every action makes a difference. Join our year-round organizing efforts, volunteer for local campaigns, and help support our field operations across the state to keep Washington moving forward.

Find Events in Washington

Support Our Battleground States

Our path to victory runs through battleground states, and we need your help to cross the finish line. With the midterms being a crucial opportunity to regain control of the U.S. House and Senate, we are recruiting for Late Help roles in key battleground areas. Whether you’ve completed one cycle or twenty, your experience is invaluable in these final, critical weeks. Sign up for a Late Help role today to help us organize, mobilize, and turn out the vote where it matters most.

Sign Up to Get Involved

Share Your Story

With Election Day just around the corner, every voice counts more than ever. We’re working around the clock to turn out every single voter, but we need your help to amplify the stories that define this movement. Don’t just watch history happen, help us shape it.

Join the Storyteller Network

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**DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print’s most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**

Folks,

My name is Justin J. Pearson, and I just became the Democratic nominee for Congress in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.

It’s not lost on me that I won this primary exactly 61 years to the day after the Voting Rights Act was signed into law when leaders like Dr. King, John Lewis, and Rosa Parks stood with President Johnson to secure our right to be heard.

Today, that same Voting Rights Act has been severely dismantled by the Supreme Court, and the Tennessee state legislature has taken advantage of those weaker protections by separating Memphis and Shelby County, our only majority-Black congressional district, into thirds.

They are trying to dilute our voices and keep us out of the rooms where decisions are made. It’s happening right now, in our lifetime, and it’s a blatant attempt to keep the people’s power in check.

This election isn’t just about the next couple of years. It’s about what our country looks like 61 years from today. That’s true for Memphis, and it’s true for every community across the country.

In 63 days, we will face a choice: We can start to build an America that reflects the true spirit of generosity and kindness that I have always known our communities to have.

Or, we can let our country continue to be permanently scarred by two more years of unchecked power for Donald Trump. By two more years of chaos and cruelty. By two more years of the systematic dismantling of our fundamental rights and freedoms.

We can’t just wait for Election Day to see what happens. We have to decide right now, in these next 63 days, that we’re going to fight. Whether it’s knocking on doors or making calls, we have to do the work to power Democrats to the finish line.

I’ve made my choice. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that Democrats take back the House and the Senate this November.

The DNC is doing everything they can too. They’re sending organizers out to register tens of thousands of new Democratic voters in swing states (particularly young folks), they’re going to court to defend voting rights, and they’re supporting over 10,000 Democrats running for office across the country, from the school board to the Senate.

So, if you’re in this fight with us, it is more important now than ever to take action and make an impact in the midterms. Your work will help Democrats not only win here in Tennessee, but all across the country.

In Love and Service,

Justin J. Pearson

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I’m Shelby Wiltz, the DNC’s Political Director. These are just a few of the key takeaways from thousands of voters who spoke to hundreds of volunteers throughout the DNC’s Local Listeners program.

In January, the DNC Organizing Team launched Local Listeners, a first-of-its-kind training and voter contact program designed to center listening-first conversations. This seven-week bootcamp trained volunteers to become organizers in their own communities, pairing them with a calls program aimed at reactivating voters in target congressional districts.

We hear a lot about what pollsters have to say about the state of our country. But we had a really simple, but ambitious, idea:

We know that hundreds of thousands of Democrats voted in the 2020 presidential election, but sat out the election in 2024. What if we could find them and connect with them?

And if we could connect with them, most political pundits would recommend just asking them simple questions and getting off the phone as quickly as possible. It’s a numbers game. But, what if we approached this project as organizers? What if we had open-ended conversations about what’s on their mind? What if we built actual relationships and community with these voters?

Well, that’s exactly what we’ve been doing.

This year, more than 400 volunteers joined us to make 448,295 calls to voters who voted in 2020, but not 2024. We had nearly 10,000 conversations with voters from 61 battleground districts across the country, and what we found could change the game for the midterms this year.

A statistic that may shock you: From January to July, our volunteers had more conversations with voters than the number of votes that decided the House majority in 2024.

I’m beyond proud of what our organizers and volunteers were able to accomplish with these conversations, and I’d love to share some of our findings with you today:

• During every conversation, volunteers asked voters which issues were most important to them. Across all groups, voters named the rising cost of living as a top issue, and 78% of them said the country is headed in the wrong direction under Trump.

• We also asked voters what it would take for a candidate to earn their vote this year. Consistently, they said they wanted leaders who would fight for them, their families, and their communities. They agreed that candidates should be for the working people.

• And — most importantly — 86% of these folks said that they plan to vote in the upcoming midterm elections this November.

So much is at stake this November, and reaching every voter we possibly can is going to prove critical to Democrats’ success up and down the ballot. Having these conversations doesn’t just allow us to sway people in key districts to vote; it helps us build trust with voters that Democrats may have lost in the past few years.

Here’s the truth: Building trust is key to winning elections. We’re already working to share our results with campaign staff, organizers, fellows, and volunteers on races up and down the ballot, all across the country. We hope that our findings from this program will help inform scripts for door-knocking and phone banking, campaign literature and messaging, paid media, and more.

We also plan to share our findings with YOU.

Another big truth is that the work to build trust in the Democratic Party across the country is being powered by the people. Over 99% of the donations the DNC receives are from grassroots supporters — just like you — pitching in what they can, when they can, to fuel our fight to elect Democrats this year and well into the future.

We are revolutionizing our approach to organizing because winning in 2026, 2028, and beyond requires a fundamental shift in how we connect with people. If you’re ready to help us win in November, join us for an upcoming phone bank and start connecting with voters on the issues that matter most.

Sign Up To Phone Bank

Best,

Shelby Wiltz

DNC Political Director

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DISCLAIMER: This article may contain outdated information for, or links to opportunities and other events that may have already passed. Please continue to stay updated with The Blue Print's most recent posts for the most up-to-date information.**