The DNC's Historic Investments Continue to Power 2025 Elections
The DNC is going full steam ahead as Election Day approaches.
Happy Thursday, Democrats!
With November’s elections less than three weeks away, the DNC is working around the clock to get as many volunteers as possible knocking on doors and asking more than just “trick-or-treat!”
Amid the government shutdown, these upcoming elections are a fantastic opportunity to continue to speak with voters about what Democrats are doing to defend democracy, protect health care, and protect working Americans from Trump’s self-serving economic agenda.
This week, we are sharing everything you need to know to make your vote count in the upcoming November elections, including voter registration deadlines, mail-in ballot guidance, and where you should go to cast your vote. Why? Because, as our DNC Video Director Akeima Young explains: our right to vote is under attack.
That’s why this year, more than ever, we need to make sure to bring ourselves, peers, family, coworkers, and friends-of-friends to the polls!
For each race, we’ve also provided resources to make sure you can get involved and support these races from anywhere in the country. Even if you don’t have an election directly in your backyard this year, you can still help voters cast their ballots from states away.
Remember: Every year is an election year! Let’s make sure to use this as an opportunity to show the Trump administration how truly unpopular its policies are to everyday Americans.
Aftyn Behn Wins Democratic Nomination for Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District
On October 7, State Rep. Aftyn Behn won the Democratic primary election for Tennessee’s 7 Congressional District. Behn will face Matt Van Epps, Trump’s extreme preferred candidate, in the December 2 special election.
This election is another sign that momentum is with the Democrats. Democratic turnout has already surpassed 2024 levels by over 33 percent in this Trump +20 district.
Now, as we move towards the special election, Van Epps will have to defend Trump’s Big Ugly Bill. In Tennessee alone, Trump’s budget and the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies will kick 210,000 people off their health insurance and put nine rural hospitals on the brink of closure.
Ready… Set… 2025 Elections
New Jersey
The last day to register to vote was October 14. If you missed the deadline, you can use this link to register to vote in preparation for next year’s elections or check your voter registration status.
You can vote early in person from October 25 to November 2, but only certain polling locations are open these days. To check your closest open polling location, click here.
You can apply to vote by mail by mailing an application by October 28 or applying in person at your county clerk’s office by November 3. If you receive a ballot, you can cast your vote by mail (as long as it is postmarked before 8 p.m. on Election Day!), deposit it in a ballot drop box, or deliver it in person at your Board of Elections Office. You can track the progress of your ballot online.
ELECTION DAY is November 4, and you can vote at your designated polling place.
Want to get involved? Find an opportunity to turn out voters in New Jersey!
Virginia
Early voting in person is open and available until November 1 at 5 p.m. at your local voter registration office or at satellite voting locations.
The last day to pre–register to vote by mail, in person or online is October 24. Registrations by mail need to be postmarked by the deadline. Ifyou miss the deadline, you can register to vote by utilizing same-day registration and vote at the same time at any early voting site in your city or county. You can check your voter registration online at any time. To apply for a mail-in ballot, your application must be received by October 24 at 5 p.m. We recommend requesting your ballot by mail well in advance of this deadline to account for mail delays or make your request in person.
Your mail-in-ballot must be postmarked on or before November 4 and received by November 7 at 12 p.m.. You can check the status of your ballot here.
ELECTION DAY is November 4 and you can vote at your designated polling place.
Want to get involved? Find an opportunity to turn out voters in Virginia!
California
On October 6, your election office will begin mailing ballots to all registered voters. By the time this newsletter is released, you should have received a sample ballot. If you have not received a sample, and you would like to see what Proposition 50 will look like, you can use this link.
The last day to register to vote is October 20 (you can click here to do it right now and here to check your registration status!). You can utilize same-day registration up to and including Election Day, but those ballots will not be counted until the voter registration form has been validated. To avoid any delays and complications, we recommend registering and updating your registration before October 20.
ELECTION DAY is November 4! If you plan on mailing in your ballot, it must be postmarked on or before the 4th and be received by November 12. If you have any concerns about your ballot arriving on time, we suggest that you drop it off at the closest ballot drop-off station. As a reminder, you can return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail, at a drop-off location, at any polling place in the state, or at your county elections office. You can track the progress of your ballot online.
Want to get involved? Find an opportunity to turn out voters in California!
Pennsylvania
The last day to register to vote is October 20. You can use this link to check your registration, and register online here or download an application to print and deliver to your county elections office by 5 p.m. on October 20.
To request a mail-in or absentee ballot, submit this form by October 28 at 5 p.m.
Mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on November 4. If you are overseas, the deadline for ballots to be received is November 11.
ELECTION DAY is November 4! Find your polling place here.
Want to get involved? Find an opportunity to turn out voters in Pennsylvania!
Trump Attacks Mail-in Voting
Trump is attacking mail-in voting — not because it’s unsafe, but because when more Americans vote, he loses. DNC Video Director, Akeima Young, breaks down his lies and what they mean for our democracy.
Share this with your friends and family so that they know the impact Trump is making on voters in your community.
Candidates to Watch
Over the final 60 days before Election Day, the DNC has been spotlighting 60 candidates who need our help to secure a victory in November.
David Wecht is a candidate in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention race. He has served on the Court for the last ten years and will continue protecting voting rights, access to reproductive health care, and the rights of consumers. You can learn more about his tenure and ways to support his retention race on his website.
The DNC is All Hands on Deck to Support Our Candidates and Causes
The DNC is going full steam ahead as Election Day approaches. While Republicans are on defense, the DNC is on offense and investing a historic amount — the most we’ve ever invested in an off-year after a presidential cycle as part of our “compete everywhere” strategy.
In New Jersey: The DNC has invested over $3 million in the New Jersey Democratic coordinated campaign so far, a record amount in an off-year New Jersey election.
In Virginia: The DNC has invested over $3 million in the Virginia Democratic coordinated campaign to supercharge organizing and paid media efforts ahead of Election Day.
In Pennsylvania: The DNC has invested six figures into the Pennsylvania Democratic Party to support on-the-ground voter contact efforts and fund direct mail and paid media outreach to voters.
In California: The DNC has supported the California Democratic Party’s massive bilingual organizing blitz in support of Proposition 50, including deploying our volunteer organizing team to make calls, send texts, and knock on doors in English and Spanish through Election Day.
In addition to these historic investments, the DNC is deploying our organizing team and activating our network of thousands of volunteers to mobilize for GOTV across all four states to ensure Democrats win.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett: “Every Part of Your Life Is a Political Decision.”
Representative Jasmine Crockett breaks down how politics shapes everyday life, from rent and wages to the cost of health care. Speaking with DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta and diversity advocate RaeShanda Lias, Rep. Crockett explains why opting out only makes things worse, what it means to protect your peace while staying informed, and why “if you don’t do politics, politics will do you.”
Thank you so much for reading The Blue Print. If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, make sure to like, restack, and share with your friends!
Best,
Maya
Keep working at it, we support and appreciate your efforts!
Thank you! Would love to see you all on Substack!