How you — as an individual — can help turn out the vote in the 2026 midterms
A party can't fully insulate itself from electoral backlash through redistricting. Redistricting is a seawall. It stops modest tides. An electoral tsunami comes in right over top of that seawall.— Justin Levitt, Professor, LMU Loyola Law School · Feb. 18, 2026
Make November's turnout so massive that the election results are
🚀 Express Lane: 6 Ways to Take Action — Starting Today
Jess Craven of Chop Wood, Carry Water distilled the most effective GOTV options into one simple, two-page guide: postcards, phone banks, letters, door knocking, and voter protection — pick one and go! (Many more options follow in this toolkit.)
Tennessee carved majority-Black Memphis into three pieces in three days to guarantee a 9-0 Republican delegation. Florida pushed its congressional edge from 20-8 to a projected 24-4. Louisiana discarded 42,000 absentee ballots already cast. Alabama trashed maps the Court itself ordered — one week before its primary. Independent analysts project the largest drop in Black representation since 1877.
The courts won't save us. Only voters can.
A gerrymander so aggressive it becomes self-destructive is called a dummymander. In Tennessee, the new 9-0 map put six of nine districts within 12-point margins — previously only two were that close. In Florida, Democrats are already outperforming 2024 by 9 points in special elections, flipping seats including one in Trump's own Palm Beach County. VoteHub puts Democratic House odds at 85% even after Callais.
In a wave year, thinned margins are where races flip.
Georgia became majority-minority in 2022. Florida and Louisiana will follow within the decade. Republicans calibrated their maps to 2024 Trump voters — a shrinking share every cycle. As UF professor Michael McDonald noted: the Florida maps could "backfire gloriously... if it's just a bloodbath everywhere" for Republicans. Channel voter anger into turnout that rivals 2018. If that happens, all the carefully drawn maps will be of no avail.
The arc of history bends — if we turn out.
Register, get election reminders, request your mail ballot — free, nonpartisan, works in every state.
turbovote.org →If you haven't already, make your plan with TurboVote above in "Start Here." Then go one step further: text or call five people and ask them to make theirs too.
Also use Voterizer.org — built by Field Team 6 — to locate your polling place, confirm your registration against a 50-state database, and request a mail ballot. It also links to the Blue Voter Guide — sample Democratic recommendations so friends don't feel overwhelmed by a long ballot.
Poll worker shortages cause polling places to close or cut hours — directly suppressing turnout. Most states pay and require no prior experience. One day of your time directly protects democracy.
eac.gov/voters/become-poll-worker →Postcard, text, and phone-bank campaigns are all well-documented ways to boost turnout among low-propensity voters — and you can do every one of them from your kitchen table, on your own schedule, in any state. Phone banks include training and live support, so first-time callers are welcome. Deep canvassing — listening without judgment, sharing stories, connecting on a human level — is proven to change minds in ways traditional canvassing cannot.
Postcards & texts: postcardstovoters.org → votefwd.org → Phone banks (calls to voters): Indivisible → Center for Common Ground → Grassroots Democrats HQ → Deep canvassing — conversations that change minds: People's Action Deep Canvassing → Deep Canvass Institute → More postcard campaigns by state/focus: Blue Wave Postcards (OH) → Postcards to Voters (FL VBM) → Activate America (AZ, NC, TX, WI) → Postcards to Swing States → Arizona Native Democrats → Markers For Democracy Portal →Free help getting an ID — appointments and costs covered.
voteriders.org →Millions of eligible voters are unregistered or on outdated rolls. Host a registration drive, share registration tools, or check on friends in states with restrictive ID or purge laws.
★ Register high schoolers before they turn 18. The Civics Center works with high schools nationwide to register students as young as 16 — because pre-registered young voters turn out at dramatically higher rates once eligible. Each year, 4 million Americans turn old enough to vote. Don't wait until they're 18.
vote.gov → vote411.org → thecivicscenter.org → fieldteam6.org →This is "relational organizing" — research's single most effective turnout tactic. A trusted personal relationship beats a stranger's outreach every time. Find people in your life who typically don't vote and have a real conversation about why their vote matters in 2026. People who commit to a specific when/where/how voting plan are significantly more likely to follow through — so make yours, then text or call five people and ask them to make theirs. Personal outreach far outperforms social media posts.
★ Empower Project: A free nonprofit texting app for your own contacts — 86% contact rate, 9 million friend-to-friend conversations in 2024.
empowerproject.us →Transportation is a concrete barrier to voting, especially for elderly, disabled, and low-income voters. Sign up to drive through a local campaign or civic organization. One driver moves dozens of voters. Need varies widely by state: in vote-by-mail states like Colorado, ride requests are rare, while states that rely on in-person voting need many more drivers — so check what your own area actually needs.
mobilize.us → rideshare2vote.com →A three-day national mobilization honoring Congressman John Lewis's legacy of fighting for racial justice through marches, protests, and voter registration. It's listed here because public displays of courage — marches, protests, rallies — consistently help GOTV: they build visibility, solidarity, and momentum that translate into turnout. And turnout is how this fight actually gets won: if Democrats take power in November and end the filibuster, they can finally pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — securing the very voting rights protections Lewis marched for.
Pledge to take action →Just released by People For the American Way: a hands-on kit with artwork, tools, prompts, and practical inspiration to organize, start conversations, and take meaningful civic action. For students, artists, activists, first-time voters, and anyone who has thought "there has to be something more I can do." There is. Use it, gift it, bring it into classrooms, community spaces, book clubs, and kitchen table conversations.
Order: The Art of Saving Democracy → pfaw.org →Protect Democracy's "How You Can Protect Democracy" hub lists concrete, individual actions you can take right now — sorted by type (Learn, Connect, Advocate) and time commitment (a few minutes to more than a day). Examples include thanking your local election official, practicing media literacy, supporting election officials, and learning about nonviolent resistance. Pick one that fits your schedule today.
protectdemocracy.org/how-you-can-protect-democracy →Last week (July 30), 12,000+ joined the kickoff call for Indivisible's most ambitious election protection program ever — and 20,000+ have already signed up across all 50 states. Goal: 100,000 trained volunteers to defeat Trump's election sabotage before, during, and after November. Join now, then sign up for Election Protection 101 (Aug. 19) and 201 (Aug. 26).
Join Hands Off Our Vote →Heather & Team Donuts + Democracy are laser-focused on the 50 million eligible young voters — 24 million of whom are not registered and not engaged. Their mobile Donut Wagon voter registration program (70+ events and counting) has volunteers calling it "100X better than phonebanking" and "the most impactful work I've ever done." School starts soon — they're launching Back-to-School Voter Registration Kits for student organizers. And campaigns are NOT spending money on bulldozing voting obstacles. D+D is.
How We Win
⏰ Start now.
🛑 Stop chasing the tiny sliver of swing voters.
💯 Get laser-focused on mobilizing the 50 MILLION eligible young voters. They are by far the most progressive, diverse and powerful voting bloc. They can literally decide elections based on whether they show up or not. And nearly half - 24 MILLION - are not registered and not engaged. We can reach them with your help!
Find phone banking, canvassing, and poll worker events. Use the filters to search "GOTV" or "phone bank" for events near you.
mobilize.us →EVP turns environmental non-voters into consistent voters — one of the most powerful ways to grow the pro-democracy electorate. Watch their 11-min intro, then join a phonebank or become a monthly donor.
Watch the 11-min intro →Democracy Forward's free guide to the 2026 voting landscape — your rights, threats to watch, and trusted resources for every step of the process. Designed for all voters, election workers, and volunteers.
Read & share the guide →Follow on Instagram for voter registration info, voting resources, and civic engagement content.
@yall.vote on Instagram →Donate to the Oathvote anti-gerrymandering strategy and help fund the races where small-dollar amounts make the biggest difference.
app.oath.vote →Sign up with Democracy NC to be a poll greeter, poll observer, or nonpartisan vote protector at the polls.
democracync.org/election-protection →The NAACP's largest-ever midterm investment — $20 million to mobilize 6.5 million Black voters across 14 states and 33 congressional districts, with 20,000 volunteers. Learn more and get involved.
naacp.org →A Seattle-based progressive GOTV organization that sends multigenerational, diverse volunteer teams to canvass in 20+ states and 50+ elections. They go where local orgs need them most — their reputation: "Our volunteers will go where your volunteers won't." Join a state team or sign up to travel for democracy.
commonpower.org/findaction →Enter your address (not retained) or a rep's name and instantly see how your House member voted on H.R. 1, the SAVE Act, and Iran war powers — plus their top campaign funding sources. Created by REBs, a grassroots group of "concerned Americans (mostly women)" fighting to preserve democracy and civil rights. Also links to local organizing groups near you.
accountabilityscorecard.org →A progressive "mutual fund" for political giving: MVP vets and funds year-round local organizing groups — heavily led by people of color — in key states, rather than pouring money into ad campaigns that leave nothing behind. In 2026 they're targeting 40 swing House districts, 11 competitive Senate states, and state-level races. Your donation goes further here.
movement.vote/donate → movement.vote →An online clearinghouse powering 40+ grassroots partner organizations — including many already in this toolkit — with a curated calendar of daily actions to flip Congress. They offer one-on-one coaching to match your skills and schedule to the right volunteer role, and run a REDistrict Project targeting 35 Republican-held House districts. New to volunteering? Start here.
volunteerblue.org →One of the largest drivers of grassroots action to flip Congress — targeting 63+ competitive House, Senate, and governor's races in 2026. Their "Ground Truth" program knocks every door in battleground districts, reaching voters campaigns miss. Canvass, phone bank, donate, or find your nearest swing district.
swingleft.org → Take action →An all-volunteer organization that does the research so you don't have to — identifying the congressional races and democracy-defense groups where your time and money will have the greatest impact. Since 2017 they've raised $22M+ for strategically chosen Democratic candidates. They hold regular Zoom fundraisers with candidates and leaders.
forcemultiplier.us →The only national grassroots organization aimed solely at electing Democrats to state legislatures — where voting rights, redistricting, and reproductive freedom are decided. After winning every endorsed race in 2025, they're targeting flip seats in AZ, PA, NC, GA, MN, NV, and more in 2026. Phone bank, donate, or volunteer.
stateswin.org → Take action →A strategic investment vehicle for flipping entire state legislative chambers — pooling donor dollars where they'll have the greatest impact and helping elected Democrats govern effectively once in office. In 2026 targeting chambers in PA, NC, AZ, MI, MN, WI, IA, NE, OH, and NH. Pick a state and fuel the work.
statesproject.org/our-states → statesproject.org →Founded by voting rights attorney Marc Elias, Democracy Docket tracks and litigates hundreds of cases to protect elections and fight voter suppression nationwide — including direct challenges to the post-Callais redistricting wave.
donate.democracydocket.com/support →For over 100 years, the ACLU has been in court defending voting rights, civil liberties, and the Constitution. Today it is on the front lines fighting discriminatory maps, voter suppression laws, and executive overreach in all 50 states.
action.aclu.org/give/now →A nonpartisan nonprofit founded by former government lawyers, Protect Democracy works through litigation, policy, and advocacy to defend against authoritarianism and ensure free and fair elections — including legal challenges to executive overreach and threats to the vote.
protectdemocracy.org/take-action/donate →Led by Stacey Abrams in partnership with Democracy Forward Foundation, the 10 Steps Campaign is "the Wayfinder" — a framework of Commit, Share, Organize, Mobilize, Litigate, Disrupt, Deny, Engage, Elect, Demand. Their "Find Your Democracy Network" tool connects you to over 1,800 organizations across all 50 states and nationally — partners, signatories, chapters, and allies — fighting to defend democracy right now. Pick the step you want to beat, and find who's already on it.
10stepscampaign.org →TIME 100 honoree and CEO of Democracy Forward, Skye Perryman makes the case that defending democracy is a role for every one of us. Democracy Forward has beaten Trump in court more than 70% of the time overall — and 100% of the time on election cases (Aaron Parnas, August 2026). Her new book — Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy — combines courtroom stories with practical how-to guides. Hillary Clinton: "A manual for people who are tired of wringing their hands and are ready to roll up their sleeves." Her 7 actions everyone can implement:
Founded by Stacey Abrams after the 2018 Georgia governor's race, Fair Fight Action fights voter suppression through litigation, voter protection programs, and grassroots organizing — especially in Georgia and other battleground states.
fairfight.com/donate →Note: Democracy Docket contributions are not tax-deductible. ACLU Foundation gifts are tax-deductible; general ACLU membership gifts are not but support lobbying.
The complete answer to voter suppression is TURNOUT.
"...the one thing that will defeat every effort to interfere with the November 2026 election is an incontestable wave like what happened in November 2025. Right up until the polls closed on election day in 2025, Trump was talking about rigged elections, and conducting investigations, and as soon as the winning margins came back at 10% and 15% everywhere, Trump just shut up."
— Robert Hubbell, Today's Edition, Substack livestream, 8/15/26