17. Civic Engagement for the Short Game
Success in reforming our democracy relies on engaging as many Americans as possible to take action across all levels of our government.
A good first step is for each of us to focus our time and resources on one or more of three levels and issue(s) we believe are essential, and to support a few organizations that are likely to make a meaningful difference.
Level 1: Ground Game
Goals:
• Engage citizens in civic life (voting, volunteering, speaking up).
• Protect vulnerable populations & defend against harassment, censorship, and intimidation.
• Build strong, resilient local institutions & trust in democratic processes.
• Combat disinformation, hate speech, and political violence at the local level.
• Foster civic education and digital/media literacy.
• Contribute to and volunteer for organizations that support the people who are under threat.
Examples of Action:
• Run for school board, city council, county commission — to prevent book bans, censorship, and discriminatory policies.
• Organize voter registration & turnout drives, especially in marginalized communities.
• Support and sustain independent local media and fact-checking initiatives.
• Form rapid response & mutual aid networks to assist victims of raids, harassment, or political violence.
• Create local watchdog groups to monitor abuses (e.g., election board overreach or intimidation at polling places).
• Hold community forums & teach-ins on democratic norms and rights.
Level 2: State Game
Goals:
• Enact and defend fair state-level laws (voting rights, reproductive rights, healthcare, education, workplace protections).
• Block or overturn gerrymanders, voter suppression, and election subversion laws.
• Safeguard state-level election administration from partisan interference.
• Protect public schools and libraries from censorship and ideological capture.
Examples of Action:
• Support state candidates with strong, pro-democracy and pro-social platforms and a commitment to the rule of law.
• Testify at state legislative hearings about anti-democratic or discriminatory bills.
• File lawsuits and amicus briefs against unconstitutional state laws (e.g., restricting mail-in ballots or purging voter rolls).
• Advocate for independent, fair redistricting commissions.
• Support state Supreme Court and judicial candidates who defend democratic principles and civil rights.
• Mobilize campaigns to recall or defeat extremist state officials threatening election integrity.
Level Three: National Game
Goals:
• Maintain checks & balances at the federal level and resist executive overreach.
• Pass federal protections for voting rights, civil liberties, and democratic norms (e.g., John Lewis Voting Rights Act).
• Counteract extremist influence in the federal judiciary & defend the rule of law.
• Protect press freedom & resist state-aligned media capture.
Examples of Action:
• Support federal candidates with strong, pro-democracy and pro-social platforms and a commitment to the rule of law.
• Mobilize public pressure around Supreme Court nominations, ethics reforms, and key legislation.
• Amplify national movements that protect civil rights, voting access, and judicial independence.
• Join campaigns to limit the abuse of the federal “shadow docket” and emergency powers.
• Advocate for transparency, accountability, and independent oversight of federal agencies.
Messaging
For better or for worse, perception shapes reality in American politics.
Messages are most effective when targeted at an audience using the media they use most frequently.
The prevailing wisdom is to present facts in compelling stories and personal experiences that persuade. Localize the message to the community. Use values-based language such as fairness, freedom, dignity, family, and the future. Offer hope and solutions while exposing abuses. Avoid jargon and abstractions.
We can learn from progressive civic organizations about how to communicate more effectively.
Possible National Organizations To Join and Support
These are a few of the national organizations that are doing the hard, innovative work of defending democracy, advancing justice, and building power. We can amplify our impact by supporting a few of them through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. Many worthy organizations are actively working on these issues at the state and local levels.
Civic Engagement & Democracy Defense
Indivisible
Grassroots movement of thousands of local groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders and hold them accountable.
https://indivisible.orgMoveOn
Mobilizes millions of people to take action on progressive priorities — from defending democracy to social and economic justice.Public Citizen
Champions the public interest, fights corporate power, and ensures government works for people, not corporations.Common Cause
Advocates for voting rights, fair maps, money-in-politics reform, and accountability at all levels of government.People For the American Way
Defends freedom, justice, and democracy while challenging authoritarianism and extremism.Run For Something
Recruits, trains, and supports young, diverse, progressive candidates running for state and local office.Walk the Walk USA
Funds grassroots, community-led groups in critical areas to engage voters effectively and strategically.https://www.walkthewalkusa.org
Sister District Project
Builds long-term progressive power in state legislatures by supporting candidates, volunteers, lawmakers, and voters.Fair Fight
Founded by Stacey Abrams, this organization promotes free and fair elections and fights voter suppression across the nation.Center for Popular Democracy
Supports and connects grassroots organizations fighting for equity, justice, and vibrant, sustainable communities.https://www.populardemocracy.org
NextGen America mobilizes young voters on climate, justice, and democracy.
Student PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups) — engage students on campuses in democracy, environment, and public health campaigns.
Jobs With Justice — organizing workers and allies to build power.
Partners4Democracy — an informal working group that identifies and vets grassroots organizations working to get out liberal and progressive votes in swing states.
Civil Rights & Social Justice
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
Defends and expands civil rights and liberties through litigation, advocacy, and public education.NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
America’s leading legal organization fighting racial injustice and advancing equality for Black Americans.Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law — volunteer or donate to help protect voting rights.
https://www.lawyerscommittee.org
Election Protection (866-OUR-VOTE) — hotline & volunteer opportunities to protect voters on Election Day.
Women’s Rights & Reproductive Freedom
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Advocates for reproductive freedom, access to abortion, and the right to make personal healthcare decisions.https://www.prochoiceamerica.org
Emily’s List
Works to elect Democratic pro-choice women to office across the country, up and down the ballot.
Immigrant & Refugee Rights
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Advances and defends the rights of low-income immigrants through litigation, policy advocacy, and public education.United We Dream
The largest immigrant youth-led network in the country, organizing and advocating for dignity and protections for immigrants, especially undocumented and DACA recipients.American Immigration Council
Promotes laws, policies, and attitudes that honor America’s immigrant history and shape a fair future for all. Combines litigation, research, and storytelling to advance change.https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Trains and supports attorneys, community-based organizations, and immigrants to advocate for immigrant rights and citizenship.Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
Works to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build a fair and equitable society for all. Also advocates for the rights of immigrants and refugees nationally.https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org
RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
Provides free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees.
Short Game Action Resources
Voting & Voter Engagement
· Vote.org — Register, check registration, deadlines, and reminders.
· When We All Vote — Volunteer and help boost turnout.
· Rock the Vote — Tools for Young and First-Time Voters.
· NextGen America — Mobilizes young voters on climate, justice, democracy.
· Reclaim Our Vote (Center for Common Ground) — Phonebank, canvass, educate against suppression.
https://www.centerforcommonground.org
· Postcards to Voters — Write handwritten reminders to voters.
· Vote Forward — Write letters to under-represented voters.
· Field Team 6 — Register progressive voters in swing states.
Contact Your Representatives
· 5 Calls — Call elected officials with scripts.
· Common Cause Action Tools — Contact reps, submit testimony, track bills.
https://www.commoncause.org/take-action/
· Call My Congress — Find and call your members of Congress.
Learn & Organize
· Indivisible Guide — How to organize & resist locally.
https://indivisible.org/guide/
· Sister District Resources — Learn where to focus state-level action.
https://sisterdistrict.com/our-map/
· Democracy Labs — Digital tools & training for activism.
· Wellstone Action (Re:Power) — Training for leaders & organizers.
· Student PIRGs — Organizing on campuses.
Legal & Civil Rights
· Election Protection (866-OUR-VOTE) — Hotline & volunteer to protect voters.
· Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights — Legal defense for voting rights & justice.
https://www.lawyerscommittee.org
· ACLU — Defend civil liberties & rights.
· NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) — Fight racial injustice.
Immigrant & Refugee Rights
· National Immigration Law Center — Legal & policy advocacy.
· United We Dream — Immigrant youth-led advocacy.
· American Immigration Council — Litigation & education for fair policies.
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
· Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) — Support for immigrants & advocates.
· Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Advocacy & rights for AAPI & immigrants.
https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org
· RAICES — Legal aid for immigrants & refugees.
Women’s Rights & Reproductive Freedom
· NARAL Pro-Choice America — Defend reproductive rights & abortion access.
https://www.prochoiceamerica.org
· Emily’s List — Elect pro-choice women candidates.
Disinformation & Local News
· News Literacy Project — Spot & stop misinformation.
· Free Press — Protect Local Journalism and Access to Information.
· ProPublica — Investigative reporting to expose corruption.
· Ballotpedia — Nonpartisan info on elections & candidates.
· AllSides — See news from all political perspectives.
Worker Power & Labor
· Jobs With Justice — Build worker & community power.