In the Street and at the Ballot Box
Democrats and progressives saw big wins in 2025: three state Supreme Court justices were retained in PA; a sweep of the statewide races for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General as well as 13 House seats flipped in VA; and 630+ municipal races won in NC. This means the wind is at our backs as we turn to the midterms in 2026.
But we can’t rest. We will need to step out of our comfort zones and commit to doing whatever we can to protect voters’ rights and encourage turnout for Democratic candidates.
The GOP is not stopping their effort to take control of elections at the state and local levels through voter suppression legislation. They are also taking control of election boards that have the power to certify, or refuse to certify, election results, and they have leaned into gerrymandering wherever they can.
For 8 years, Lean Left Vermont has been forging strong ties with on-the-ground organizers in crucial battleground states so we can connect Vermont activists with effective ways to ensure a robust and just democracy. In 2026, Lean Left Vermont will be working in these key swing states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and New Hampshire.
Lean Left Vermont Organizers
Dana, Gretchen, Brooke, Susan, Elizabeth, Janet, Eve, Rebecca
Fund the Movement
November/December Beneficiary
Support Grassroots Groups Registering Voters in
North Carolina
Early money is important. National funding for 2026 voter registration programs is unlikely to arrive before April 2026, leaving a funding gap from November 2025 to March 2026, one of the best times of the year to conduct voter registration in NC.
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