2023-2024 Strategy

Everything we cared about was on the line in the next two years.
In. 2020 and 2022, we rose to the challenge of defending our democracy.

we need to strengthen our nation by
building the power of democracy from the ground up!

Our Mission

To build a stronger, more just democracy by empowering Vermont activists to work on behalf of voters in other states. We promote meaningful, sustained actions that focus on supporting and protecting the vote and building democratic power at the local, state and federal levels

Our Goals

  • Support voting rights reform at the state and federal levels and mobilize opposition to voter suppression bills

  • Support efforts to register and educate voters

  • Support Democrats at all levels of government—from local elections on up

  • Hold the House and the Senate in 2022 to ensure important legislation becomes law

Our Work

  • Identify opportunities for meaningful engagement around voting issues—voting rights legislation, voter registration, voter education, fair electoral districts, and any effort that improves access to the ballot box

  • Support Democrats in local, state, and federal elections

  • Engage voters around issues — what has been accomplished and what could be accomplished if we elect the right people

  • Partner with local, state, and national organizations, especially grassroots organizations in our target states, to build a stronger democratic infrastructure at the local level and to improve voting rights.

  • Provide training, tools, resources, and support for Vermont activists to raise money, make phone calls, staff voter protection hotlines, canvass, text, and write postcards on behalf of organizations and candidates

Our States

 

Lean Left will continue to build on our work in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, plus we’re headed back to New Hampshire. Our efforts will lay the groundwork for state and federal races Democrats must win in 2022.

New Hampshire

  • This state has a Republican trifecta in control of state government. It was the only legislature in the country to change hands in 2020.

  • The legislature has introduced some of the nation’s most restrictive voting bills concerning student voting.

  • In 2022, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan is being targeted. Rep. Chris Pappas is vulnerable if Republicans succeed in their gerrymandering effort. 

Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania has split government with a Democratic governor and Republican legislature causing Gov. Wolf and his allies to govern mostly from a defensive position.

  • In 2021, there were many local races. Building Democratic power at the local level is the key to the future of voting rights, progressive policies and success in 2022.

  •  In 2022, Pennsylvania is an all on the line state: Governor and other statewide offices, an open (currently Republican) Senate seat, defending or expanding US House seats and flipping the state legislature. 

Wisconsin

  • In Wisconsin’s split government, the Republican state legislature has fought Democratic Gov. Tony Evers at every turn.  

  • Republicans continue to gerrymander state legislative districts and winning the fair maps battle is critical to electing a fair and functioning state legislature in 2022.

  • Statewide races are notoriously tight in the Badger State. In 2022, we need to hold the governorship and other statewide offices as well as rid the Senate of RonAnon (aka Ron Johnson), one of Trump’s most loyal senators. 

North Carolina

  • North Carolina is another state with split government.  Democrat Roy Cooper was re-elected as Governor in 2020, but Republicans held onto the state legislature, won the electoral votes, and held onto the Senate seat. 

  • In 2021, voting rights efforts focused on registering and supporting traditionally disenfranchised communities.

  • In 2022, there will be an open (currently Republican) Senate seat in play.  In addition, Democrats will need to defend and hopefully expand its control of US House seats and make inroads or flip the state legislature.