BlueVote.org 2025 Mid-Year Campaign Update – Rising Together for Democracy

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In the wake of the 2024 election loss and the downward trajectory of our nation toward authoritarianism, it would be easy to feel only despair and give up. Yet following our open letter, “Rising Together: Rebuilding Hope and Fighting for Democracy,” we’ve been hard at work — developing a meaningful strategy on how to fight back. This year, our movement has not only grown, it has branched out in powerful new ways. We are helping people find their voices, giving them the tools to reach legislators, register new voters, and stand up for democracy in their own communities while gearing up for GOTV in the 2026 Midterms and the 2028 General Election. Guided by insights from leading experts and scholars of authoritarianism (such as Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Jason Stanley), our volunteer-powered effort has diversified, is sharper, stronger, and more determined than ever. From surging phone bank signups to record-breaking days of action, we’ve turned fear for our democracy into energy — and energy into results. We’re proud to share those successes below, and we’re only just getting started.
 

By the Numbers: Record Growth in 2025

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• 83,000+ calls made to voters and constituents year-to-date (and climbing): a testament to our volunteers’ dedication on the phones. This far exceeds where we were at this point in the last cycle, setting us up strong for 2026.
   

• Surge in volunteer signups: We’ve attracted waves of new volunteers each week. In fact, last Saturday we hit a new 2025 high with 72 people signing up for a single phone bank shift, with half of that attending the entire shift! More people than ever are rising to the national crisis.
   

• Big-call days: Our team has logged several massive call days. On one 2025 record-setting day, volunteers made 8,572 calls to voters, and it’s now common to see days with well over 4,000 calls completed. These aren’t just dials – they’re conversations that educate and empower voters.
   

• Unprecedented legislative advocacy: We’ve turned voter outreach into direct political action. In just the last five months, we have activated over 1,100 supporters in Pennsylvania to commit to calling their legislators and educated them on the best protocols for doing so. Just last Saturday alone, over 162 supporters took the extra step to call their legislators to defend democracy, our largest day yet – a new milestone in converting outreach into on-the-spot civic pressure. Our phone banks are not only persuading voters but also driving hundreds of constituent calls to lawmakers when it counts. We are using the latest phone bank technology, where we can patch supporters directly to their legislators.
   

Celebrating Milestones and Volunteer Heroes
 

Each of these numbers tells a story – a story of passionate people stepping up. We want to celebrate the volunteers and leaders who made these wins possible:

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• Record-breaking volunteers: Shout-out to superstar volunteer Maria Taylor, who recently completed her 45th phone banking shift with BlueVote! From her first call to her 45th, Maria’s enthusiasm hasn’t wavered – and she’s not slowing down. She’s one of many heroes among us: volunteers who show up week after week, powering our outreach with heart and hustle. So many experienced volunteers, as well as ones brand new to phone banking, are reporting hugely positive experiences with us, with one volunteer, Rhiannon, writing, “This is by far the best phone banking experience I’ve had.” 
   

• A growing leadership team: As our ranks swell, so does our leadership. This year we’ve welcomed new phone bank leaders and moderators to guide our efforts (thank you to such huge talents like Marie Brophy, Jessica Johnson, Kristine Pyzyna, Mystrix Noir, Laura Jacobson, Carol Shulman, Elias Varesis, and so many others!). They’ve mentored first-time phone bankers, managed our overflowing Zoom rooms, and kept our operation running smoothly even on the busiest days. Our volunteer leadership team is stronger than ever, ensuring every caller is supported and every campaign moment counts.
   

These achievements are your achievements. Every dial, every conversation, and every hour contributed is part of a bigger movement – one that’s proud, upbeat, and undeniably on the rise.
 

Event Highlights: Big Days of Action

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This year has been defined by several stand-out events that demonstrated what BlueVote can accomplish when we mobilize together:

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• John Lewis Day of Action: In honor of the late civil rights icon John Lewis, we organized a special day of action focused on voting rights. The response was astounding – nearly 48 volunteer signups led to nearly 5,000 calls! With so many hands on deck, we turned that energy into thousands of calls. It was a heartfelt tribute to John Lewis’s legacy of "good trouble" and a record-setting day that showed our values in action.
   

• No Kings Voter Registration Drive: Beyond voter persuasion, BlueVote.org volunteers have been hard at work registering new voters to expand the electorate. From virtual phone banks to on-the-ground outreach in communities, our voter registration efforts are paying off. In one recent voter registration phone bank, we blasted past 5,000 calls in a single session (yet again!) – and the best part was finding many young and first-time voters who weren’t on the rolls yet. Each newly registered voter is a future vote for democracy, and we’re proud to be making a difference.
   

Eyes on 2026: Defending Democracy Together

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While we celebrate, we also know the stakes have never been higher. American democracy is under threat, and our work is more urgent than ever. Right now, extremists are holding power in Washington – with MAGA control of the White House, Congress, and the courts, they are pushing an agenda that undermines voting rights, truth, and equality. As our friends at BlueVote.org like to remind us, “With MAGA holding the White House, House, and Senate—now is the time for us to rise up and fiercely defend our democratic values.” We cannot afford to sit back.

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The 2026 midterm elections will be absolutely critical. This is our chance to flip the U.S. House in 2026, break the MAGA trifecta, and restore a pro-democracy majority. We’re also laying the groundwork to retake the White House in 2028, but it starts with winning in 2026. The opposition is well-funded and determined, from voter suppression laws to disinformation campaigns. That’s why BlueVote.org exists: to harness grassroots power in defense of democracy. Every call you make, every voter you register, and every friend you recruit to volunteer or donate brings us one step closer to victory.

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Our message is one of hope and resolve. We’ve seen what we can achieve when we work together – and we’re not slowing down. Democracy won’t defend itself, but we will. Let’s carry this momentum forward and make 2026 a turning point for our country.
 

Keep the Momentum: Take Action Now

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Feeling inspired and fired up? Here’s how you can continue to make a difference with BlueVote.org:

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• Sign up for a phone banking shift. Whether you’re a seasoned caller or brand new, your voice matters. Our phone banks are fun, supportive, and absolutely crucial to our strategy. Join us (from home!) and help reach voters in key districts – sign up for an upcoming phone bank and be part of our next record-breaking day.
   

• Support our work with a donation. We’re a volunteer-driven PAC, which means every dollar goes directly into organizing and outreach (no one on the team takes a salary). Even a small contribution fuels hundreds of additional calls and contacts. Help us scale up for 2026 by donating via ActBlue – chip in here to BlueVote.org to invest in our democracy’s future.
   

Thank you for being part of this movement. 2025 has shown us what’s possible when passionate people unite for a cause – we’re energized, proud, and more determined than ever. With your continued help, we’ll build on this foundation and win the fights ahead. Onwards to 2026 – let’s keep making history together!

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– The BlueVote.org Team