A 50 State Strategy
How Democrats can and will win in every state, every county, and every precinct.
The Democratic Party is committed to winning elections at every level in every region of the country, and we're getting started right now with a massive effort to fund organizers on the ground in every state.
The ultimate goal? An active, effective group of Democrats organized in every single precinct in the country. Here's what we're doing to get there:
- The Democratic Party is hiring organizers chosen by the state parties in every state -- experienced local activists who know their communities.
- We bring those organizers together for summits where they can learn from each other the best practices for getting organized to win elections.
- Armed with the knowledge they've shared with each other, Democratic organizers return to the states and recruit and train leaders at the local level.
- Those local leaders recruit more leaders and volunteers until every single precinct in their area has a trained, effective organization of Democrats dedicated to winning votes for Democrats.
Latest News
Memorandum
Today Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Political Director David Boundy announced the rollout of a new field effort to register voters and talk to them about why McCain is the wrong choice for America's future. The rollout coincides with the launch of the DNC's ad, "Better Off," which will be used at organizing events across the country.
you can download color printable versions of the DVD Presentation FAQs here. DVD Presentation FAQs Q: How do we manage rural neighborhoods that are not always easily walk-able? A: Ride a bike, drive your car... get there if you...
you can download color printable versions of the canvassing tips here. Canvass Tips Knocking on doors is easy, fun, and rewarding -- when you canvass, you are a local opinion leader! Best of all, it is the most powerful...
you can download color printable versions of the House Party Logistics here. House Party Logistics Q: I have not been contacted by staff from the state party and have not received materials to host the house party (DVD, Neighborhood...
you can download color printable versions of the Sample Agenda here. Sample House Party Agenda I. Welcome – (Host and Guest Speaker) II. Attendees Introductions III. Introduction of Purpose of the House Party and Video Presentation of 2008 Program...
you can download color printable versions of the Sample Agenda here. Sample House Party Agenda I. Welcome – (Host and Guest Speaker) II. Attendees Introductions III. Introduction of Purpose of the House Party and Video Presentation of 2008 Program...
There's about one year to go before we elect a new president of the United States, and it just can't come soon enough.
Sample Agenda for the One Year Out Events.
House Party Logistics material for the One Year Out Events.
DVD Presentation FAQs for the One Year Out events.
Canvassing Tips for One Year Out event.
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Thanks to those of you who made it out this past Saturday for the Democratic Reunion. You cleaned up parks and rivers, planted trees, and recycled. You truly lived your values, making the planet cleaner for all of us.
Building on last year’s successful elections and the tremendous enthusiasm in the Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee will hold its 2nd annual “Democratic Reunion” Saturday, July 28, to engage and energize Democrats as we mobilize for the 2008 election.
You can download and print a pdf version of the Sign-in sheet here....
Water conservation is important to preserve our environmental habitats. And keeping our drinking water clean means taking a second look at our laws governing the disposal of waste and the way we live our own lives.
Waste seriously impacts our environment, and recycling is an easy answer to the issue. Reducing trash and reusing what we can means all of us can live in a cleaner, healthier America.
The beauty of plant and animal life must be persevered, yet pollution has run rampant over our land, air, and sea. There's the added threat of drilling in some of our most unique pieces of land, home to special creatures that would have no place else to go.
The threat we face due to global warming can no longer be ignored, with the earth's temperature rising each year. The spread of disease, hurricane intensity, and wildfires are all affected by the reality of global warming.
Energy independence puts America in the driver's seat to pursue affordable and efficient energy solutions that will benefit all Americans, improve America's security, reduce the burden on American families from high gas prices, and help clean our environment.
New Mexico State Democratic Chairman Brian Colón is visiting every county in the state on a listening tour, with the goal of electing more Democrats to local and national offices--even in traditionally Republican districts like Chaves County. Here's an account of his recent trip to Roswell, New Mexico.
The Florida Democratic Party continues to impress, and their hard work led to one more pickup of a Republican seat in the Florida House of Representatives. I spoke with the incredibly smart and talented Steve Schale, political director for the Florida Democratic Party’s House Democratic Caucus, about the seat. He mentioned the important role that the 50-State-Strategy played.
Today is Governor Dean's Two Year Anniversary as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee! And thanks to Democrats all across the country who have done the hard work to make it a success, Governor Dean's vision, the 50-State Strategy, has become an integral part of helping Democrats win campaigns all across the country. In the past two years we've seen Democrats
The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007, in conjunction with the meetings of the Democratic National Committee, February 1-3, 2007. Submitted by: Mark Brewer, President, Association of State Democratic Chairs...
Harvard University's Elaine Kamarck has a new paper out where she assesses the effect of the 50-State Strategy. The result? She comes up with some hard data to prove what we already know, and what we already believe: that when you show up, work hard and respect people enough to ask for their votes, you win more votes!
According to the AP, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will become chair of the Democratic Governors Association next year, the first woman to hold that post.
Governor Dean delivered the keynote address at the Canadian Liberal Leadership Convention. Watch it: Part 1 | Part 2 | Commentary An Excerpt... ...The Democratic Party had a great day a few weeks ago. But it was the start of...
An article by the Associated Press notes that strong organizing and voter outreach efforts by Democrats in a seemingly GOP stronghold, western North Carolina, netted a Congressional seat formerly held by an eight-term Republican opponent along with other key seats in 2006. The article highlights the important work done by Democratic leaders throughout North Carolina, as well as the success of the DNC’s '50-state strategy,' which helped to ensure Democratic victories up and down the ballot throughout North Carolina.
Recent articles around the country confirmed that the Democratic National Committee's 50 state strategy helped make a difference in critical races across the country this mid-term election. Democrats' commitment to rebuilding the Party everywhere and not just in a few key states helped to reap big dividends in areas once thought to be un-winnable. On November 7th Democrats were able to make gains in states like Montana, North Carolina and Kentucky when Americans went to the polls and voted for change.
The Association of State Democratic Chairs today applauded Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean for his commitment to the DNC's 50 State Strategy and celebrated its contribution to last week's historic election victories. The ASDC members adopted a resolution today during its fall meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that noted the tremendous success of all the Democratic candidates and state parties who won races up and down the ticket, all across the country.
North Carolina's Margaret Johnson was worried on election night that the walls would literally come tumbling down at the Democratic headquarters in the small North Carolina foothills town of Columbus. Two hundred and fifty rain-soaked people jammed into the 1940s-era building -- a converted church -- to celebrate Democrats' near-sweep in what has been a strong Republican county.
The Delaware Republican Party has fired its entire paid headquarters staff, effective at the end of the year, blaming a post-election cash shortage. Democrats this year had three full-time staffers paid for through the 2008 election as part of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean’s nationwide party-building plan. But the state GOP has had to rely on its own fundraising prowess to pay staff salaries.
In the wake of Democratic victories in all 50 states, Governor Dean sent out the following message today...
There are seven Native American Nations in the state of Montana, and the Indian Nation vote is essential for Democratic victory in Big Sky Montana.
This weekend the Ohio Democratic Party teamed up with College Democrats of America to bring students from all over the country to Ohio for a weekend of GOTV activities. The "CDA Ohio Invasion" was a big hit - with...
The New York Times notes a shift in the Mountain West from red to blue as Democrats make electoral gains in governorships, state legislatures, and Congressional seats.Despite a Republican edge in registration, Democrats are discovering the Mountain West - and...
As President Bush campaigns in Western states today, recent articles in the New York Times and Billings Gazette note a shift in the Mountain West from red to blue as Democrats make electoral gains in governorships, state legislatures, and Congressional seats.
With more than 6,000 state legislative seats on the ballot next week, Democrats could gain control of a majority of state capitols for the first time in a decade. This would increase the number of women in leadership positions, and influence the outcomes on issues such as the minimum wage and stem cell research.
An article in today's New York Times highlights the chance for big gains to be made by Democrats in statehouses across the country this November. These gains are important because they will affect the redrawing of Congressional maps, increase the number of women in leadership positions, and influence the outcomes on important state legislative issues such as the minimum wage and stem cell research. These elections have been bolstered by the DNC's 50 state strategy, which is building the infrastructure and grass roots capacity we need to elect Democrats up and down the ballot across the country.
The Idaho Statesman reports two major races in Idaho are in a statistical dead heat: Republican and Democratic candidates in a few major Idaho political races are separated by just a few percentage points and virtually tied, according to a...
Wyoming's At Large U.S. House seat is now in play. The Billings Gazette explains: The race between Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., and Democratic challenger Gary Trauner is about even, according to a new poll commissioned by the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle of...
The Nebraska Democratic Party was featured on Kos today: Much has been said about the DNC's 50 state strategy under Chairman Howard Dean, but in order to truly grasp this major shift in the way Democrats are doing business, one...
Today Dr. James J. Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute, released an analysis of recent Arab American-focused polls regarding the upcoming election. Arab Americans will vote overwhelming Democratic this year, expanding on a trend that began in 2002. Bottom...
Idaho continues to make news as the National Republican Congressional Committee is planning to drop over $500,000 a Congressional race that NO ONE thought was going to be close. The WaPost summarizes the race: It is, perhaps, the political equivalent...
Back in June, we looked at the recent trend in Kansas, that saw more and more Republicans fleeing the GOP and finding a home in the Democratic Party. We heard from Kansas Democratic Party Chairman, Larry Gates, who commented: These...
It's official: the 50-state strategy works. Races that no one could have predicted would be even remotely competitive are now too close to call. Building the party infrastructure in all 50 states has allowed the Democratic Party to compete and win in the upcoming election.
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All across the country, Democratic candidates are fighting to win. The 50-State Turnout kicked off the final stretch of what has been a long, hard campaign season. With just
27 days left until Election Day, every hour you can spend doing GOTV makes a difference!
This past Saturday Democrats kicked-off the final month of the election with more than 600 voter contact activities across the country. Democrats contacted three million voters during the DNC's third national organizing day, demonstrating the strength of the Democratic ground game heading into the final days of the campaign.
Arizona Democrats brought popular Governor Janet Napolitano, elected officials and local candidates to make the 50-State Turnout a success. Plus, DNC-funded field organizers were featured on the afternoon conference call with Governor Dean.
Building on the success of previous national organizing events, members of the Leon County Democratic Party have become pros at GOTV efforts in their county. County Chair, Rick Minor, shared some of their best practices for success during the 50-State Turnout conference call with Governor Dean.
At the DNC we believe that personal interactions are more important than yard signs, stickers or slick TV ads. This story from Yorkville, Illinois is a classic example of how an everyday conversation can make a difference.
Congressman Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair, kicked-off The 50-State Turnout with New Jersey congressional candidate, Linda Stender, beginning the morning by canvassing with members of Plumbers Local 24 before heading to the Asian Trade Show and Chinese Festival.
The OC's Adam Brody phones Ohio voters alongside Sherrod Brown during The 50-State Turnout in NE Ohio Getting Out the Youth Vote in Ohio: Students pushed their way through the Kiva Auditorium at the Kent Student Center in an...
The Ohio Democratic Party set an ambitious goal for their 50-State Turnout events. Their goal was to make 100,000 phone calls to Ohio voters. All across the state they set up phone bank locations - the goal was to have...
This weekend's 50-State Turnout events kicked off a month-long Get Out the Vote effort by Democratic campaigns across the country. In coordination with their State Parties and local campaigns, Democrats in all 50 states spent Saturday doing the hard work...
On Saturday, October 7, Democrats will kick-off the final month of voter contact activities at Democratic National Organizing Day events across the country, building on the success of ongoing critical Get-Out-the-Vote operations for Election Day.
The Ohio Democratic Party will hold more than eighty 50-State Turnout events on Oct. 7 with the goal of making 100,000 Calls for Victory. Augmenting their phone calls, they will also be taking part in a a variety of door-to-door...
In New Jersey, mudslinging by the Kean, Jr. campaign has sidetracked a real discussion of the issues in the competitive Senate race. As a result, NJ Democrats are utilizing the 50–State Turnout event to help re-focus the discussion onto issues...
There are some states that don't have high-profile statewide races this cycle. North Carolina is one of those states. But in 2006, they will be voting to keep control of both houses of the State Legislature and have a few...
In case you missed it, the love keeps on coming for Wyoming Congressional candidate Gary Trauner. Last week, Markos pointed out the way the 50-State Strategy has boosted Wyoming Democrats. Today, we see Trauner keeps gaining momentum....
Scott Kleeb, a forth generation Nebraskan, educated at Yale University, who got his doctorate studying the history of cattle ranching, who lives and works on a ranch, is running for Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. And a new poll shows that he is a dead heat.
Larry Daniel, a Gulf War veteran, a professor of constitutional law and a Democratic candidate for the Utah State Legislature e-mailed us this look inside the the 50-State Strategy. I wanted to take a few moments to let you know...
The Oklahoma Democratic Party is doing an amazing job motivating Democrats in America's heartland. Chair Lisa Prior has embraced the 50-State Strategy and the results are tangible. Hundreds of Oklahoma Democrats turned out for their Democratic Reunion event on July...
For the first time in decades, Democrats have a true 50-state operation on the ground. Over the last year and half, we've invested in building the infrastructure for a permanent Democratic Party - one that doesn't need to be rebuilt from scratch for every election.
We're sending doorhangers to state parties, but we encourage you to take the initiative to print and distribute your own. Both an English and a Spanish/English version are available. The doorhanger design is downloadable in both high-quality format for professional...
We're sending doorhangers to state parties, but we encourage you to take the initiative to print and distribute your own. Both an English and a Spanish/English version are available. The doorhanger design is downloadable in both high-quality format for professional...
We're sending Democratic Vision postcards to state parties, but we encourage you to take the initiative to print and distribute your own. An English, Spanish/English, Chinese/English, Korean/English, and Vietnamese/English versions are available. The postcard design is downloadable in 3 formats...
Our Neighborhood Outreach Packet includes everything you need to contact 100 voters, including: the 50-State Strategy overview, canvassing tips and a sample script, phone banking tips and a script, a sign-in sheet, and the 100 Voter Progress Report....
How Democrats can and will win in every state, every county, and every precinct. The Democratic Party is committed to winning elections at every level in every region of the country, and we're getting started right now with a...
You have the power to take back our country and get America moving in a new direction! Thanks for helping to get Democrats in your area out to vote. To update us on your progress contacting 100 voters, print...
This fall the Democratic Party will be hosting events in every state across the country where volunteers will be gathering together to commit to contact 100 voters from their community by Election Day 2006. Hosting an event? Download and...
Sample Phone Bank Script Hello, may I speak with _________________? Hi ___________, my name is ___________. I’m your neighbor and a volunteer with the (State/Local Party or Democratic Club). With the November 7th elections under 100 days away, I’m...
Information generously provided by the Arizona Democratic Party. For more information visit http://www.azdem.org Effective CanvassingAs a neighborhood Democratic Volunteer, you know your neighborhood best. You are a local "opinion maker." This means your neighbors may come to rely on...
To create a 50 State Turnout event, enter your zip code.
To find an event near you, click here.
On Saturday, Sept. 16th thousands of College Dems will hit their campuses in the first ever National Youth Canvass Day. Schools across the country have signed up to spread the College Democrats’ message and to recruit new members.
Its common knowledge in the world of political campaigning that voters support the candidates that they have a stronger connection with. Democrats understand that and are taking their campaigns back to the basics. Candidates in Boston, Massachusetts are moving beyond...
From The Hotline: The DLCC and ActBlue announced the formation of the State Activation Project. The new organization will make sophisticated online fundraising tools available to Dem state legislative candidates in certain states. While state legislative candidates have been hindered...
CQ put out a story this AM on Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin, the great state of Wyoming's only voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Word is she's looking a little weak. But her underwhelming showing against a little-known opponent...
50 states or 88 counties, you can't convince anyone if you don't go talk to them -- you just keep losing a few votes at a time, until all you're left with is a great ad campaign and a few yard signs nobody wants.
Democratic momentum heading into the upcoming elections may help Democrats make gains in state legislative seats across the country this November. Part of the DNC's 2006 election strategy focuses on widening the 21-seat advantage that Democrats currently have in state legislative seats.
I've never worked out west. I did a brief stint in Alaska, but that's it. I was so very close to joining the Montana Coordinated campaign, but timing is a funny thing and I ended up in Texas and then...
Nebraska Democrats Moving Up: Working their way back. Nebraska Democrats have been at it since a disastrous 2002 election when they were buried by record margins in Senate and gubernatorial races. Road kill. In 2004, they made great strides in...
Governor Dean made his first trip to Delaware as Chairman of the DNC. Now some would consider a state like Delaware, pretty "blue", but almost isn't good enough for Governor Dean. And that's why Dean has pressed for building stronger Democratic voting in all states, whether they are currently red or blue on the political map.
Articles in newspapers in Ohio and Delaware today highlight the success of the Democratic National Committee's 50-State-Strategy in ensuring that Democrats all over the country have the resources they need to compete and win races up and down the ballot in 2006 and beyond. An article in today's Cleveland Free Times points out that Ohio Democrats have already made important electoral gains in parts of Ohio where Democrats are not usually competitive as a result of the DNC's 50-State-Strategy and the Ohio Democratic Party's parallel 88 county strategy.
Democrats across the country marked 100 days to Election Day by gathering last Saturday to offer a new direction for America and to organize, energize, and motivate voters at 843 "Democratic Reunion" national organizing events.
There have been several Democratic Reunion tales around the blogosphere. Today I found one from Georgia, complete with pictures. Here is a preview: These people are the reason I became a Democrat in the first place; just regular folks who...
Chili's and a new direction are sure to fire up a crowd! In Roswell, New Mexico: With just more 100 days until the November election, politicians and supporters alike enjoyed hot dogs, chips and soft drinks while getting to...
This presentation is a collection of images showing the unification of Democrats across the country. In a hope to take back the House and Senate in 2006 Democrats from every corner of The United States are holding 'Democratic Reunions'...
With the inspiration from founding father Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic Party in Pennington County South Dakota launched its "100 Days-100 Doors" initiative. "One of the reasons why we're here today is we believe that Jefferson represents the kind of Democratic...
In Lee County, Mississippi, The Democratic Reunion was a family affair. One Mom desribed how her whole family pitched in to make the event a success and how her daughter is growing up "blue": It was a typical sticky Mississippi...
Music Row Democrats are making some beautiful noise: Country music, as it turns out, is not 100 percent Republican. With radio stations across the nation boycotting their music and outraged commentators predicting walkouts at their concerts, the Chicks were made...
What a day! We launched 100actions.com and have had a great response. Plus, we're only just beginning to share the stories that have been rolling in about The Democratic Reunion. So far we've heard from: Montana Florida Wisconsin Pennsylvania Ohio...
In an effort to reach out and register 5,000 Hispanic voters across Washington state, a small group of volunteers began a door to door operation distributing candidate pamphlets and voter lists. "Right now, we're just trying to give people a...
Montana Democrat, Jon Tester, Candidate for U.S. Senate Jon Tester speaks with supporters at The Democratic Reunion in Billings, MT This weekend Montana Democrats rallied across the state for Democratic candidates, including favorite son, Jon Tester. With 177 volunteers...
I got this report in from Rick Minor, Chair of the Leon County Democratic Party. Scores of Democratic volunteers braved the sweltering heat to walk Tallahassee's neighborhoods and reach out to voters. In addition to the neighborhood canvassing, many other...
Some Democrats kicked-off their Reunion events last week. Here is an update I received from a Wisconsin Democrat. Another local Democratic organizer and I put together an event that brought out about 30 people, and included Democratic candidates and staff...
Tomorrow, Saturday, July 29th, Democrats across the country will participate in "Democratic Reunion" events marking 100 days to Election Day 2006. During the more than 800 events in all 50 states, Democrats will distribute 2 million pieces of literature highlighting the Democratic Party’s agenda for a new direction for America, including bilingual pieces in both English and three Asian languages including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. During these “Democratic Reunions,” participants will commit to reaching out to 100 other voters between now and Election Day to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot in every state and win back majorities in the U.S. Congress and Senate.
