How Swing Left is Adapting to Our New Reality
The last few weeks have been unlike any other we’ve known. It’s scary that our families, friends, and neighbors are threatened by Covid-19, and our way of life is changing as a result. Social distancing doesn’t just impact our work and put a strain on our economy; it’s hard on our relationships and mental health.
During this time, the wellbeing of our community is what matters most. A lot of folks are facing serious financial hardships, caring for neighbors and loved ones, or stepping up to support local businesses and organizations in their time of need. We understand that the 2020 elections may not be top of mind.
Still, Swing Left’s mission is to transform our government — and that mandate feels more urgent by the day. We’re doubling down on the critical work that needs to be accomplished before November 3rd. We’re building new scenarios into our plan to win up and down the ballot. And we’re expanding our tools and resources for remote organizing so that our volunteers can continue to have an impact on the races that matter most for our democracy.
Today, we launched our Virtual Organizing Hub, a comprehensive guide to how you can help Democrats win from the safety of your home. Here’s a quick rundown on the remote actions you can take between now and November:
From the hub, you can start writing letters to voters in battleground states, alone or in virtual meet-ups. This is one of the most effective ways to turn out voters remotely, and our friends at Vote Forward have made it easy. Register now so you’ll be ready to write.
You can also learn how to host a Virtual House Party. Bring together your friends and neighbors. Create space to talk about our political climate, why you’re inspired to take action, your experience (or lack thereof) with volunteering or activism, and how best to adapt in a virtual world. Then, make a plan to take action together.
Picking up the phone is still a safe and effective way to help turn out Super State voters. Right now, we’re encouraging our volunteers to call voters in Wisconsin. The State Supreme Court election on April 7th will be pivotal in the fight for fair elections in Wisconsin as well as our nationwide effort to roll back Republican gerrymandering in the next round of redistricting in 2021.
Covid-19 has left countless organizations, food banks, small businesses, and individuals in need of financial support. If you’re able, consider making a donation. Democratic candidates in competitive districts will also continue to need grassroots dollars, so if that’s your preferred mode of engagement, we’ve built tools for it as well. By raising money prior to primary elections, we can provide a vital infusion of funding for candidates right after they secure the Democratic nomination. This is a highly effective way to mobilize your network and bring additional resources to the candidates who need them most, especially in down-ballot races. Be sure to check out our fundraising toolkit for resources, guidelines, and tips to get started.
If you’re ready to take action now, we’ve updated the Swing Left Action Finder to point you to virtual activities like the ones mentioned above. It’s a one-click source for the smartest ways to maximize your impact from wherever you are.
Already, Swing Left team members, local group leaders, and grassroots volunteers are finding creative solutions to meet this crisis head-on while marching toward our goals for 2020. I’m inspired by what they’re accomplishing, and I hope you will be, too:
- Swing Left Greater Boston is hosting at-home phone banking to call Maine voters every Sunday afternoon. They start with a check-in via video call and end with a virtual cocktail hour. Their goal is to help Maine Democrats finesse their messaging to flip Susan Collins’s Senate seat and build a volunteer list for door-to-door canvassing later this spring.
- Swing Left Indivisible Sacramento and Swing Left Marin are hosting regular virtual training sessions to help volunteers learn how to write voter turnout letters with Vote Forward.
- Polk County Oregon Swing Left and Swing Left East Bay have started virtual letter writing parties so volunteers can join a video call and socialize with one another while writing letters to voters.
- Many of Swing Left’s partner groups, like Lean Left Vermont, Turn PA Blue and Michigan’s Indivisible Fighting 9, continue to meet virtually and coordinate local teams to support our Super States of Michigan and Pennsylvania.
- Neighbors on Call, a Swing Left-affiliate group in North Carolina, is getting volunteers excited about their state legislative races by hosting virtual Q&A sessions with candidates and elected officials.
- Swing Texas Left held a virtual forum with Houston-area candidate Ann Johnson, who is running to flip District 134 in the Texas State House. Volunteers heard from Ann first-hand and brainstormed ways to keep momentum going on the ground through November.
These Swing Left groups are in good company. Find your closest group — or learn how to start your own — right here.
A number of our partners are rising to this moment in important, innovative ways. Thanks to them, and the larger progressive movement, the prospect of a brighter future feels all the more within reach. I’ll highlight just a few, and ask that you help us share additional resources far and wide:
- Indivisible: Community Building During the Coronavirus
- EMILY’s List: Digital Training Center
- Run For Something: Candidate Support Hub
- Sister District: Virtual Organizing Guide
Finally, in the spirit of allyship, I encourage us all to be kind, understanding, and generous while many members of our community experience outsized consequences of this pandemic. This is another page in a dark chapter for our county, but we will get through it by doing what we do best: building better government — together.
Keep going, Swing Left.
