Q: What would feel worse than waking up to another Trump presidency on Nov. 6?
A: Regretting that you personally did not do enough to prevent it.
Well then, do something!
Lots of my friends — horrified by the prospect of a second Trump presidency and/or further expansion of the MAGA base in congress — have asked me how best to contribute to the effort to prevent them.
I’ve prepared this handbook so that even the busiest among us can easily play a role in preserving democracy as we’ve known it and defending against its most significant threat in our lifetimes.
In the next five minutes you’ll discover at least one — and maybe more — ways you can stop worrying and start working to help prevent an unthinkable second Trump administration. Some can be done from home, some offer the opportunity to work alongside others. All are things I have done and found to be both enjoyable and effective.
I hope this proves helpful. In any case, do something!
“How can I make a difference from home?”
The simplest way to make a contribution is to write letters or postcards encouraging folks to vote. I have attended excellent, databased presentations demonstrating a meaningful lift in voter turnout attributed to letter campaigns. With many elections being decided by only a few thousand votes in battleground states, effort of this sort make a difference.
The following page links to literally everything you need to start writing. Without moving from the desk at which you are likely reading this, you can start helping today!
I suggest you start by downloading and writing just 20 letters. (They’re templates...you only hand write a paragraph or so.) In no time you’ll know whether it’s something you want to continue with (I have friends who’ve written thousands)...or whether you’d rather engage some other way. In either case, the 20 letters you write will be added to millions of others helping turn out the Democratic vote.
Desktop Activism in 4 Easy Steps
Register on Vote Forward (votefwd.org)
Download and print 20 letter templates
Order envelopes @ 5 cents each
Amazon.com : #10 Envelopes Letter Size Self Seal, Business
White Security Tinted Peel and Seal, 500 Pack Windowless, Legal Size Regular Plain Envelopes 4-1/8 x 9-1/2 Inches - 24
LB Envelops : Office Products
Order stamps @ 73 cents each
Amazon.com: Forever Stamps Book of 20 Self-Stick awareness vinyl for USPS First Class Letter (20 Stamps) : Office Products
Upon their delivery at your front door, you’ll have everything you need to start writing. If you do nothing else (except vote of course), do this...it matters.
And if you’re on a budget, postcards are cheaper.
Postage for postcards is currently 56 cents, 17 cents cheaper than that for a standard envelope. If you’re looking to conserve funds, here are several organizations with whom you can sign up to write postcards, also an effective way of getting folks registered and out to vote.
Postcard Sign Ups — Activate America
FieldTeam6
Postcards4VA
“I’d like to personally host a letter-writing event among friends, but how do I go about it?!”
It’s actually really, really simple and offers a great way to socialize, commiserate about — and derail — Trump’s lie-fueled government takeover quest at the same time. Everything you need is at this link. Vote Forward (votefwd.org)
If you’re still unsure or uneasy about how to proceed, email me and I’ll Zoom’splain it all for you, provide materials and / or even hold your hand through the entire process.
“I’m able and would like to donate financially, but I want to be certain that I’m doing so in a smart and effective way.”
I attended a seminar by Jessica Craven, whose “Chop Wood, Carry Water” newsletter is excellent. She explained how to donate effectively and avoid scams (ie phone spam). She recommended two platforms as being especially strategic; they’re linked below. And she provided data demonstrating that a contribution to either can make a difference at the national level, even when allocated to a down-ballot race.
The States Project Movement Voter Project
Finally, as an admirer of Adam Kinzinger, I’ve donated to “Country First,” his org dedicated largely to defeating Trump. Country First | Join the Movement (country1st.com)
“I want to get out among others like me and do
something collectively.”
Letter writing events. There are plenty in your area, often accompanied by wine, coffee or other refreshments.
Phone and text banking events. Sometimes done at home, sometimes at someone else’s home.
Door-to-door canvassing. Some folks fear unpleasant confrontation with residents but I’ve always found this to be a very satisfying experience, particularly since the address lists provided consist entirely of “likely Democratic voters” who just need a nudge to help ensure they actually show up on election day.
You can find opportunities near you for all three activities at www.mobilize.us. In a few minutes, you can be signed up and ready make your contribution.
“I want to stay informed, but don’t have much time.”
Four newsletters below offer streamlined info and countless ways in which you can engage. They’re free, but I subscribe to the pay version when offered as these folks put in a lot of work.
Swing Left San Gabriel Valley
Send email request to laballetgirl@gmail.com
Jessica Craven
Subscribe to Chop Wood, Carry Water (substack.com)
Rob Hubbell
Today's Edition Newsletter | Robert B. Hubbell | Substack
Josh Marshall
TPM: Talking Points Memo - Breaking News and Analysis