The road to 2026 presents both challenges and opportunities for those committed to protecting democracy. We’ve identified three critical plays that regular citizens, organizing at the local level nationwide, must execute to navigate this period successfully. These plays are a crucial roadmap, A Document As Important As The Indivisible Guide, offering a strategic framework for grassroots action.
- Resist Project 2025: Mount a unified opposition to Project 2025 initiatives pushed by the White House and Congress. Strategically select battles to ignite national opposition and secure victories in 2026.
- Hold Democrats Accountable: Demand that Democrats in local, city, and state offices aggressively block, delay, and challenge MAGA’s agenda.
- Protect and Win Elections: Defend against election deniers in swing states and transform national opposition into an electoral majority coalition, paving the way for significant wins in 2026.
These plays represent a focused effort to empower individuals to effect meaningful change and ensure the preservation of democratic values.
Play #1: United Resistance Against Project 2025
A Republican-controlled White House and Congress will wield significant power over the federal agenda for the next two years. While they can set the agenda, they cannot unilaterally impose it. The success of Project 2025 hinges on Congress, the courts, and, crucially, public opinion. This is where our collective action becomes essential.
The Trump administration will likely move quickly, potentially from day one, to implement portions of Project 2025. Expect a surge of executive orders, controversial Cabinet appointments, and legislative pushes to advance their agenda. Identifying and strategically opposing specific initiatives will be crucial.
Our approach will involve strategically choosing national battles – opportunities to achieve tangible victories, defend democratic institutions, and energize our coalition while fracturing theirs. Examples could include preventing cuts to healthcare, opposing tax breaks for the wealthy, or challenging politically motivated prosecutions. The key is to be prepared for rapid action.
We will strive to win outright, create delays, or inflict political damage. This involves pressuring Democrats to maintain a unified front, holding Republicans accountable for unpopular actions, and communicating the real-world harm these policies inflict on ordinary people. By demonstrating that resistance is possible, we can lay the groundwork for success in 2026.
Achieving these goals will:
- Delay, disrupt, and limit harmful actions: The administration’s resources and time are finite. Each delay represents an opportunity to prevent the implementation of a detrimental policy.
- Secure victories: A narrow Republican majority in the House and a tight margin in the Senate offer opportunities to block legislation, especially with unified Democratic opposition. Public pressure can also influence the administration’s decisions.
- Foster national opposition: Exposing the harmful impacts of the Trump agenda, assigning responsibility, and building a strong coalition are essential for shifting public opinion.
This strategy is particularly relevant if:
You Have a Democratic Representative/Senator
It is crucial to encourage your Democratic representatives to actively resist the Trump agenda. Remind them that unified opposition, as demonstrated in 2017 against attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, can be effective in defeating harmful legislation and shaping public narratives. Demand that they not only oppose Project 2025 but also actively and passionately advocate against it.
You Have a Vulnerable Republican Representative or Senator Up for Reelection in 2026
Focus on making your swing representative or senators take public stances and explain their positions on critical issues. Highlight the opposition to the MAGA agenda within their district and emphasize that their constituents expect them to vote against it. By increasing their vulnerability in the upcoming election, you can influence their votes or pave the way for their defeat in 2026.
You Have a Safe Republican Representative/Senator
Even if your representatives are in safe seats, you can still play a crucial role. Focus on informing and educating your community about the implications of the MAGA agenda. This is particularly important given the current political landscape, where Trump skeptics have largely been replaced by loyalists.
Play #2: Empowering Democrats to Act Decisively at the Local and State Levels
For those in reliably Democratic states, local and state organizing is vital. These areas possess significant influence to shape national discourse, leverage economic and political power to protect critical values, and challenge the core tenets of Project 2025. Your involvement is key to ensuring they take action.
Democratic elected officials will continuously make decisions about whether to confront or comply with MAGA. Your active advocacy ensures that supportive officials know they have a strong base behind them and that those who don’t act are held accountable.
With 15 states having a Democratic trifecta (a Democratic governor and state legislature), these states wield considerable economic and cultural power. If you reside in one of these states, demand action to leverage that power against MAGA’s abuses. Even without unified Democratic control, governors and attorneys general retain independent authority, and action can be taken at the city, county, or town level.
Demand to know how your Democratic leaders are using their power to protect residents and those seeking refuge from red states. Are they enacting legislation to safeguard vulnerable populations? Are they challenging MAGA policies targeting communities? Are they collaborating with other Democrats to form alliances? Are they using their economic leverage to promote progressive values and safeguard labor, civil rights, and environmental standards? Are they fully utilizing their office’s authority to obstruct and delay the MAGA agenda? How will they respond to escalations from the Trump administration?
This approach can achieve:
- Obstruction, delay, and disruption of the Trump administration: Coordinated efforts to impede the administration’s actions, through lawsuits, legislation, and acts of resistance, will hinder the implementation of their agenda.
- Protection of people, policies, and progress: Progressive governance, including interstate compacts to maintain policy standards and actions by governors to protect immigrant families, can make a substantial positive impact.
- Mitigation of harm for red state residents: Regardless of their voting patterns, people in red states deserve better. Policies that support them and highlight the differences between red and blue states are both morally and politically sound.
- Demonstration of successful Democratic governance: Enhancing the quality of life in blue states through policies that promote affordability, safety, and fairness strengthens the Democratic brand for the future.
This strategy is relevant if:
You Have a Democratic Governor, Attorney General, or Legislature
Democratic state leadership has substantial power to directly counter Trump’s agenda and protect state residents. Encourage them to take these steps:
- Issue executive orders: Counter federal actions by establishing protections for immigrants, expanding access to reproductive healthcare, or enforcing strict environmental standards.
- Form alliances: Urge your governor and AG to join regional compacts on issues like climate change, data privacy, and healthcare.
- Use economic leverage: Set procurement and contracting standards that prioritize civil rights, environmental responsibility, and fair labor practices.
- Decline federal policy implementation: Opt out of federal programs that would harm residents or grant loopholes to corporations.
- Implement sanctuary policies: Protect individuals traveling from red states to access restricted services like reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care.
- Create legal funds: Establish state-funded legal defense funds to support residents affected by Trump’s policies, such as immigrants at risk of deportation.
- Prioritize policies that enhance quality of life: Improve healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
You Have a Democratic City Government
You can collaborate with local leaders to resist Trump’s agenda. Advocate for policies such as:
- Adopting Sanctuary Policies: Protect immigrant residents by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
- Expand Protections for Vulnerable Communities: Pass ordinances that protect housing rights, fund community health programs, and ensure that LGBTQ+ residents feel safe and supported.
- Invest in Local Environmental Initiatives: Enact local climate policies like banning single-use plastics, promoting renewable energy, or creating green infrastructure projects.
- Partner with State and Regional Allies: Encourage collaboration with state and regional governments on issues like transportation, affordable housing, and voting rights.
- Prioritize policies that enhance quality of life: The more that Democratically-controlled areas deliver for their residents, the better we can make the case against the MAGA agenda to the American people.
Play #3: Protecting and Winning Elections
The future of our democracy depends on safeguarding the integrity of the 2026 elections and securing victories. Those elected in 2026 will oversee the 2028 elections, so it is imperative to prevent election deniers from gaining key roles in swing states and districts.
Reclaiming power at the federal level also hinges on success in swing districts and states. Regaining control of the House and Senate would impede Trump’s legislative agenda, provide negotiating leverage, and empower Democrats with investigatory and subpoena powers.
Success in this area will:
- Ensure fair elections in 2026: Local organizing can safeguard the integrity of the 2026 elections as much as possible.
- Apply pressure to target officials: Hold Republican state and federal officials accountable for the harmful impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on your state and its residents.
- Win key offices: Securing governorships, secretaries of state, state legislature seats, House races, and local election offices is crucial to safeguarding national elections in 2028.
This play is particularly important if:
You’re in a Swing State
Each swing state has critical statewide or federal seats up for election in 2026. Determine which actions in 2025 will best position you for success next year.
This requires a tailored approach. If a Republican Senator is up for reelection, consider focusing on advocacy and accountability campaigns. If there’s a crucial Governor or Secretary of State race, focus on campaigning for state legislative fights or preparing for state elections.
In any case, consider whether your actions are:
- Strengthening future Democratic candidates.
- Weakening future Republican opponents.
- Expanding your base of engaged and active supporters.
You’re in a Swing State with an Ongoing Threat of Election Subversion
Dedicated local organizing, involving close monitoring of elected officials, publicizing their actions, and organizing public pressure, is crucial to preventing election subversion.
These efforts may appear technical or bureaucratic, but they are essential. Start by identifying your local board of elections members, their records, and their reelection schedules. Consult resources from organizations like Protect Democracy for guidance on identifying potential threats. If you’re in an election denial hotspot, seek local connections to get organized.
In conclusion, these three strategic plays offer a roadmap for individuals and communities to protect and strengthen democracy. By actively engaging in these efforts, we can build a more just and equitable future.
