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John:
An inspiring and successful referendum campaign in a deep red, rural Wisconsin county has captured the attention of rural organizers nationwide. No Dem Left Behind coordinated with our newest launched initiative, the Rural Outreach Coordinated Campaign, to create this documentary that explains the crucial work of rural organizing.
We seek to empower and highlight the work of organizers such as these across the country and help in creating meaningful change in their communities. By harnessing the power of rural organizers, we look toward the possibilities of winning the rural vote, and ultimately, the electoral map. If this type of work and these results interest you, then please consider donating today.
In Dunn County, Wisconsin, a group of activists decided to put an idea to the test:
If given the opportunity, would the electorate in a consistently red area vote “yes” on a national healthcare plan? Data exists to prove that this idea is not so far-fetched, but the Wisconsin natives took it a step further to be sure: they talked to their community members.
They spoke with their neighbors, friends, and those who live down the road a bit and discussed the impact this could have on a national scale. And it worked. But how did the process culminate in a victory?
First, a conservative county board had to approve placing a universal healthcare referendum on the ballot, and they did so unanimously. Then, once on the ballot, it outperformed Democratic candidates in the election by almost 18 points in some areas:
+17.8% - Village of Wheeler
+17% - Village of Elk Mound
+16.2% - Village of Ridgeland
+16.1% - Village of Boyceville
+15.9% - Town of Weston
+15.6% Town of Wilson
+11.6% Town of Dunn
+4.4% Village of Colfax
With ROCC, No Dem Left Behind is working with regional partners to ensure this project continues and that this methodology is scaled and utilized in other communities.
This shows what rural organizers are capable of accomplishing. We need to support these movements, scale and expand them, and inspire activists by demonstrating the craft. This is what ROCC is doing. This is what you are supporting if you decide to chip in today.
We know that we can win the rural vote and drastically change the map if we focus on the issues and invest in the strategies that succeed and the organizers that are doing the work.
Help us build on these successes and continue to inspire organizers nationwide by donating today.
If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:
In Solidarity,
- James
ROCC Facilitator
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