Hi John,

As we close out the year, many of us are still processing the November election results—what they mean for our lives, our communities, and the future of our democracy. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but today, I want to remind you of something important: we have so much to be proud of.

This year, our Election Protection program was a force on the ground with more than 15,000 nonpartisan volunteers working to ensure every eligible voter could cast their ballot and have it counted. From poll monitors stationed across the country to volunteers tracking disinformation online and staffing our voter assistance hotline, when voters needed us—we were there.

Together, we educated voters about their rights, assisted first-time voters, and made sure that no one faced unnecessary barriers to the ballot box. Every call answered, every voter supported, and every safeguard implemented made a difference in this year’s election.

Here are just a few highlights of what you helped make possible:

• Arizona 🏜️ – Expanded Election Protection efforts to rural Arizona, including Cochise, Coconino, Mohave, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma counties, ensuring every voter’s voice was heard.

• California 🌴 – Led a groundbreaking anti-gerrymandering ballot measure in Los Angeles and deployed poll monitors to support over 20 million eligible voters statewide.

• Colorado 🏔️ – Mobilized 350 volunteers, ensuring fair representation and equitable access to democracy in rural communities.

• Connecticut ⛵ – Secured a ballot initiative to expand absentee voting, making it easier for all voters to participate.

• Florida 🌊 – Provided multilingual voting assistance in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, empowering all communities to participate in democracy.

• Georgia 🍑 – Launched the first Spanish-language volunteer program in the state, making Election Protection efforts more inclusive.

• Hawaii 🌺 – Increased voter access by adding drop boxes on Molokai and collaborated with election commissions on violence prevention training.

• Illinois 🏙️ – Built a diverse coalition, including voters with intellectual disabilities, to ensure elections were inclusive and protected for all.

• Indiana 🏁 – Reached affordable housing communities with vital voting rights and access information.

• Maryland 🦀 – Trained and mobilized 200 volunteers to support voter protection; we also saw high turnout with early voting and same-day registration, which we fought for.

• Massachusetts 🏛️ – Tripled the number of volunteers deployed compared to 2022, reinforcing strong Election Protection coverage.

• Michigan 🚗 – Supported record-breaking early voting turnout and ensured 70% of absentee ballots were returned, showcasing the team’s dedication.

• Minnesota 🏞️ – Supported voters in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, with a special focus on Native lands and college campuses.

• Nebraska 🌽 – Restored voting rights for hundreds of Nebraskans with felony convictions through a voter restoration bill.

• North Carolina 🌲 – Used data-driven strategies to boost student turnout at HBCUs and assisted voters with ballot-curing programs.

• New Mexico 🌶️ – Implemented the state’s first Native American voting rights package and secured firearm-free zones at polling places.

• New York 🗽 – Trained over 300 volunteers for Election Day, with many already assisting during early voting periods.

• Ohio 🎢 – Trained 600 volunteers, including 100 peacekeepers across 30 counties, to ensure safe and accessible voting.

• Oregon 🍇 – Piloted a voter empowerment postcard campaign, providing proactive election information to underserved communities.

• Pennsylvania 🔔 – Prepared 500 volunteers, with an additional 200 trained during the final weekend before Election Day.

• Rhode Island 🦞 – Expanded language access in areas with high voting challenges, ensuring no voter was left behind.

• Texas 🤠 – Built robust Election Protection programs beyond major cities, addressing voter needs in rural areas across the state.

• Wisconsin 🧀 – Deployed 700 volunteers and worked to defend fair legislative maps and secure renewed access to drop boxes.

John, the fight for our democracy doesn’t end on Election Day—it’s a year-round effort. And with state legislative sessions kicking off soon, anti-democracy lawmakers are already preparing attacks on voting rights and fair elections, and we’re gearing up to meet them head-on.

In the new year, we’re focused on fighting voter suppression attempts and defending against efforts to restrict voting rights. We have teams in over 20 states, meeting with lawmakers, organizing advocates, and preparing for the fights ahead. But we can’t do it without your help.

Your support powers our work in your state—ensuring we can keep advocating for fair representation, holding the line against voter suppression, and building grassroots power in communities across the country.

Consider making a year-end gift today to support Common Cause in your state and help protect democracy where it matters most >>

Together, we’ll keep fighting for a democracy that works for everyone.

Thank you for being part of this movement,