Progressive Turnout Project: A Way to Impact Swing Districts Far and Wide
The first floor of our house has never looked like this.
Our furniture is shoved up against the walls. Our living and dining rooms are filled with pens, paper, and stamps atop folding tables and chairs. Our kitchen is filled with chips, dips, and boxes of beverages. And literally thousands of postcards.
After years of feeling hopeless and helpless in the face of Trump’s relentless assaults on so much of what we hold dear, we have finally latched onto a somewhat unusual “fight back” strategy that both feels good and does good.
But first let’s be clear: this is not to say that we have been apathetic or lazy. We’ve gone to protest after protest. We’ve repeatedly called and written lawmakers and public officials. We’ve texted and tweeted like crazy, drawing attention to Trump’s horrors and offering suggestions on ways any person might fight back.
None of this we regret. But it hasn’t felt like we’re making much of a difference, since Trump keeps heaping more pain, betrayal, and uncertainty – day after day – on millions, here and abroad.
The damage is apparent across many issues and in many arenas: erratic tariffs, increased legislative gridlock, more extreme gerrymandering, environmental protection rollbacks, attacks on the First Amendment, cuts in the safety net, corruption and self-dealing by administration officials, and even faith in elections and in democracy itself. Thankfully, however, a few months ago, our hopelessness and helplessness began to change when we stumbled across the Progressive Turnout Project (PTP).
The PTP’s notion is simple: A more balanced and less partisan Congress is our best short-term opportunity to halt Trump’s agenda. And since none of us are billionaires, the best way to improve the Senate or House is to send hundreds of thousands of carefully crafted, handwritten ‘please vote’ postcards to independent and progressive-leaning voters in the two dozen or so truly competitive races across the US.
Research and experience show that this approach really can boost turnout among those sections of the electorate most disapproving of Trump and his policies. What perhaps startled us the most about this strategy was the realization that the overwhelming majority of Americans don’t live in these closely contested states or districts. That, of course, severely limits one’s ability to have an impact where it’s needed most. But anyone in any state can handwrite a short message to voters in any other state who care about the vulnerable and about our democracy.
Armed with this approach, the two of us started inviting, hosting, and feeding dozens of friends and colleagues at our home once a week. We chat, commiserate, and catch up with folks while cranking out literally hundreds of postcards to what we call ‘the swing voters in swing districts.’ (We’ve opted to concentrate only on House races because it seems the House is where progressives have the best chance of prevailing this election cycle.)
It’s surprisingly fun. The group is surprisingly enthusiastic. We’re grateful that it ranges from twelve to twenty people, with most returning regularly. Who knew that we weren’t the only anti-Trump folks who felt frustrated and lacked a proven outlet for our energies?
As of last week, we have completed more than 6,000 cards across six congressional campaigns. Almost as rewarding, as they leave our house, most volunteers say, “Give me a hundred or two hundred cards I can work on at home. I’ll bring them back next week.”
Want to get involved? You can get all the material you need directly from the Progressive Turnout Project.
An added bonus: If you’re anything like us, you feel a real sense of satisfaction every time you put the last few stamps on the last few cards, knowing that you’re doing something smart, measurable, and effective that will start to end some of this madness.
The whole thing almost couldn’t be easier. You needn’t even leave your home. Just go to the PTP website. From among their list of close contests, pick a House or Senate race you care about (or just click on the phrase ‘State or district most needed’). Choose how many blank cards you want, from 100 to 1000.
The cards, voter lists, and scripts are mailed to you promptly. (You’re given three short, poll-tested scripts – each of which have proven to be effective.) Why does it work? Ask yourself this: When was the last time you got anything handwritten in the mail? It almost certainly caught your attention. A number of studies show that these messages in this format are effective.
Write the cards whenever you please, all at once or 20 at a time, on your porch or in your kitchen while listening to music or a podcast. Then hold them until late October, when PTP says they should be mailed to have the biggest impact.
The only ‘catch’ is that you must provide the stamps, which are just 65 cents and can be ordered online from the US Post Office.
It’s also not persuasion, which is very hard. It’s tough to change people’s minds. It’s much easier to move those who already agree with you towards action, which is what these postcards are designed to do.
The entire scheme involves no walking, no talking, no donating, no arguing with Trumpers. In the comfort of your own home and working at your own pace, you’re helping to tip a tiny handful of congressional seats and finally begin to rein in Trump’s power, both actual and perceived.
So please don’t delay. Get started today, even if it’s just 100 postcards. If you can’t, at least promote the Progressive Turnout Project with friends and on social media.
You needn’t upset your home décor to get started!
Now retired, Laura Barrett and David Clohessy have worked decades for progressive organizations including the Service Employees International Union, Metropolitan Congregations United, Housing Comes First, and others. They live in south St. Louis and can be reached at laurabarrett314@gmail.com and davidgclohessy@gmail.com.
