Democracy Action Page 

Updated August 21, 2026

Welcome! This listing aims to offer activities that match your interests and capabilities. Bookmark and return often–it is regularly updated with timely opportunities to help protect democracy, voting, and climate. All links below are active and current, to the best of our knowledge. Send ideas or comments to wisconsin@thirdact.org, with “Democracy” in the subject line. Don’t just be concerned--BE ACTIVE!

The links below are active and current, to the best of our knowledge. Please:

• Bookmark this page and return often, as we update it regularly with opportunities to foster renewable energy and oppose continued burning of fossil fuels.
• This document is organized into two response periods (Deadlines Soon, Deadlines Coming Up). It includes a final section called “Resources in Support of Action.” and Democracy In the News–Actions That Either Strengthen or Weaken It.
• Send your comments and suggestions for other democracy action items to wisconsin@thirdact.org, with “Democracy Team” in the subject line.

We invite you to visit our Climate Action Page and our Democracy Action Page. These pages are updated often, so check them today and bookmark them for future reference!

Take Action Today

Democrats have a chance to unite Wisconsin behind Crowley | Paul Fanlund | captimes.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3Y195Ez7E

Quick Links

A. Take Action - Current Week 

I. Protect Elections

II. Support Candidates 

III. Expanding Voting Opportunities

B. Take Action - Dates Coming Up

I. Protect Elections

II. Support Candidates 

III. Expanding Voting Opportunities

C. Resources - On-going

IV. Learning Opportunities

V. Resources in Support of Taking Action

VI. Democracy In the News–Actions You Might Want to Know About

A. Take Action–Week of August 16 August 122

From Robert Hubbell Today’s Edition Newsletter

1. Protect Elections – this week

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Defending Our Vote: The ACLU’s election safeguarding program

President Trump and state lawmakers are trying to interfere in the 2026 midterm elections. The ACLU has a plan to keep power where it belongs — in the hands of the voters.

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In this vitally important election season, help protect everyone’s right to vote and have their votes counted. Here is what you can do NOW:

• Counter false narratives that elections are “rigged” or unsafe:

• Post accurate, positive messages about voting on social media.
• Use this excellent toolkit from ElectionProtection, featuring many free graphics, flyers, and template social media messages.
• Hang flyers in your neighborhood; ask local businesses and libraries to post them too.
• Write letters to editors of local newspapers! For guidance join our “Resist Through Writing” program by signing up for Action Response Messages (more information below).
• Make it fun!  Host a messaging or posting party in your neighborhood!

• Check MyVoteWI to make sure you and everyone you know are properly registered to vote, have acceptable ID, and know where to vote.
• Train to be a poll peacekeeper with Faiths United to Save Democracy
• Sign up with the League of Women Voters to be a poll observer, especially in vulnerable districts in our larger cities.

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• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 

• Voting Rights from the American Civil Liberties Union.  Learn  more about how to exercise  your voting rights, including how to resist voter intimidation efforts, and how to access assistance at the polls.

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Voting Rights

“If you live in a Blue State, Donald Trump just put a gun to your head.” –from Miles Taylor at Defiance.org

“The administration will withhold public safety money from states that don't hand over control of their elections to Trump.”  Read more here.

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Activities with WisDems and Mobilize

Click here for a variety of activities over the next few weeks.

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Become a Poll Worker

It’s easy, patriotic and essential to a smoothly-functioning democracy.  Check with your city or county clerk for requirements and application process.

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Become an Election Protector

Here’s a good way to start: Common Cause is a highly respected non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to countering the influence of special interests on behalf of ordinary citizens. They have launched an ambitious  election protection campaign.You can help by:

• Becoming an election protection volunteer

• Help voters find their polling place and understand voting procedures;

• Monitor local polling places;

• Counter misinformation about voting;

• Help voters navigate obstacle to voting;

• De-escalate voter intimidation.

• Donating to support an election protection volunteer

• Donations are made via a secure Action Network portal;

• Funds will help train and supply volunteers.

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“Trump order limiting voting by mail halted by federal court”--Sat. June 27 from the Wisconsin Examiner  BY: JONATHAN SHORMAN-JUNE 25, 2026 11:15 AM

A federal judge on Thursday blocked major portions of President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, finding he had exceeded his constitutional authority.  (Read more)

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Protect Our Polls Act

The threat to our voting rights is real and imminent. The Trump Administration is preparing the groundwork for sending federal troops to polling places, prohibiting the U.S. Postal Service from delivering mailed ballots in states that refuse to turn over voting rolls to the federal government, and to nationalize election processes to make it easier for the administration to control the results of elections. Fortunately there are members of Congress fighting back. The Protect Our Polls Act is led by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and also cosponsored by Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).  Wisconsin’s Senator Tammy Baldwin is also fighting for this act.

Senator Baldwin and her colleagues are introducing a new bill to protect Americans’ constitutional right to vote and prevent federal interference by armed military or federal law enforcement. The Protect Our Polls Act defends our free and fair elections, preserves the apolitical nature of our military, and protects servicemembers from illegal orders. The bill comes as President Trump has openly floated sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents to local polling locations.

Please take a few minutes to contact your representatives in Congress showing your support for this bill. Please know that representatives’ offices actually do pay attention to constituent input!  They may not read every letter or email or take your call themselves but staffers do tally inputs and large volumes of comment come to the representative’s attention.

 To contact Senator Baldwin click here. To contact Senator Johnson click here

Watch Sen. Baldwin make the announcement  Call Sen. Baldwin and thank her and call Sen. Johnson to urge him to support this bill.  

• Tammy Baldwin: (202) 224-5653
• Ron Johnson: (202) 224-5323

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From Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton “The U.S. Postal Service just announced that it plans to throw out mail-in ballots from blue states during this fall’s midterm elections unless state election officials hand over reams of sensitive voter registration data to the Trump administration.”

“This is blatantly illegal and could throw the midterm election into chaos. But that’s exactly the point. Trump is trying to sabotage the midterms because he’s scared he will lose — so he’s doing everything he can to disenfranchise the voters who want him out.”

“Friends, we will not let him get away with it.”

“We’re demanding that Congress and the courts step in to block Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting, and we’re launching our biggest midterm election campaign ever so that turnout is so high, no amount of voter suppression can change the result.”

 II. Support Candidates – this week

We Have Our Candidates- Let's Get Busy!

Our Democracy Team congratulates David Crowley and all of his supporters, after their narrow win in this week’s gubernatorial primary. We also truly appreciate those candidates who came up short (Francesca Hong, Kelda Roys, Joel Brennan), as responses to our Governor Candidate Survey showed all of them strongly supporting transition to clean energy, expanded voting access, and election integrity.

 By way of contrast, Tom Tiffany’s record and recent statements show him strongly opposed to our Third Act principles and priorities. On every issue we are tracking, a Tiffany victory in November would be a disaster. (For a quick list of specifics, see “Don’t Be Fooled” from our friends at Grassroots North Shore.)    

 Now that we know who will be running in the November election, you can expect to hear from our team soon, with a slate of Third Act-endorsed Wisconsin candidates for Governor, State Legislature, and U.S. Congress. Our special focus will be on key legislative races, with hopes for majorities in the WI Senate and Assembly that will be able to advance clean energy, protect against hyper-scale data centers, strengthen election integrity, and lots more.          

 Over the next 2 ½ months, there will be many possible ways for each person reading this to help! Writing postcards or editorials, handing out literature at events, making campaign donations, knocking on doors, phone-banking—it’s going to be a busy fall! Can you start right now? Visit our Midterm Volunteer form, click on any of three focus areas, and we’ll get back to you with some specific tasks. Or check out our Democracy Action Page for up-to-the-minute opportunities to support democracy and climate.

Three Democrats vie to take on Steil in Wisconsin’s 1st CD in Tuesday’s primary | Erik Gunn from Wisconsin Examiner.

Results from August 11 Primary Elections (from the Wisconsin Examiner)

Support Climate Candidates With Our Friends At 350 Wisconsin.  Door-to-door canvassing and Crowd Canvassing.  Several opportunities thru August

Post-carding Opportunities

What: Madison-area Third Actors are starting a new monthly activism/social event

When: on third Fridays ( August 21, September18), at 11 am. Join us to write “Get out the Vote postcards” to voters in Wisconsin! We’ll provide postcards, postage, voter lists, colored pens, and instructions with research-backed message options. We’ll be sending postcards to voters who are extremely likely to vote Blue, but might not vote without a nudge. We’ll meet to write postcards in July, August, September and possibly October, and will mail all of them in October.

Where: Friends Meeting House (lower level), 1704 Roberts Court, Madison.  It’s near Camp Randall and can be found by driving behind Trader Joe’s.

If you prefer, you can write postcards from the comfort of your living room.  The Madison-area Third Actors are using this link: Write Postcards to Swing States,  from the Progressive Turnout Project.  If you order postcards from them, you can join us in spirit, if not in person. You will get postcards and voting lists, but will have to provide your own postcard stamps, pens, and either write 100 postcards between now and October 14, or gather a group of friends to write with you.

Wisconsin Watch 2026 Voter Guide

Today Wisconsin Watch launched its  2026 voter guide.  It asked all 325 candidates running for statewide and legislative office to tell the voters more about themselves and their plans should they win in November. Those answers and more can be found here. Just type in your address and you’ll find information about who’s running in your district.

From the Wisconsin Examiner comes this report on the convention of the Wisconsin Democratic Party over the weekend: 

“Delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention over the weekend expressed optimism about winning trifecta control of state government in November even as many activists remained undecided in the party’s seven-way gubernatorial primary. Baylor Spears reports on efforts to unify and candidates’ pitches to the party faithful.

 III. Expanding Voting Opportunities – this week

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B. Take Action– coming up (August 22 and beyond)

I. Protect Elections

Hands Off Our Vote! Training, Virtual

September 2

5pm CT

The "Hands Off Our Vote" initiative is a national action plan designed to defend voting rights and hold power accountable by galvanizing communities around the message that voters, not leaders, decide the future. The strategy emphasizes building sustained defiance against threats to election integrity through several core imperatives: strengthening voter resolve, protecting communities from federal interference, normalizing early voting, and preparing for collective mass action to ensure all votes are counted.

Register Here

Take Action for Voting Rights and Democracy Defense click here for more actions co-sponsored and endorsed by Third Act  

March on Washington: Defend the Vote

Time

Friday, August 28

9am – 12pm EDT

Lincoln Memorial

2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW

Washington, DC 20002

Map

About this event

As America marks its 250th anniversary, we face a defining question: Will this nation finally live up to its promises—or allow politicians serving wealth, prejudice, and power to strip them away?

For 250 years, ordinary people have organized, marched, sacrificed, and refused to stay silent until America moved closer to its promise of equality. Every expansion of freedom happened because people showed up and demanded change.

Now it is our turn.

Actions you can take right now

• Letter Writing · Money Out of Politics Movement
  Demand Your Representative Support the We the People Amendment (H.J.Res.54) ›
• Letter Writing · Money Out of Politics Movement
  Demand Your Representative Supports the Abolish Super PACs Act (H.R.2352) ›
• Postcard Writing · Activate America
  Write postcards to elect Democrats in key races across the country! ›
• Event · Working Families Party
  Volunteer with WFP Candidates! ›
• Postcard Writing · Progressive Turnout Project
• Write Postcards to Swing States

Here are some other ways you can take action.

• Mon, Aug 31 @ 10:30am
  Student Tabling with College Dems! ›
• Wed, Sep 9 @ 10:30am
  Student Tabling with College Dems @ Org Fair! ›
• Wed, Sep 16 @ 7:30pm
  Community Bonfire with College Dems! ›
• Wed, Sep 23 @ 6:30pm
  UW Madison College Dems Chapter Meeting ›
• Sat, Sep 26 @ 10am
  UW Madison Student Canvass with College Dems!

Become a Poll Worker

It’s easy, patriotic and essential to a smoothly-functioning democracy.  Check with your city or county clerk for requirements and application process.

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Become an Election Protector

Here’s a good way to start: Common Cause is a highly respected non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to countering the influence of special interests on behalf of ordinary citizens. They have launched an ambitious  election protection campaign.You can help by:

• Becoming an election protection volunteer

• Help voters find their polling place and understand voting procedures;

• Monitor local polling places;

• Counter misinformation about voting;

• Help voters navigate obstacle to voting;

• De-escalate voter intimidation.

• Donating to support an election protection volunteer

• Donations are made via a secure Action Network portal;

• Funds will help train and supply volunteers.

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Voter Registration and Protection   As we move forward toward primary and general elections, let’s all help assure a strong turnout, which includes alerting voters to check their registration status–especially if they haven’t voted consistently in the past. Please consider the following opportunities:

• All Voting is Local is a non-partisan organization that supports free and fair elections for all. This year they are working in 8 key states, including Wisconsin, training volunteers to be poll workers, election canvass observers, and/or non-partisan election protection volunteers.
• WisDems’ Voter Protection Team is looking for poll observers and Voter Protection Hotline volunteers for the upcoming Primary and General elections.
•  Wisconsin League of Women Voters provides a wealth of information about voter registration, ID requirements, and candidate positions, as well as outreach to schools, organizations, events. The state site can help you get in touch with local chapters. (Do you live in the Milwaukee area? LWV could provide us with in-person training at no charge–email Scott at wisconsin@thirdact.org.)
• Milwaukee Voter Project registers new and lapsed voters at area DMVs; new volunteers complete 30 minute online training, then work first shift with an experienced partner. Additional outreach opportunities at local stores and events. Many of their current shifts are going unfilled–they need you!
• More ways to get involved with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin through Mobilize
• Volunteer to work at your local polling place on election day, helping voters with registration and completing voting procedures. To contact your local polling place to volunteer, visit My Vote Wisconsin’s “Find My Polling Place”.

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 II.  Support Candidates

Support Climate Candidates With Friends from 350 Wisconsin

Post-carding Opportunities

What: Madison-area Third Actors are starting a new monthly activism/social event…

When: on third Fridays (August 21, September 18), at 11 am. Join us to write “Get out the Vote postcards” to voters in Wisconsin! We’ll provide postcards, postage, voter lists, colored pens, and instructions with research-backed message options. We’ll be sending postcards to voters who are extremely likely to vote Blue, but might not vote without a nudge. We’ll meet to write postcards in July, August, September and possibly October, and will mail all of them in October.  More details and a link to RSVP for July here. We ask that you RSVP but also welcome those who drop in.  

Where: Friends Meeting House (lower level), 1704 Roberts Court, Madison.  It’s near Camp Randall and can be found by driving behind Trader Joe’s.

If you prefer, you can write postcards from the comfort of your living room.  The Madison-area Third Actors are using this link: Write Postcards to Swing States,  from the Progressive Turnout Project.  If you order postcards from them, you can join us in spirit, if not in person. You will get postcards and voting lists, but will have to provide your own postcard stamps, pens, and either write 100 postcards between now and October 14, or gather a group of friends to write with you.

                                *******

Volunteer Opportunities from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.  https://www.mobilize.us/wisdems/

Postcarding Opportunities Abound!

• For fun postcards, try Stone Maven Designs (250 minimum), Stephanie’s Vision (smaller quantities), or do a quick search for “voter postcards”.

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Join the Environmental Voter Project

The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) is a national organization that provides activists with ways to get involved in protecting democracy

by post carding, phone banking, and mobilizing voters. Sign up here to receive their regular email newsletter with information about ways you can get involved.

• For a listing of Community Events and Voter Outreach activities throughout Wisconsin this week and beyond, check out the listing at
• Take action with WisDems

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The Election Information Hub  As a Wisconsin voter, your primary source of voter information and data from now until the November 3rd election could be The Election Information Hub provided by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. You can go to this resource for an election calendar, election resources, statistics and data, news and events, election results and so much more:  https://elections.wi.gov/2026

III.  Expand Voting Opportunities

• Mobilize to Provide Volunteer Opportunities

Third Act has partnered with Mobilize US to keep members informed of volunteer opportunities and events pertinent to protecting our democracy.  These events are sponsored by activist organizations such as MoveOn, Field Team 6, Activate America and more.  Click here to find a list of upcoming actions in which you can take part.

• Call to Preserve Democracy and the Rule of Law 

Make calls to U.S. Congressional Switchboard:  (202) 224-3121

• Contact information for WI legislators: enter your address or search on map
• 5 Calls app / website: “Spend 5 Minutes, Make 5 Calls”

• “Set Your Location” button links to your own reps
• Clear instructions, call scripts, background info on wide range of concerns
• New issues added regularly

Chop Wood, Carry Water from author Jessica Cravens

• Substack weekday newsletter offers daily plain-spoken scripts for “easy, effective political actions to stave off despair, effect positive change, and elect more true public servants.”

Tips for effective calling

• Introduce yourself as a constituent if you are.
• Ask the name of the person who answers (in case you need to come back to the conversation with someone else).
• Target one issue per call.
• Call safe Blue reps to say thanks, or urge stronger resistance.
• Create a sustainable routine for yourself. (Daily, weekly?)
• Talking points from phone calls may also make good LTEs.

 IV. Learning Opportunities

Nate Hagen’s Three-part “The Great Simplification” video/podcast series

In the 3 short episodes linked below, Hagens provides a stunning analysis of our current predicament.

• What you actually need to know about oil (April 9, 14 mins),
• What Happens When the Oil Stops Flowing 10 (14 mins)
• The World after cheap energy (April 11,16  mins)

 V. Resources in Support of Taking Action

Join Third Act Wisconsin’s Resist Through Writing group

• We’re a community of writers doing something a little different from typical letter-writing campaigns. We focus on persuasive writing that speaks to the democratic center — to the majority of people who want to make things better for their families and neighbors and are tired of political rhetoric. That means leaning on shared values rather than talking points, and targeting not just major newspapers but smaller local papers and regional shoppers that reach people outside the usual media markets. As Sinclair Lewis reminded us ninety years ago in It Can’t Happen Here, public communication plays a pivotal role in resisting authoritarianism. A letter here or there matters more than it might seem. Even those not published have proven to be an influence on what opinions and news articles editors choose to highlight.
• When you join, you’ll get access to our shared Google Drive folder — sample letters, writing tips, a media outlet database, and submission tracking tools — along with our Google Groups list (TAWI-RTW@googlegroups.com) for sharing drafts and staying connected. We’ll also send periodic topic ideas with talking points and background links, though we will always encourage you to write about whatever feels most urgent to you. If you’re ready to put your words to work, we’d love to have you with us.

Write Letters to the Editor (LTEs) using Third Act’s Legacy Project 

• Form connects you with publications in your area
• Great LTE tips and suggestions on how to personalize your message.

How to:

Contact Officials

• Federal legislators: go here.
• State legislators, go here.
• Governor, go here.
• Municipal or county elected officials - search on these terms:

• “Municipal staff directory [municipality name]”
• “County staff directory [county name]”

Convey Your Views

• Resources for Writing a Letter to the Editor
• How to Make Comments to the Public Service Commission
• Tips for Contacting Your Elected Representatives

Red, Wine & Blue: “a national community of over half a million diverse suburban women working together to defeat extremism, one friend at a time. We train and connect women from across the country of all political backgrounds…”

Voter registration Wisconsin

League of Women Voters

Wisconsin Conservation Voters

Mobilize

Democratic Party of Wisconsin

Ballot & Voting Information from People Power United

Get ballot and voting information, election reminders, and tools to register, vote by mail, and protect your voice.

MAY 07, 2026

Independent, people-powered news and grassroot movement actions to champion our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.

Subscribe for free to get daily accountability news and action, or go paid to support this independent news source.

 VI. Democracy In the News–Actions That Either Strengthen or Weaken It.

From Axios 08.13.26  President Trump's top political hands had some surprising advice for Senate Republicans last week: Talk more about health care.  Click here for more.

July 20–Update on the Wisconsin Governor’s Democratic Primary Race and other Wisconsin news

From Wisconsin Watch

For Independent Global News visit Democracy Now

Mildly blue or a blue tsunami? 9 states will decide if Dems flip control of U.S. Senate  BY: JACOB FISCHLER AND JONATHAN SHORMAN-JUNE 22, 2026 2:45 AM

Trump ‘trampled’ voter privacy by feeding info into Homeland Security system, judge says

BY: JONATHAN SHORMAN-JUNE 22, 2026 2:46 PM

From the Wisconsin Examiner of May 30: Trump ordered limits on voting by mail. The Postal Service is moving to make states comply.

Governor Candidates Express Views on Climate and Voting

350 Wisconsin, Faith in Place, and Healthy Climate Wisconsin held a two-part forum with the Democratic candidates for the gubernatorial primary. On Monday, May 11th at 6:30 pm we heard from Mandela Barnes, Missy Hughes, Sara Rodriguez, and Kelda Roys. On Tuesday, May 19th, at 6:30 pm we heard from David Crowley, Francesca Hong, and Andy Manske. Both sets of candidates answered the same series of questions that were submitted ahead of time by audience members.

Stay tuned here for the recordings of both candidate sessions. 

Recordings of the May 11 and May 19 Wisconsin’s Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Fora

• Part 1 - 05/11
• Part 2 - 05/19

Support Community Solar Bills

Community solar is legal in 22 states (including neighboring MN) but not in Wisconsin. Community Solar bills (AB 493 and SB 559) were introduced, potentially allowing local solar projects to provide electrical service to subscribing households and businesses. Even though these bills are unsuccessful, you can tell legislators that community solar is something we need in the near future in Wisconsin.

Show Up for Your Neighbors: ICE Out!

With the ICE surge phasing out in MN, there are predictions of increased influx of ICE activities in Milwaukee and elsewhere in WI.

• Vote with your Pocketbook: tell ICE-friendly CEOs you’re spending your money elsewhere–use Third Act’s Melt the Companies site.
• Be Visible: make a sign, recruit a friend, and show up! Wisconsin Resist lists ICE visibility events throughout the state.
• Lend a Hand: even if the worst surge is over, it will take months for communities, families and businesses to recover. Stand With Minnesota offers multiple ways you can help.

 Tell Congress: Reform ICE or Vote No!

Senate Republicans have advanced new ICE funding under the reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority. Remind them that most people agree on needed reforms:

• Agents need to be unmasked and wear badges
• End quotas and racial profiling
• Independently investigate murders of Renee Good & Alex Pretti
• Prohibit warrantless searches and property damage by agents
• Stop family separation and require independent oversight of detention facilities
• Provide professional de-escalation training to agents and use background checks to exclude members of hate groups
• Tammy Baldwin: (202) 224-5653
• Ron Johnson: (202) 224-5323