With the ugly consequences that have followed Trump’s Muslim ban, many anti-Trump Americans are beginning to lose hope. Please do not give up yet. The 2018 midterm elections are incredibly crucial for the future of progressive politics in America, and can potentially be as impactful as the 2016 presidential election. However, prospects are not currently looking good for Democrats, who are in the same dismal position as Congress Republicans were in after the loss of the 2008 presidency. But even despite that, please do not give up yet. The 2018 midterm elections are the best shot progressives have to regain political power in the United States government. But without your voice, fellow progressives, Democrats’ chances in the 2018 midterms will simply go from bad to worse. Many older teenagers, like me, forget that even though we may not have made the age cutoff to vote in the 2016 election, we will be 18 by the midterms. In 2018, we have no room to forget this. These elections will offer the first nationwide vote that can drastically affect the trajectory and power of the Trump administration. It is not too early to raise your voice on this matter. The time for action is now, and here’s how you can make a difference:
Swing Left
Swing Left is an organization that is unifying support from volunteers to fight for a Democratic House of Representatives takeover in the 2018 midterms. They explain that since the 2018 Senate map favors Republicans, it’s far more realistic for Democrats to focus our efforts on regaining the House. To do this, our volunteer work will be centered around Swing Districts–areas in which the last midterm elections were won by 15% or less (there are currently 52 Swing Districts). To win back the House, we will need Democrats to win in 80% of all Swing Districts. Though our journey will be difficult, Swing Left has made getting involved incredibly easy. After simply going to their website and entering your e-mail address and zip code, you’ll be directed to the Swing District that’s closest to you, where you will be able to correspond with your local District Leader via e-mail. Here, you can educate yourself on your District and connect with fellow volunteers. Even if you don’t live in or near a Swing District, your voice still matters. You can volunteer from anywhere. As actionable volunteer opportunities become available, you will be able to phone bank, canvass, attend events, fundraise for local progressive candidates, and much more. After you sign up with Swing Left and are awaiting volunteer opportunities, spread the word. Again, it’s not too early to start taking action–the time is now.
Swing Left is just one powerful example of progressive individuals working to bring meaning back to “liberty and justice for all” in this country. As they have written under their mission on their website and as said by former president Barack Obama, “We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Please do not give up yet.
