Table of Contents
- What are Postcards to Swing States?
- How Do These Postcards Make a Difference?
- The Roots of This Effort
- Can I Really Help with Postcards to Swing States?
- A Nationwide Community of Writers
- Seeing the Impact of Postcards to Swing States
- What Do the Numbers Tell Us About Postcards to Swing States?
- Looking Ahead with Postcards to Swing States
Imagine a simple piece of paper, a postcard, carrying a message that truly matters. This isn't just about sending mail; it's about reaching out to fellow citizens, encouraging their voice, and helping shape the future of our communities. It's a very human way to connect, a personal touch in a world that often feels quite distant.
This whole idea, sending postcards to places where every vote counts, has grown into something rather big. It brings people together from all walks of life, all across the country, to participate in our democracy in a really tangible way. It’s a method that feels both old-fashioned and incredibly current, allowing individuals to contribute from their own homes, or maybe even with a group of like-minded folks.
From a small start, this effort has blossomed into a significant movement. It’s all about making sure that folks in certain areas, the ones where elections are often decided by just a few votes, get the information and encouragement they need to participate. It's a gentle nudge, a friendly reminder, and, in some respects, a powerful act of civic engagement.
What are Postcards to Swing States?
This effort is about sending handwritten messages to voters in states where elections are often very close. Since 2020, volunteers have put pen to paper for a truly remarkable number of postcards, reaching into the tens of millions, and that count keeps growing. The aim is to prompt people who tend to vote for progressive causes to either cast their ballot by mail or make sure they are properly registered to vote. It’s a pretty direct way to help more people participate in our elections, which is, you know, very important for our collective voice.
If you're curious about getting involved, it's actually quite straightforward. You can find out how to get a kit with everything you need to start writing. There are also opportunities to join up with a group of other writers, which can make the whole experience more fun and collaborative. And, too, if getting stamps is a worry, there's even help available for that. The idea is to make it as simple as possible for anyone who wants to contribute.
The immediate goal is to write and send these notes to neighboring states where the outcome of the November 5 election could really shift things. The hope is to help elect Democrats in those areas. Looking ahead to 2024, the focus remains on districts and states where getting more people to vote could make a big difference for Democratic candidates. You can sign up easily to order your postcards, pick up packets of materials, or even join in on events that help you get ready to reach out to people over the phone, should you want to do that as well.
How Do These Postcards Make a Difference?
There's a good reason why these handwritten messages are used: they really do help more people show up to vote. It's a personal touch that digital messages sometimes lack, making the request feel more genuine, more human, you know? There's also a special effort to reach voters of color with certain postcards, which are part of a program called "Reclaim Our Vote." This is about making sure every voice is heard, which is, in a way, what democracy is all about.
The people behind this work are confident that their postcards truly have an effect. For instance, one progressive group plans to send a huge number of postcards, over 26 million, to help boost voter participation in 11 key states before the 2024 election. This kind of scale shows just how much belief there is in the power of a simple written note to encourage civic action. It’s pretty amazing, actually, how a small act can contribute to something so much bigger.
The Roots of This Effort
The whole "Postcards to Swing States" idea is part of a larger organization called Progressive Turnout Project. This group is, arguably, the biggest organization in the country that directly connects with voters. Their main purpose is to get Democratic voters to participate and to protect our democratic processes. It’s a very focused effort, with a clear mission to support certain outcomes in our elections.
It's important to know that groups involved with "Postcards to Swing States" are expected to use the postcards they get for their intended purpose. When it comes to getting the actual postcards and the postage stamps, you can usually get them from the U.S. Postal Service. You can also order these items online from various places, which makes it pretty convenient for volunteers to get what they need to start writing. This accessibility is, in some respects, key to the program's reach.
The story of "Postcards to Swing States" began in a volunteer's garage back in 2019, which is a rather humble start for such a widespread effort. Since 2020, over 330,000 volunteers have sent out 43 million handwritten postcards to voters. This number is actually more than any other similar effort has managed, showing the dedication and sheer volume of work put in by ordinary people who want to make a difference. It’s a testament to the power of collective action, really.
Can I Really Help with Postcards to Swing States?
Absolutely, you can. A labor union, for example, is working with Progressive Turnout Project to help get voters active in crucial states, and they are asking for people's help to write personal notes to voters. This kind of partnership helps spread the word and bring more people into the fold. The goal is to make sure Democrats stay involved and that voting becomes a regular habit for them in states like Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and others. It’s about building a consistent culture of participation, which is, you know, very beneficial for the long term.
You can also join Progressive Turnout Project to learn about their upcoming "Postcards to Swing States" programs for 2025 and 2026. They hold virtual calls, often two identical ones, to explain how the program works for the current year, like in 2024. These calls are completely optional and aren't training sessions; they are more about giving you the full picture. During these sessions, they explain how they know that writing postcards truly helps achieve their goals, which is, in a way, quite reassuring to hear.
A Nationwide Community of Writers
People in all 50 states, and even in Washington D.C., are taking part in writing letters to voters. This shows just how broad the appeal of this kind of direct communication is. The organizers use technology to help their volunteers stay organized and to help the effort grow. They are always learning more about what works best, and how to improve their methods, which is, basically, a smart approach to any large-scale project.
Writing postcards to voters is quite simple to do, and it's shown to be quite good at getting results. For many, it's also a way to feel a bit calmer about all the political upset and issues we see around us. It offers a tangible action, a way to contribute when things might feel out of your control. For postcards meant for specific candidates, these should be put in the mail pretty quickly. This organization is, apparently, the only one writing for candidates in Washington state, which makes their work there quite unique. You can pick a time that works best for you to write the cards, all from the comfort of your own home.
Seeing the Impact of Postcards to Swing States
The people behind this effort are quite excited to share that they plan to send out a huge number of postcards, around 25.7 million, to voters in 11 different states. This is a massive undertaking, and it speaks to the commitment of everyone involved. You might even see volunteers gathered, perhaps at a place like Lake Monster Brewing in St. Paul, writing these notes to voters in key states. A photo from Madison McVan for the Minnesota Reformer shows this kind of community effort in action, which is, you know, very inspiring to witness.
The Swing States Action Fund also plays a part, working to get Democratic voters active in places like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. These are the states where the outcome of elections can often be decided by just a few votes, so every bit of effort counts. The overall aim is to help people understand the importance of their participation and how their vote can truly shape the future.
You know, sometimes, walking through a town can feel like stepping into a picture-perfect scene, especially in the fall when the leaves change color, like at Cheboygan State Park in Michigan. This feeling of beauty and connection to a place is, in a way, what these postcards aim to foster – a connection to the places and people where these crucial elections happen. It’s about feeling a part of something bigger than yourself, a shared endeavor to improve our communities.
What Do the Numbers Tell Us About Postcards to Swing States?
The "Postcards to Swing States" initiative actually started with a very specific test. They conducted a study during a congressional district primary where they randomly assigned people to receive postcards or not. What they found was that their postcards led to a 1.2% increase in voter participation. This kind of clear evidence helps show that the effort truly works. It’s a pretty solid piece of information, really, that helps confirm the value of this work.
You can even join groups like the "DoTheMostGood postcard brigade" to help register Democrats in states with important elections coming up in 2025 and 2026. There are still some postcards available to help register Democrats in Virginia, for example, which shows the ongoing nature of this work. Another group, Blue Wave Postcards, has set a really ambitious goal for 2024: sending out 5 million postcards to voters in these crucial states. They believe this election is incredibly important, where the very foundation of our democracy feels, in some respects, quite delicate. It’s a very serious undertaking, driven by a strong sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead with Postcards to Swing States
The "Postcards to Swing States" program is quite popular and covers a lot of ground. You are welcome to join sessions to learn about their upcoming programs for 2025 and 2026. The belief is that by talking directly with voters, we can help keep the Senate in certain hands and even increase the number of Democratic seats. It’s about building a stronger presence, one conversation, or in this case, one postcard, at a time. This direct approach is, in a way, seen as a powerful tool for civic engagement.
Tens of thousands of volunteers are helping out, writing over seven million postcards. This massive collective effort shows the dedication of ordinary people who want to make a difference. It’s a testament to the idea that many small actions, when added together, can create a truly significant impact. The sheer volume of these handwritten notes, all heading to places where they can make a difference, is, you know, quite something to consider.
This article has explored the "Postcards to Swing States" initiative, detailing its extensive volunteer network, the millions of handwritten messages sent to encourage voter participation, and the program's focus on key electoral areas. We've looked at how the effort helps people register and vote by mail, its origins in a volunteer's garage, and its connection to the Progressive Turnout Project. The piece also touched on the measurable impact of these postcards on voter turnout, the various ways individuals can get involved, and the ongoing plans for future election cycles. It highlights the power of simple, direct communication in shaping democratic outcomes.
