Our Vision for 2026
In 2026, we're being ambitious. It's time to go big.
People across the board are deeply dissatisfied with the Trump administration. His disapproval ratings are high, cost of living hasn't gone down, and people are furious with his administration's brutal immigration enforcement. At the same time, many people who have traditionally voted Democratic are deeply disappointed by the party's unwillingness to stand up to the administration's authoritarian power grab.
We have a real opportunity this year. And we need to make it count.
Our Plan
Seed the Vote sends volunteers to knock doors in the races that matter most. We train you, connect you with local organizers who know their communities, and help cover travel and hotel costs for people who need it. This year we're aiming to put 5,000 volunteers on the ground across 5-6 states.
We pick our races carefully. We go where the margins are close enough that our volunteers can actually move the outcome, where there are strong local partners already doing the work who want our help, and where we can be difference-makers rather than duplicating efforts already underway.
We pick our races carefully. We go where the margins are close enough that our volunteers can actually move the outcome, where there are strong local partners already doing the work who want our help, and where we can be difference-makers rather than duplicating efforts already underway.
The Primaries
Seed the Vote’s goal isn’t to elect Democrats, it’s to win the power we need to enact progressive change. With that goal in mind we work in the primaries to build the progressive wing of the Democratic party to fight for policies our communities need.
The races we choose in the primaries focus on progressive champions who have deep roots in the community they represent, refuse corporate PAC money, stand for the working-class, and have a pathway to victory. That means we're selective. Most election cycles, we work in a handful of races where canvassing can move the margin.
Before the general election in 2026, we have a chance to help elect some genuinely inspiring candidates in competitive districts. We're excited to be working to elect Working Families Party candidates in multiple races this cycle, including:
The races we choose in the primaries focus on progressive champions who have deep roots in the community they represent, refuse corporate PAC money, stand for the working-class, and have a pathway to victory. That means we're selective. Most election cycles, we work in a handful of races where canvassing can move the margin.
Before the general election in 2026, we have a chance to help elect some genuinely inspiring candidates in competitive districts. We're excited to be working to elect Working Families Party candidates in multiple races this cycle, including:
Bob Brooks, Allentown PA: May 19
Bob Brooks is a WFP endorsed union firefighter running on addressing the affordability crisis in the Lehigh Valley. Seed the Vote partnered with Pennsylvania Working Families Party to help elect this strong labor candidate (backed by both Gov. Josh Shapiro and Bernie Sanders) in our first victory of the cycle.
Randy Villegas, Bakersfield CA: June 2
Randy grew up in Bakersfield, the son of immigrants. He's running against David Valadao, a Republican who has voted repeatedly to cut Medicaid in a district where 68% of residents depend on it. We've been organizing there since last fall alongside the Dolores Huerta Action Fund and Working Families Party.
Donovan McKinney, Detroit MI: August 4
Donavan McKinney is a lifelong Detroiter, union organizer, and serves the people as State Representative. His experience living the problems many in his community face has led Donavan to fight for solutions as big as those crises. He will push for bold, progressive policy in DC. Donovan is running in a Detroit-area district where we see an opening to send a strong progressive to Congress.
Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Senate
Abdul was born and raised in Southeast Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan with the highest distinction,earned his medical degree from Columbia University. As a public health leader, he rebuilt Detroit’s Health Department after bankruptcy, and restructured Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services, serving 1.8 million Michiganders.
The General Election
In November, our goal is to win back control of the House and Senate. Whoever wins the Democratic primary in our target races gets our volunteers at their doors. Where possible, we're investing in states where we can work on multiple races at the same time — targeting a flippable House seat while also contributing to a competitive Senate race in the same state.
We're currently looking at Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The final list will depend on where the races are tightest and where our partners need us most. This list is subject to change as political conditions develop.
We're currently looking at Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The final list will depend on where the races are tightest and where our partners need us most. This list is subject to change as political conditions develop.
Election Defense
We're also preparing for trouble. The Republicans will attempt to undermine the election, intimidate voters, challenge results, and sow confusion. This year, Seed the Vote is treating election defense as part of our core midterm strategy. Our job is to win by the largest possible margin, in as many locations as possible, fight their election subversion every step of the way leading up to and on election day, and be fully prepared after the election to enforce the results. Our face-to-face conversations with voters is the first line of defense against election subversion. You can learn more here: We Can’t Let Them Steal It: STV’s Approach to Election Defense.