Make this your part of your New Year's resolutions: Vote in every single election
What's on your New Year's resolution list? Maybe exercise more? Save money? Career achievement? Relationship goal?
No matter what it is I have one that I hope you'll consider adding to your New Year's resolutions (if not already part of it) and it's something that I suspect most are already doing on DU. I'm calling on you to vote in every single election and every primary too and not only that but to do everything you can to boost turnout among those who will likely vote blue.
I really believe 2026 can be the year of defeating authoritarians, not just in our country but across the world. However it will only come to us if we all do what we can to help including showing up to the polls and if possible also urging other people to vote. So set those reminders, mark those calendars, check your county/city/state websites to see all voting dates and do whatever it takes to remember to vote in every election.
And for those who are already voting but want to do even more: think about this: Are there friends or family members you have who would vote blue? Ask them if they will vote, never assume. If they need help with transportation and you're able offer to drive them to vote. And if you feel you want to make a big difference have you considered canvasing or phone banking? Did you know that you could be the person that tips the scale from R to D? I'll show you how:
I checked the 2024 house election results. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections#Closest_races
The table I linked to "Closest Races" (you may need to press show to see then sort by margin). In California's 13th district they flipped a red seat to blue with just 187 votes. For all we know it could have been just because a few extra people volunteered to canvas. They say a grain of rice can tip that scale. In that case it really did. Could you be that person in 2026?
No matter how competitive your district is you should always vote because if you live in a solid D district voting gives Democrats a stronger mandate and voting helps preserve the right to vote because the best way to keep your rights is to exercise them. If you live in a competitive district you could be the one that flips a seat from red to blue or defend a vulnerable D seat. If you live in a solid R district there's always still a chance it could flip. You can be part of history by voting and volunteering. Even if it doesn't flip your vote helps take away the R's "mandate" because a narrow margin may make them more likely to reach across the aisle. In addition I like to think of every R district as being a D district one. It's a journey, an R+20 district simply has a longer journey than an R+5 district to one day become a D district. If enough people were to decide "I'm tired of my district always electing Republicans" and I know it's a lot easier said than done but imagine if people were to put up enough effort so that one day it will become a solid D district. Maybe while you're canvasing you'll meet someone who's passionate about wanting to help Democrats win but they just didn't have the information and you can recruit them. All of a sudden you've made a new friend and now you have someone else canvasing too.
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I've voted in every possible election I could vote in, including local library and school board elections, since first being able to vote 55 years ago. My first presidential vote was proudly for George McGovern. 