How to do it:

If you don’t like the candidate who won your local Democratic primary, that’s okay. Don’t volunteer or donate to a candidate you don’t like — you won’t be effective, anyway. Instead, choose a race somewhere else that you do like and volunteer or donate to that race! There are dozens of competitive races nationwide, and to flip Congress, we have to win most of them. So pick a candidate who matches your priorities and get to work! Write postcards, make phone calls, reach out to friends in the area, or donate.

Volunteer Blue has a detailed map of the key Congressional races in 2026. If you find one that excites you, click the candidate’s name for volunteer opportunities (like phone banks.)

If you want an encouraging overview of Senate races, Jay Kuo has done that.

If you’re feeling pretty jaded about Congress as a whole, focus in on local races. Most of the “social justice” issues we argue over come down to local work: school boards set library policies. Judges give rapists a slap on the hand. Sheriffs set police procedure and disciplinary standards. Elections are guarded by state officials, too. In 2020 ethical elected officials in Georgia staved off Trump II.

The great news is that you can have a big impact at the local level, particularly if you’re on the progressive side of the equation. People are more willing to take a chance on new ideas and untested candidates at the local level. This is how the right built power: they started with school boards and built towards the White House. It’s an effective tactic.

You don’t have to make political volunteerism your whole life. In fact, you’re probably more effective if you’re the kind of person who generally doesn’t, but is honestly excited about some particular candidate or issue. Talk about it. Post about it. Enthusiasm is contagious, and most of us admire genuine energy even if we don’t entirely agree with it. You won’t just help elect someone who suits your politics, you’ll help heal the divide, too.