How you can protect democracy

THe Democracy Playbook

These concrete actions are a tangible way to push back against abuses of power and create something better.

Explore Actions
Foundations of Protecting Democracy
Why Your Actions Matter

A poll worker helping people in line to vote

Featured Action

Become a poll worker

July 28, 2026

Bring your neighbors together (opens a new window)

Understand the election denial landscape (opens a new window)

Become a nonpartisan election observer (opens a new window)

Become a poll worker (opens a new window)

A town hall meeting in California in 2023.

Have a say in how your community spends public money (opens a new window)

Lawyers: volunteer to defend democracy (opens a new window)

Understand how AI affects our democracy (opens a new window)

Help your community vote safely and freely (opens a new window)

Visit Justice in Motion (opens a new window)

Volunteers working with meals on wheels carrying food

Give back this July 4th (opens a new window)

Start a conversation about what comes next (opens a new window)

Celebrate America’s 250th with Civic Season (opens a new window)

Learn how to talk about democracy (opens a new window)

Refresh your knowledge on how American democracy is supposed to work (opens a new window)

Neighbors sitting outside together

Care for your community (opens a new window)

Dialogue with people who don’t agree with you (opens a new window)

Celebrate America’s 250th with a community potluck (opens a new window)

Learn more about our nation (opens a new window)

Build a sustainable civic practice (opens a new window)

A diverse group of people talking to one another near the ocean.

Share your vision of democracy through storytelling (opens a new window)

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Foundations of protecting democracy

Foundations: Democracy and authoritarianism
- Research & Analysis
- Analysis
Foundations: Organizing
- Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
- Campaigns & Coalitions
- Research & Analysis
- Analysis
Foundations: Advocacy
- Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
- Campaigns & Coalitions
- Research & Analysis
- Analysis
Foundations: Safety and self-care
- Building Pro-Democracy Collective Action
- Campaigns & Coalitions
- Research & Analysis
- Analysis

Can I Make a Difference?

Protecting democracy starts with you

We are not helpless. Start with what is closest to you and let your actions ripple outward.

You

Your Communities

National & World Events

1

Learn. Start with what you can control.

2

Build Community. Extend to the people you influence.

3

Engage in Political Action. Support the institutions we all rely on.

What Actions Make Possible

Defending Maine communities from federal surveillance and intimidation
- Stopping the Consolidation of Power
- Litigation
- Case Documents
Constitutional gatekeepers: The history and role of grand juries
- Stopping the Consolidation of Power
- Research & Analysis
- Reports
Challenging the federal use of chemical weapons against Portland residents
- Stopping the Consolidation of Power
- Litigation
- Case Documents