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
Why Your Actions Matter

Featured Action

Learn about threats to the 2026 midterm elections

Dive deep on the authoritarian threat (opens a new window)

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

Learn about threats to the 2026 midterm elections (opens a new window)

Help your network vote (opens a new window)

Campaign signs for the Georgia runoff elections

Help someone run for office, or run for office yourself (opens a new window)

Become a poll worker (opens a new window)

Thank your election official (opens a new window)

Get a job working on democracy (opens a new window)

Get involved with a local political party (opens a new window)

Volunteers working on a petition

Organize around an issue, not a candidate (opens a new window)

Reach out to your elected officials (opens a new window)

Engage with a younger person (opens a new window)

Connect on democracy issues with your local religious leaders (opens a new window)

Volunteer in your community (opens a new window)

Donate jar filled with coins on its side

Set a giving budget (opens a new window)

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

Organize people who agree with you (opens a new window)

Go to a local community meeting (opens a new window)

Secure your communications (opens a new window)

Unknown caller on a phone screen

Clean up (and build up!) your contacts (opens a new window)

Contact Us to submit feedback or to recommend an action or feature. Contact Us

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
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- 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
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- Litigation
- Case Documents

img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap !important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal !important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}.is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:.68;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase}body.rtl .has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:none;margin-left:.1em}p.has-drop-cap.has-background{overflow:hidden}:root :where(p.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}:where(p.has-text-color:not(.has-link-color)) a{color:inherit}p.has-text-align-left[style*="writing-mode:vertical-lr"],p.has-text-align-right[style*="writing-mode:vertical-rl"]{rotate:180deg}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900 0%,#ff6900 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px #fff,6px 6px #000;--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px #000}:where(body){margin:0}.wp-site-blocks > .alignleft{float:left;margin-right:2em}.wp-site-blocks > .alignright{float:right;margin-left:2em}.wp-site-blocks > .aligncenter{justify-content:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}.is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em}.is-layout-flow > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0}.is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}.is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em}.is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0}.is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}.is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin:0}body{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px}a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){text-decoration:underline}:root :where(.wp-element-button, .wp-block-button__link){background-color:#32373c;border-width:0;color:#fff;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;letter-spacing:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding-top:calc(.667em + 2px);padding-right:calc(1.333em + 2px);padding-bottom:calc(.667em + 2px);padding-left:calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration:none;text-transform:inherit}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--title a{font-size:16px}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--price{font-size:14px}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--add-to-cart .button{font-size:14px}p.index-post-content__summary.term-list.date_text{font-size:var(--fs-tags);color:black}.heliotrope-quicklink-popover>div{margin:0 auto !important}@media (min-width: 1250px){.home .is-type-video{width:75%}}.single-threat-index a.addtoany_share{}.a2a_dd.addtoany_no_icon{font-size:15px !important;background-position:0 100%,100% 100%,0 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:calc(100% + 20px) var(--link-underline-weight,1px),100% var(--link-underline-weight,1px),0 var(--link-underline-weight,1px);color:var(--link-color,inherit);color:var(--arrow-link-text-color,var(--color-navy));display:inline-block;display:inline;font-family:var(--f-body);font-weight:500;padding-bottom:.1em;text-decoration:none;text-transform:uppercase;transition:.3s ease-out}.threat-addtoany .arrow-link:focus,.threat-addtoany .arrow-link:hover{background-position:calc(100% + 22px) 100%,100% 100%,0 100% !important;background-size:20px var(--link-underline-weight,1px),0 var(--link-underline-weight,1px),100% var(--link-underline-weight,1px) !important;color:var(--link-hover-color,inherit) !important}.threat-addtoany .a2a_kit.a2a_kit_size_32.addtoany_list{line-height:0 !important}.topper-addtoany a.a2a_dd.addtoany_no_icon.addtoany_share_save.addtoany_share{font-size:var(--fs-tags) !important;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:.07ch;line-height:1.65;list-style:none;text-transform:uppercase}.topper-addtoany .addtoany_shortcode{margin-top:-26px;margin-left:5px}.modern-footnotes-footnote__note--tooltip,.modern-footnotes-footnote__note--expandable{font-family:"halyard-text",sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#fff;background-color:#000c47;z-index:99999}.modern-footnotes-footnote__note--expandable{padding:10px 10px}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__slider-section{display:none}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__select-wrap{display:none}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__comparison__stage{padding-bottom:60px}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__what-scores-mean{margin-top:0px}.threat-index__comparison1{padding-top:50px}.secondary-tertiary-nav li.col-auto.social-follow-twitter{width:23px;height:10px;display:block}li.col-auto.social-follow-twitter{width:23px;height:10px;display:block}.site-header__row .social-follow-twitter svg path{fill:#000c47}.site-header__row .social-follow-twitter svg{height:8px !important;margin-top:1px}.threat-index__timeline__key-moments.slider_moment{display:none}.score-meter__accordion-panel{padding-left:0px !important}figure.wp-block-table.is-style-regular{background:var(--color-navy) !important;color:#fff}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .wp-block-table tr td:first-of-type{background:var(--color-navy) !important;color:#fff;border-right:var(--border)}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__what-scores-mean__list{gap:29px}figure.wp-block-table.is-style-regular.score_hide{display:none}h3.wp-block-heading.score_title_hide{display:none}.cst-line-graph span.custom-select-opener{background:transparent;color:#fff;padding:8px 40px 8px 12px}.cst-line-graph .custom-select-opener:after{filter:brightness(5) saturate(0)}.graph-label-dropdown:before{background-color:transparent !important}li.line-graph-select{width:25%;padding-right:20px}.line-graph-select .custom-select-container{width:100%}.political-line-graph{padding-top:40px}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__what-scores-mean{}.threat-index__comparison__stage{transition:opacity .3s}.page-template-template-threat-shortcode .threat-index__comparison__stage_line{padding-top:60px;padding-bottom:60px}.threat-index__comparison__stage_line .threat-index__comparison__stage-right .score-meter__accordion-icon{width:10px;height:10px}.threat-index__comparison__stage_line span.score-meter__label{text-align:left}.threat-index__comparison__stage_line .score-meter__numerical{width:48%;text-align:right}@media (min-width: 960px){.threat-index__comparison__stage_line{display:grid;gap:clamp(50px,8vw,100px);grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}figure.wp-block-table.score_mean_hide{display:none}.searchwp-live-search-result .searchwp-live-search-result--title a{text-decoration:none;font-weight:400}.people-index__results .facetwp-template .content-people{height:max-content;min-height:166px}.people-index__results .facetwp-template .content-people .content-people__name{white-space:unset}.seenSection .front-page-ati__bg{display:none}.ati-comparison{display:none}p.threat-index__last-updated__text.data-reference{display:none}.threat-index__calculating-scores a{display:none}.home-youtube-sec{background-color:#000c47 !important;padding:122px 0 136px 0}.home-youtube-sec .is-type-video{margin:0 auto;width:75%}.home-youtube-sec h3.wp-block-heading{padding-bottom:60px;color:#fff;width:75%;margin:0 auto}.home-hide-yt{display:none}.home-graph-sec{display:none}.front-page-ati__inner.inner-column{display:none}.page-template-template-people-index-php img{height:100% !important}@media (min-width: 960px){.front-top-hero-sec .graphic-reference__innerblocks-wrapper{column-gap:0;grid-template-columns:unset}}.front-top-hero-sec .wp-block-heliotrope-inner-contents h2{font-size:3.5rem;line-height:1.17;margin-bottom:32px}.wp-block-heliotrope-graphic-reference.front-top-hero-sec.seenSection{box-shadow:-30vw 0 #fbf7ee,30vw 0 #fbf7ee,-60vw 0 #fbf7ee,60vw 0 #fbf7ee,-30vw -60px #fbf7ee,30vw -60px #fbf7ee,-60vw -60px #fbf7ee,60vw -60px #fbf7ee,0 -60px #fbf7ee,60vw -60px #fbf7ee;background-color:#fbf7ee;max-width:100%;position:relative}.front-top-hero-sec .graphic-reference__inner{gap:2px;grid-template-columns:min(533px,50%) 1fr;padding-top:unset}.front-top-hero-sec{display:none}.threat-index__comparison-share__inner{display:none}.wp-block-heliotrope-front-page-topper:nth-child(2){display:none}.searchwp-live-search-results{opacity:0;transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;-moz-transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;-webkit-transition:opacity .25s ease-in-out;height:0;overflow:hidden;z-index:9999995;position:absolute;display:none}.searchwp-live-search-results-showing{display:block;opacity:1;height:auto;overflow:auto}.searchwp-live-search-no-results{padding:3em 2em 0;text-align:center}.searchwp-live-search-no-min-chars:after{content:"Continue typing";display:block;text-align:center;padding:2em 2em 0}