Survive by the vote
2026 Midterm Elections & Civic Education Program
Closing the gap between information and action when state power decides national survival.
WHO WE ARE
Survive By The Vote is a digital public education and voter mobilization campaign built for the 2026 midterm elections, when high-impact state decisions will determine national outcomes and the conditions people live with every day.
MISSION
To equip voters with the clarity and tools to understand what’s at stake in the 2026 midterms, stay engaged in community, and use their collective power to shape the decisions that determine their futures.
WHY NOW?
The United States is at a Crossroads
Across the country, trust in democratic institutions is declining.
Millions of people feel disconnected from a system that no longer reflects their needs or protects their well-being.
Confusion and information overwhelm are not accidental outcomes. They are conditions that are designed to weaken participation.
Why 2026 Midterms Demand a Different Approach
Midterm elections are held halfway through a presidential term
Midterms have lower voter turnout
Those who do vote are less representative of the broader population
With fewer voters, every voice carries greater weight and greater consequence
Information Gap
Midterms receive far less media attention
Campaigns spend less on voter education
72% of American voters are concerned about the spread of misleading or false information
Midterms historically shift legislative power
Midterm elections give the voter the opportunity to decide which party controls Congress
California 2026 Midterms
What’s On the Ballot?
FEDERAL
U.S. House of Representatives
all seats up for election
STATE & LOCAL
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Insurance Commissioner
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Treasurer
Controller
State Board of Equalization
All California Assembly Seats
State Senate seats
State Supreme Court
Appellate Courts
Local offices, municipal positions, school boards, and ballot measures
RECENT VOTER TUrnOUT TRENDS
National Voter Turnout
2020: ~66%
2022: ~46%
2024: ~63%
% of eligible voters that cast their ballot
California Voter Turnout
2020: ~80%
2022: ~58%
2024: ~71%
% of eligible voters that cast their ballot
2022 midterm election TRENDS
THE YOUTH VOTE
Across states, Youth voter turnout ranged from:
37% to 13%
Youth Voters = Ages 18-29
CALIFORNIA VOTERS
Racial Breakdown
Latinx: 20.5%
AAPI: 15.3%
Black: 4.3%
White: 53.5%
% of eligible voters that cast their ballot
DID YOU KNOW…
Midterm elections employ harsher voter suppression tactics:
less media coverage, lower turnout, and more confusion about voting mechanics and polling procedures.
During the 2022 midterms, researchers identified about 1.81 million Twitter posts linked to election-related rumors and misleading claims circulating online.
Every 1% increase in Black voter turnout adds tens of thousands of votes
Every 1% increase in Youth voter turnout adds about 450,000 votes
which can flip city councils, block harmful initiatives, and elect community-aligned local officials (judges, DAs, etc.).
The 2026 midterm elections are projected to have $10.8 billion in advertising spending, making it the most expensive midterm cycle in history.
In an election environment flooded with paid messaging, clarity becomes harder to find and misinformation spreads faster.
Misinformation disproportionately targets underrepresented communities.
This isn’t apathy
It’s the result of:
Deliberate disinformation and propaganda campaigns designed to confuse and exhaust voters.
A lack of accessible and trusted political education that connects policy and government to everyday life.
Decades of systemic erosion of trust in the very institutions that create and enforce these policies.
The Paradox of Voting:
Many people feel their single vote doesn’t matter but elections are decided by the collective impact of thousands/millions of votes.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We’re not waiting for change from the top down, we’re building it from the ground up. By exposing how political power really works, we’re giving voters the clarity, tools, and continuous engagement strategies needed to break cycles of disenfranchisement.
We do not assume people are apathetic. We assume people need clarity.
Clarity builds the collective power that protects communities.
SURVIVE BY THE VOTE SOLUTION
Deliver
accessible education and actionable resources to restore community trust and channels of civic engagement.
Demystify
the political process through convenient, accessible, and culturally relevant curricula.
Combat
misinformation and voter suppression with well-researched, easy-to-understand content.
Empower
voters to see their impact and use it with confidence.
How we’re doing this
Clear and adaptable election education
Toolkits to empower community self-sufficiency and advocacy
Strong coalition building with grassroots groups and trusted leaders
Self-assessment tools for developing personal policy priorities and candidate evaluation
Targeted digital outreach via social media and other platforms
Candidate forums for direct voter engagement and accountability
Out-of-home ads: billboards, transit, and posters in target areas
Trusted Messenger Initiative leveraging influencers and cultural leaders
CAMPAIGN VALUES
CLARITY OVER COMPLEXITY
Prioritize simple, accessible messaging that cuts through confusion.
CONVENIENCE
Deliver political education through the channels people already use to make civic engagement easy, familiar, and part of daily life.
Empowering Self-Assured voters
Provide people with the tools and strategies to advocate for themselves and take action on the issues shaping their lives and communities.
COMBAT MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION, AND PROPAGANDA WITH TRUTH & TRUST
Proactively counter false narratives with credible, community-rooted information and trusted messengers.
COLLECTIVE POWER BUILDS LASTING CHANGE
Strengthen shared political capital by building a coalition that pools resources, knowledge, and relationships for long-term community impact.
Who We’re Looking to Partner With & Who We’re Reaching
Survive By The Vote works through trusted messengers and institutions to reach Californians most affected by civic disengagement and information gaps.
Voters We Focus On
First-time voters
Young adults
Individuals who are formerly incarcerated, including those on parole or probation, and those in jail for misdemeanors
Working-class communities
Marginalized voters
Partners We’re Seeking To Help Us Reach Them
Community-based organizations with deep local trust and reach
Clergy and faith leaders who serve as consistent, trusted sources of guidance and information
Civic and democracy organizations focused on long-term participation
Cultural leaders, educators, and creators who shape how information moves
National partners and funders who understand California’s role in shaping national outcomes
Labor unions and worker organizations
What we bring
Strategic communications expertise delivering clear, accessible, audience specific messaging.
Nonpartisan civic education and engagement strategy that helps people understand how state decisions affect national outcomes and their daily lives.
Curriculum and tool development built to support ongoing participation, with clear guidance and measurable learning outcomes.
Cohesive campaign branding and digital content that lower barriers to engagement and participation.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF YOU
Funding
Support marketing, digital outreach, programming, and organizing tools to maximize voter engagement.
Collaborate on Programming
Partner to develop educational toolkits, workshops, and co-host community events that empower voters.
Donate Services or Resources
Contribute graphic design, video production, translation, digital outreach platforms, event coordination, data management, or training in key skills development.
Contribute Creative Ideas and Strategic Input
Bring your ideas, expertise, and perspective to help shape campaign strategy, creative direction, and programming.
Expand Our Network
Connect us with community groups, media outlets, volunteers and other key networks to broaden our reach and deepen impact.
Commit to Uplifting and Amplifying the Message
Share campaign content, important updates, and event information through your social media, email lists, and partner networks to boost visibility and engagement.
WHAT YOU GET
Leadership Opportunities: Invitations to speak at or co-host panels, workshops, and community events.
Visibility and Recognition: Showcase your support as a champion for community empowerment with your logo and name featured throughout campaign marketing and across campaign materials.
Network & Resource Expansion: Gain access to partner expertise, shared marketing channels and resources, and collaborative support from coalition partners.
Legacy of Impact: Participate in building a model for community power that strengthens civic participation and empowers communities beyond a single election cycle.
final call to action
We are calling on you to lead with us and to help our communities recognize the power that has always been theirs and turn it into action that reshapes the system.
Join us in making civic engagement more accessible, trustworthy, and responsive to the communities most affected.