In today’s polarized political climate, Democrats and Republicans frequently clash in Congress, the executive branch, and the Supreme Court. While the impact of partisan polarization on the federal government is well-documented, its consequences for state governments are often overlooked. One notable trend at the state level is the increasing use of litigation against the federal […]
Many factors can motivate people to participate in elections. Some of the most common reasons include a desire to have their voices heard, a belief that their vote can make a difference, a sense of civic duty, or a desire to support a particular candidate or party. If people didn’t think their voices mattered, […]
There aren’t many sure bets in American politics, but conventional wisdom tells us that midterm elections usually go very poorly for the president’s political party. However, even in a political climate where shock has become the rule, not the exception, the 2022 midterms somehow managed to flip the script, defying pundits and prognosticators. Here are […]
When trying to educate lawmakers on issues important to your organization, nothing matters more than relationships. No, I’m not talking about relationships between lawmakers and your lobbying team. I’m talking about relationships between lawmakers and their constituents. Building an effective grasstops advocacy, or “Key Contact Program,” is one of the most important aspects of your […]
The Fly-in is a tried-and-true staple of advocacy for organizations across the country. Organizations bring their stakeholders to Washington, D.C. each year to conduct in-person meetings with key Congressional members and staff. A survey conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) found senior Congressional staff overwhelmingly believe that “direct constituent interactions have more influence on […]
Elected officials love their social media! Whether they are promoting a piece of legislation they recently introduced, posting a photo they took with constituents, or posting memes (yes… they post memes too!) lawmakers stay active on social media. In 2022 alone, federal lawmakers posted on social media more than 909,000 times. With those numbers its […]
In recent years, Super PACs have risen to prominence in American politics. Though, there is still a lot of confusion about what they are and how they operate. In this article, you will find a guide to Super PACs—including what they are, how they rose to prominence, and the regulations that apply to them. At […]
It’s fair to say that one is not going to get very far in politics without an understanding that effective fundraising is essential. You cannot achieve big things in politics without adequate fundraising—whether it is winning an election campaign, getting a ballot measure approved, or advocating for an important issue. And if you’ve been keeping […]
Big data has changed elections, public affairs, and U.S. government policies. Unfortunately, those who fall behind on data are unlikely to advance their objectives. For political campaigns and public advocacy groups, the collection, management, and use of data are essential. It makes the difference between achieving a goal—such as winning a campaign—and getting bogged down […]
Although a greater share of political organizing and political activity is happening in digital spaces, nothing compares to an in-person political event. These events remain one of the most effective ways for candidates and advocacy groups to get their message out there through building personal connections. In this article, you will find an overview of […]
