WHAT WE DO

We work in coordination with Democratic candidates in strategic, winnable state legislative races. On behalf of our candidates, we plan fundraising efforts and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts, which include phone banking, text banking, postcard writing, and canvassing.

In 2017, we won 14 of 15 state legislative races; in 2018 we won 14 of 24 races. Sister District endorsed 27 races in 2019. 17 candidates were supported by volunteer teams and affiliates with full field and fundraising efforts, and ten alumni running for re-election were supported with fundraising only. By 2023, the entire national organization has backed 177 races total and 115 of our candidates have won—an impressive 65% win rate for Sister District.

The Sister District NYC chapter has backed an impressive number of winning candidates, including one Pennsylvania candidate who won by 58 votes and helped move the State House to a slight Democrat majority. We are working to hold and expand this majority in 2024.

These candidates are all for critical down-ballot, state legislative races; by winning these it makes it easier for Democrats to win national elections. Sister District is specifically focused on:

• flipping control from Republicans to Democrats;

• holding fragile, but critical Democratic majorities; and

• making inroads with Republican-held, gerrymandered districts.

By joining Sister District NYC, you can make a direct impact on “purple” states. States are often incubators of strong progressive policies and leaders, which influences our national political canvass. Moreover, state-level campaigns are often underfunded and need the help of dedicated volunteers, like you!

Our Opportunity

2024 provides plenty of chances to flip statehouses across the country blue. For 2024, we are focusing on talking to voters via phonebanks and canvassing in key Swing States and raising money for progressive candidates and on-the-ground grassroots orgs that get out the vote. As a national group, we are investing heavily in targeted purple districts where we plan to make an outsized impact. 

Race Targeting STrategy

In 2024 Sister District will invest heavily in swing states, including Pennsylvania. We are targeting AZ, GA, MI, NC, NV, PA, WI, with expansion opportunities in MN and NH. We are searching for nested opportunities: prioritize Presidential battleground states with nested competitive Senate, House, and Gubernatorial elections and key ballot initiatives. We are rolliing out our smart defense:iInvest in strategic chambers where we break and stave off Republican supermajorities.

Our political strategy involves targeting three types of state legislative chambers: Blue Flips, Blue Holds, and Blue Inroads.

• Blue flips: chambers where Democrats are down 1-4 seats that we can flip blue in one cycle

• Blue holds: chambers where Democrats hold a fragile 1-2 seat majority that must be defended

• Blue Inroads: “No Chamber Left Behind” – chambers where Democrats might not have a one-cycle solution to flipping, but where we must make whatever inroads we can particularly ahead of the Census in 2020 and redistricting thereafter.

2023: the big picture

In addition to supporting candidates in VA, we will support SDAN (Sister District Action Network), our national organization, with fundraising activities that will fill in critical gaps in election infrastructure in the following ways:

• Win Elections: Provide custom field, fundraising, and strategic support to the highest value state legislative races in key states.

• Develop Legislatures: Equip today and tomorrow’s leaders with the skills and networks they need to create progressive policy in their communities.

• Support Organizers: Engage out-of-district volunteers to take the most impactful actions, and fund year-round power-building, prioritizing partnerships with organizations led by people of color on the ground.

• Educate and Empower: Advance cutting-edge voter and volunteer engagement tactics through research, training, and civic education about the importance of state legislatures.

"Elections have consequences. These wins will result in policies to protect abortion, defend the climate, strengthen the economy, and more to improve people’s lives.

We look to the future with confidence and clarity. We will continue to flip, hold, and make inroads in key states every year to put us in the best position for redistricting after the 2030 Census, and to drive downballot turnout to win up and down the ticket, including the next presidential race in 2024."

- Lala wu, co-Founder of Sister District

Join Us

The Sister District Project is the most effective way to drive long-term change through focusing on flipping state legislatures. Sign up below and your local District Captain will reach out soon to welcome you to the team!