In Local Elections, Every Conversation Counts
Voting. Some never miss it. Some need a reminder. Some need a reason.
Sometimes a conversation is all it takes. In local elections, a few conversations can mean a few more votes — and a few votes can decide a race. And this week, we have some very good news about one race where that could matter.
NY-21 Is in Play!
There’s some exciting news coming out of NY-21: the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has officially added the district to its “Districts in Play” list for 2026.
That means NY-21 is now among the races national Democrats are watching as potential opportunities to pick up a House seat.
And the race is getting national attention. Rolling Stone recently featured an article by Bill McKibben — co-founder of 350.org and founder of Third Act — comparing Blake Gendebien and his Republican opponent, Anthony Constantino. It’s a must-read!
NY-21’s addition to the "DCCC’s Districts in Play" list sends a clear message that Democrats know North Country voters are souring on D.C. Republicans’ wildly unpopular record of raising costs, attacking affordable health care, and hurting working families.
Democratic Campaign HQ Opens in Rome Monday!
You’re invited to join our local candidates and campaign supporters for the Opening of the Democratic Campaign HQ in Rome on Monday, August 17th at 6:00 pm at 209 N. Washington Street, Rome.
This will be home base and ground zero for Blake Gendebien winning NY21 in Oneida County (Rome is the biggest city in that huge district!) and making sure that Jon Lipe replaces Marianne Buttenschon in the State Assembly as well as doorknocking for our entire slate of 2026 Democratic candidates. All are welcome to join as the office is opened for business.
Let’s have a strong turnout, and then make your plan for how you will show up every week at the Utica or Rome Campaign HQ to get your walk (or drive) lists and slate cards so you can talk to voters!
Then Saturday, We Start Canvassing!
Saturday, August 22nd, 1:30 pm
IMV’s 2026 General Election Canvass Launch in Rome
209 N. Washington Street, Rome
This is where direct voter contact begins. We win elections by talking to voters one at a time at their doors, answering questions, sharing information about our candidates, and helping people make a plan to vote.
We’ll have slate cards for voter education, walkable turfs, training, and opportunities to pair up so everyone can have a good experience.
Jon Lipe Town Halls: Let’s Bring Some Friendly Faces
Jon Lipe, candidate for New York’s 119th Assembly District, announced that he will host a series of public town hall meetings in August to hear directly from his neighbors across the Mohawk Valley and discuss his plans to address rising energy costs, healthcare access, and economic development.
"The most important part of being in office is being honest and accessible," Lipe said. “That’s why I am committed to holding town hall meetings throughout the area every year I’m in office, and there’s no better time to start than right now. Everyone – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – is invited to attend and ask me any question they’d like and I’ll be there to listen to their concerns.”
Indivisible National is Matching Your Donation to IMV in August!
Indivisible’s matching fundraising campaign kicks off August 1 and goes through the end of the month. During the month of August, donations to IMV’s Act Blue account will be matched dollar to dollar up to $500. Go to our website donation button or click here to make a contribution. Thanks for all you do to support IMV!
Madison County Democratic Committee invites you to "Celebrate Our Candidates"
Tuesday, August 25, 4:00-7:30ish - at Foothill Hops Farm & Brewery 5024 Bear Path Rd/Rt 46 in Munnsville. Meet with John Mannion, Mandi Drake, Vicki Davis, Ihor Semko, Al Stirpe, and Phillip Fleming. Live music, DNA Taco food truck, cash bar. Free admission, all welcome.
Join the National Action Network “Defend the Vote” with Rev. Al Sharpton for the March on Washington DC,
August 28th
If you are interested, there is a bus from Syracuse that will stop at 726 Washington Street, in Utica early in the morning of the 28th to get to DC by 9am. (Exact time to be determined.) It will return late that evening.
TIckets are free but you need to sign up here and let them know you are being picked up in Utica: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/syracuse-voters-right-bus-to-dc-tickets-1995407377180
For general information go to: https://nanhomepage.com/
SAVE THE DATE for September IMV Zoom Meeting
Thursday, September 10th, 7:00 pm.
For our September IMV meeting, we have such a great speaker lined up that we’ve invited all New York State Indivisibles to join us on our Zoom. We’ll hear from John Zogby, international pollster and analyst, about what he thinks the most salient messages are for voters in the 2026 midterms (that’s information we need when we’re doing direct voter contact at the doors!!!!), and what he sees on the farther horizon for electoral politics.
Climate Crisis Working Group
Women’s Water Walk: Stop the Constitution Pipeline
If you are concerned about the renewed threats of the Constitution Pipeline, over 100 miles of fracked gas pipeline, you can join the Women’s Water Walk.
On September 19, 2026 they will begin a two-week, 113 mile prayer walk led by women through towns along the route of the proposed Constitution Pipeline in New York State. You can walk for a week, a day, or even an hour. The section closest to us will be through Oneonta. Find more information at this link: https://www.womenswaterwalk.org/
Calls to Action for Indivisible National
Join our Hands Off Our Vote: Election Protection 101 virtual training next Wednesday, August 19 to learn how to mobilize to defend voting rights and ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). No matter where you live or how much experience you have, you can have a national impact on election protection. In this working training, we’ll cover FAQs and help you think through your current actions as well as how to prepare for further activations this fall. More than 30,000 Indivisibles have already joined Hands Off Our Vote, and we hope you’ll be next! (If you’re ready to dive into election protection work right now, check out our toolkit for actions you and your community can take today.)
Join our Immigrant Justice Summer call next Thursday, August 20 to learn how to get your community trained up and ready to demand accountability and ensure protection before an ICE surge hits (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). When ICE shows up in our neighborhoods, it’s crucial that we have a grounded system to channel people, training, and resources in the right direction. Without a plan in place, energy scatters and well-intentioned neighbors sometimes create structures parallel to the immigrant-led response already in progress. This call guides you on the training necessary to build a link tree, an online tool that acts as your community's front door so neighbors can easily find the information they need to show up in an immigrant-aligned, hyper-local, and safe response.
Curious About Canvassing?
Canvassing is one of the most effective ways to connect with voters because it creates a real, two-way conversation.
Watch From Outrage to Organizing to Power for a broader introduction to organizing and electoral work. The workshop covers campaign basics, voter psychology, and how activists build influence.
For a practical overview, watch Knocking on Doors: An Activist’s Guide to Canvassing. It explains what first-time canvassers can expect, the different roles volunteers can take, and basic canvassing best practices.
Then come give it a try with us Saturday in Rome — training and partners will be available!
