Markers for Democracy is a Democratic-aligned get-out-the-vote organization that focuses on Congressional elections and state legislative races. ¹

It is part of the Field Team 6 coalition, a pro-Democratic Party get-out-the-vote group that tries to register Democratic voters. ²

Background

Markers for Democracy says it is trying to build “inclusive and educated” activists to save American democracy. The organization sends postcards and other communications to voters to try to get Democrats elected. ³

Markers for Democracy was established in September 2018 when two people began writing postcards to voters at a local coffee shop to try to boost Democratic supporters’ turnout. This grew to 10 Democrat post card writers, later to 25, and people began meeting at a Le Pain Quotidien in New York City. The group reached about 900 postcard writers by 2022. It expanded beyond postcard writing to phone and text message banking on behalf of Democratic Party candidates. ⁴

During the COVID-19 pandemic, group members started meeting on Zoom. ⁵

The organization raised more than $300,000 since 2019 for state legislative races in Virginia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. ⁶

In August 2020, Markers for Democracy hosted its first “post carding marathon,” with #PostcardAroundTheClock on social media. It featured 24 hours of programming including speakers, panels, and candidates. ⁷

Markers for Democracy is part of the coalition of Field Team 6 coalition, a pro-Democratic Party get-out-the-vote group that tries to register Democratic voters in 10 states to attempt to support Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress. ⁸

Speakers

The organization hosted more than 300 candidates and speakers since March 2020. ⁹

Politicians who have spoken to the group include Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Andrew Kim (D-NJ), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL). ¹⁰

In 2022, Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) spoke to the group and stirred controversy asserting the “Christian Right” is doing “everything under the guise while they hold a cross for God or whatever. They use it like a weapon, and it’s painful to watch because they’ve weaponized religion.”¹¹

Other speakers have included Bill McKibben, author and climate activist; David Pepper, former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party; and Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice. ¹²

In 2021, the group hosted Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar for a discussion of his novel Homeland Elegies. ¹³

The organization screens movies and started the Obama Book Group in 2018 to read and discuss books recommended by former President Barack Obama. ¹⁴

Partnerships

Markers for Democracy has partnered with other progressive activist groups Downtown Nasty Women Social Group and Team Min. ¹⁵

The group is also allied with The Next 50, Seniors Taking Action, Square One, the States Project, Activate America, The Civics Center, Field Team 6, Lift Every Vote, Post Cards to Voters, Sister District Action Network, Swing Blue Alliance, Turn PA Blue, 90 for 90, Amplify NH, Arena, Civic Influencers, Fair Fight, Force Multiplier, Mi Vecino, the New North Carolina Project, Progressive Pipeline, and Senate Circle. ¹⁶

In July 2021, Markers for Democracy joined more than 1,000 other left-leaning advocacy groups in signing a letter urging President Joe Biden to support abolishing the Senate filibuster to pass Democrat-supported voting legislation. ¹⁷

1. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
2. “Partners.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/partner-organizations
3. “Mission.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/mission
4. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
5. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
6. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
7. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
8. “Partners.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/partner-organizations
9. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
10. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
11. Bliss, Jacob. “After Mocking Christians, Democrat Cindy Axne Dons Hijab at Iowa Islamic Center.” Breitbart. April 13, 2022. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/04/13/mock-christians-democrat-cindy-axne-dons-hijab-iowa-islamic-center/
12. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
13. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
14. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
15. “Our Story.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/our-story
16. ^[1] “Partners.” Markers for Democracy. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.markersfordemocracy.org/partner-organizations
17. “Over One Thousand Groups Representing over Three Million Americans Ask President Biden to Take Action Matching His Strong Words in Philadelphia on Voting Rights.” Demcast USA. July 29, 2021. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://demcastusa.com/2021/07/29/over-one-thousand-groups-representing-over-three-million-americans-ask-president-biden-to-take-action-matching-his-strong-words-in-philadelphia-on-voting-rights/