View source for 2026 Campaign Plan

== Background ==

Most towns have elections in the first half of the year. Massachusetts legislative elections are November 3rd, 2026.

== Objectives ==

Identify and train our candidates for the 2026 elections. Help them to:

* setup their campaign
* identify and train their campaign staff
* identify and train volunteers
* get on the ballot
* fundraise
* identify supporters
* get supporters to the polls (GOTV)

There will be three types of campaigns:

* Those that identify supporters and get them to the polls
* Those that organize campaign events (standouts, etc.)
* Those that meet the minimum requirements:
## get on the ballot
## meet with media to talk about their campaign
## attend any debates

== Time line ==

Working backwards:

2026

* 2026/12/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through May 2027
* 2026/11/03 - General Election
* 2026/11/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through April 2027
* 2026/?     - Last day to register to vote
* 2026/?     - Early voting starts
* 2026/?     - Mail in voting starts
* 2026/10/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through March 2027
* 2026/09    - Primary Election
* 2026/09/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through February 2027
* 2026/08/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through January 2027
* 2026/07/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through December
* 2026/06    - Post signature gathering and candidate conference
* 2026/06/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through November
** How to govern mentoring (State)
** How to govern mentoring (town)
* 2026/05    - write a how to govern guide - A pirates guide to local government
* 2026/05/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through October
* 2026/04/30 - State nomination papers due
* 2026/04/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through September
* 2026/03/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through August
* 2026/02/15 - State nomination papers available
* 2026/02/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through July
* 2026/01/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through June

2025

* 2025/12/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through May 2026
* 2025/11/30 - 1st town nom papers available
* 2025/11/30 - Have started candidate training
* 2025/11/15 - Have identified all candidates
* 2025/11/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through February 2026
* 2025/10/15 - 
* 2025/10/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through December
* 2025/09/15 - candidate (org/vol) pep talk & regional organizing meetings
* 2025/09/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through November
* 2025/08/15 - initial outreach to volunteers
* 2025/08/01 - initial outreach to organizers & candidates
* 2025/08/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through October
* 2025/07/20 - have all all voter records
** We have voters in 221 municipalities
** We have lists from 93 municipalities
** We need lists from 128 municipalities
* 2025/07/15 - start outreach to organizers, candidates & volunteers
* 2025/07/15 - schedule organizer check-ins through September

== Notes ==

write a how to run guide
contact people who wanted to be candidates
contact people who wanted to organized their communities

what would you like from us to succeed

what are the opportunities we want to present to volunteers

Massachusetts local government guide
guide to town meeting - state/election doc
local government / town FAQ

Issues
housing/local government/transparency/surveillance/accountabillity