Up and down the ballot, each election is vital to finally creating a future free from gun violence. That’s particularly true in the November 2026 midterm elections.
Key takeaway: 3 things you can to do get out the vote during the midterm elections
- Confirm that you’re registered to vote
- Make a plan to vote on (or before) November 3rd, 2026
- Join a phonebank or canvass to support candidates at the federal and state levels
Why do the midterm elections matter for gun safety?
This November, the election results will decide whether the gun safety progress we’ve fought for survives or gets dismantled.
The Trump administration is gutting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), rolling back enforcement, and pushing a guns-everywhere agenda with no check from a compliant Republican majority in Congress. But with every seat in the House of Representatives up for election, we have the chance to win back a gun-sense majority.
Our goal this cycle is simple: put a real check on Trump at the federal and state level — and Moms Demand Action volunteers are the tip of the spear. More than 20 Moms Demand Action volunteers are running for Congress, including 7 in the most competitive seats in the country — seats that will determine whether we can flip the House.
We are all in to defend the life-saving progress on the line and support the Gun Sense Candidates, including our own volunteers, running up and down the ballot. And whether you have five minutes or five hours, there is something you can do to help get out the vote for gun safety this election cycle.
The conversation you have could be the difference between someone sitting on the sidelines — or showing up and changing the outcome of the election.
What can I do to make a difference during the 2026 midterm elections?
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you are registered to vote and that you are ready to show up at the polls on (or before) November 3, 2026.
- Confirm your voter registration using our online tool
- Make a plan to vote, and we’ll send you an email reminder close to Election Day!
READ: Find answers to your most common questions about Election Day 2026 in our voter guide!
Once you know you’re registered to vote, go to gunsensevoter.org/events to find virtual or in-person events in your area and get ready to get out the vote with us.
(And you can always host your own electoral event!)
I’ve never participated in election events before. What do I need to know?
Some of the most impactful events you can join leading up to the midterm elections include phonebanks and canvassing for candidates. And great news: You don’t need any prior experience to participate!
What you need to know about election events:
Phonebanking
While things have certainly changed since everyone had a landline and everyone answered the phone, the data show that phonebanking is still one of the most effective ways to drive people to take action—including actions around election work.
Phonebanking is flexible, adaptable, and can be done from anywhere in the country.
Wondering how it works? After you RSVP to an event on Gun Sense Voter, you’ll get more details from the event organizer via email. In the meantime, here are the 4 Cs of Phonebanking:
- Connect: Let the person on the other end of the line know what makes you care about gun violence.
- Context: Explain why you are reaching out, and why now. Describe what we’re trying to accomplish and why we need their help!
- Commit: Describe the event or opportunity for action, then make a specific ask.
- Catapult: This final step is our opportunity to set them up for success and make sure they have what they need to follow through. Repeat back their commitment, or talk them through any next steps.
Canvassing for Candidates
Canvassing involves going door-to-door to talk with residents about your candidate or cause.
A general pro-tip when getting out the vote is: the more personal, the more impactful. Face-to-face conversations with personal stories behind them can make a big difference in making people care about your cause!
You’ll get more information from event organizers when you RSVP and show up for a canvassing event. A few general tips for canvassing include:
- Wear your red shirt or other gun-sense swag. That will give people a visual cue of why you’re there to talk with them.
- Get ready to walk. Moving door-to-door means you’ll get your steps in! Wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle, and remember to prioritize your health and safety.
- Bring a friend. Face-to-face conversations are important, and they can also feel intimidating. Having a friendly face beside you can be the confidence boost you need to get excited about talking with potential voters!
How do I get involved in an electoral Weekend of Action?
Go to GunSenseVoter.org/events (or click the “Find an Event” button in our website header) to find Weekend of Action events in your area. You can also filter to find virtual events to support 2026 races across the country.
Our next weekends of action are:
- September 14–20: National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, September 15, which means we are going all-out for an Electoral Week of Action. Mark your calendars and get ready to join us from wherever you are to help register new voters and keep up the momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm election.
- October 17 and 18: Keep up the momentum as we encourage voters to research their candidates, find their polling place, and make a plan to vote!
- October 31 and November 1: Join us for our final push before Election Day (November 3, 2026) to remind your family, friends, and community members to vote, vote, vote!
Does getting out the vote really make a difference?
Yes.
Research varies on how much of a difference voter outreach methods like phonebanking or canvassing make. But what we do know is that those efforts make a difference.
Not convinced?
In 2017, the winner of a Virginia House of Delegates race came down to drawing lots. A recount gave one candidate a one-vote margin of victory (11,068 votes to 11,067). But after a panel of judges “decided that a mismarked ballot that had originally been discarded” should be counted toward the other candidate, the votes were tied. So how did they decide a winner? By picking a candidate’s name out of a bowl.
Some other close races in recent years:
- 2015: A seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives was decided by five ballots.
- 2020: The election for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District was as close as six votes.
- 2022: The Arizona Attorney General race was decided by 280 votes.
- 2023: A race for Louisiana Sheriff was as close as one vote (and required two runoff elections to determine the winner).
Not all races will be decided by such a narrow margin. But in every election, every vote counts. The conversation you have or the postcard you send could be the difference between someone sitting on the sidelines—or showing up and changing the outcome of the election.
The stakes are high
Getting out the vote for races up and down the ballot helps elect Gun Sense Candidates. When Gun Sense Candidates are elected into office, they pass common-sense gun safety legislation and use their platform to change the conversation about gun violence.
We need leaders who will keep our kids, communities, and country safe from gun violence. And every conversation, postcard, and action taken helps make that a reality.
Mark your calendars to join us for a Weekend of Action and help get out the vote for gun safety!
Remember: The actions don’t end when the weekends do! Download the Demand Action app for resources and actions you can take leading up to Election Day.