The Civic Action Plan
Transform your resolution into sustained action. Research-backed tools to help you stay engaged throughout 2026 and make a real difference in the midterm elections.
Choose text version (recommended, no warnings) or fillable PDF (may trigger false virus alerts in some browsers)
Why Tracking Your Progress Works
The science is clear: people who track their civic engagement are dramatically more likely to follow through.
People who write down their goals and track progress are 42% more likely to achieve them (Dominican University study).
Having an accountability partner increases your success rate by 76% through regular check-ins and mutual support.
Monthly reflection and progress tracking leads to 3x longer sustained civic engagement compared to one-time actions.
The Midterm Election Reality
Most people make civic resolutions in January but lose momentum by spring. The 2026 midterms are in November - 10 months away. Without a tracking system, 80% of resolutions fail before election day. Our action plan keeps you engaged through all 12 months, ensuring you're still active when it matters most.
Even 5% of resolution-makers staying engaged = hundreds of thousands of active democracy defenders in November 2026.
How to Use Your Action Plan
Follow these steps to turn your resolution into lasting civic engagement
Choose between text version (recommended, no warnings) or fillable PDF at the top of this page. Print it out and keep it somewhere visible - on your refrigerator, desk, or bulletin board. Physical visibility increases follow-through by 65%.
Fill in the "My Resolution" section with your specific civic commitment. Be concrete: instead of "be more engaged," write "contact my representatives monthly and register 5 new voters."
Good Examples:
- "Register 10 new voters in my community by October 2026"
- "Attend monthly town halls and ask questions about democracy issues"
- "Fact-check and correct misinformation I see shared by friends/family"
Research shows accountability partners increase success rates by 76%. Find someone who also made a civic resolution - a friend, family member, coworker, or someone from your community.
What Makes a Good Accountability Partner?
- Shares your commitment to democracy (not necessarily same political views)
- Willing to check in monthly (15-minute call or video chat)
- Supportive but honest - will celebrate wins and gently push you when needed
- Also tracking their own civic engagement goals
Fill in their name and contact info in the "Accountability Partner" section of your action plan, or use our matching form below to connect with someone new.
Set a recurring calendar reminder for the last Sunday of each month. Spend 15-30 minutes reviewing your action plan, checking off completed items, and planning next month's actions.
Each month has pre-filled action items plus space for custom goals. Check off what you completed, write a brief reflection, and set your goal for next month. The reflection is crucial - it helps you learn and stay motivated.
Pro Tip: Celebrate Small Wins
Don't wait until November to feel accomplished. Celebrate each month's progress - called your accountability partner, shared on social media with #DemocracyUnyielding, or treated yourself to something small. Positive reinforcement builds lasting habits.
Post monthly updates on social media with #DemocracyUnyielding. Public commitment increases follow-through and inspires others to stay engaged. You don't need to share everything - even a simple "Month 3 of my civic resolution: still going strong!" makes a difference.
Find Your Accountability Partner
Connect with another democracy defender for mutual support and 76% higher success rates
Can't Wait? Find a Partner Now
While we build our matching system, you can find an accountability partner right now:
- Ask a friend or family member who also made a resolution
- Post on social media: "Looking for a civic accountability partner for 2026 #DemocracyUnyielding"
- Join a local civic organization and find someone there
- Start a small group at work, church, or in your neighborhood
What You'll Receive:
- Monthly reminder email (last week of each month)
- Reflection prompts tailored to that month's focus
- Suggested civic actions for the upcoming month
- Inspiration from other democracy defenders
- Special reminders for key dates (voter registration deadlines, election day)
Start a Civic Engagement Circle
Go beyond one-on-one partnerships - create a local group for collective action
A Civic Circle is a small group (4-8 people) who meet monthly to track progress, share resources, and take collective action. It's like a book club, but for democracy.
Benefits of a Circle:
- Multiply your impact through group actions
- Learn from others' experiences
- Build lasting friendships
- Stay motivated through peer support
Monthly Meeting Format:
- Check-in: Share progress (15 min)
- Learn: Discuss civic topic (20 min)
- Plan: Coordinate group action (15 min)
- Commit: Set next month's goals (10 min)
Friends, neighbors, coworkers, or members of organizations you belong to. Look for people who share your commitment to democracy.
Last Sunday of each month works well. In-person is ideal, but video calls work too. Consistency matters more than format.
Download our Civic Circle Toolkit with meeting agendas, discussion prompts, and group action ideas (coming soon).
Your Civic Engagement Journey Starts Today
Download your action plan, find an accountability partner, and join the movement of Americans who are staying engaged all the way to November 2026.