Mission and Overview

Partnering with other organizations that have similar purposes and goals, Indivisible Cortland County (ICC) will have a transformative impact on the November 2026 midterm elections. This coalition’s express intention is to ensure that Donald Trump is a true “lame duck” after the midterms, with no support or assistance – and in fact strong opposition – from the legislative branch of government. This is how we begin to get our country back.

 

Since ICC reconstituted itself after the 2024 presidential election, community-building has been at the heart of virtually everything we’ve done. Our approach has employed a grassroots democratic strategy that shifts power from the top down by empowering local residents to participate in collective action and drive change. As a result, ICC has developed an impressive membership base, built from the ground up, that is passionate about participating in efforts that directly challenge and reform what is an oppressive, broken system. At this point in time, four months before the midterm elections, we need to channel that passion and energy into the arena in which they can make the most significant and lasting difference: the ballot box.

 

This document describes an election planning process that has community-building at the center of everything it aspires to do. The process is focused on five primary goals: 1) Flipping the House; 2) Flipping the Senate; 3) Ensuring free and fair elections; 4) Engaging and educating voters; and 5) Supporting and re-electing Lea Webb to the State Senate, Anna Kelles to the State Assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul. Successful implementation of the plan will require significant buy-in and participation by community members and effective partnering with other groups that share these same aspirations.

 

It is ICC’s responsibility to coordinate shared actions with other organizations and attract sufficient and enthusiastic volunteers to carry out the plan. We feel confident we will succeed if we meet the following fundamental assumptions:

 

• Build volunteer capacity through widespread and persuasive recruitment strategies that emphasize community-building and the joy that is inherent in working alongside like-minded people toward such an important outcome.

• Ensure that all individuals who want to help have the opportunity to contribute at some level; and support that participation through encouragement and resources.

• Coordinate consistent and relentless messaging among all our communication outlets, with focused targeting of millennial and Gen Z voters. 

• Build a support structure for endorsed candidates that includes fundraising, public meetings/town halls, and phone banking/post carding/canvassing/GOTV activities.