10 High-Impact Political Actions for Defending Our Future

I had phone call last night with my godkids, aged 5 and 8, who are feeling the weight of the 2024 election results in big, real ways. My social feeds are flooded with emotional posts and my wife has been in a funk all day. Meanwhile, I’ve found myself staring at screens, thinking, “Somebody has to give us something to do with this energy. We can’t just be depressed for 4 years!”
I know a lot of us feel overwhelmed by a mix of sadness, anger, frustration and fear right now. These emotions are valid. We placed our hopes in a future that promised kindness, inclusion and equality—and now we need time to grieve what we’ve lost. But once that moment has passed, it’s time to channel our energy into political actions that defend the values that matter most to us. It’s what I promised the kiddos we’d do for them and their generation.
In that spirit, I’ve gathered some high-impact actions that we can take to make a difference. Because I’m tired of reading vague platitudes like “Get involved!” without any meaningful calls to action. These are actions, not donations. They just cost time and commitment. By connecting with established organizations, we can help create real change. Every action matters as we build the world we all deserve.
1. Protect Voting Rights and Access
Why: Voting rights are essential to democracy, but many states continue to limit ballot access, especially for marginalized communities. Under Trump’s previous administration guidelines (2016-2020), voter suppression tactics such as purging voter rolls, limiting early voting and reducing polling stations were implemented. These tactics disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income Americans. Trump’s 2025-2029 agenda might push further restrictions on voting access, particularly targeting absentee ballots and voter ID laws.
Action: Support organizations fighting to protect voter rights and counter suppression.
How: Volunteer to help with phone banking, organize voter registration drives, or spread awareness about voting rights legislation.
Organizations:
- Brennan Center for Justice: brennancenter.org
- Fair Fight Action: fairfight.com
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund: naacpldf.org
2. Defend Reproductive Rights
Why: Many are working to restrict reproductive rights, threatening access to essential healthcare. Trump’s presidency saw attacks on abortion rights, including the appointment of conservative judges to the Supreme Court, culminating in the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. His administration’s stance on reproductive rights could continue to influence state-level restrictions and healthcare access, particularly for marginalized communities.
Action: Partner with advocacy groups committed to safeguarding reproductive freedoms and providing accurate information.
How: Join local rallies, share educational resources, or volunteer in clinics and advocacy offices.
Organizations:
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund: plannedparenthoodaction.org
- Center for Reproductive Rights: reproductiverights.org
- NARAL Pro-Choice America: prochoiceamerica.org
3. Support Racial Justice and Equity
Why: Systemic racism continues to impact communities across the nation, from policing to education to housing. Under Trump, the federal government rolled back civil rights protections and engaged in policies that disproportionately harmed Black and Brown communities, including weakening affirmative action and scaling back police reform efforts. The fight for racial equity will be a continued battle under his administration, potentially shifting policies back to favor racial discrimination.
Action: Connect with organizations addressing racial injustice, promoting equity and amplifying marginalized voices.
How: Volunteer for community events, support educational workshops and share resources.
Organizations:
- Black Lives Matter: blacklivesmatter.com
- Color of Change: colorofchange.org
- Equal Justice Initiative: eji.org
4. Promote Climate Action
Why: Climate change threatens ecosystems, health and economies worldwide; as such, it demands immediate attention. Trump rolled back environmental protections, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and slashing regulations on fossil fuel industries. His administration’s climate stance could further exacerbate global warming, undermining international cooperation and sustainable practices.
Action: Advocate for policies that protect the environment and promote sustainable practices.
How: Volunteer with eco-advocacy groups, participate in community clean-ups and promote sustainable practices.
Organizations:
- Sierra Club: sierraclub.org
- 350.org: 350.org
- Natural Resources Defense Council: nrdc.org
5. Strengthen LGBTQ+ Rights and Protections
Why: LGBTQIA+ rights remain under attack and communities need support to ensure equality and safety. During Trump’s first term, his administration attempted to roll back protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in healthcare, education and military service. Notable actions included the 2017 ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and efforts to exclude transgender people from healthcare protections under the Affordable Care Act. Trump’s 2025-2029 agenda may seek to continue or reinstate policies that discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially in areas such as housing, employment and education. These efforts, if implemented, could exacerbate the ongoing fight for full equality and access for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Action: Work with organizations advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, equality and inclusivity.
How: Support educational campaigns, engage in community outreach and participate in Pride events.
Organizations:
- Human Rights Campaign: hrc.org
- Lambda Legal: lambdalegal.org
- The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org
6. Advocate for Immigrant Rights
Why: Immigrants face challenges like family separation, unequal rights and limited access to services. Trump’s administration enacted policies like family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border and limited asylum protections. These policies could be reinstated or further intensified under a second term, undermining immigrant communities’ rights and safety.
Action: Support organizations advocating for immigrants’ rights, dignity and fair treatment.
How: Participate in community events, share resources and volunteer for legal aid projects.
Organizations:
- RAICES: raicestexas.org
- National Immigration Law Center: nilc.org
- United We Dream: unitedwedream.org
7. Reinforce Workers’ Rights
Why: Workers need safe conditions, fair wages and protections against exploitation. Under Trump, labor protections were weakened, including restrictions on union activities and cuts to minimum wage increases. A return to office could further harm workers’ rights, threatening fair wages and workplace protections.
Action: Engage with groups advocating for workers’ rights, from union support to fair labor practices.
How: Support local labor actions, promote workers’ rights education and advocate for fair policies.
Organizations:
- National Employment Law Project: nelp.org
- AFL-CIO: aflcio.org
- Fight for $15: fightfor15.org
8. Combat Gun Violence
Why: Gun violence affects communities nationwide and stronger protections can save lives. During Trump’s presidency, efforts to pass meaningful gun control laws stalled and the administration expanded access to firearms, particularly for individuals with a history of domestic violence. His 2025 agenda could reverse progress on gun safety, leading to fewer restrictions and more gun violence.
Action: Work with groups advocating for gun reform policies that protect communities.
How: Engage in educational campaigns, lobby for reform and participate in rallies.
Organizations:
- Everytown for Gun Safety: everytown.org
- Giffords: giffords.org
- Brady Campaign: bradyunited.org
9. Defend Civil Liberties
Why: Our freedoms are vital to democracy and protecting civil liberties ensures equity for all. Trump’s administration sought to undermine civil liberties, including attempts to limit free speech, restrict press access and curtail protest rights. A second Trump term could see further erosion of these freedoms.
Action: Join civil rights groups to monitor, advocate and protect individual freedoms.
How: Volunteer for outreach, support legal aid and raise awareness about civil rights legislation.
Organizations:
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): aclu.org
- Southern Poverty Law Center: splcenter.org
- People For the American Way: pfaw.org
10. Promote Fair Housing
Why: Housing security impacts everything, from family stability to access to opportunities. Trump’s administration rolled back fair housing protections, making it harder for families to access affordable housing. Further steps to weaken the Fair Housing Act could disproportionately impact low-income families and people of color.
Action: Collaborate with housing organizations advocating for affordable, safe housing for all.
How: Volunteer for housing initiatives, attend community meetings and support housing rights.
Organizations:
- National Low Income Housing Coalition: nlihc.org
- Habitat for Humanity: habitat.org
- Coalition for the Homeless: coalitionforthehomeless.org
5 More Ways to Make a Local and State-Level Impact
11. Engage with Local Government
Why: Local government decisions impact education, safety and community resources directly.
How: Attend town halls, school board meetings, or city council sessions and speak up on issues that matter.
12. Support Local Journalism
Why: Local news sources often cover issues affecting the community that national outlets overlook.
How: Write letters to the editor, share news stories and participate in discussions.
13. Participate in Community Activism
Why: Grassroots organizations often tackle specific, immediate issues in the community.
How: Volunteer with local initiatives, such as neighborhood cleanups or community garden projects.
14. Join or Form a Community Watch Group
Why: Community safety improves with active, informed residents.
How: Organize neighborhood watch programs or support local efforts against crime and violence.
15. Advocate for Statewide Policy Changes
Why: Many significant policies, from education to healthcare, are determined at the state level.
How: Contact your state representatives, join policy advocacy groups and participate in state-level campaigns.