Nicole Zambrano, Sister District Project, Guest Presenter April 2025 Membership Meeting
WHAT IS SISTER DISTRICT PROJECT?
Sister District Project, founded after the 2016 election, works to turn states from red to blue by winning state legislative elections. They work directly with campaigns to get out the vote and support the candidates who most need assistance. Sister District pairs volunteers from blue areas of the country with specific and strategic down-ballot races in other areas.
WHY FOCUS ON STATE LEGISLATURES?
Make Meaningful Impact: State legislatures directly impact critical issues including public education, voting rights, reproductive health, congressional redistricting, environmental protections, and so much more.
Strong Return on Investment: State legislative candidates are often under resourced but have a BIG impact on up ballot races. This is known as the “Reverse Coattails Effect“.
Reduce Down Ballot Roll-Off: Top of the ticket work doesn’t always trickle down! “Many voters, even when they are motivated to go to the polls or mail in their ballots, tend to vote only in high-salience contests at the top of the ticket and not in state legislative races that appear farther down the ballot.” (See: Down-ballot Roll-off Patterns in 2022)
3 MAIN BUCKETS OF WORK
Direct Voter Contact: Sister District works directly with campaigns to target the most strategically chosen voters through phonebanks, postcards, and canvassing efforts.
Fundraising: Sister District fundraises directly for candidates and grassroots partner organizations. 100% of donations go directly to candidates and campaigns decide what
to spend their resources on, for example staff and messaging.
Candidate Services: Sister District’s Political Team works hand in hand with campaigns to help candidates with whatever they need – a HUGE support to candidates whose campaigns are often under resourced!
2025 FOCUS: WHY VIRGINIA
Democrats hold a very narrow 1-seat majority in the House of Delegates. Holding and increasing that majority is critical. After Trump’s victory in November 2024, Virginia’s 2025 elections are the biggest game in town. All eyes are on Virginia! The work of 2025 is an important building opportunity to prepare for the 2026 midterms now!
Sister District Project’s Long-Term Goals
Advance democratic policies to improve the lives of all Americans.
Build a firewall of strong state majorities to counter extremism at the federal level.
Build a sustainable, long-term infrastructure led by the best and brightest future leaders.
WHAT NOW?
2024 Impact Report: See the results of Sister District Project.
2025 Candidates: Meet the Virginia candidates already identified and selected for 2025. Additional candidates will be identified following the Democratic Primaries. (Read about the Candidate Selection Process.
2025 Phonebanks are already underway. Learn more.
(Information in this post is a summary of the full presentation “It Starts With States.”)