Democrats launch voter registration effort in Arizona, Nevada ahead of midterm elections

PHOENIX — Ahead of this fall’s midterm elections, Democrats are launching a nationwide voter registration effort, beginning in Arizona and Nevada, officials announced Tuesday.

The initiative, dubbed “When We Count,” will see the Democratic National Committee (DNC) invest a reported $2 million for a fellowship in the two western states, as party officials hope to close a registration gap with Republicans.

“For too long, Democrats have ceded ground to Republicans on registering voters,” DNC chair Ken Martin said on a media call announcing the program. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment and a crisis.”

Between 2020 and 2024, Democrats lost 2.1 million voters nationwide, while Republicans gained 2.4 million, Martin said.

The chairman added that the GOP gained voters by investing in partisan registration efforts and using political action committees and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.

Democrats, however, have largely outsourced voter registration efforts to nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations since the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which changed rules on how such efforts could be funded.

“When we’re registering voters as a 501(c)(3), you can’t talk about party, you can’t talk about candidates, and in some cases you can’t even talk about our party’s values,” Martin said. “So, while we need this work to continue, we can no longer solely rely on outside partners.”

In 2026, @TheDemocrats are making voter registration a top priority.

But this isn’t just about one election. It’s about building lasting power by expanding participation for years to come. 

Apply to become a When We Count Fellow: 🔗https://t.co/fsxtblnKJS pic.twitter.com/tvdgOor5uX

— Adelita Grijalva (@AdelitaForAZ) January 13, 2026

Why was Arizona chosen for new Democratic voter registration effort?

Arizona was selected as one of the states in which the DNC would launch When We Count because of the impact the state could have on which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

“Arizona lost 186,000 registered Democrats between 2020 and 2024. During that time, Republicans in Arizona expanded their registration advantage by 3.9%,” Martin said. “Multiple razor-thin districts in Arizona are critical to our calculus to win back the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, who joined Martin for the announcement of the new program, said that the registration gap has made it difficult for Democrats to win races in the Grand Canyon State.

“I had to win and convert not just as many Independents as possible, but a big, big amount of Republicans,” Gallego said. “That’s not the way you want to win every time.”

Getting more voters registered as Democrats will help the party in Arizona, as it will keep them engaged in the political process, and campaigns and party officials will then stay in touch to make sure the voters remain registered and know how to vote, whether by mail or in person, the senator added.

“When you are an Independent, it doesn’t happen as organically,” Gallego said. “So, these voter registrations are going to matter. They’re going to matter a lot.”

Charlene Fernandez, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, said the new initiative will help the party build relationships with voters.

“They know that when they register these individuals, they are developing a lifelong relationship,” she said. “When they have a lifelong relationship with a Democrat, they are going to vote Democrat.”

How will Democratic voter registration effort work?

When We Count, which Martin described as “the DNC’s largest-ever voter registration effort,” will aim to train hundreds of fellows nationwide to register tens of thousands of new Democratic voters, according to Martin.

The program will target certain demographics, such as young voters or voters of color, who may have previously voted for Democrats but leaned toward Republicans in the 2024 general election.

“We have to earn every registration so that we can earn every vote,” Martin said. “And that’s why this initiative, beginning with our investment in Arizona and Nevada, puts the DNC back in the game, puts our national party and local parties back in the game.”

While the When We Count initiative is starting in Arizona and Nevada, Martin said the DNC is working with all 57 state and territory parties and will expand the program on a state-by-state basis.

“Here’s the bottom line: Democrats have momentum after a historic 2025, but we’re not going to take this momentum for granted,” Martin said. “We’re going to set the tone, we’re going to register more Democratic voters to elect more Democrats to office.”

Related

Who is running for Congress in Arizona in 2026? Here's the list of everyone interestedTrump announces dual endorsement for Gina Swoboda, Jay Feely in GOP primary for CD-1Looking ahead at Gov. Katie Hobbs’ 2026 reelection bid, where does she stand on key issues?Sen. Ruben Gallego emerging as key figure as Democrats try to win Latino support backMeghan McCain says brother has ‘no interest in public office’ after turning down Lt. governor roleRepublican Jay Feely courts independents with affordability pitch in House race