The 2026 Election Initiative
Empowering Citizens for American Democracy’s 250th Year
The 2026 Election Initiative is the flagship civic engagement campaign of Project 2026, launched in partnership with Moonshot Press, our nonpartisan publishing arm dedicated to First Amendment values and the renewal of democratic dialogue.
Brief Introduction by Way of Press Release
Project 2026 Launches National Initiative to Mobilize Voters Ahead of Semiquincentennial (250th Anniversary for the Declaration of Independence) Election
“The 2026 Election Initiative” Aims to Revive Civic Engagement and Tackle America’s Most Pressing Challenges
Philadelphia, PA — With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on the horizon, Project 2026 today announced the launch of its boldest campaign yet: the Election 2026 Initiative—a nationwide, citizen-powered effort to elevate democratic participation and equip Americans with the tools to shape the country’s future.
At a time when trust in government is at a historic low, the initiative seeks to transform the 2026 midterms into a milestone of civic renewal—not just a political contest, but a defining moment of recommitment to the ideals of democracy, equality, and opportunity.
“The 2026 election will determine far more than who holds office,” said Shimon Waldfogel, MD, Founder of Project 2026. “It’s a chance for Americans to say what kind of democracy we want for the next 250 years—and to act accordingly.”
Reframing the National Conversation
The Election 2026 Initiative focuses on six interlocking challenges that will define America’s trajectory for generations:
Renewing Democracy: How can we rebuild trust and expand civic power?
Artificial Intelligence and the Social Contract: Who governs emerging technologies—and in whose interest?
Universal Healthcare and Health Justice: Can we guarantee health as a right, not a privilege?
Economic Opportunity and Intergenerational Equity: How do we build an economy that works for future generations?
The Addiction Crisis and Community Resilience: What does healing look like in communities wracked by despair?
Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness: Are we ready for the next health emergency?
Through public forums, policy briefings, strategic media coverage, and direct citizen engagement, the initiative seeks to ensure these issues stay front and center—not buried beneath partisan noise.
Introducing the Citizen Toolbox
At the heart of the initiative is the Project 2026 Citizen Toolbox—a practical, free-to-access collection of nonpartisan civic tools including:
Research briefs on key policy topics
Discussion guides for community forums
Candidate engagement templates for town halls
Advocacy strategies to amplify local voices
Media literacy tools to navigate the information landscape
“We’re not just asking Americans to show up,” said Dr. Waldfogel. “We’re giving them the resources to show up powerfully, prepared, and informed.”
Moonshot Press: Democracy’s Publishing Arm
All materials will be made available through Moonshot Press, Project 2026’s independent media platform dedicated to First Amendment principles and solution-oriented journalism. By producing clear, accessible reporting, Moonshot Press supports citizens in moving from awareness to action.
Join the Movement
Project 2026 invites all Americans—from first-time voters to veteran organizers—to participate in this historic push for civic transformation.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” said Dr. Waldfogel. “In 2026, every voice, every vote, every conversation matters. We don’t just celebrate our founding—we continue it.”
For more information, to access the Citizen Toolbox, or to host an Election 2026 Forum in your community, visit or contact us.
About Project 2026
Project 2026 is a nonpartisan civic initiative launched to renew democracy through public engagement, citizen education, and collaborative problem-solving. Founded on the core principles of the Declaration of Independence—equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—Project 2026 offers tools, platforms, and partnerships that empower Americans to meet the challenges of the 21st century with the spirit of 1776.
As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we stand at a pivotal crossroads. The 2026 midterm elections offer more than just a regular electoral cycle—they present a historic opportunity for Americans to reaffirm the founding ideals of liberty, equality, and government by the people. Amid deepening polarization, media saturation, and widespread disillusionment with politics-as-usual, Project 2026 offers a different path: one of informed participation, citizen power, and national purpose.
Why Elections Matter: Reclaiming the Heartbeat of Democracy
Elections are not simply contests between parties or personalities—they are the living mechanism of democracy. Through the ballot box, citizens determine the direction of our healthcare system, education policy, economic priorities, environmental stewardship, and much more. Every vote represents a statement of values and a building block of our collective future.
Yet trust in democratic institutions is eroding. Voter turnout remains alarmingly low in many regions, and misinformation, cynicism, and disengagement have become defining features of the public sphere. The 2026 Election Initiative is our answer to these challenges—a coordinated effort to inform, inspire, and activate citizens across the nation at this milestone moment in our shared story.
Project 2026 and Moonshot Press: Tools for Democratic Renewal
At the heart of Project 2026 is a belief in participatory self-governance and the enduring promise of the American experiment. We provide citizens with accessible tools to evaluate policies, question candidates, and shape the political agenda—not just as voters, but as active stakeholders in a more responsive democracy.
Moonshot Press serves as the storytelling and knowledge hub of the project. Through deeply researched articles, citizen briefs, podcasts, public comment guides, and local media collaborations, Moonshot Press equips the public with the insight and information needed to cut through noise and engage meaningfully.
Together, Project 2026 and Moonshot Press form a dynamic partnership to confront the pressing questions of our time and ensure that the American people—not partisan spin or special interests—are the primary force shaping our future.
A Semiquincentennial Moment: Democracy at 250
The 2026 election coincides with the semiquincentennial of American independence. This anniversary is not only a chance to reflect on the ideals articulated in 1776 but also a call to fulfill them more fully. Our founding document declared that legitimate government derives from the consent of the governed. In 2026, it is up to us to show what that consent looks like—active, informed, and engaged.
We believe the best way to celebrate our founding is not with fireworks, but with participation. Not only by casting ballots, but by holding institutions accountable and advancing new ideas worthy of the moment.
Election 2026 Initiative’s Core Challenges That Will Shape Our Future
🗳️ 1. Renewing Democracy: Participation, Trust, and Civic Power
Restoring the Pulse of the Republic
The Challenge:
Trust in democratic institutions is in crisis. Voter turnout is stagnant. Local journalism is in decline. Polarization has poisoned public discourse. Meanwhile, many Americans feel powerless to change systems that seem remote, rigged, or unresponsive.
Why It Matters in 2026:
As we celebrate 250 years of American self-government, this is a defining moment to ask: what kind of democracy do we want in the next 250? Will we double down on cynicism—or rise to rebuild trust through transparency, accountability, and participation?
Citizen Action Spotlight:
🧭 How can we make democracy more participatory, accessible, and effective—from school board meetings to the halls of Congress?
🤖 2. Artificial Intelligence and the Social Contract
Technology is Changing Everything. Will We Keep Up?
The Challenge:
AI is transforming work, education, media, and public life—often without our input. From deepfakes to automated decision-making in courts, schools, and hiring, we are racing toward a future shaped by algorithms few understand and fewer still regulate.
Why It Matters in 2026:
We’re approaching a critical inflection point. The decisions we make today about AI governance will define the rules of the digital age. Will we allow automation to concentrate power—or will we democratize innovation?
Citizen Action Spotlight:
⚖️ What values should guide the development and deployment of artificial intelligence—and who gets to decide?
🏥 3. Universal Healthcare and Health Justice
Health is a Human Right—Not a Luxury
The Challenge:
Even after decades of debate, tens of millions remain uninsured or underinsured. Rising costs, provider shortages, mental health neglect, and systemic inequities expose a broken healthcare model—one that often manages disease rather than promoting health.
Why It Matters in 2026:
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that public health is national security. But meaningful reform requires more than reaction—it demands a proactive, equitable, and citizen-informed vision for health justice.
Citizen Action Spotlight:
💡 How do we create a healthcare system that serves all Americans and promotes lifelong well-being, not just survival?
Get Involved: The Case of the United States Health Care
💰 4. Economic Opportunity, National Debt, and Intergenerational Equity
A Strong Economy—For Whom?
The Challenge:
Wages stagnate while the cost of living soars. Wealth inequality deepens. Meanwhile, the national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, mortgaging the future of young Americans while political leaders dodge hard fiscal choices.
Why It Matters in 2026:
As Gen Z enters the workforce and Millennials raise the next generation, economic policies must reflect a new social contract—one rooted in fairness, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Citizen Action Spotlight:
📊 What would an economy built for generational justice and broad-based prosperity look like—and how can we get there?
💊 5. The Addiction Crisis and Individual and Community Resilience
Healing the Heart of the Nation
The Challenge:
The opioid epidemic and rising rates of suicide, depression, and “deaths of despair” point to a deeper crisis of connection. Addiction is not only a medical issue—it’s a social, economic, and spiritual wound.
Why It Matters in 2026:
Solving this crisis requires more than pharmaceutical reform. It demands reimagining community, mental health, and belonging—especially in rural and working-class areas where the collapse of institutions has left people isolated and hopeless.
Citizen Action Spotlight:
🌱 How can we rebuild communities that foster resilience, meaning, and recovery for all?
🦠 6. Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness
Building a Healthier, Safer Nation Together
The Challenge:
COVID-19 revealed both the strength and fragility of our public health infrastructure. Misinformation, distrust, underfunding, and fragmented leadership left many Americans unprotected and unprepared.
Why It Matters in 2026:
Future biological threats—natural or manmade—are inevitable. The question is whether we’ll be ready. Investing in public health is not a partisan issue—it’s a democratic imperative.
Citizen Action Spotlight:
🧬 What lessons from the pandemic can we turn into permanent reforms—and how do we ensure no community is left behind?
🛠️ From Conversation to Action: Engaging with the 2026 Election Initiative
The 2026 election is not just about candidates—it’s about us. It’s about the future we’re building together, the challenges we’re willing to face, and the ideals we choose to uphold as we commemorate 250 years of American democracy.
At a time of democratic fragility, participation becomes more than a right—it becomes a responsibility. Project 2026 and Moonshot Press are here to help transform that responsibility into opportunity by providing citizens with practical tools and meaningful pathways for engagement.
🗳️ The 2026 Citizen Engagement Framework
The 2026 Election Initiative empowers citizens to do more than vote. It provides a clear, actionable path for engaging with the most critical challenges of our time:
Learn → Access evidence-based briefings that unpack the nation’s most urgent issues.
Connect → Join local and national forums to bridge divides through inclusive dialogue.
Engage → Ask pointed questions at town halls, debate forums, and candidate events.
Advocate → Translate your community’s concerns into concrete, actionable proposals.
Sustain → Remain active beyond the election, holding leaders accountable and pushing for long-term solutions.
Whether you’re a first-time voter, a seasoned organizer, or somewhere in between, the 2026 Initiative meets you where you are—with the tools and support to turn interest into impact.
🧰 The Citizen Toolbox: Democracy in Action
At the heart of this movement is the Citizen Toolbox—a dynamic suite of nonpartisan, easy-to-use resources created to transform passive observers into active participants. It’s civic engagement for the 21st century, grounded in American values and designed for real-world use.
🔍 What’s Inside the Toolbox?
📚 Research (citizen) Briefs
Clear, accessible, and evidence-based overviews of major policy challenges—from healthcare and AI to economic fairness and national debt.🗣️ Discussion Guides
Structured templates to help host community conversations that foster understanding, not division. Perfect for faith groups, schools, civic organizations, and family gatherings.🎤 Candidate Engagement Templates
Use these tools at town halls and debates to ask substantive, values-driven questions and evaluate candidates based on real issues, not soundbites.📣 Advocacy Strategies
Step-by-step guides to help citizens turn personal passion into public influence—through letter-writing campaigns, op-eds, petitions, and local lobbying.🧠 Media Literacy Resources
Navigate today’s information landscape with confidence. Learn how to spot disinformation, verify sources, and elevate credible, solution-focused media.
These resources are continually updated and freely available through Moonshot Press. Together, they support a new model of democratic participation—one that is informed, principled, and practical.
✊ Join the Movement: Citizen Power in Action
Every vote cast, every question asked, every conversation hosted, every forum attended is a stitch in the fabric of our democracy. The stakes in 2026 go far beyond partisan contests—they concern whether we will preserve a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
To ensure that happens, Project 2026 is building a nationwide network of citizens ready to step off the sidelines and onto the field. We are organizing Election 2026 Citizen Forums online and in person, fostering deliberative spaces where everyday Americans can shape the national conversation.
The 2026 election is not just about candidates—it’s about our collective future. Let’s make every voice count.
We are also developing the 2026 Election Guide for Citizen Action, a continuously updated resource hub where you’ll find:
📌 How to Participate in civic forums, public comment periods, and digital town halls
📌 Where to Learn More via Moonshot Press’s in-depth journalism and issue guides
📌 Ways to Get Involved in advocacy campaigns, letter-writing drives, and voter outreach
🧭 Sustaining Engagement Before and After the Election
True democracy isn’t just seasonal—it’s sustained. After the votes are counted, the real work begins:
Hold elected officials accountable
Track votes, attend meetings, and push for transparent, responsive governance.Organize around an issue you care about
Whether it’s maternal health, AI regulation, fiscal policy, or local infrastructure—every movement starts with a few committed citizens.Demand principled leadership
Encourage candidates and officeholders to uphold constitutional values and act in the public interest.
🚀 Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport
As we mark 250 years since America’s founding, let’s honor the spirit of 1776 by recommitting to its promise. Not with slogans, but with action. Not just with celebration, but with engagement.
The health of our democracy depends not on the decisions of a few—but on the sustained efforts of millions. In this moment, your participation matters more than ever.
➡️ Access the Citizen Toolbox and Election Guide at Moonshot Press’s Website.
➡️ Join a Forum, Host a Dialogue, Make Your Voice Count
Project 2026 and Moonshot Press invite you to take your place in the next chapter of American democracy.
📌 Stay Informed → Follow Moonshot Press for in-depth coverage and fact-based election reporting.