Democracy Summer

The Democracy Summer project seeks to bring about enduring political change in America by training and deploying the next generation of Democratic organizers and leaders to win elections at every level. This one-of-a-kind Democratic Fellowship—founded by Jamie Raskin but now undertaken across the country—immerses talented high school and college students in state-of-the-art tactics in voter registration and political organizing, the dynamic history of political and social change in our country, and essential lessons for political leadership. 

Democracy Summer expanded nationally for the first time in 2021 in an historic partnership with the DCCC and the campaigns of Democratic Members and red-to-blue candidates. In the 2022 Congressional cycle, more than 1,000 young true-blue young Democrats will participate as Fellows in this nationwide virtual summer learning school while training simultaneously as organizers and volunteer activists with more than 65 Democratic campaigns all over the country. 

The theme of Democracy Summer 2022’s curriculum is “Political Democracy and its Enemies.”  There will be readings and presentations about white supremacy and political democracy, the January 6 attacks, historic and contemporary struggles for voting rights, fascism and totalitarianism, and proposed changes to strengthen democratic processes in the future. 

In prior years, the Program has also featured conversations on topics such as the climate crisis, gun violence prevention and the power of the NRA, the assault on reproductive freedom, wealth inequality and tax policy, immigration and refugee policy, the Electoral College and the National Popular Vote campaign, redistricting and gerrymandering, the domestic budget and the military budget, U.S. foreign policy and Congressional power to declare war, education policy, civil rights and civil liberties, and the continuing spread of voter suppression tactics in GOP-controlled state legislatures. Democracy Summer speakers have included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, civil rights leaders Bob Moses and Rev. William J. Barber II, Prof. Laurence Tribe, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and many more.

"This experience was totally life changing. Listening to all of these important political figures and great leaders of our world lifted me to see our ability to make youth change. The special thing about democracy summer is its ability to bond youth from across the country."

— Skyler, 2021 Fellow

"Democracy Summer isn't just something you do and leave, it inspires you to continue what you learned and use it in the world to change it into a better place. My time at Democracy Summer was truly my most life-changing experience yet. I now hope and aspire to stay continuously politically active and aware."

— Adesola Adelegan, Democracy Summer 2019 Fellow

"I really enjoyed being able to have opportunities to participate in both national programming and local practicums. Both of them gave us opportunities to hear from extraordinary speakers and learn about important topics related to preserving our democracy such as voting rights. This is an experience I will carry for a very long time."

— Michael, 2021 Fellow