First, it makes it easier for new candidates to emerge. Now that getting set up on ActBlue is as simple as visiting our setup form, it’s easier than ever to start fundraising online, and fundraising ability is a key indicator of that hazily understood concept of “viability.” In short, it means more new voices, and as the BMG rules text reminds me, diversity is strength.
Low barriers to entry dovetails nicely with another of our organizational priorities here at ActBlue: growing the farm team. A few election cycles ago, Barack Obama was a state senator from Illinois. Talented, and impeccably credentialed, he could’ve chosen more or less any vocation. He chose politics, and it seems to have worked out for him. Many other talented folks choose to pursue other paths, and part of that decision is the onerous burden of fundraising. By doing our part to make fundraising a little less overwhelming, we hope to make it easier for talented folks to pursue a career in politics.
The other side of that coin is that it’s now easier than ever for people to participate meaningfully in downballot races. The obvious test case is Wisconsin, where a state issue became part of the national conversation, and Democrats collected almost $2 million in donations through ActBlue. By allowing national organizations and state parties to coalesce in one place, we helped fuel 14 days that may put control of the WI state senate back in Democratic hands.
Finally, candidates with a broad base of support are harder targets for special interests. In Federalist #10, James Madison argues that a large polity makes it harder for a single faction (read: interest) to prevail. We’re talking about fundraising here, but the logic is the same. If candidates rely on donations from a large pool of donors, they’re less likely to be swayed by the actions of the powerful few.
All of this is to say: if you know a Democrat running for state office, or local office in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Scituate, Ayer, Southbridge, or Malden, they should get listed on ActBlue.
I’ll be checking comments, so feel free to ask questions below, or email them to info@actblue.com
Thanks for posting info Adrian. Quick question, I looked into you guys for a legislative campaign I was working on last time out and the issue was you had to get an Act Blue merchant account, which can get pricey if you already have one somewhere or use paypal? Has that changed too?
State campaigns and campaigns in the municipalities I mentioned above don’t require merchant accounts anymore. If you’re looking at a municipal campaign that’s not one of the places I listed, then yes.
No candidate running in MA needs a merchant account.
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p>However, if you’re a local candidate running for office outside of the Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Scituate, Ayer, Southbridge, or Malden localities, setup will take a bit longer.
I have used ActBlue for years. They are an incredibly committed organization and are always there to to help. It makes it very easy for grassroots activists to raise money.
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p>Chucky, yes that has changed. The advisory opinion that Adrian references means that you no longer have to set up a merchant account for a legislative race in Massachusetts.
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p>One of the best results of this advisory from the OCPF is that any Democratic Town, City or Ward Committee in Massachusetts can use ActBlue without the need for a merchant account!
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p>A couple of town committees have recently taken advantage of this. ActBlue prepared a one page handout for Committees that explains this very simply. The MassDems Communication Committee plans to have this information available at the Convention.
I learned about ActBlue being available to DTC and DCC’s through the wonderful Dem Dispatch, and made a motion that the Scituate Democratic TC sign up. The motion passed, sign up was a breeze, and we were up-and-running in a matter of days. Shout out to Alyssa for being great to work with!
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p>We’re using ActBlue as a tool to accept ticket purchases to events online, as well as a tool to collect our (voluntary)dues. We have many members who can’t make it to ever meeting to drop off a check, but certainly receive every email and can pay online. We look forward to increasing our fundraising to support candidates and the party, and I know that ActBlue will be a key to our success.
Chris, thank you for the feedback and for the kind words!
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p>For anyone who is interested in subscribing to the Dem Dispatch, please send an e-mail to:
DDemDispatch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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The Young Democrats of Massachusetts have been using ActBlue for several years now, and with great success. We’ve raised several thousand dollars from individual donors over the past year, and use it for event ticketing and general fundraising.
I recommend it.