Outline for Starting a Local Coalition for Project Civica in New York State

I. Introduction to Project Civica

A. Mission & Goals
- Ensure fair, transparent, and uncorrupted voting systems in NY
- Combat voter suppression, election fraud, and misinformation
B. Why Local Coalitions Matter
- Grassroots power to influence policy and public awareness
- Strengthening community engagement in election integrity

II. Initial Planning & Research

A. Identify Local Needs & Challenges
- Research election integrity issues in your county/city
- Review past election disputes, voter access problems, or irregularities
B. Connect with Project Civica’s State Leadership
- Understand statewide priorities & resources available
- Obtain official affiliation (if applicable)

III. Building Your Coalition Team

A. Core Leadership Roles
- Coordinator, Outreach Director, Policy Researcher, Communications Lead
B. Recruiting Members & Allies
- Engage local activists, civic groups, nonprofits, and concerned citizens
- Partner with good-government orgs (e.g., League of Women Voters, Common Cause NY)
C. Legal & Organizational Structure
- Decide on formal vs. informal structure (e.g., volunteer group vs. 501(c)(4))
- Establish basic bylaws or operating principles

IV. Setting Goals & Strategy

A. Short-Term Goals (0-6 months)
- Host educational forums on election integrity
- Monitor local election board meetings
- Build social media presence
B. Long-Term Goals (6+ months)
- Advocate for policy changes (e.g., paper ballots, audits, poll watcher training)
- Influence local election administration reforms

V. Outreach & Community Engagement

A. Public Awareness Campaigns
- Flyers, town halls, op-eds, social media
B. Collaborations with Local Institutions
- Libraries, schools, churches, civic associations
C. Media Strategy
- Press releases, local news interviews, letters to the editor

VI. Advocacy & Action Steps

A. Monitoring Elections
- Train volunteers as poll watchers
- Track election board decisions
B. Policy Advocacy
- Lobby local officials for transparency measures
- Support/oppose relevant state legislation
C. Legal & Accountability Measures
- Submit FOIA requests for election data
- Document and report irregularities

VII. Sustainability & Growth

A. Fundraising & Resources
- Donations, grants, community sponsors
B. Volunteer Retention
- Regular meetings, clear roles, appreciation efforts
C. Expanding Influence
- Network with other NY coalitions under Project Civica

VIII. Next Steps & Launch Timeline

A. First 30 Days: Core team formation, initial research, first public meeting
B. 60 Days: Begin outreach, host first educational event
C. 90 Days: Formalize structure, initiate advocacy campaigns

Conclusion

• Emphasize the importance of local action in protecting democracy.

• Encourage persistence and collaboration for long-term impact.