Frequently Asked Questions
Why “Democrats”? Why not just start a new party?
The two-party paradigm is the model for our country’s current political system. While we agree with efforts to reform our two-party system, the reality is that right now it is next to impossible for a third-party candidate to win a national election. Justice Democrats functions like a party within the Democratic Party — running our own candidates in primary elections and holding those on top accountable to the grassroots.
We want our democracy to work for Americans again as soon as possible. The best way to do this is by working to change the Democratic Party from the inside out. Once Justice Democrats take power, we support electoral reform like ranked choice voting and mixed-member districts so third parties can have a voice in our democracy rather than continue to play a spoiler effect.
How are you different from these other Democratic groups such as Brand New Congress and Our Revolution?
We are thrilled that so many new organizations have come forward to enact change. Some groups, such as Our Revolution are focusing on local and state elections. Brand New Congress has many of the same principles as us, but are attempting to recruit Congressional candidates to run as Republicans in red districts. Justice Democrats is recruiting and supporting progressive Democrats all over the country (starting with Congress).
What type of organization is Justice Democrats?
Justice Democrats is a federal political action committee. We are required to be a PAC to accept donations and spend money toward electing federal candidates.
The PAC uses donation money to hire staff that recruits and trains candidates, runs all Justice Democrats social media, send e-mails to the Justice Democrats e-mail list, manages the Justice Democrats website, answers incoming e-mails to our help desk, create videos and other design assets that are used to promote Justice Democrats policies and candidates, utilize communications and digital strategies to drive progressive policies forward, and also any other work involved with promoting Justice Democrats candidates as well as Justice Democrats issues.
In addition to promoting candidates, Justice Democrats PAC also promotes issues. For example, we worked with the National Nurses United to pressure over 45 Democrats to co-sponsor Medicare for All in the House, getting H.R. 676 up to 121 co-sponsors — the most it has ever received.
One of Justice Democrats’ goals is to get everyday, working people into Congress. Many of these people don’t have a lot of campaign experience, so in addition to endorsing candidates, Justice Democrats helps nascent campaigns get off the ground with the resources they need. These resources include a distributed field program in which candidates can opt-in to get access to an auto-dialer for voter contact, a texting tool for event turnout, a volunteer portal, and other general help on their field program. We also help candidates with recruiting campaign managers, message training, communications and press strategy, creative work, and a host of other services that campaigns require.
The FEC requires that we charge campaigns money for any direct campaign services we do (otherwise, the service would count as a donation to the campaign), so we do these services at-cost to us, making no profit. By creating a scalable infrastructure that candidates can use to run their campaigns, we are able to start creating a party-like infrastructure that not only endorses and fundraises for candidates, but also provides them with the tools and people necessary to run a successful campaign.
Where can I buy merchandise to show my support?
You can visit our store at shop.justicedemocrats.com.
I’m not a US citizen, can I join/donate? Can I help in other ways?
You can only donate if you are a US citizen or permanent resident. You can, however, volunteer your time. People overseas often make great HelpDeskers or Candidate Hunters.
I’m currently-enlisted military — can I join/donate? Can I help in other ways?
Yes, you can! Members of the Armed Forces on active duty may join political groups, sign petitions, donate to candidates and groups, use bumper stickers and help with voting assistance programs. Read the full ethics regulations here.