1. 3 Ways To Get Involved “What Can I Do?”
Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
3 Ways To Get Involved
“What Can I Do?”

2. Most direct way to effect change?
Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Most direct way to effect change?
1. Join the Democratic Party at municipal level.
2. Run or Support the Democratic candidate running for Town Council.
3. Volunteer and join your municipal commissions, boards, and committees, and Board of Ed.

3. Joining the Democratic Party
Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Joining the Democratic Party
1. Go to
2. Click on your County, and call/ your Democratic County Chair.
3. Find out when the next committee meeting is and attend.
4. Tell the County Chair about your level of interest. Ask where volunteers are needed, what vacancies are open on the committee, and what help is needed.

4. Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Town Council
*Town Council is important, whether you are supporting a Democratic candidate or RUNNING for a position on Town Council. *If there is a strong base of elected officials who are Democrats, you help build the infrastructure needed to support “up-ballot” candidates (Congressional, Gubernatorial and US Presidential races). *We need people on Town Councils who support our values of openness and diversity. *Democratic Party will help those interested in running for Town Council.

5. Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Living in a RED town…
In a Republican-controlled town, it will be hard to be appointed as a Democrat.
In these towns, it is critical to join every board, committee, or commission. Examples are:
Economic Development
Environment
Historical Preservation
Library Board of Trustees
Municipal Alliance Committee
Municipal Government & Transportation Committee
Open Space Committee
Planning Board
Zoning Board
Recreation Committee
Traffic Committee
Shade Tree Committee

6. “Mid-ballot and Downward”
Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
“Mid-ballot and Downward”
State Senate (State)
Assembly (State)
Freeholder/Freeholder & County Exec. (County)
County offices (County)
Sheriff (County)
Clerk (County)
Surrogate (County)
Every county has an odd # of Freeholders.
Different towns have different forms of government.

7. In General (mid-ballot and downward)
Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
In General (mid-ballot and downward)
Blue or Democratic counties
*Mainly blue in Passaic, Clifton, Patterson
“Swing” counties
Red or Republican counties
Camden
Essex
Gloucester
Hudson
Mercer
Middlesex
Passaic*
Union
Bergen
Burlington
Cumberland
Salem
Somerset
Atlantic
Cape May
Hunterdon
Monmouth
Morris
Ocean
Sussex
Warren

8. Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Next STEPS - 1
Call your Democratic Municipal Chair. Find out who that is here: Go to your county page, and look under Municipalities for Municipal Contacts.
“My name is ______, and I’m a part of a 16,000-member group called Action Together NJ. We are new and were formed since the election. I want to get involved. We belong to a national network of over 350,000 members nationwide.”
“I would like to know who is the Democratic Municipal Chair? His/her phone or ?”
Note: if there is an empty seat, ask to meet with your County Chair in-person to discuss the requirements for the position, your enthusiasm and commitment, and to develop a relationship. Offer our network to recruit volunteers!

9. Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Next STEPS - 2
If there is a vacancy in the Municipal County Chair position, contact the County Chair.
Find out who that is here:
“My name is ______, and I’m a part of a 16,000 group called Action Together NJ. We are new and were formed since the election. I want to get involved. We belong to a national network of over 350,000 members nationwide.”
“I would like to attend the Democratic committee meetings to get to know everyone. When is the next meeting?”
“Are there any vacancies for committee members?”
“What needs do you have that I can help with?” (Offer your county ATNJ network of volunteers.)

10. Action Together New Jersey (ATNJ)
Next STEPS - 3
Go to your municipal page and find out all the boards, committees, and commissions available to serve. This includes for Board of Education, often the best place to start in your community. If you have kids in the school system, it’s a great way to meet civic-minded neighbors.
Being on these boards is especially important in a Republican-controlled town.
Some positions are appointed and vary by town. Find out the requirements and volunteer on the Board. Be kind, enthusiastic, and persistent.