Washington Community Action Network

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & ELECTORAL IMPACT:Washington CAN (WaCAN) played a leading role in electoral organizing and statewide initiative campaigns, ensuring working-class communities and people of color had a direct impact on shaping policies and electing progressive leadership. In 2024, WaCAN engaged 51,303 voters through door-knocking, phone, and pledge to vote card outreach, educating residents on key ballot initiatives that would have significantly impacted economic and environmental justice. These efforts contributed to the defeat of three harmful initiatives: Initiative 2117, which sought to repeal the Climate Commitment Act; Initiative 2109, which would have eliminated Washington's capital gains tax, endangering essential investments in education and social programs; and Initiative 2124, which proposed allowing residents to opt out of Washington's long-term care program, jeopardizing future support for seniors and disabled individuals. WaCAN was the top-performing organization in the fight against Initiative 2117, accounting for 37.51% of all doors knocked across 14 partner organizations. Our deep canvassing and voter outreach resulted in a 14.7% increase in turnout among our targeted communities, significantly outpacing the 1.8% impact from the No on 2117 campaign. Through 7,973 direct voter conversations and high-contact canvassing in BIPOC and working-class communities, Washington CAN helped secure victories for our state.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, MEMBER-LED ENDORSEMENTS & CANDIDATE VICTORIES:Washington CAN expanded political power through a member-led endorsement process, ensuring that community voices were centered in candidate selection. This process empowered 15 grassroots leaders by developing issue-based candidate questionnaires, focusing on housing, healthcare, workers' rights, and economic justice. Through direct interviews, members engaged with candidates to assess their alignment with WaCAN's priorities. WaCAN played a key role in electing progressive candidates in 2024.These statewide victories included Dave Upthegrove's as Land Commissioner, securing leadership that prioritizes environmental and climate justice and Nick Brown as Attorney General, bringing a strong advocate for justice reform and corporate accountability. At the local level, WaCAN played in instrumental role in electing Alexis Mercedes Rinck's bringing her leadership in budget, policy, and advocacy, strengthening grassroots momentum to Seattle and Deana Knutsen to the Snohomish Hospital Commission seat with Verdant Health, ensuring that healthcare governance reflects the needs of the community.