Turning Iowa Blue
The New Iowa Project is a group of Democrats from across Iowa exploring and implementing strategies to turn our state blue again. The project will be an open forum for all ideas. We’ll pilot projects and scale up any that show results. Like the model led by Stacey Abrams in Georgia, our work won’t come to fruition in one election cycle. We expect a decade of concerted work. We are unapologetically grassroots and we’re not ready to throw in the towel on Iowa.
Our Mission
We believe that Iowa’s future depends on engaged, informed citizens who participate actively in the democratic process. Through voter registration drives, community organizing, and civic education, we work to build the infrastructure needed for lasting change.
Our Approach
We focus on four key areas: voter registration, voter turnout, voter education, and voter protection. By investing in all four pillars simultaneously, we create a comprehensive framework for civic engagement that can sustain itself over the long term.
Our committees develop and test new strategies, measure their impact, and scale up the approaches that deliver results. This iterative, evidence-based model ensures that every dollar and volunteer hour is used effectively.
Founding Members
The New Iowa Project was founded in 2021 by a dedicated group of Iowans who recognized the need for a new approach to civic engagement in our state. Our founding members bring diverse backgrounds and expertise, united by a common commitment to building a stronger, more participatory democracy in Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New Iowa Project was founded in 2021 as a grassroots initiative by a group of Democrats from across Iowa. The founding members came together with a shared vision of building long-term civic engagement infrastructure in the state.
From its inception, the project has been committed to an open forum approach, welcoming all ideas and strategies for strengthening democratic participation in Iowa.
The New Iowa Project follows the model pioneered by Stacey Abrams in Georgia, which emphasizes long-term investment in voter registration, education, and turnout rather than focusing solely on individual election cycles.
This approach recognizes that meaningful change in civic engagement requires sustained effort over many years. The project expects a decade of concerted work to achieve its goals.
The project operates through a committee-based structure where volunteers and organizers focus on specific areas such as voter registration, community outreach, and education. Each committee develops and implements strategies tailored to its focus area.
The organization maintains a flat, grassroots structure that empowers local leaders and encourages participation from Iowans in every corner of the state.
The New Iowa Project distinguishes itself through its unapologetically grassroots approach and its long-term vision. Rather than chasing short-term electoral wins, the project invests in building lasting infrastructure for civic participation.
The project also serves as an open forum for ideas, piloting new strategies and scaling up those that show results. This experimental, data-driven approach allows the organization to adapt and improve continuously.
The New Iowa Project was founded by Democrats and focuses on progressive civic engagement in Iowa. However, the project believes that increased voter participation benefits all Iowans and strengthens democracy regardless of political affiliation.
Our voter education and registration efforts are open to all eligible Iowans. We believe that a more informed and engaged electorate leads to better outcomes for everyone in our state.