Richmond Leader

Virginia Democrats are launching an innovative 'Majority Project' ahead of the 2023 state legislative elections, capitalizing on lenient election laws and prioritizing absentee voting to amplify their electoral influence. The project's comprehensive approach aims to harness these advantages and secure a competitive edge in the upcoming political contest scheduled for Nov. 2023.

“The Virginia Democrats’ campaign launched on a scale that has never been seen before in the Commonwealth,” said House Democratic Caucus Leader Don Scott, according to a July 20 press release. “Democrats have been ahead of the curve on early and absentee voting for years now, and that is because we are investing in people over corporations and standing up for women’s rights and the rights of Virginians all across the Commonwealth. We’ve already got people hitting the doors everyday hearing from Virginians which issues matter most to them, and we’re going to keep up that work and win in November.” 

Virginia Democrats have introduced The Majority Project, an ambitious voter turnout initiative in preparation for the 2023 state legislative elections, marking the largest and earliest such effort in the state's history. Spearheaded by the House Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Caucus, and Democratic Party of Virginia, the project employs a multifaceted approach including "relational organizing," a robust field program, and collaborative door-to-door and phone-to-phone efforts, involving over 100 staff members across districts. The initiative aims to capitalize on heightened voter engagement through capitalizing on lax new voter laws.

The objective encompasses safeguarding the Democratic majority in the Senate and potentially altering control of the Republican-led House. The timing of this effort is noteworthy, as all 140 General Assembly seats are up for election on Nov. 7, a pattern that typically draws national attention due to Virginia's historical significance as a precursor to broader political trends, according to The Washington Post.

Democrats have come under the spotlight for their intensified on-ground efforts in a selection of fiercely contested House and Senate races, predominantly concentrated in suburban zones of Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, The Washington Post reported. Their approach involves a notable focus on door-to-door interactions and data accumulation, which some critics argue raises concerns about the potential for manipulative tactics. 

Moreover, the push to encourage early voting participation was set into motion last year, coinciding with the implementation of various measures, such as 45-day no-excuse early voting, mail-in ballot drop boxes, Sunday in-person voting, and the establishment of a permanent absentee list. These legal changes, occurring during a period of Democratic majority in the General Assembly, were signed into law by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam between 2020 and 2021, prompting questions about the party's intentions and motivations.

According to The Washington Post, Democrats have been increasingly deploying technology to expand their outreach, aiming to identify potential voters and influence their ballot decisions. This modern approach, involving advanced tracking and "relational campaigning," enables candidates or their staff members to input information into a shared database, thereby facilitating subsequent follow-up with individuals who express interest in early voting or have requested mail-in ballots. Critics raise concerns about potential privacy violations and the manipulation of personal data within these innovative strategies.