'If it has a clock, a budget, and a name on it, I'll show up. If it's vibes and slogans, I'm out.'
I ran a study with 6 progressive voters asking what motivates them to actually engage. Not just vote, but volunteer, knock doors, join local groups. The feedback was honest and actionable.
The Participants
Six US adults aged 25-55, progressive-leaning voters from diverse backgrounds. Mix of workers, professionals, and community members. All politically engaged but with varying levels of activism.
The Slogan Problem
We tested the messaging: 'In America, we don't do kings.'
That line sounds like a bumper sticker, not a plan. I act when the message is concrete, local, and shows me the cost and the logistics.
The consensus: abstract democracy messaging doesn't motivate action. Voters are fatigued by rhetoric.
Key insight: National slogans don't drive local action. Show me how this affects my street.
What Actually Motivates Engagement
Local stakes: housing, rent caps, utilities, safe streets
Worker issues: fair schedules, wage theft, heat protections
Clear volunteer roles: 'treat me like a grownup, not a seat filler'
Tangible wins with timelines, not perpetual campaigns
Put me in a Zoom that's 90% vibes and 10% plan, and I'm out.
Barriers to Participation
Time constraints and family obligations
Fatigue from endless protests and crackdowns
Distrust of performative activism
Unclear volunteer expectations
What This Means for Progressive Organizing
Lead with local, tangible issues, not national rhetoric
Provide clear volunteer roles with defined time commitments
Show county-by-county timelines and budgets
Respect people's time and treat them as partners, not pawns
Focus on wins that can be measured and celebrated
Progressive voters want to engage, but they're tired of performance. Give them concrete stakes and clear paths to impact.
Want to test your own engagement messaging? Ditto lets you run studies like this in minutes. Book a demo at askditto.io.
