The Voters Did Their Part. Now It's Our Turn.

By EJ Juárez, Executive Director, SiX

Yesterday, voters across the country told us what they want: an economy that works for the working class, not billionaires. They want a country where the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, where everybody has housing, healthcare – including reproductive healthcare – sustainable and accessible food, and can earn fair wages so we're able to thrive in safe environments.

That is the mandate, and for the SiX legislative network, it's ours to deliver.

If you're in the SiX network, you know that these victories have been decades in the making and that they have been made possible by organizing with our communities and with state legislators across the country. Our future doesn't hinge on one election or one charismatic leader. Our future depends on co-governing with our communities for the long haul.

States remain the bulwark for democracy and innovative labs for progressive policies. SiX will continue lifting up the states and equipping our 1,800+ state legislative network to do this work.

Here are three things you can do today as a state legislator to accelerate progressive power:

1. Turn up the volume

Use your social media platforms, your email lists, and your reporter relationships to hammer home these points:

• This election is a mandate for an economy that works for everyone. Voters chose working families over billionaires and corporate special interests. My job now is to translate those votes into policies that improve life in my community.
• Affordability and healthcare are the heart of that mandate. Voters want a home they can afford, childcare they can count on, and healthcare, including abortion care, that's accessible and affordable. I'm ready to deliver on all of it. [Add state-specific language here!]
• State legislators deliver. While federal electeds make the rounds on cable news, state legislators can and should join me in acting now: lowering costs, expanding care, and building an economy where working people get ahead.

2. Bring in the new class

A new class of legislators is heading to statehouses across the country, and we want them in this network from day one. Please personally invite the newly elected legislators in your state to join SiX using this link.

It's important to get newly elected officials in our network as soon as possible so we can amplify our power by sharing effective resources and trainings to help them govern the mandate. Here are a few tools designed to help newly electeds hit the ground running, including:

• Tax Curious to Tax Champion: Tax Policy 101 Training: This training is designed to empower state legislators and legislative staff with the knowledge, resources, strategies, and relationships necessary to take on special interests and champion progressive revenue in their state. Whether you're a newly elected legislator interested in learning the basics or a returning incumbent looking for a refresher, this training is for any and all "tax curious" legislators and legislative staff! Please feel free to share this training with fellow legislators and legislative staff.
• Reproductive Freedom Policy Agenda: This policy agenda includes model legislation and resources to improve access to reproductive healthcare. SiX urges legislators to use the models as a starting point and to work closely with state advocates and community members to craft solutions specific to your state's needs.
• Blueprint for Rural Policy Action in the States: 2027 will bring a continued fight to protect rural communities from corporate consolidation and resource extraction. From reining in data centers to investing in working waterfronts to limiting toxic pesticides in our food system, legislators from both the majority and minority are making our rural communities more vibrant and healthy places to live. The Blueprint for Rural Policy Action in the States provides newly electeds options for policies to improve the lives of people living and working in rural communities.

3. See you in Arizona

If you haven't already, register for SiX's State Action Summit on December 1–3 in Tempe, Arizona, by the deadline this Friday, November 6. It will be the largest gathering of state legislators working for progressive policies after the midterms, with about 400 legislators and partners from across the country. This is the moment to regroup with the new legislative landscape, strategize with colleagues from around the country, and finalize plans for the 2027 session.

The voters did their part. Now it's our turn.