Last week’s election proves the power of people-driven politics
by Gwen Lachelt, WORC political director
Democracy—the great American experiment—sparkled brilliantly on Election Day last week. Across the nation, citizens turned out in record numbers to assert their right to vote, proving something powerful: When ordinary people organize, engage, and take action, they can change the course of their communities and strengthen the foundation of our democracy.
This was certainly true in the Mountain West, where the power of people-driven politics was on full display.
At the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC), our Grassroots Democracy Program had a banner year. Our member group, Montana Rural Voters Action Fund (MRVAF), secured major victories in municipal elections across the state. Another of our member groups, Colorado Rural Voters (CORV), won a crucial county commissioner recall election in western Colorado. These wins prove what we’ve long known: when donors and foundations invest in grassroots democracy, we deliver results.
Turning out the vote in Montana
Montana Rural Voters and its action arm, the Montana Rural Voters Action Fund, worked diligently to recruit, train, and support local candidates committed to fairness, accountability, and community values. From Billings to Havre, Great Falls to Helena, and Red Lodge to Livingston, MRVAF brought its “secret sauce” to every campaign: direct voter contact that prioritizes relationship building and trust.
Our ground game was unmatched. In Billings alone, MRVAF teams knocked on nearly 17,000 doors and called 24,000 voters, engaging Montanans in one-on-one conversations about the issues they care most about—including affordable housing, responsible growth, and honest leadership.
And the proof is in the results: MRVAF-backed candidates won all four major races in Billings, including the mayoral race, securing a forward-looking majority on the city council. Across the state, of the thirteen candidates MRVAF endorsed, ten won.
Each victory underscores a powerful truth: when we meet voters where they are—on their doorsteps, in their neighborhoods, and in their communities—we win.
Keep up-to-date with grassroots organizing in the West with WORC’s newsletter.
Accountability restored in Colorado
Voters in Colorado also demonstrated the strength of local democracy. Colorado Rural Voters led a historic campaign in Montrose County to recall County Commissioner Scott Mijares, who had violated the state’s open meetings law, misused taxpayer funds, and blocked public participation in local government.
The road to accountability was long and demanding. In early July, a group of committed residents filed a petition to remove Mijares from office. They had only 60 days to gather 4,540 signatures—a daunting task in a rural county. But fueled by passion and principle, organizers gathered 4,942 valid signatures by August 18, surpassing their goal.
When voters finally went to the polls, they made their voices heard loud and clear. The recall measure passed by nearly 700 votes, restoring integrity to local leadership. In the same election, Kirstin Copeland was elected to succeed Mijares, ushering in a new era of transparency, accountability, and trust in county government.
The people of Montrose County sent a powerful message: democracy means open meetings, honest spending, and public trust.
The Road Ahead: Building on momentum
These victories aren’t just local wins—they’re proof that grassroots democracy works.
But the work doesn’t stop here. The 2026 election will be one of the most consequential in our lifetimes. The challenges we face—disinformation, voter suppression, and deepening polarization—are real. Yet so too is the power of people when we stand together.
It’s up to each of us to keep this momentum going. Democracy thrives when we invest in it—when we show up, speak out, and support the organizations doing the hard work on the ground.
