LET’S GET FREE: HRC Launches $15 Million Electoral Program & New Poll Showing 92% Of LGBTQ+ Voters Will “Definitely Vote” in November

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, is launching its 2026 public education and engagement campaign "Let's Get Free'' to reach 74 million Equality Voters, those who prioritize issues of equality when deciding who to vote for, nationwide. This campaign will aim to:

• Flip the U.S. House with a focus on eight seats between Arizona (AZ-01, AZ-06) California (CA-22, CA-48), Michigan (MI-07) New York (NY-17) and Pennsylvania (PA-07, PA-08),
• Gain ground in the U.S. Senate by protecting pro-equality candidates running for re-election and flipping key Senate seats, including Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Ohio.
• Expand the number of openly LGBTQ+ elected officials nationwide, and
• Combat anti-LGBTQ+ ballot measures across the country and support pro-equality measures by changing the narrative being used against LGBTQ+ Americans

HRC's efforts are bolstered by new polling data conducted by Community Insights, a program of the HRC Foundation, showing that LGBTQ+ voters, in the midst of a torrent of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, policy attacks, and electoral scapegoating, will be a crucial base of support for pro-equality candidates - and are already mobilized and engaged. 92% of LGBTQ+ voters, who could make up close to 10% of the midterm electorate, say that they "definitely will vote" in November, compared to 68% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.

"November is coming, and voters are ready to get free from hate, free from discrimination, free from the chaos holding this country back," said HRC President Kelley Robinson. "Since being elected, the Trump Administration has ignored the pressing needs of American families and instead made it their mission to undermine freedom and equality at every turn. They have unleashed masked agents to kidnap and kill people on the streets, slashed funding for health care, including HIV support, kicked out transgender servicemembers, found seemingly endless resources to drop bombs but empty pockets for the things people need most, and turned to scapegoating and terrorizing LGBTQ+ people every time the wheels are coming off. We, the people, have had enough.

"LGBTQ+ voters are more motivated than they've ever been to make their voices heard at the ballot box, and HRC's electoral plan will ensure that the 74 million Equality Voters across the country will deliver the winning margins in competitive races across the country. The time is now for us to mobilize, organize, and turn our grassroots energy into a voting force that cannot be denied. Let's get free, y'all."

HRC is announcing a $15 million strategic investment to reach voters through staff-led efforts, events, paid advertising, mobilization, and grassroots engagement in key races. While the electoral environment is still shifting, and HRC will remain nimble as opportunities present themselves over the next six months, these electoral investments will initially be prioritizing the work in Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, in addition to engagement with pro- and anti-LGBTQ+ ballot initiatives across the country. HRC knows the importance of being engaged early with voters, which is why the organization has already endorsed over 130 candidates and issues with more to come.

HRC will also work to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ ballot measures in Colorado, Maine, Missouri, and Washington and support pro-equality ballot measures in Virginia.

"HRC is a trusted brand in communities across the country because of the relationships our staff and volunteers maintain on the ground and in Washington year round. This cycle, we will amplify our efforts through both distributed organizing and relational organizing frameworks that will allow us to maximize resources and reach voters far and wide," said Lynne Bowman, HRC's Vice President of Campaigns. "Our focus is clear: deliver the majority in key districts and states that will put a pro-equality check on this dangerous and reckless administration."

HRC's new polling also found:

• Over 59% of LGBTQ+ voters say they have contacted an elected official at least once in the past 12 months, compared to 31% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.
• Over 53% of LGBTQ+ voters say they have donated money to a political campaign or cause at least once in the past 12 months, compared to 26% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.
• 87% of LGBTQ+ voters are somewhat or very concerned that problems or confusion with voter ID requirements will affect people's ability to vote in person, compared to 68% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.
• When asked to pick a party affiliation, 91% of LGBTQ+ voters picked either Democrat or lean Democrat, while 9% selected Republican or lean Republican.
• For the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, the following issues were the most important to LGBTQ+ voters:
  1. Government accountability and corruption
  2. The functioning of democracy and elections
  3. Economic stability, inflation, and the cost of living
  4. LGBTQ+ rights and protections
  5. Health care

The launch of the "Let's Get Free" education and engagement campaign comes on the heels of the release of HRC's One Year Out Messaging Playbook, a data-driven guide for candidates to be unapologetically pro-equality, beat back anti-trans attack ads, and win. The playbook, which is being used to help candidates prepare for and execute their 2026 campaigns, underscores the pro-equality formula that helped candidates like Governor Abigail Spanberger, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and others succeed in 2025: introduce yourself to voters early, lead with your values, meet anti-trans attacks head on, turn the tables and gain voters, and be clear about how the future you are fighting for is one where we all can thrive.

To get involved with HRC's 2026 electoral work, please visit hrc.im/letsgetfree .

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action-working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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