The Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit, by D-HUB
Volume 03 | GOTV: Get Out The Vote

Transpartisan Issue Coalition

Bridge Ideological Gaps for Unified Action

The Play

In today's polarized political landscape, finding common ground to mobilize voters can be challenging. However, certain issues resonate across ideologies, uniting people around shared concerns that impact daily life.

Promoting a civil society Transpartisan Issue Coalition is a strategy that brings together diverse groups to advance a cause that transcends party lines. It provides a powerful platform for GOTV efforts. By focusing on widely supported issues, these coalitions attract participants from across the political spectrum, fostering collective action.

Shifting the focus from partisan battles to shared priorities creates new engagement opportunities, allowing outreach to voters who may otherwise feel disconnected. Such a coalition can energize participation beyond traditional bases, reaching also independents and those disillusioned with politics.

Moreover, this alliance can endure beyond Election Day, pushing for change and civic engagement, reinforcing a culture of democratic participation even after the votes are counted.

Why it works

  • Reaches beyond the base. By focusing on shared concerns, coalitions can engage independents, swing voters, and the disillusioned—often missed by partisan campaigns.
  • Shifts the focus from parties to principles. Centering the campaign on values and real-life issues makes voting feel meaningful for those turned off by political polarization.
  • It builds trust and legitimacy. When voters see unlikely allies united, it signals authenticity and broad support, strengthening the message and inspiring action.
  • Creates lasting civic infrastructure. After Election Day—the coalition can evolve into a force for accountability, advocacy, and democratic engagement.

How it works

1. Identify shared concerns

Start by analyzing which issues resonate across ideological divides and have a tangible impact on people's daily lives. Use research, polling data, or community engagement to identify topics that can unite diverse groups. Prioritize issues with broad supportc and emotional appeal, as they are powerful drivers for voter mobilization.

2. Convene stakeholders

A shared concern is the foundation of a strong coalition. It gives people a reason to come together and take action. Once you have identified the key issue(s), reach out to grassroots organizations, community leaders, activists, and advocacy groups that may hold different political ideologies but share an interest in addressing them. These are the people who will form the backbone of the coalition.

3. Shared Goals, Smart Rules

A successful coalition aligns diverse organizations around a shared goal without requiring daily coordination. Define clear consensus points and basic operational rules to set boundaries of joint actions: "The coalition will focus only on these priorities and not on others". Set agreements on decision-making (if necessary), communication, and engagement levels. These principles should be documented in writing and ideally signed.

4. Develop a unified strategy

Once there is a written document with the shared goals and rules, it's time to create a flexible, action-driven strategy that avoids bureaucracy and excessive coordination. Think of the coalition as a fleet of vessels: each moves independently but follows the same course. Rather than over-defining roles or wasting time in endless meetings, focus on alignment, allowing each group to contribute at its own pace without turning participation into a burden.

5. Take action

A coalition's strength lies in its diverse voices. Each organization should activate its own networks to amplify the message through trusted channels—community groups, social media, and direct outreach. Different voices reach different audiences, ensuring the coalition connects with voters where they are. The key is coordination without centralization, allowing each group to engage its base most effectively.

6. Make Political Parties Take a Stand

Every action should pressure political parties to take a clear stance on the coalition's issue. Use petitions, media campaigns, and public forums to force candidates to respond. Make parties' positions visible and unavoidable, turning the coalition's cause into a key factor in the electoral process. When voters see that an issue directly affects them, they are far more likely to vote. That is our goal ;)

7. Iterate and improve

Hold efficient, results-driven check-ins and establish clear communication channels to ensure ongoing alignment, without unnecessary meetings. toward goals, track impact, and adapt based on feedback. Use data and real-time insights to refine strategies and learn from failures, ensuring the coalition remains dynamic and effective.

Tips

A. Build a Low-Ego, Mission-Driven Culture

A coalition's success depends as much on human relationships as on strategy. A healthy, constructive, and results-oriented culture, with low-ego leadership that stays focused on impact, makes the difference. Coalitions fail when they get stuck in bureaucracy or when someone tries to patronize them. So, start with the mission, not the process—ignite purpose and possibility. Not everyone will get along along the way, and that's fine. You need to build a space where people connect—not to agree, but to act.

B. Don't Be Afraid to Be Political

Many GOTV campaigns try to distance themselves from politics, but politics is a tool for change, not something to avoid. When guided by principles, politics can be honorable—even beautiful. Your coalition must engage politically, focusing on shared values rather than partisan divides. Electoral campaigns are moments to push key issues and make candidates take a stand. Civil society and politics are not separate worlds—a GOTV campaign thrives when these two worlds interact, not when they stay apart.

Who's done it well?

Slovenia: 8th of March Institute

Campaigning for Values

In Slovenia's 2022 elections, the 8th of March Institute (8MI) recognized that a traditional Get Out the Vote approach would not resonate in a deeply polarized climate. Instead of focusing on a standard campaign with catchy slogans and flashy graphics, they shifted to a campaign centered on content-driven messaging and democratic values.

Their campaign was unique in emphasizing policies over personalities and promoting collective action without direct partisan endorsement, making it all about the country's future rather than any single party or politician.

The 8MI began by surveying its network of civil society organizations to identify the most damaging policies enacted under Janez Janša's government, ultimately spotlighting the 11 most problematic laws. From these findings, they crafted a 'reset' legislative proposal (an "omnibus law") to roll back harmful policies and restore the country's democratic norms.

They presented this proposal to political parties across the spectrum, seeking their commitment to support passing this law as a first step toward restoring Slovenia's democratic political landscape if elected. This allowed 8MI to campaign for both the law and the parties that pledged their support, creating an unprecedented coalition around a shared democratic agenda.

This model transformed the entire political campaign. Instead of voting for politicians, Slovenian citizens were encouraged to vote for policies that aligned with their values. By framing the election as a choice centered on content and democratic values rather than on individual politicians, the 8th of March Institute succeeded in uniting voters and political parties around a shared purpose.

The campaign achieved a record voter turnout (71%), underscoring the effectiveness of a value-driven, coalition-based organization in countering authoritarianism.

"We listen to the voices of society, analyze structural issues, find systemic solutions, and build campaigns around these insights. Most importantly, we embrace universal positions and welcome everyone to join us, regardless of political affiliation. We believe that the causes we champion are universal. And this isn't a calculated position; it's our genuine belief."

Poland: Polish Civil Society

United by Values, Not Parties

For the 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland, after nearly a decade of resisting the ruling Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (PiS, Law and Justice Party) and its systematic attacks on democratic institutions, civil society had become more resilient … and more strategic. Organizations moved away from a logic of "grant competition" and "isolated silos", and instead embraced trust-based cooperation and agile, self-organized action. This culture of solidarity laid the foundation for a nationwide GOTV effort.

The strategy was simple but powerful: Don't campaign for parties—campaign for values. Over two dozen CSOs—including feminist groups, LGBTQ+ rights advocates, migration and climate organizations, legal watchdogs, and grassroots initiatives—launched a coordinated campaign to mobilize voters around shared principles.

Each group spoke in its own voice, but the message was unified: a third PiS term would mean irreversible damage. Campaigns were tailored to reach different segments of the population. Some targeted young and first-time voters using humor, music, and social media. Others appealed to older voters by emphasizing the rule of law, corruption, and economic fatigue.

Voters were presented with value-driven choices:

  • "Right to abortion or pregnancy registry?"
  • "A dignified life or just getting by?"
  • "Two billion for cancer treatment or for state TV?"

Crucially, this civic coalition remained nonpartisan. It did not endorse any political party but strategically applied public pressure to help opposition parties align around core democratic principles, even while competing in the elections.

The result was that turnout reached 74.3% –the highest level since 1989– with every major age group mobilized. Youth participation (ages 18–29) jumped from 46.2% in 2019 to 70.9% in 2023. Voter turnout among those aged 50–59 also surged, from 59.6% to 84.4%.

By choosing not to act as isolated organizations but as a coordinated front, civil society helped drive a historic mobilization and brought an end to PiS's rule.

"We learned that building this coalition wasn't about ownership but trust and shared values. By sharing knowledge, resources, and visibility, we built a network where success was collective. We found strength in aligning actions and ensuring that no one had to carry the burden alone. From isolated efforts to cooperation, this shift made all the difference."

Learn more

D-Hub Resources

Other Resources

Download the Volume Today
Volume 03

Download the Volume Today

Take your copy with you and learn how to fight back against authoritarians

Young Voters Mobilization

Empowering Youth Engagement with Fresh Strategies

Introduction

What stories to tell?