NAACP Announces Plans for Midterm War Room, Recruits More Than 52,000 Volunteers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2026
Contact: communications@naacpnet.org
The Association's call to voters comes amid soaring gas prices, reduced access to healthcare, illegal wars, and frequent food recalls
WASHINGTON – With less than a month until the 2026 midterm elections, the NAACP has announced its plans to stand up a legal War Room by October 24th – spearheaded by NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clarke, the former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – to protect voters as they head to the polls.
"We cannot buy into the fear," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "Donald Trump wants us to be afraid, because he is a deeply unpopular president. He's afraid of losing his grip on Congress, so he wants us to stay home and make it harder to vote. Real power belongs to the people, and the NAACP is ready to protect all voters when they go and cast their ballots."
The War Room is part of NAACP's aggressive Election Protection program taking place across the country, with concentrated operations in 16 priority states. NAACP's State Conferences, local units, members, volunteers, lawyers, and partners are mobilizing on the ground and will be connected through our Election Protection program, with a dedicated phone line, email addresses, and digital forms for voters to submit any cases of alleged voter intimidation, suppression, or issues while voting. The NAACP will respond to credible cases as they emerge to help ensure eligible voters can cast their ballots and have those ballots counted.
An NAACP-led coalition also recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block the president from implementing his threat to deploying federal agents to the polls. "Voting is our sword and our shield," said Dominik Whitehead, Chief of Field, Membership Growth and Unit Sustainability at NAACP. "For the next 40 days, we are going to be relentless in ensuring our communities have the information, resources, protection, and support they need to participate in this election."
The NAACP also continues to urge voters across the country to check their voter registration status, understand their state's voting deadlines, and make a plan to cast their ballot. As part of its multi-million Get Out the Vote campaign, the NAACP is working to mobilize more than 6.5 million voters across 33 congressional districts and 14 states. The effort comes at a pivotal moment for American democracy, as voters grapple with rising costs, threats to healthcare access, attacks on voting rights, and growing concerns about government accountability.
In that effort, the NAACP has already recruited over 52,000 volunteers nationwide, more than doubling the organization's original goal of 20,000 volunteers to engage in canvassing, door knocking, phone banking, and digital outreach, and more.
The NAACP also launched National Black Man Voter Day on October 24 along with key partners: 100 Black Men of America, National Urban League, Black Men Vote, Woke Vote, and State of the People. The coalition is aiming to mobilize 100,000 Black men ahead of early voting on October 24.
For voter registration information, election deadlines, and resources to help make a voting plan, visit NAACP.org/vote.
About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.