Vote in primary elections.

That’s it. That’s the trick.

Look no further than New York’s primary election results to see what happens when people get out and vote for progressive candidates. Three candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani swept the primary.

“All three of Mamdani's congressional primary endorsements—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier—are moving on to the general election after knocking off their Democratic opponents,” reports USA Today. “Lander and Chevalier toppled incumbents in their respective districts.”

Lander noted on Bluesky that the election outcome was the voters saying that “it’s finally time for a politics of solidarity that doesn’t compromise on anyone’s humanity or dignity.”

All three of these candidates won without throwing transgender people to the wolves, without turning a blind eye to genocide, without pretending like fascism isn’t unfolding before our very eyes, and without kissing the rings of rich donors.

The incumbents defeated by Lander and Chevalier weren’t exactly nobodies. Lander ran against Rep. Dan Goldman, who is serving his second term in the U.S. House. Goldman’s claim to fame was his role as lead counsel in Trump's first impeachment trial (no surprise, Trump hates him). Chevalier defeated five-term congressman and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

It’s almost like voters are pissed at establishment Democrats for some reason. It’s almost like voters want to vote for people who actually stand for something and are calling for major change, rather than candidates who think that the U.S. political system was just fine before Trump came into the picture.

Instead of rallying behind Lander, Chevalier, and Valdez, however, establishment Democrats are pissed.

“I say this with no ill will or animosity: if you hate the Democratic Party, then please don’t run for our nomination,” former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison posted on Bluesky, evidently a message to Democratic Socialist candidates like those who won in New York. “Don’t use our resources. Don’t rely on our volunteers. Don’t use our infrastructure. Don’t ask Democrats to invest their time, money, and energy in your campaign.”

Many replies pointed out that the Democratic Party isn’t some members-only club. Voters choose who wins. And if voters choose progressive candidates, then, well, that’s the party. Get over it.

As Senator Chris Murphy responded, “I don’t know, man, who is ‘the Democratic Party’ if it’s not the voters? Democratic voters choose candidates, not party leaders. And party leaders need to listen to what voters are telling us - and right now they are demanding our party be bolder.”

Damn right we are. To the point where, let’s be honest, we sometimes feel like crying, screaming, and throwing things at the TV.

A much more useful outlet, however, is voting for progressive candidates in the primary. Because those candidates can win. And even if they don’t win, the Democratic establishment needs to see how much support exists for candidates who are tired of the bullshit.

But who to vote for? Here are some ways to make it easier to figure that out:

Take an early peek at your ballot. See who and what is on there. Research those candidates. Most will have a website.
Look for endorsements. If you have a progressive organization or a progressive leader you support and trust, see who they’re endorsing.
Reach out. Campaigns usually have a way for you to get in touch with them. Call, email, or message and ask them about their positions on ICE, data centers, transgender health care, abortion, etc.
Ask. Check in with your friends, family, and neighbors about who they’re supporting. Ask them why. This should be informative whether the people you’re talking to are progressive or not.
Spread the word. Have you found candidates you support? Let other people know who you’re supporting and why.
Guess. Just kidding. Do not do this. If you really don’t know anything about either candidate or have no information about a ballot proposal, there’s no penalty for skipping that part of your ballot.

For information about registering to vote and about the ways to vote in Michigan, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us.