Opportunity for everyone, not just the top
An economy that rewards work — fair wages, the right to organize, affordable healthcare, childcare, and housing — so that where you start doesn't determine where you can end up.
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What Democrats believe
A plain-English overview of the values that hold the Democratic coalition together — and links to the official and nonpartisan sources so you can check it all yourself. This is an educational summary from a Democratic-aligned publication, not a substitute for the party’s official platform.
The throughlines
Democrats disagree plenty on specifics, but a few commitments run through almost every part of the coalition.
A democracy that includes everyone
Government answers to voters, not the other way around. That means protecting the freedom to vote, fair maps, transparent elections, and the peaceful transfer of power.
Equal rights and equal dignity
Civil rights for every American regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, or who they love — and a justice system that treats people fairly.
Healthcare as a right, not a privilege
Building on the Affordable Care Act toward affordable, universal coverage, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, and bringing down the cost of care and prescriptions.
Responsibility to the planet
Confronting climate change with clean-energy investment and good jobs, because the people who did the least to cause it shouldn't pay the highest price.
Investing in the next generation
Strong public schools, affordable college and training, and a country that competes by investing in its people, science, and infrastructure.
Want the policy specifics behind these? See where Democrats stand on the 10 issues.
A big-tent party
The Democratic Party is a coalition, not a monolith. Progressives, liberals, and moderates all share the tent, and they genuinely disagree — about how far and how fast to move on healthcare, climate, trade, and more. That internal debate is a feature, not a bug: it’s how a party that spans union workers, suburban professionals, young voters, and communities of color settles on where to go next.
If you’re trying to figure out where you fit, nonpartisan research like Pew’s Political Typology maps the different groups inside each party far better than the tired “left vs. right” line. The point of joining isn’t to agree with everything — it’s to help decide the direction.
How the platform is made
The party’s official positions are written into a platform that delegates adopt at the Democratic National Convention every four years. Those delegates are chosen through state primaries, caucuses, and party meetings — which is exactly why showing up locally matters. The platform is then carried out (or fought over) by elected officials, whose actual votes you can look up any time on Congress.gov and GovTrack.
In other words: the values below aren’t handed down from the top. They’re built from the bottom up by people who participate — and you can be one of them.
Check it yourself
Don’t take our word for it. These are the official and nonpartisan sources behind this page.
- The Democratic Party platformThe official statement of the party's positions, adopted at the national convention.Official
- democrats.org — Where we standThe national party's own summary of its priorities and values.Official
- Pew Research — Political TypologyNonpartisan research on the coalitions and worldviews inside each party.Research
- Ballotpedia — Democratic PartyNeutral encyclopedia entry on the party's history, structure, and officeholders.Nonpartisan
- GovTrack — voting recordsSee how Democratic members of Congress actually vote, bill by bill.Nonpartisan
- Congress.govThe official record of legislation, sponsors, and roll-call votes.Government
Find a meeting near you
The real decisions get made at local meetings that are easy to attend once you know where to look. These live calendars stay current with what’s actually happening near you.
- Mobilize — events near youThe largest live calendar of Democratic and progressive events; filter by ZIP.
- Indivisible group finderLocal grassroots groups that meet regularly in most communities.
- DNC events & trainingsActions and trainings organized directly by the national party.
- State party directoryFind your state party — county committees post monthly meeting schedules.
New to this? Read our guide to plugging into your county party.