From Constitutional Observers to Democracy Protectors: IDN launches statewide election protection network 

The Immigrant Defense Network (IDN), a project of COPAL, is launching a statewide, nonpartisan Democracy Protection Initiative to carry the community infrastructure built during the immigration enforcement crisis into the 2026 election. 
During Operation Metro Surge, more than 35,000 Minnesotans trained as Constitutional Observers through IDN. “Together, we learned how to understand our constitutional rights, document enforcement activity, de-escalate dangerous situations, and connect our neighbors with trusted information and support,” say organizers. “Our community helpline received tens of thousands of calls from people looking for reliable information during a time of extraordinary fear and uncertainty.”
“When our neighbors needed us, Minnesotans showed up. Democracy asks the same thing of us now,” said Francisco Segovia, Executive Director of COPAL. “Tens of thousands of people learned how to organize, communicate and protect one another during Operation Metro Surge. We are carrying those relationships forward so eligible voters have the trusted information, support and freedom they need to make their voices heard.” 
At the heart of this work are Senate District Action Groups: trained volunteers organizing where they live to help their neighbors understand their rights, make a voting plan, and navigate barriers to participation. 
“People should not have to navigate our democracy alone,” said COPAL Organizing Director Rico Duran. “Whether someone needs information in their language, help making a voting plan, a ride to the polls or simply a trusted person who can point them in the right direction, we want every eligible voter to know: you belong in our democracy, and your community is here with you.” 
COPAL will reach voters through bilingual, culturally responsive outreach — door knocking, phone banking, texting, community events and trusted messengers — while Senate District Action Groups help neighbors navigate barriers, make a voting plan and connect to reliable information and support. 
From the start of early voting on Sept. 18 through Election Day on Nov. 3, the group will expand multilingual voter education, vote-by-mail support, relational organizing and district-level volunteer coordination. In the final week, they plan to activate more than 20 community-based Democracy Protection Centers where trained volunteers can provide information, language assistance, referrals, and other election support.