Conversations with the March On Harrisburg Leaders: Jayson Massey

In the heart of Germantown, Jayson is known as someone who shows up. A neighbor who listens, organizes, and works to move power where it’s needed most. In Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, he’s become a cornerstone in the fight for democracy as a core leader on MarchOnHarrisburg’s Ranked Choice Voting team, and legislative advocacy team.

For Jayson, the work has always been about one thing: power. “My interest in MarchOnHarrisburg was about power in the State Capitol,” he explains. “How does my neighborhood get more resources? Harrisburg is a key to moving resources from folks that have it to folks that need it.”

When we sat down with Jayson for this conversation, he spoke with the same grounded clarity that defines his organizing, sharing how he got involved, what he’s learned in the halls of power, and what inspires him to keep going.

What made you want to organize for Ranked Choice Voting in Pennsylvania? What drew you to MarchOnHarrisburg?

“ In order to save democracy, we need to change it.”

My interest in MarchOnHarrisburg was about power in the State Capitol. How does my neighborhood get more resources? Harrisburg is a key to moving resources from folks that have it to folks that need it. In order to save democracy, we need to change it. I saw the hesitancy for young people to register to vote, and they aren't voting because they don't like the voting system. Either we change it or it goes away.

What has it been like organizing for Ranked Choice Voting and a Gift Ban? What has surprised you the most?

It's interesting talking to public officials and their staff around policy topics. Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised, and sometimes you are horrified. It's a mixed bag, and not based on party or city.

You meet with a lot of legislators about our campaigns. What has that been like? What have you learned?

Some legislators honestly use a moral compass to determine their votes. Most of them use a power compass, that is, am I going to be forced by some power base to do a certain thing? Sure, lots of times that's paid lobbyists, but lots of times it's folks like us who move legislators.

One thing I've learned is to talk about what's in it for them. How does this legislation get this elected official more of what they want OR avoid something they don't want? We have to do this because if it was a simple case of morality, we wouldn't need to do any advocacy. We have to get to their own selfish self-interest to encourage them to vote our way.

January, 2025. Jayson at a MarchOnHarrisburg protest on the legislature’s first day back, calling on lawmakers to prioritize the people over lobbyists by passing a gift ban this session.

How do you think Ranked Choice Voting could transform Philly and statewide elections?

It will create more candidates and more positive campaigning. People are tired of negative ads, and some of the ads hurt the candidate they are trying to help! The recent NYC mayoral race is the best example of why ranked choice voting rules and our current system is faltering and failing.

In the midst of so much policy violence what inspires you to keep organizing?

Policy violence has been around America since before America existed. It has always been a part of the dominant narrative. My mission is to do something for "the least of these" as described in Matthew 25. It's not perfection, nor do I try to hold things up. I try to do things quickly, yet with others. Sometimes that means waiting, or doing a 1 to 1, or a Zoom call. Just get it done.

What is some advice you have for people who are new to organizing or hesitant to get involved?

“We organize two things: people and money. Start by organizing yourself!”

DO SOMETHING. Take an action. Go one step at a time. And get some training. MarchOnHarrisburg has excellent trainings! Schedule time to do something. The simplest thing is to call and write your elected officials. Get a list of them. Go meet them. We organize two things: people and money. Start by organizing yourself! And give to MarchOnHarrisburg. You're already organizing! Now let's work on scaling up.