400+ people signed up to run for office — here are their stories.

There are people who get it: Decisions are made by those who show up.

Over the weekend, more than 400 people signed up to run for office. These are a few of their stories:

EDITOR’S NOTE: This number keeps growing! Follow us on Twitter for updates.

I am an Army Veteran who has worked in three male-dominated fields — the military, science, and technology. I’ve also been a single mother trying to raise her daughter in the military, and put myself through undergraduate and graduate school as a single parent. I know the pressures that working class, lower-middle income folks face, because I was living on wages that were barely enough to support me and my daughter. Because I’ve truly lived the American dream, to work hard, rise up, and face any circumstance and challenge that life has handed me, I know what we needs to fight for so that every man, woman, and child has the same opportunity to make a better future no matter their background, race, religion, or culture. Together, working with the people of Illinois, I will bring progressive change, and fight for the rights of every citizen, just like I did while serving in the United States Army.

I live in North Carolina, and I’m currently a high school teacher from a family of teachers. I’ve watched the state legislature ignore teachers and the future of education because they can get away with it, and I’m tired of that.

I’ve always been interested in running for office and I’ve been energized by my experience at the Women’s March on Washington in DC this weekend. I’m a successful business owner and lawyer and I’ve got the chops. Let’s do this.

I am a young, progressive woman that can bring private sector experience to back up my beliefs in how Democrats can create jobs and a better economy that works for everyone. As a sexual assault survivor, I can’t wait another day to start thinking about running with a sexual assaulter in the White House.

I’m a Florida native (my family moved here before WWI) and I care about my home. I’m enough of an idealist to be committed to public service, but enough of a skeptic to think that my neighbors need better representation. Decisions are made by those who show up, right?

Exactly right. Decisions are made by those who show up — and people are showing up.

That’s just a snapshot of the hundreds of stories that came in. But it’s not enough just to be inspired by them. We’ve got to get to work.

Here’s what’s next:

If you are on the fence about running, just sign up. This isn’t a commitment, a promise, or anything close to it. Just raise your hand and say you’re interested in a conversation. You’ll join scores of people who care about this country enough to want to change it.

If you signed up to run, hold tight. We promise: We’re going to reach out and have a longer conversation. We’re prioritizing based on location and possible election date, but we WILL call you to talk next-steps.

If you want to help and have an hour or two to spare, sign up to volunteer (just click help!). We need some (wo)manpower to help talk to all these possible candidates! Sign up now and we’ll be in touch later this week about a process.

If you want to help and can donate, do it. Right now, we are almost entirely funded by grassroots donations. Every single contribution makes a difference. Chip in $35 for the under-35 candidates we’re going to help elect.

If you don’t already, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. A shameless plug for likes & follows. As the kids say, #YOLO

More to come. Thanks for the support this weekend and for taking the energy from the march and turning it into sustained action.