Domestic (In)justice Activism Opportunities

Voting Is Not Enough: Protect the Election Results

We’re less than 3 weeks out from Election Day, just 18 days left (as of Oct. 16th). And while we’d rather be encouraging you to join get out the vote campaigns and make sure your friends and family are registered and have a voting plan, instead we have to talk today about the big fascist elephant in the room.
We all know that we have severe structural issues to address when it comes to American elections, from voter suppression laws to gerrymandering to the Electoral College. But this year, the threat includes all of those things and something more: the calculated efforts by Trump and the GOP to do everything they possibly can to subvert and sow doubt about the electoral process…and therefore the results.

Trump is loud about his accusations and aspersions, but the GOP is a whole lot quieter - working behind the scenes at the state level and through their judicial picks to manipulate and pull levers we didn’t even know existed until now.

It’s not pleasant to think about worse case scenarios, but the best case is sadly unlikely. We need to prepare now for the reality that things will get messy and understand what our role will need to be as citizens in that moment.

First, we’ll talk about prevention. The nonpartisan anti-corruption organization RepresentUs has launched “Save the Vote”, which includes 6 steps you can take to protect democracy and the first two are key…

Step 1 is to tell your state’s top election official to count every vote before declaring a winner. An unprecedented number of Americans are voting by mail and we are already seeing record breaking voting. Counting every vote may take a while and at no point should it be stopped before completion. Make sure your state isn’t planning to jump the gun before all of the results are in.

Step 2 is demand your state lawmakers respect the vote count. The Atlantic reported that Trump’s campaign has spoken to state legislatures about trying to bypass the vote tally. State lawmakers can prevent this by committing on record to only choosing a winner based on the vote count.

To take immediate action on these steps, go to Represent.us There you’ll also find the other four steps, which include a toolkit to help fight disinformation and lies about safe voting options, confirming you are registered to vote, signing up to be a poll worker, and encouraging everyone to vote as early as possible.

But Trump has already said he’ll only accept the results if he wins, so what do we do if Trump loses but won’t concede?

Protect the Results is a coalition of organizations lead by Indivisible and StandUp America, laying the groundwork for voters to mobilize if Trump does not accept the results of the election. Events are already being organized by voters across the country on November 4th and you can find one near you or plan one yourself. Go to ProtecttheResults.com to learn more.

And finally, Sunrise Movement has launched “Count on Us”, a plan to defeat Trump and Defend the Election. The campaign is one part get out the vote effort and one part trainings and direct action. And if Trump tries to steal the election, they’re calling for a mass strike, with the idea that Trump can’t govern if the nation’s people are not going to work or school. Go to WeCountOnUs.org to sign up and learn more.

In an article from Waging Nonviolence called “10 Things You Need to Know to Stop a Coup”…because that’s popular reading right now…they point out that “we have to be ready to declare loudly and strongly: this is a coup.” Power grabs don’t have to look like a military coup with the opposition being arrested. If votes stop being counted or the person who lost tries to take or hold power, we have to call it what it is and not shy away from it.

Look, we all hope it doesn’t come to this, but we must be prepared because mass direct action might be our only chance at stopping an attempted coup. Steeling ourselves to be ready gives us a shot if things begin to fall apart.

Every day it just gets more clear: voting is not enough. It’s just not.

So, if stopping an attempted coup in America is important to you (I sure hope it is!), be sure to spread the word about Voting Is Not Enough: Protect the Election Results so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION!

6 Steps to Save the Vote via RepresentUs

Protect the Results via Indivisible, Stand Up America & more

Count On Us via Sunrise Movement

10 Things You Need to Know to Stop a Coup (Waging Nonviolence)

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The Election That Could Break America (The Atlantic)

Is Trump Planning a Coup d’État? (The Nation)

What Happens If Trump Won't Step Down? (Slate)

A list of the times Trump has said he won't accept the election results or leave office if he loses (CNN)

More than 1600 former DOJ employees: DOJ Alumni Open Letter on Protecting Free and Fair Elections (Medium)

Posted Oct. 16th, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1375: The Militia Movement is Having a Moment

Voting Is Not Enough: Fight Voter Suppression & Help Restore Native Voting Rights

As of the publishing of this episode (Oct. 13th), there are only 3 weeks left until Election Day. Just 21 days.
Visit BestoftheLeft.com/2020action to explore our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

Voting is happening NOW in record numbers, but at the same time we’re also witnessing desperate attempts by the GOP to suppress votes in any way they can - legally and illegally.

We need to counter these voter suppression efforts with action. So, if you haven’t volunteered yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Help voters in voter ID law states get the IDs they need with VoteRiders.org.

Phone-bank and text-bank with a get out the vote campaign and arm voters with the accurate information they need to ensure their vote is cast and counted. Go to TheLastWeekends.org to instantly find a shift for the final weekends before the election.

And if you or someone you know encounters a problem with ballot drop boxes, early voting, absentee ballots, or something else, call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE or visit 866OurVote.org. If you want to help, sign up to assist with Election Protection’s nonpartisan poll monitoring program at ProtectTheVote.net.

It’s important to note that Native Peoples have not only been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, but they are also disproportionately affected by voter suppression tactics. In fact, many barriers to the ballot uniquely target Native Peoples.

Native Peoples are less likely to have a traditional street address making it more likely that their voter registration applications will get rejected, and many states with Voter ID laws just flat out don’t accept tribal IDs. Then there’s the closure of polling places and reducing ballot drop boxes in reservation counties, conflicting information from poll workers and lack of interpreters in states with high Native populations. The gutting of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 only made targeted voter suppression of Native Peoples easier for states like Arizona and Alaska and certain counties in North Dakota. (Source: Brennan Center for Justice)

To help counter this suppression, nonprofits IllumiNative, Native Organizers Alliance and First Peoples Worldwide, have launched Natives Vote - a get out the vote effort providing detailed information on each state’s voting laws, registration dates, who to contact if issues arise, and more.

In a release, IllumiNative Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk said, “Exercising our grassroots political power is crucial to rebuilding what we’ve lost and preparing the future for the next seven generations.” Visit NativesVote2020.com to learn more.

You can also help restore and protect Native voting rights by demanding your members of congress to support the Native American Voting Rights Act, which has already been introduced in both the House and Senate. Spearheaded by the Native American Rights Fund (2014), the Act would "create more communication channels between Washington and Native American tribes, direct states to accept tribal ID cards for voting purposes, and establish a clear pathway for Native communities to request federal election observers.”

So, if making sure everyone can access the ballot - especially those we stole this land from - is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Fighting Voter Suppression & Helping Restore Native Voting Rights so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION!

Help Voters Get IDs: VoteRiders.org

Get Out the Vote!: TheLastWeekends.org

Voting Problems? Call: 866-OUR-VOTE | Visit 866OurVote.org

Volunteer as an Election Protector: ProtecttheVote.net

Election Resources for Native Voters: NativesVote2020.com

Tell Congress to Pass the Native American Voting Rights Act (2019-2020)

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The State of Native American Voting Rights (Brennan Center)

Native Vote Infographic (National Congress of American Indians)

The 5 Million Americans that the 2020 Candidates Refuse to Talk About (Vox - First Person)

How the Native American Vote Continues to be Suppressed (American Bar Association)

Posted October 13, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1374: Tell Stories, Not Myths: Columbus and the Centrality of Colonialism

Voting Is Not Enough: Register Voters & Re-Register Purged Voters in Battleground States via @fieldteam_6

As of the publishing of this episode (Oct. 9), we have less than ONE month left until Election Day. Just 25 days.
Visit BestoftheLeft.com/2020action to explore our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

It’s still early October and voter registration efforts are critical right now. Though the deadlines for a few states have passed, there are still many states - including key battlegrounds - where the registration window is still open.

Michigan, Arizona (extended to Oct. 23), Iowa, North Carolina, Colorado, Georgia (past), Florida (past), Pennsylvania, and more, are the targets of Field Team 6 - a west coast-based get out the vote organization that strategically partners with over 100 state and national organizations to make the most impact. With multiple phone banking and text banking events and trainings held every single day of the week, there is just no excuse to not get involved.

As we’ve mentioned before, the Field Team 6 events also include a unique opportunity to talk to purged voters in battleground states thanks to a new DNC tool. These are purged voters who are likely Democrats or Independents and are mostly younger and Black, Indigenous and people of color. The goal is to not only make these voters aware that they have been purged or labeled as “inactive”, but get them re-registered and on the rolls again with the information they need to vote.

As you know, Republicans in key battleground states have conducted massive voter roll purges this year which had a major impact on primaries that were held during the early days of the pandemic. In North Carolina alone, Field Team 6 has a list of 500,000 purged voters, so every volunteer is needed.

And remember, trying to undo this assault on voting rights is not just about the presidential election. State legislatures need to be flipped too if we want to solidify, protect and expand reproductive justice at the state level with legislation.

So, head to FieldTeam6.org/actions to check their Calendar of Events and sign up for a shift. If you’re not on the west coast, just a note that Field Team 6 lists the Pacific time first for all events, so adjust accordingly.

And finally, just a reminder that relational voting - or contacting your immediate networks to encourage them to vote - has been proven to be a wildly effective get out the vote strategy. Be sure you are reaching out to your friends and family who may be overwhelmed by being an essential worker, job loss, managing their kids remote schooling or - just everything - and offer to help guide them through the registration process or making a voting plan. Everyone could use a little help right now.

So, if making sure people are registered to vote in the most important election of our lifetime is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Register Voters & Re-Register Purged Voters in Battleground States so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION

Register voters & re-register purged voters in battleground states with FieldTeam6.org/actions

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Right-Wing Group Seeks to Purge Up to 800,000 Voters in Pennsylvania, A Key Battleground State (The Intercept)

Republicans Are Trying to Kick Thousands of Voters Off the Rolls During a Pandemic (Mother Jones)

Block the Vote: Voter Suppression in 2020 (ACLU)

Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Voter Purge, Mail-In Ballot Cases (WPR)

The Shocking Upset That Shows How Democrats Can Crush Trump (The Daily Beast)

Democrats roll out new tool to combat voter purges (CNN)

Posted October 9, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1373: Post-Roe: The Next Phase in the Fight for Reproductive Justice

Voting Is Not Enough: Help Flip the Senate via @swingleft

As of the publishing of this episode (Oct. 6th), we have exactly ONE month left until Election Day. Just 28 days.
Visit BestoftheLeft.com/2020action to explore our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

From the last two years of Obama’s presidency through today, we’ve witnessed the true power of Senate control. Besides his unprecedented refusal to confirm Merrick Garland, Mitch McConnell made it his life’s mission to block Obama’s district and circuit judge appointments. Then, he helped Trump ram 50 of them through - many unqualified, including Amy Coney Barrett. Only a tiny percentage of cases get to the Supreme Court and the appellate courts are the filter, making the quality and fitness of those judges critical to a healthy judiciary branch.

It’s not sexy, but the Left MUST care about the courts. The Senate’s control of the judicial confirmation process makes its power immense. McConnell has abused this power to the full extent, subverting the Constitution and trampling norms. If he still leads the Senate under a Joe Biden administration, we know exactly what we’re in for. So, today we are focusing on what it will take to flip the Senate, because - with everything we have to fix and protect and the looming threat of a hard right court - electing Joe Biden without flipping the Senate would be nothing short of a disaster.

The good thing is that the Senate advantage is with Democrats this year, as Republicans have to defend 23 seats - twice that of Democrats.

Swing Left, the political action organization that helped deliver the Blue Wave in the 2018 midterms, has a plan. They call it the Super State Strategy - focusing on 12 states that are each critical to the flipping the White House, the Senate and the state houses key to rolling back Republican gerrymandering.

These states are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

In addition to volunteering your time with Swing Left to phone bank, text and write letters, you can also donate strategically. Donate to the Swing Left Immediate Impact Fund which sends your donations to the candidates in the closest races among the Super States, or choose a Super State and your donations will support races up and down the ballot in that state.

Beyond the Super States, there are some surprisingly close Senate polls coming out of other very red states. The Democratic Senate candidates in Alaska, Montana, South Carolina, and Mississippi are all within 1 percentage point of Republican incumbents in the polls. In Kansas, the open seat Senate race was within 2 points until the Koch Brothers’ group dropped a giant cash infusion. Turnout in these states is key and a little momentum could go a long way.

In terms of defending Democratic seats, Senator Doug Jones will likely lose in Alabama. But in Michigan, Senator Gary Peters only just took back a lead in the polls.

And finally, although Trump’s Supreme Court nominee’s confirmation looks very likely - it’s not a done deal yet. According to Indivisible’s Senate Whip Count, there are still 13 Senators who’s confirmation vote is undecided or unknown. Go to ScotusWhipCount.org to see the latest and use the tools to contact those on the fence.

So, here’s the bottom line: any hope of a real course correction depends on winning not just the White House, but the Senate too. And as long as we do the necessary work, it’s within reach. Don’t wait. Get involved today.

So, if making sure we don’t start the post-Trump era with a lame duck Democratic president is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Helping Flip the Senate via Swing Left so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION

Volunteer with SwingLeft.org

Donate to the Swing Left Immediate Impact Fund or a Super State

Learn about the Super State Strategy

Tight Races in Other Red States:

AK: Unseat Sullivan. Give to Dr. Al Gross. (tied)

SC: Unseat Graham. Give to Jaime Harrison. (down by 1% points)

MS: Unset Hyde-Smith. Give to Mike Espy. (down by 1% points)

MT: Unseat Daines. Give to Steve Bullock. (down by 1% point)

KS: Open seat. Give to Bollier. (down by 7% points)

Vulnerables Dems:

MI: Help Sen. Gary Peters. (up by 7% points)

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Democrats Will Be Lost Without the Senate (The Nation)

Mitch McConnell has done grave damage to all three branches of government (CNN)

Mitch McConnell is destroying the Senate - and American government (The Guardian)

Mitch McConnell: The Man Who Sold America (Rolling Stone)

McConnell Is on the Losing Side of History - And He Knows It (Politico)

Mitch McConnell Assaulted the Constitution (and Got Away With It) (The Nation)

The Other Way Trump Could Destroy the Next Presidency (The Atlantic)

Posted October 6, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1372: The Supreme Court. Before, During and After Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Voting Is Not Enough: Work to Overcome Racist Voter Suppression in Yet Another Election Without the Full Voting Rights Act via @VoteRiders @votedotorg @natlvoterregday @fieldteam6 @NAACP @morethanavote @fairerelections

As of the publishing of this episode, there are exactly 42 days until Election Day. That’s 6 weeks. A month and a half.
To make sure every one of those days to count, we’ve launched our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not. All of the segments and information can be accessed from the “Voting is Not Enough” banner at BestoftheLeft.com, or directly at BestoftheLeft.com/2020action.

We want to start today by acknowledging the devastating loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. May her memory be a blessing, and a revolution. Justice Ginsburg, using the law as her tool, dedicated her life to making our society more equal and to protecting rights of all kinds, including voting rights. When her conservative colleagues gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, she famously wrote in her passionate descent, “Throwing out pre-clearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”

As we face yet another national election without the key protections of the Voting Rights Act, we have to work 100 times harder to ensure marginalized groups get access to the ballot. New, strict voter ID laws, proof of citizenship laws, increased purging of voter rolls, increased closing of polling places in predominantly poor, Black, Brown and Indigenous communities…these are the fallouts of losing the full protections of the Voting Rights Act.

So, how do we overcome these racist and oppressive hurdles? Here are a few ways…

1) Confirm Voter Registration & Talk to Purged Voters: As we mentioned in our last segment, voter registration is key. But it’s not just about getting new people to register - though that’s important - it’s also about making sure registered voters haven’t been purged and have updated their address or name change. Having an updated registration can be the difference between a regular ballot or a provisional ballot on election day. With voter registration deadlines coming up fast, commit to helping people register and check their status. Visit Vote.org for all the links you need, or visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org and look under Resources for the Toolkit for Individuals.

This year, Grassroots Democrats HQ and Field Team 6 have made it possible to volunteer to phone or text bank actual purged voters in key states and help them get re-registered! Many people never know they have been purged until it’s too late, so help alert these voters to their status and get them registered again. Go to FieldTeam6.org and check their Calendar of Events for opportunities.

2) Help People Get Necessary Voter IDs: Voter ID laws aren’t going away any time soon, so Vote Riders has begun providing voter ID assistance to help every American cast a ballot. VoteRiders will help you identify the documents you need to get an ID, request and pay for the documents, pay the DMV fees, and even drive you to the DMV for free. Call or text their help line at 844-338-8743 or go to VoteRiders.org/freehelp to submit an online form and get started. If you don’t need an ID, you can become a volunteer to help make sure voters know the information they need and/or donate to support their sadly necessary work.

3) Increase Black Voter Turnout: The NAACP’s Black Voices Change Lives is using indirect relational voter turnout to mobilize Black voters this fall. This means engaged Black voters call unengaged Black voters in specific battleground states where the data shows that the Black vote is the determining factor in the outcome. If you don’t identify as Black, you are still welcome to volunteer. Go to BlackVoicesChangeLives.org for more.

4) Become a Poll Worker: As we’ve previously mentioned, becoming a poll worker is one of the most effective things you can do to help fight the closing of polling places and reduce long lines. Go to WorkElections.com to find out how to sign up in your state, or go to MoreThanAVote.org which is specifically recruiting poll workers in heavily Black districts across the country.

We know the Supreme Court nomination and Senate races are at the top of everyone’s mind right now, but fighting voter suppression is essential to making sure we have a shot at saving our democracy come November. We’ll be focusing on the Senate races next time, but we’ve included links in the show notes today to get you started. Use the time saved to ponder how we came to have a system where the passing of one, 87-year-old-woman caused tens of millions of people to be gripped with justifiable fear and existential dread.

So, if making sure disenfranchised voters have a voice this November is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Working to Overcome Racist Voter Suppression in Yet Another Election Without the Full Voting Rights Act via social media - or, uh, maybe call a few friends instead? - so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION!

Fight Systemic Voter Suppression:

1) Confirm Voter Registration & Talk to Purged Voters:

Vote.org

National Voter Registration Day Toolkit

Call purged voters: Field Team 6 Actions (with Grassroots Democrats HQ)

2) Help People Get Necessary IDs to Vote:

VoteRiders Free Help

3) Increase Black Voter Turnout:

NAACP Black Voices Change Lives

4) Become a Poll Worker:

WorkElections.com

MoreThanaVote.org

**React to Ginsburg's Passing with Action**

Volunteer with SwingLeft to Flip the Senate & Target Super States

Donate to Targeted Super States via SwingLeft

Special Elections (Winner sworn-in in November!):

AZ: Unseat McSally. Give to Mark Kelly. (leading by 9% points) (CPR Rating: Leans D)

GA: Unseat Loeffler. Give to Rev. Raphael Warnock. (down by 4% points) (CPR Rating: Lean R)

Tightening Polls Toss Ups:

MT: Unseat Daines. Give to Steve Bullock. (down by 1% point)

GA: Unseat Perdue. Give to Jon Ossoff. (down by 2% points)

IA: Unseat Ernst: Give to Theresa Greenfield. (leading by 3% points)

ME: Unseat Collins. Give to Sara Gideon. (leading by 5-7% points)

NC: Unseat Tillis. Give to Cal Cunningham. (leading by 6% points)

CO: Unseat Gardener. Give to John Hickenlooper. (leading by 7% points)

Close Polls Lean R & Likely R:

AK: Unseat Sullivan. Give to Dr. Al Gross. (tied)

SC: Unseat Graham. Give to Jaime Harrison. (down by 1% points)

TX: Unseat Cornyn. Give to MJ Hegar. (down by 2% points)

KS: Open seat. Give to Bollier. (down by 2% points)

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

7 Years of Gutting Voting Rights (Brennan Center for Justice)

In 2013 the supreme court gutted voting rights – how has it changed the US? (The Guardian)

Here's *exactly* how Democrats win the Senate (CNN)

Posted September 22, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1369: The Business Model That Ate the World (Facebook)

Voting Is Not Enough: Take Part in National Voter Registration Day on September 22nd via @NatlVoterRegDay @SEIU

As of the publishing of this episode (Sept. 18th), there are exactly 46 days until Election Day. That’s six and a half weeks. Less than 2 months.
To make sure every one of those days count, we’ve launched our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

From now until election day, we’ll be highlighting different ways you can be spending time and/or money to support a free and fair election, as well as Democrats down the ballot and all the way up to the Biden-Harris ticket. All of this information can be accessed from the “Voting is Not Enough” banner at BestoftheLeft.com, or directly at BestoftheLeft.com/2020action.

We’re more than half way through September, which means we are rapidly approaching the voter registration deadlines for many states. Alaska, Rhode Island, and South Carolina all have deadlines of October 4th for in person registration. And 14 other states, including battlegrounds like Ohio, Florida, and Arizona, have in person registration deadlines of October 5th. That’s just a little more than 2 weeks away. Find your state's info on this table of voter registration deadlines by state & type (via Business Insider)

This is voter registration crunch time, which is why Tuesday, September 22nd is National Voter Registration Day. With many DMVs and City Halls closed, and in-person registration drives cancelled, voter registration has been hurt by COVID-19. But like many things this year, the strategy has adapted to our times. National Voter Registration Day is hosting and partnering with online awareness events, providing social media toolkits to share, email templates to send out to people in your network…and, of course, a direct link where people can register to vote online (39 states & DC, but other states may have online request options). Head to NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org for details and resources on how individuals and organizations can take part in this massive effort.

The SEIU, one of the largest worker’s unions in the country, has deemed National Voter Registration Day one of their Worker Mobilization Days as part of their massive 2020 election effort to send Trump packing. They already have a calendar full of events, including virtual state-by-state phone banking and trainings to use the relational voting app VoteJoe. As we mentioned in a previous segment, relational voting - or reaching out to people in your personal networking - has been shown to have a huge impact. To get the VoteJoe app now, text APP to 30330 to download it and watch the training video. Visit mobilize.us/seiu to learn more about the SEIU events and sign up to help, or go to seiu2020.org/.

And finally, it’s important to remember that voting is already underway. In some places COVID-19 has actually helped voters access the ballot, with some states like (gasp!) Alabama offering a new “vote absentee in person” option. Once again, we encourage everyone to visit the “How to Vote in the 2020 Election” Project from FiveThirtyEight to get the latest on the 2020 rule changes in each state. Just a heads up that National Vote Early Day is October 24th and we’ll be updating you with details on that as we get closer.

So, if making sure every eligible young person and worker is registered to vote in the important election of our lifetime is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Taking Part in National Voter Registration Day on September 22nd via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION

Register to Vote!

Table of voter registration deadlines by state & type (Business Insider)

Visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org for details on the Sept. 22nd day of action / Watch the kick off event

Visit SEIU2020.org to join the union's 2020 election activities

Get the VoteJoe relational voting app: Text APP to 30330

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

How to Vote in the 2020 Election Project (FiveThirtyEight)

Labor union unveils $150M campaign to help defeat Trump (AP)

Barack Obama Stars in Snapchat PSA Aimed at Younger and First-Time Voters (AdWeek)

Pandemic upends traditional voter registration efforts ahead of November election (CBS)

Voter Registrations Are Way, Way Down During The Pandemic (FiveThirtyEight)

What you need to know about voting absentee in Alabama (Al.com)

Posted September 18, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1368: Our essential, yet disposable, labor

Voting Is Not Enough: Know Your State’s 2020 Voting Rules & Voting Best Practices & Help Others

As of the publishing of this episode (Sept. 15th), there are exactly 49 days until Election Day. That’s 7 weeks. Less than 2 months.
To make sure every one of those days to count, we’ve launched our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

From now until election day, we’ll be highlighting different ways you can be spending time and/or money to support a free and fair election, as well as Democrats down the ballot and all the way up to the Biden-Harris ticket. All of this information can be accessed from the “Voting is Not Enough” banner at BestoftheLeft.com, or directly at BestoftheLeft.com/2020 Action.

As you’ve heard today, the Republican attacks on the United States Post Office are nothing new. But in an election year, with an authoritarian wannabe as president and a pandemic gripping the nation, these attacks have reached a new level with dire consequences for democracy.

By design, damaging the Post Office not only puts more of the burden on the voter to figure out the best way to vote, but also forces them to weigh their personal health risk. The resulting voter suppression should not be underestimated. While many will vote no matter what, millions of people are feeling overwhelmed.

That’s why it is critical to understand and share the resources that make the new 2020 rules and voting options as clear and concise as possible. The statistical analysis publication, FiveThirtyEight, has put together a regularly-updated project called “How to Vote in the 2020 Election.” It color codes each state by how easy or difficult it is to vote by mail, then you can click on each state to instantly see everything form the voter registration deadline, to early voting information, to how to request a ballot, to how to vote in person. It also provides a brief summary with links on any pending lawsuits related to voting and notes whether any plans to close polling places have been announced. New rules in place for 2020 are noted so you can easily see what, if anything, has changed.

But even if you know all of the rules, there are still some best practices to follow:

#1: If you are planning to vote absentee, request your ballot NOW. Do not wait one more second. The ballot will be mailed to you, so you must factor in not only delays, but the unfortunate possibility that you never receive the ballot at all. You’ll need time to re-request one or find out if you can pick up the ballot at your local election office.

#2: When you get your absentee ballot, do not wait to vote. Time is of the essence, but be sure you follow your state’s absentee ballot rules to the letter. There are many reasons a ballot could get rejected, like you forgot to sign it, or your signature doesn’t match the one on file, improper marking, or the ballot arrives too late. The Associated Press reported just last week that absentee ballot rejections could triple in battleground states because voters who usually vote in person are unfamiliar with the absentee ballot rules. So, be methodical!

#3: Find your local drop boxes. If you are concerned about relying on the Post Office - and that’s a valid concern - go to your state’s secretary of state website or call your local election office to find out the location of ballot drop boxes. During the primaries, these boxes were often located at local city halls, but more rural areas may have more options.

#4: Track your ballot. Most states provide a way to track your ballot online and see if it has been received and accepted. The sooner you submit your absentee ballot, the sooner you will know wether or not your vote counted and the more time you’ll have to try to resolve any issues that may arise. To find the tracker, first find your state or local election office.

And finally, voting in person is still an option (find your polling place). Experts are saying that as long as safeguards are in place - like mask requirements, 6 feet distance rules, and frequent wiping down of surfaces - your risk is relatively low and about the same as a trip to the grocery store. However, this is America and the sad fact is that you cannot always rely on your fellow citizens to abide by the health rules. Additionally, if we don’t have enough poll workers and polling places, lines could be extremely long. We say all this not to discourage you, but to help you make an informed decision and to help you help others in your life as well.

So, if making sure every vote is accepted and counted is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Knowing Your State’s 2020 Voting Rules & Voting Best Practices via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION

Explore and share the "How to Vote in the 2020 Election" Project (FiveThirtyEight)

Remember & Share These Voting Best Practices:

1. Request your absentee ballot ASAP! RIGHT NOW!

2. When you have your ballot, vote ASAP but follow ballot rules to the letter to avoid rejection!

3. If you don't want to mail your ballot, find local ballot drop boxes through your state's Secretary of State website or by calling your local election office. Find my state or local election office

4. Track your ballot online to ensure it was received and accepted! To find the tracker, first find your state or local election office

Voting in person is still an option, but be prepared for people to disobey health rules, and for long lines and reduced polling places. Find your polling place

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

Voter Registration Deadlines (Vote.org)

Voting by mail in a pandemic: A state-by-state scorecard (Brookings)

How to Vote by Mail in All 50 States (Vice)

The Most Important Mail You'll Ever Send: A Ballot (NPR)

In battlegrounds, absentee ballot rejections could triple (AP)

A white person and a Black person vote by mail in the same state. Whose ballot is more likely to be rejected? (NBC News)

If You Can Grocery Shop in Person, You Can Vote in Person (The Atlantic)

Posted September 15, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1367: The Post Office and the Census, Unmaking the American Institutions That Most Bind Us Together

Voting Is Not Enough: Help Unhoused, Poor and Low-Income Voters Access the Ballot via @UniteThePoor @NLIHC @NpVOTE

As of the publishing of this episode (Sept. 11), there are exactly 53 days until Election Day. That’s 7 and a half weeks. Less than 2 months.
To make sure every one of those days to count, we’ve launched our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

From now until election day, we’ll be highlighting different ways you can be spending time and/or money to support a free and fair election, as well as Democrats down the ballot and all the way up to the Biden-Harris ticket.

As a reminder, we’ve already encouraged you to become a poll worker by heading to workelections.com, and made the case for getting involved in the get out the vote ground game NOW. All of this information can be accessed from the “Voting is Not Enough” banner at BestoftheLeft.com, or directly at BestoftheLeft.com/2020 Action.

Today, we’re talking about the many hurdles that face unhoused and low-income voters across the country and the organizations trying to help them access the ballot.

As you’ve heard in today’s episode, the country is facing a massive eviction crisis that will disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color. There is no question that when facing the trauma of eviction and food insecurity the last thing people are thinking about is their voter registration. But these communities are the most vulnerable among us and therefore most impacted by the heartless decisions of Republicans and the current administration. While their present is being upended, they should have a voice when it comes to their future.

That’s why The Poor People’s Campaign has launched “We Must Do MORE”, MORE in this case stands for Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering and Educating people for a movement that votes. This roll out, which began 100 days before election day, is an expansive effort of base building, voter registration and protection, town halls and forums and nationally coordinated days of action. Their goal is to reach out to the 140 million poor and low-income people across America and change the political calculus in this country to form a new electorate.

Visit poorpeoplescampaign.org/voting to learn more and to find out how you can get involved, as well as download the digital toolkit. You can also donate to support their important work. Also, be sure to tune in to the Poor People’s Campaign Facebook account on September 14th at 7pm Eastern for the Moral Monday Mass Assembly to learn more about the “We Must Do MORE” effort.

It is important to note that someone who is unhoused can still register and vote in all 50 states. Unhoused registrants can list a shelter as an address or they can denote a street corner or a park as their residence. The non-partisan organization Nonprofit VOTE provides resources to help nonprofits like food pantries, community health centers, and housing organizations with the information and tools they need to help those they serve register and learn their voting rights. Check out the National Coalition for the Homeless resource: “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote” Manual.

There was already a disparity between voter participation amongst high-income people and low-income people and the pandemic is just making things worse. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 74% of people making over $100,000 voted in 2016, compared with only 38% of people making less than $20,000. And 18% more people who own their home voted compared with those who rent.

In an interview with Fast Company in July, Joey Lindstrom, director of field organizing with National Low Income Housing Coalition put it perfectly: "I think voting is really important to renters. I think voting is really important to low-income people. But when the primary issue of your day is how are you going to feed your kids or how are you going to find a place to sleep at night, the policy concerns of a federal election fade to the background, for very understandable reasons.”

If you or someone you know is facing eviction, the National Housing Law Project has compiled a comprehensive list of resources specifically related to the current crisis. Additionally, if you can learn more about the recent four-month CDC eviction moratorium and fight for a real solution via the National Low Income Housing Coalition campaign and toolkit.

So, if making sure the most vulnerable can have their voices heard is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Helping Unhoused, Poor and Low-Income Voters Access the Ballot via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION!

Join The Poor People's Campaign's "We Must Do M.O.R.E." Effort

"We Must Do M.O.R.E" Digital Toolkit

Watch the "We Must Do M.O.R.E." Moral Monday Mass Assembly on 9/14 at 7pm ET on Facebook

National Low Income Housing Coalition: National Federal Eviction Moratorium & Toolkit

Nonprofit VOTES: Voting information pertaining to unhoused people

National Coalition for the Homeless

"You Don't Need A Home to Vote" Manual

Get involved in the "You Don't Need a Home to Vote" Project

National Housing Law Project Resources for People Facing Eviction During the Pandemic

National Homelessness Law Center 2020 Election Guide

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

How the COVID-19 housing crisis could affect voter participation (Fast Company)

Evictions Across US Raise Concerns About Voting Process (Voice of America)

How The Eviction Crisis Could Compound Voter Suppression Come November (Huffington Post)

Housing advocate on what to do if you’re being evicted: ‘You have rights’ (CNBC)

Posted September 11, 2020; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1366: The Great Unhousing of America

Voting Is Not Enough: Get Involved In the Ground Game NOW via @swingleft @IndivisibleTeam @VoteFwd @fieldteam_6 @supermajority @MoveOn @TurnoutPAC

As of the publishing of this episode, there are exactly 56 days until Election Day. That’s 8 weeks. Just 2 months.
To make sure every one of those days to count, we’ve launched our 2020 Election Action Guide, which we’re calling “Voting Is Not Enough.” Because…it’s just not.

From now until election day, we’ll be highlighting different ways you can be spending time and/or money to support a free and fair election, as well as Democrats down the ballot and all the way up to the Biden-Harris ticket. All of this information can be accessed directly at BestoftheLeft.com/2020Action.

As a reminder, in our last Voting Is Not Enough segment, we encouraged you to become a poll worker. The record shortage of poll workers the country is facing right now will directly impact the number of available polling places during the election. So, be a Poll Hero and head to workelections.com today to find out how to apply in your state.

Today, we’re talking about the ground game. Getting out the vote definitely looks different this year, with in-person canvassing nearly entirely off the table due to the pandemic…with the exception of the Trump campaign, of course, which claims they’ve knocked on 1 million doors in Florida with their sticky, little virus hands. (Ew.)

That may make you nervous if you’ve heard about the many studies that show that canvassing and actually talking to people in person has the biggest impact on voter turn out. After all, excellent field work is how Obama won.

But that was years ago, and political scientists say things have changed. The data now shows that calling voters and “relational” voter turnout - or having volunteers reach out to the people in their own networks - seems to be actually as effective, if not more effective, than door-to-door canvassing. Some even think that the pandemic is pushing campaigns to steer away from tactics where the cost-per-vote is too high and is forcing them to focus on more efficient uses of campaign funds.

And this is all good news because, thanks to Trump, COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while.

The other key point the data shows is that persuading voters in a general election - in a country as divided as ours - is nearly impossible. However, inspiring voter turn out in the people who prefer your candidate, making sure people are registered and have a voting plan? That’s where campaigns can make a huge difference.

And that is exactly what political action organizations and down-ballot campaigns on the left are focusing on this fall. They have adapted quickly to our new environment, building their entire 2020 strategies on calling, texting, and sending letters and making sure volunteers feel connected via Zoom.

So, what can you do? Whether it’s calling, texting or sending a post card, there is a way you can get involved and help inspire voter registration and turn out. With so much at stake and voter suppression tactics in full swing, there is no time to lose. Swing Left, Indivisible, Vote Forward, Field Team 6, SuperMajority, Move On, Progressive Turn Out Project, the Biden-Harris campaign, and many more, have already kicked off their get out the vote efforts and they need you. So get some friends and family to join you and start signing up for trainings and volunteer slots.

The 2020 ground game may look different, but it’s still the most important game in town.

So, if ensuring we inspire historic voter turn out for the most important election of our lifetime is important to you, be sure to spread the word about Getting Involved in the Ground Game NOW via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.

TAKE ACTION!

GOTV! Grab some friends & get involved with:

Swing Left

Indivisible

Vote Forward

Field Team 6

Move On

Progressive Turn Out Project

Biden-Harris campaign

NAACP's Black Voices Changes Lives

SuperMajority

Vote Save America

Sunrise Movement

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

The pandemic is forcing Democrats to ask: How important is door-knocking, anyway? (Vox)

The Shocking Upset That Shows How Democrats Can Crush Trump (Daily Beast)

NAACP Launches An Unprecedented "Black Voices Change Lives" Campaign to Activate Infrequent Black Voters in Critical Battleground States (NAACP)

It’s a lot harder to get out the vote during a pandemic (Marketplace)

Swing Left: The 2020 Super States (Swing Left)

Posted September 8, 2020; Researched and written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1365: White Supremacy, Authoritarians, Trump and the Coming Election