Friday, June 12, 2020

ACTION: CONGRESS MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO VOTE

CONGRESS MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO VOTE

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point. We need immediate action to ensure a free and fair election in November in which all Americans can participate. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Vote Safe Act (S.3725). I am calling on you to convince the Senate to pass both this and the HEROES Act, which together will provide the funding necessary for states to begin the arduous tasks of creating new procedures for safe and effective voting and educating voters about how to use them.

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
For Representatives Blumenauer and DeFazio:  As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point, and we need immediate action to ensure a free and fair election in November in which all Americans may fully participate. Thank you for all you good work on the HEROES Act and for co-sponsoring the Vote Safe Act (HR.6807) that expands voting options while maintaining healthy and safe polling places. I am calling on you to work for its passage, which will provide the additional funding to allow states to create new procedures for safe and effective voting and to educate voters on using them.
For Representatives Bonamici and Schrader:
As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point, and we need immediate action to ensure that November’s election is free and fair and one in which all Americans may fully participate. Thank you for all you good work on the HEROES Act, but more needs to be done. I am calling on you to co-sponsor the Vote Safe Act (HR.6807) that expands voting options while maintaining healthy and safe polling places and to and to work for its passage, which will provide the additional funding to allow states to create new procedures for safe and effective voting and to educate voters on using them.
For Representative Walden:
As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point, and we need immediate action to ensure that November’s election is free and fair and one in which all Americans may fully participate. Although the House already passed the HEROES Act, more needs to be done. I am calling on you to co-sponsor the Vote Safe Act (HR.6807) that expands voting options while maintaining healthy and safe polling places and to work for its passage, which will provide the additional funding to allow states to create new procedures for safe and effective voting and to educate voters on using them.

ACTION THREE: ORGANIZING FOR THE 2020 ELECTION IS GOING VIRTUAL

  • We’re hosting virtual letter writing events every Saturday and every fourth Tuesday – sign up at https://swingleft.org/group/indivisible-oregon
  • Write letters to voters from home, whenever it’s convenient for you. Register with Vote Forward to get started at org.
Host your own virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party

BACKGROUND:

Georgia’s botched primary election—marred by long lines in minority and poor areas, technical difficulties with faulty voting machines, and voter confusion, precinct closures, poll worker shortages, and unreceived absentee ballots—was caused by structurally racist voting system. It was the predictable result of years of deliberate voter suppression by GOP lawmakers and U.S. Supreme Court, which gutted Voting Rights Act in 2013. COVID-19 just gave GOP additional opportunities to limit ballot access.
This primary was also test drive for GOP plan to suppress the vote in November. RNC has $20 million allocated to challenge voting-rights lawsuits and hire 50,000 volunteers in 15 key states to intimidate voters at the polls. Voting by mail would subvert these efforts.
We cannot let GOP steal the 2020 election through voter intimidation and suppression. Everyone, regardless of where they live or color of their skin, has right to receive ballot at home, which protects against voter suppression and protects people from COVID-19.
The time for planning November’s election is now. Congress must provide the funds states need to prepare, plan and increase security ahead of the election and pass legislation that expands voting options while maintaining healthy and safe polling places.

SOURCES: