3-1-21 Newsletter

 

Republicans in the Oregon Senate showed their disregard for voters and governing as they once again walked out of the legislature on February 25 and stopped all Senate business for the day. Per OPB, "The latest move by Senate Republicans is the fourth time they have used the tactic of refusing to grant a quorum in the last three consecutive sessions."

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. SEE THE ABOVE STORY Will Clatsop County have anti-government candidates running unopposed for school boards and other special districts throughout Clatsop County in the May 18 election?   If you believe in accountable and responsive government, please consider running for office. Dozens of positions are open throughout the county. These special districts need progressives and other pro-democracy leaders guiding them. Encourage others to run who you'd want serving in office.    Here's the official list of positions on the ballot.   Candidates can file for office through March 18 for the May 18 election. Check out the Clatsop County Elections website for more information.   CAMPAIGN SCHOOLS •  You're invited to attend The Clatsop Campaign School. It aims to train progressive candidates on how to run for office, as well as training campaign managers and treasurers (we need these too!) It starts soon, so contact clatsopcampaignschool@gmail.com for details.     •  More info about running for office is at Run For Something.    Will you be one of the pro-democracy candidates our communities need?  If you don't run, who will?

INCO ENDORSES SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HJR 11 is a ballot measure that will ask voters to allow same-day voter registration. So far INCO and Wasco County's Indivisible group have endorsed this measure, and other Indivisible groups are considering endorsement. Under current law, the window to register or change registration is closed 20 days before an election day. At one time Oregonians could register up to and including election day. After an election in the 1980's, Oregon changed its constitution to make it harder to "stuff the ballot" by refusing to let people register to vote in the 3 weeks prior to an election.  Times and technology have changed in the 35-40 years since then. 21 states now allow their citizens to register to vote up to and including election day, with a variety of ways to ensure there is no voting fraud.   Thanks to INCO leader Cheryl Conway for researching HJR 11 and alerting INCO about it.  What bills are you watching? Contact incoregon@gmail.com

"After historic turnout and increased mail voting in 2020, state lawmakers across the country are pulling in opposite directions by introducing restrictive and expansive voting legislation." -- The Brennan Center for Justice Read more here about 253 bills proposed in 43 states that would restrict voting access, including in Washington State, but not yet in Oregon.

SUPPORT H.R. 1: For the People Act Republicans are pushing for more voting restrictions, New polling shows most Americans want to safeguard voting and elections. Congresswoman SuzanneBonamici supports this bill and needs your calls and emails to show her Republican colleagues how popular this bill is. Please contact her to thank her for supporting H.R. 1, the "For the People Act." INCO signed on to the COIN letter endorsing H.R. 1. Here's why we support this bill:  It establishes nationwide automatic voter registration, state-level redistricting commissions, and voting by mail. It would fend off efforts such as voter-ID and anti-ballot-harvesting laws as well as GOP efforts to suppress voting and enact gerrymandered Congressional districts. In essence, the For the People Act would nationalize many of the reforms that states experimented with during the pandemic. Watch this video about H.R. 1's importance. Follow more national issues and legislation at www.indivisible.org

Indivisibles meet with Senator Ron Wyden after his town hall at Astoria High School, February 24, 2017.

KEEP AN EYE ON SALEM The Oregon Republican party claims the January 6 insurrection was actually led by Democrats and others pretending to be Trump supporters. Oregon's Republican Senators continue to walk out and prevent votes on legislation affecting all Oregonians. It's up to Oregonians to stop this outrageous behavior.   One way to do that is to remind our legislators that we are watching them. Start here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/ You can participate in the Oregon State legislative process from the comfort of your home using the interactive website OLIS (Oregon Legislative Information System).  • Sign up for emails and newsletters from State Representative Suzanne Weber. • Check out proposed bills on forestry, child care, and campaign finance reform. • Learn how to submit a comment on a bill. • Watch State Senator Betsy Johnson and State Representative Weber in action.     Start here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/

HAPPENINGS VIRTUAL Tuesday, March 9 - INCO South County Community Group Zoom meeting, 6:30 pm - 8 pm. Please RSVP to Kathleenannmacdonald@yahoo.com thru Monday, February 8 for your Zoom link. Saturday,  March 20 - INCO North County Community Group Zoom meeting, 11 a.m - noon. Contact incoregon@gmail.com to get the Zoom link. EVERY FRIDAY: The INCO Write to Voters group invites you to a Zoom open house for informal chat and writing to voters in special elections and for ballot issues every Friday from 3-4 pm. Pets and children welcome. Contact incoregon@gmail.com to get the Zoom invitation from Bebe.

INSIGHTS "Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts. Perhaps the fear of a loss of power."  —John Steinbeck

Comments, news, and photos to INCO at incoregon@gmail.com.  Resources and other information at www.incoregon.org and www.indivisible.org. Encourage others to sign up for the INCO newsletter at our website or here. INCO Weekly Newsletter   March 1, 2021