Please Join Me…

President Biden said last night:

“We the people must decide whether we will have fair and free elections and every vote counts. We the people must decide whether we’re going to sustain a republic, where reality’s accepted, the law is obeyed, and your vote is truly sacred. We the people must decide whether the rule of law will prevail or whether we will allow the dark forces and thirst for power put ahead of the principles that have long guided us.”

“You have the power, it’s your choice, it’s your decision, the fate of the nation, the fate of the soul of America lies where it always does, with the people, in your hands, in your heart, in your ballot.”

Early reports show strong Democratic turnout in many areas–including among women, Hispanic, and young voters. The results–our very democracy–depend upon turnout.

I completed my post card writing; the deadlines are now past. I have taken to heart the pleas that we must do our damndest between now and November 8th to get every potential voter for the Democrats to cast a ballot.

What’s left to do? Phone banking and canvassing are the two most effective ways to connect with voters. My canvassing days have passed. I dislike talking on the phone, and I hate-hate-hate receiving unsolicited calls. Our friends know to call our cell phones–not our home phone.

But this is such a crucial election that I’m setting aside my dislikes and going past my comfort level. I’ve signed up to spend hours each day through Election Day to call people I don’t know and urge them to vote.

Robert Hubbell’s newsletter included the following action opportunities from activist Jessica Craven. I’ve added them below. I know a number of you have been working hard at voter turnout. I hope that others, once you’ve cast your own vote, will consider doing the same–even for just a few hours–during these all-important closing days.

From Jessica Craven:

Hi. You’re realizing this election is going to be close, and you’re also realizing WE CAN WIN! You want to do something. But what? I’ve got you covered!

I have a daily actions newsletter called Chop Wood, Carry Water that’s been providing people with easy ways to help save our democracy since 2016. Here are a few ways you can make a meaningful difference in the next seven days, curated from the newsletter.

1. Go to Vote Save America’s Priority Actions page and find an event to volunteer at.
2. Sign up for an Activate America phonebank or a Reclaim Our Vote phonebank. Both have calling every day into critical states and districts. Both offer on-your-own-time calling once you’re trained. (And they offer great training.) Reclaim Our Vote focuses on Black and Brown Voters in Southern states to help them overcome voter suppression.
3. SIGN UP TO PHONEBANK INTO NEVADA! This is our most vulnerable state. We need help! This phonebank offers great training.
4. If you can, sign up to do one canvass wherever you live. JUST ONE! This is legitimately the best way we have of moving voters–plus it’s fun! Look for opportunities near you here. (If you’re in SoCal look here.)
5. Textbank with Movement Labs. They’re doing incredible work and need tons of volunteers.
6. Donate to this fund going to Black-led grassroots groups getting out the vote in critical battleground states. This is important! Another great place to give is Down Home North Carolina, which is doing critical canvassing work and will use your money immediately to get more folks knocking doors. Give here.
7. Postcards to Voters is sending postcards for a few more days. Act fast! You’ll need to provide your own cards. Text HELLO to (484) 275-2229 to get started.
8. Joan’s Democracy Cafe is doing phonebanking into both PA and GA several times a week. Sign up here. Their training is top rate.
9. Demcast has created a new toolkit JUST for amplifying races in Nevada, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. Go here, pick your favorite social media platform, and AMPLIFY away.
10. If you live in AZ, CA, FL, GA, MI, NC, NV, OH, TX and WI—Join Vote Rev Action Fund’s high traffic on-the-spot vote tripling program, the latest in site-based relational turnout programs! This high-impact tactic is easy to execute: no experience is necessary, and you can volunteer in your own community. We also know it’s INCREDIBLY effective.
11. Sign up for Indivisible’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor project. Indivisible will send you a list of up to 5 likely progressives near you, a short script, best practices, and an optional printout to leave if they aren’t home. Then? You just knock on your five neighbors’ doors and remind them to vote. It’s a simple way to make sure we’re getting every last voter to the polls. A note that this is only available in some states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, GA, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX, WA, and WI.)

And if you’d like to reach the all-important young voters–who can make a huge difference–Victor Shi, a GenZ organizer, says young voters have been voting strongly, but “We are in the final stretch and can’t take any voters for granted. Head over to votersoftomorrrow.org website to find ways for you to turn out young people.”

Democratic strategist Rachel Bitecofer offers the message: “If Republicans win, you lose.”

Hillary Clinton lost Michigan to Donald Trump by two votes per precinct.

We must ensure that as many Americans vote for those who will protect our votes, our right to vote, our economic stability and safety nets, our freedom from tyranny and violence, as we possibly can.

Annie