Andy and I drove to the burbs and greatly enjoyed mailing all the letters there. What a great group effort.
Also, as always, our thermometer is on the rise. Now nearing $45,000.
Thanks to everyone for all the work going on and we look forward to seeing everyone next weekend. Meanwhile, if you need help getting active, please let us know.
In a Zoom debate between the Iowa Senate candidates, Dem Theresa Greenfield knew the going price of corn to the penny. Republican incumbent Ernst? Too much time hanging with the DC lobbyists: she was nowhere close on the price of a bushel of soybeans.
I’m told it’s a big deal.
Her performance in the Judiciary Committee hearings was as weak as the worst predictions, ending with a hug of Lindsey Graham. I’m not even sure she realizes she is supposed to vote No. That fax number? (202)228-3954 [DC Office]
I had a dream I received the following letter.
Dear Andrew,
It’s too bad about Roe v. Wade being overturned. The Republicans packed the Supreme Court, even when I asked them nicely not to. The best way to show them you won’t stand for this is to make a large donation to my 2024 re-election campaign. Yours, Senator Feinstein.
Below are various recommendations on State and Alameda County propositions, including the Wellstone Club’s and my own. There seems to be unanimity on the best-known ones, but not on 21 (Rent Control) and 24 (Online Privacy), both of which I found, personally, difficult and on which I am not completely certain. Judy mentioned disagreeing with Wellstone’s endorsement of 23 (Dialysis). Feel free to add links to other recommendations (e.g., newspapers) in comments to this post. Y’all do know that you can add comments, right?
Please help us get more volunteers into the pipeline by spreading the word about our next call. Feel free to share via email, FB messenger, and trusted FB groups. Please DO NOT share on Twitter or Instagram to avoid trolls.
Tuesday, October 13
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
RSVP Required: CLICK HERE
Trouble Registering? Request Zoom Link
at ProtectVoteVols@gmail.com
Here, as promised, is the information on how to sign up nationally, or to volunteer directly with key states.
LINKS FOR NATIONAL SIGNUPS
National Poll Watcher Sign-up Form:
https://go.joebiden.com/page/s/election-day-voter-protection
National Voter Assistance Hotline Sign-up Form:
https://go.joebiden.com/page/s/Voter-Protection-National-Hotline
National Voter Assistance Hotline Training Sign-up Form:
https://www.mobilize.us/2020victoryvp/event/322975/
Poll Watcher Requirements, State-by-state
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/poll-watcher-qualifications.aspx
Voting Requirements in Each State, State-by-state
https://866ourvote.org
https://iwillvote.com/
STATE PRIORITIES AND LINKS ; if you want to focus on a specific state, pick it out on this list and go for it.
Arizona Priorities and Links
A. Poll Observers. AZ needs more poll observers for both Early Voting (especially in the last week) and on Election Day. Some counties require poll observers to be registered voters, but others, including the largest county, Maricopa county allows out of state poll observers.
B. Volunteer recruitment phone banks (fully remote): Over the next few weeks Arizona volunteer recruitment phone banks will probably shift into a chase/cure phone bank, to help people whose ballots have been rejected. azdem.org/pollobserver
Arizona Voter Hotline: 1-833-VOTE-4-AZ
URL: www.MissionForArizona.com
Questions? voterprotection@missionforarizona.comFlorida Priorities and Links
A. Voter Protection Hotline: Remote volunteers (lawyers and nonlawyers). French, Haitian Creole & Spanish needed.
B. Poll watcher (inside) or poll observer (outside): Onsite volunteers. Poll watchers don’t need to be lawyers, but it could be helpful in some cases.
Poll Watcher Training:
https://www.mobilize.us/flavopro/event/326690/
Ballot Cure Calls:
https://www.mobilize.us/flavopro/event/329039/
Recruit Poll Watchers:
https://www.mobilize.us/flavopro/event/324712/Hotline Volunteers
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TmWgIjtV4sPorC6DN7yfWmYs2zI7jhXp_Me6Oo1hswM/viewform?edit_requested=true
Questions?
brandon.peters@2020victory.com;
Alexa.kissinger@2020victory.com
Iowa Priorities and Links
A. Voter Protection Hotline: Remote (lawyers and nonlawyers).
B. Poll watcher (inside) or poll observer (outside): Onsite. Poll watchers don’t need to be lawyers, but it could be helpful in some cases.
C. Volunteer Recruitment Phone Banking: Remote (lawyers and nonlawyers)
Iowa Voter Protection Sign-up Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0ZrPrmdSP8_Dsxj03xw6q8HtV6pJTZnn8O2_hHWxGqbSwyg/viewform?gxids=7757
Iowa Volunteer Recruitment Phone Bank:
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/326551/
Poll Watching in Iowa (in-person on Election Day):
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/337934/
Voter Assistance Iowa Hotline (remote):
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/324306/
Iowa Chase and Cure Opportunities (remote):
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/335607/
Iowa Canvassing Board Monitor (in-person): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2JkrTLbh72aa003jWUsCE-fQwlsRMYZvzMpqWkucmPCB31g/viewform
Questions? dlakin@iowademocrats.org
Maine Priorities and Links
A. Poll Watching and Vote Count Monitoring (onsite): Volunteers are needed to monitor the counting of mail ballots in advance of Election Day (beginning on 10/27) and the casting of absentee ballots in-person at town offices in the 30 days before 11/3. Maine allows out of state poll watchers.
B. Voter Hotline and Mail Ballot Curing: This can be done remotely by anyone.
Maine Voter Protection Sign-up Form
VoteInMaine.com/act
Questions? rkessler@mainedems.org
Michigan Priorities and Links
MI Priorities for Volunteers
A. Early Vote Poll Observers: Early voting started on September 24. Michigan allows out of state poll observers. sign up at tinyurl.com/earlyvotetraining
B. Election Day Poll Observers: Out of state observers can be poll watchers inside and outside of polling locations on election day. The greatest needs will be in Detroit/Wayne County, Flint, Saginaw, and college towns, Ann Arbor and East Lansing. sign up for training at tinyurl.com/EDayOOSTraining
C. Voter protection volunteers: www.michigandems.com/voterpro
Questions? meki.bracken@gmail.com
Minnesota Priorities and Links
Issues/Priorities Needs:
A. Poll challengers (inside: must be a MN resident)
B. Outside observers/rovers (does not need to be a MN resident)
C. Canvassing Boards (county canvasses meet on either Nov. 12 or Nov. 13)
Minnesota Voter Protection Sign-up Form
dfl.org/voterprotection
Questions? rhaider@dfl.org
North Carolina Priorities and Links
A. Chase/Cure phone bank/hotline: www.tinyurl.com/NCchasecure Help people whose absentee ballots have been rejected. Doesn’t require a lawyer, but you need to be able to work through a lot of rules (long script) with individuals so that their ballot isn’t rejected again.
B. Poll observers for early voting and election day: www.tinyurl.com/pollobservers They expect lots of intimidation and really need people on the ground. Anyone from any state can be an outside poll watcher. Need to be a NC voter to be a poll watcher inside the polls.
C. NC Voter Assistance Hotline: www.tinyurl.com/NCDemVoterHotline Anyone from any state can do hotline calls. Note: If you have language skills to offer to NC, here is the link: tinyurl.com/hotlinelang
Questions? medha.gargeya@2020victory.com
Pennsylvania Priorities and Links
A. Volunteer Recruitment Phone-banking: www.mobilize.us/padems/event/307537/
B. Poll Observer: www.mobilize.us/pavotepro/event/319170/
C. Vote-Early Monitor: www.mobilize.us/pavotepro/event/317130/ For the first time, all PA voters will soon have the option to vote early in person at their county elections office by requesting, completing, and submitting a mail-in ballot.
D. Canvass Observer: www.padems.com/votepro The canvass is generally not open to the public, so voters count on select volunteer canvass observers like you to monitor the process and ensure all eligible votes are counted. Canvass Observers assist elections officials by watching for and reporting issues at their canvass site, stand up for voters if their mail votes are challenged, and report key information to our team.
Questions? Stephen.Dee@2020victory.com
South Carolina Links
Voter Protection Volunteers
https://bit.ly/VoProVolunteer
Hotline:
https://www.mobilize.us/scdp/event/323053/
Poll Watchers:
https://www.mobilize.us/scdp/event/321864/ (Tuesdays)
https://www.mobilize.us/scdp/event/321866/ (Thursdays)
https://www.mobilize.us/scdp/event/321870/ (Saturdays)
Boiler Room:
https://www.mobilize.us/scdp/event/323434/
Hotline number: 1-855-785-0222
Questions? shaundra@scdp.org
Texas Priorities and Links
A. Poll watchers – must be registered voter in the county. Need them for 254 counties. There will be 3 weeks of early voting this year, so they need watchers in each polling place for all three weeks, in addition to election day. There will be a 1-hour on-demand training and constant support.
B. Phone banking to help recruit in-state poll watchers. Anyone from any state can participate in phone banking to identify and recruit poll watchers.
C. Long term projects – if you have a generous amount of time, they have many projects they could plug you into, especially if you have legal background. Does not require Texas residency.
Voter Protection for Non-lawyers: Txdem.co/voprovol
Voter Protection for lawyers: TXdem.co/tdla
Questions? Rmeyerhoff@txdemocrats.org
Wisconsin Links
Poll Observer Save the Date:
tinyurl.com/wisdemspolls
Protection Recruitment:
bit.ly/wivotersupport
Full Time Assistance:
https://tinyurl.com/WIVoProNonstop
Poll Observer Save the Date:
tinyurl.com/wisdemspolls
Weekend of Action Voter Protection Recruitment (With Special Guest): https://www.mobilize.us/dpw/event/337852/
Poll Worker Info Session (For Wisconsin Residents Only):
https://www.mobilize.us/dpw/event/317342/
Questions: ellen.campbell@2020victory.com
I should mention that there are also two county-wide propositions, both maintain or increase taxes.
An infallible rule is that any measure opposed by the XYZ Taxpayers’ Association should be voted for.
Just to start off what will probably be a spirited discussion, here’s my take on the propositions.
Let’s start with the State ones, and the subset that are easy.
Prop. 15: partial repeal of Prop. 13. Yes. Opponents say this is just the beginning of chipping away at Prop. 13. Inshallah!
Prop. 16: Affirmative Action. Yes.
Prop. 17: Restore more felon voting rights. Yes.
Prop. 18: 17 year olds allowed to vote in primary if 18 by election. Yes. But please don’t deceive yourself that this is the answer to poor voting rates among youth. I doubt if any race will be decided by these votes in the next century.
Prop. 19: More special privileges under Prop. 13 for existing homeowners. No. Let’s not vote ourselves more gimmicks to keep our own property taxes low. I am also very skeptical of analysis that governments will get more tax money in the long run.
Prop. 20: Re-grow the carceral state. No. Brought to you by the prison guards union.
Prop. 22: Uber and Lyft special pleading. No. I dislike their business model of looking for under-regulated high tech services and exploiting loopholes until lawmakers catch up. I like Berkeley’s proposed surcharge on their rides even more.
Prop. 23: Something about kidneys. No. I didn’t bother to learn about whether dialysis clinics should have physicians, or whatever this is about. Something this detailed has no business being an initiative.
Prop. 25: Cash bail. Yes. Brought to you by the bail bond industry, with the hope you will vote against it from ballot fatigue.
I found these ones more difficult.
Prop. 14: Stem cell research. No? The Federal government is going back into stem cell research. Do we still need a California plan?
Prop. 21: More rent control. Tepid Yes. I think Naomi is No. These specific additions seem OK to me. A 15-year window is more than long enough to understand the market for a new property. On the other hand, I don’t want vote in a way that may perpetuate the idea that rent control offers a solution to the Bay Area’s housing supply problem. For that reason, I’m a hard No on Berkeley’s drastic Prop. MM.
Prop. 24: OK, I am embarrassed, as a software guy, to say I haven’t researched this enough to make up my mind. I think more people I respect are on the Yes side (e.g., Ro Khanna), but there are groups recommending No who are also good, e.g., state ACLU. Maybe the fact the California Republican Party is a No means I should be a Yes.
4:30–5:30 (as usual)
Meeting ID: 870 2012 2059
Passcode: 808014
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,87020122059#,,,,,,0#,,808014# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,87020122059#,,,,,,0#,,808014# US (Houston)
I am in the process of changing the donations page to six House races that didn’t look competitive until recently. These are all uphill races, but they are possible in a landslide. We really are building a Blue Wave. These are races where I am worried the Democrat needs more money, but on just that criterion I could have picked four times as many. I restricted myself to a list of the most reprehensible Republicans.
CO-03 (Diane Mitsch Busch over Lauren Boebert) Boebert is the Q-Anon nut who loves her Second Amendment and hates her mask. She might quit Congress when Nancy Pelosi tells her that guns are prohibited and masks are required on the House floor, but better not to send her in the first place.
NY-01 (Nancy Goroff over Lee Zeldin) Zeldin yields to no one in Islamophobia and connection to Israel’s right-wing. Time to put an end to bigotry.
OH-01 (Kate Schroder over Steve Chabot) Chabot has been a mediocrity even by GOP Standards (anti-evolution, anti-climate change, fanatical on abortion), but COVID–19 has truly given him an opportunity to come into his own, fulminating against China all the way into summer instead of doing anything here to stop it.
SC-02 (Adair Ford Boroughs over Joe Wilson) You remember Joe Wilson, right? He is the man who yelled “You lie!” at President Obama, back when the GOP was cool with disrespecting the President. Need I say more?
TX-02 (Sima Ladjevardian over Dan Crenshaw) Crenshaw got off to a promising start with a feel-good Saturday Night Live appearance, but since then he has gone Full Trump. There is often an undertone of violence towards Dems in his recent statements. Let’s help him get a new career as Fox TV Action Hero.
VA-05 (Cameron Webb over Bob Good) Good is bad. He upset the Republican incumbent in the primary with a message that a Republican Representative should lose because he officiated a gay wedding. Because of covid, he was able win a drive-by convention instead of a full primary. His opponent is an M.D. Has this district absorbed enough D.C. exurbanites to flip?
Indivisible Elmwood 