Archive: Weekly State Democracy Amplification Digest

Archive of Weekly Digest Meetings

Weekly Digest » Archive Page

May 9th, 2024

AZ | Partners continue to urge Arizonans to tell their representatives to vote NO on SCR1044 (ending term limits for state supreme court justices – which would apply retroactively to members of the AZ Supreme Court whose terms are due to expire this year), SCR1041 (attacking the ballot initiative process), HCR2058 (creating a citizens-only census in Arizona).

LA | Constitutional Convention. 50/50 chance. Power Coalition wants to lift up this is bad – looking for toolkit. Gabe will drop toolkit

MI | Michiganders can sign this petition in support of National Popular Vote and join phonebanks every Thursday.

Michiganders can also support the Michigan Voting Rights Act by emailing their legislators ahead of a hearing next Wednesday.

MN | A conference committee is debating the Minnesota Voting Rights Act as part of the elections omnibus bill ahead of May 20 sine die. Ask your members to demand that the Elections Omnibus Conferees include language that establishes on-campus polling places on college campuses.

MO | SJR 74 would raise the threshold to 60% to pass citizen-led initiatives. Partners are urging Missourians to email their legislators now to urge them to vote NO.

NH | HB1569, which would require ID to register and reregister, has a vote in the NH Senate on 5/16. Please ask your NH members to contact their senators with this Advocacy Toolkit.

NJ | Organizations and individuals can submit testimony and slips in support of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (A4083/S3009). Sample testimony is here. Contact [email protected] for more details.

SC | Carolina for All is hosting a panel discussion on Thursday, May 16, 6:30-8pm ET to defend democracy.

Izzy (Common Cause)
Brett (Stand Up America)

May 2nd, 2024

MI | National Popular Vote will likely have a hearing next week. Michiganders can sign this petition in support. The Michigan VRA also had a hearing this week in the Senate. Another hearing is expected next week.

MN | House/Senate conference committee members have been chosen to finalize the Minnesota Voting Rights Act (Reps. Freiberg, Greenman, and Virnig, and Sens. Carlson, Westlin, and Boldon). Session ends May 20. Partners are asking Minnesotans to write their Senators in support and attend a rally in Saint Paul on Tuesday, May 7 at 10:30am in the Capitol Rotunda.

MO | Going back to senate another crack at it Charley is updating – it will get filibustered. Coalition CTA will be in Slack.

NH | Partners continue to urge NH members to email the Senate Election Law Committee to oppose HB1569. You can find sample email language in this Advocacy Toolkit and contact information here (click SENATE Election Law).

NJ | Join a Coalition Bill Training on the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act (S3009/A4083) on May 8th at 1pm ET ahead of a possible lobby day on May 16.

Izzy (Common Cause)
Brett (Stand Up America)

April 25th, 2024

AZ | Partners are urging Arizonans to continue applying pressure to stop these ballot referrals: SCR1041, SCR1044, HCR2032, and HCR2058.

MI | On Monday, April 29, National Popular Vote will hold a volunteer call. Click here to join at 3pm ET.

NE | Partners are asking NE members to sign on to a thank you note to Nebraska Lawmakers and the Governor for the passage of LB20, the bill to restore voting rights for thousands of Nebraskans.

NH | Partners are urging NH members to email the Senate Election Law Committee and urge them to oppose HB1569, which would end affidavit voting. You can find sample email language in this Advocacy Toolkit and contact information here (click SENATE Election Law).

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

April 18th, 2024

AZ | All 4 ballot referrals have passed the first chamber. Partners need AZ members to urgently call and email legislators using the tools here and here. Below is a description of the ballot referrals:

SCR1041 (attacking the ballot initiative process)
SCR1044 (eliminating judicial term limits)
HCR2032 (attacking vote by mail)
HCR2058 (warp the census to take power away from undocumented and BIPOC communities).

AZ | Partners are urging Arizonans to email before Sine Die on April 20 to push for passage of HB 2394 and SB 1359 that will stop political actors from misleading voters with AI-generated ads.

MI | MI has a trifecta again, Woo hoo! Partners are urging MI members to register for a webinar on NPV and MIVRA that will be held on Wednesday, April 24th at 6pm and join the NPV compact by signing the petition.

MN | Minnesota Voting Rights Act (MNVRA) is headed to the Senate and MN partners are being urged to write their Senators in support of the bill.

MO | SB1199 and HB1927 is Legislation to restore voting rights to those on probation or parole passed out of senate committee and is on the calendar for perfection in the Senate. Partners are asked to contact their Senator and urge them to VOTE YES on SB1199.

NH | There is a Senate hearing on Tuesday on the bill to eliminate affidavit voting. The coalition is urging NH residents to contact the committee here (Steps: Select the hearing date (4/23), Committee (Senate Election law), bill (HB1569), click “I oppose this bill”).

NY | Victory for the voters – the state budget will prevent AI deep fakes in our elections in the state budget.

Column from partners urging about the impact of AI on our democracy.

PA | Partners are asking PA members to contact their state representatives to urge them to support the Fair Districts Amendment (HB 1776) to create an independent redistricting commission.

SC | Partners are still asking South Carolina members to call and email state leaders to stop AI deep fakes and protect election workers.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)

April 11th, 2024

AZ | Partners are continuing to urge Arizona members to use these tools to call legislators to oppose SCR1041 (attacking the ballot initiative process), oppose SCR1044 (eliminating judicial term limits), oppose HCR2032 (attacking vote by mail), and oppose HCR2058 (warp the census to take power away from undocumented and BIPOC communities). An email tool denouncing these anti-democracy referrals is here. An email tool on HCR2058 is here.

ME | National Popular Vote (NPV) has passed both chambers. Partners are continuing to urge Maine members to send an email to make sure Governor Janet Mills signs NPV into law.

MN | Minnesota Voting Rights Act (MNVRA) passed the House as part of Elections Omnibus bill. Senate will vote on its omnibus bill (with MNVRA) next Monday or Thursday. Then conference committee. Partners are as Minnesotans to write to their Senators to tell them which pro-democracy policies are important to pass this year as they approach a floor vote on the Senate Elections Omnibus bill (SF4729 Carlson). Use this tool here.

MO | SJR 74, HJR 86; HB1749 have all passed the House and pending in the Senate. These would end majority rule in Missouri’s Citizen Initaitve Process. Partners are urged to contact their senator and urge them to protect majority rule and vote NO. Use these talking points

(How to contact senator? – DS)

MO | HB1240 is legislation that would protect election workers and their families from threats and harassment has been perfected in the House, and needs to be sent to the Senate. Partners are asked to contact their legislator and ask them to vote YES on HB1240.

MO | HB2628 is legislation providing a cause of action to remove deep fakes in elecitons has passed the House and sent to hte Senate. Partners are urged to contact their Senator and ask them to vote YES on HB2628. See MO Voting Rights Bill Tracker at: bit.ly/movotingbills

NE | LB20 is a critical piece of legislation that would restore the right to vote to thousands of Nebraskans who have completed their felony sentence. Partners are asking members to continue writing to Governor Pillen using this email tool here.

NY | Partners are asking New Yorkers to call state leaders to stop AI deep fakes.

PA | Fair Districts Amendment (HB 1776), a crucial piece of legislation aimed at reforming our state’s redistricting process would create an 11-member Independent Citizens’ Redistricting Commission that would draw legislative and Congressional district maps, and FINALLY bring real public involvement and oversight into how our maps are being drawn. Pathway forward legislatively is complicated, but still need to move forward. Partners are asking PA members to contact their state representatives now and urge them to support the Fair Districts Amendment. Use this tool here.

SC | Partners are asking South Carolina members to call and email state leaders to stop AI deep fakes and protect election workers

VA | The Governor sent back SB 364, but did not veto. Partners are continuing to urged Virginians to call (804-786-2211) and email to push for the protection of election workers.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

April 4th, 2024

MD | TODAY – Partners are urgently asking MD members to support HB 627 which would expand Maryland’s automatic voter registration (AVR) program to include correctional facilities. Marylanders can use this action to write the relevant Senate committee.

MN | Partners are asking Minnesotans to use We Choose Us’s coalition line (833-345-2554) and this social media toolkit to help pass the Election Omnibus package, which includes the Minnesota Voting Rights Act and prison gerrymandering reforms. The House will vote on the package on Monday.

NE | Nebraskans are speaking out against LB764, which would return Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral college system. Write to lawmakers with this tool or call lawmakers at 833-607-3288 (SUA tool – enter ZIP to be connected).

NH | HB1569 would make it harder for voters to register to vote on Election Day, requiring proof of citizenship and other documents to register, and removing the option to register via affidavit. Grassroots action will ramp up after crossover date (April 11). In the meantime, the coalition is seeking stories of people who have could be impacted by this legislation.

NY | Partners are asking New Yorkers to call state leaders to stop AI deep fakes.

VA | Partners are urging Virginians to call (804-786-2211) and email the Governor to urge him to sign SB 364, which would protect election officials. He has until April 8 to act.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

March 28th, 2024

AZ | Partners are urging Arizona members to use these tools to call legislators to oppose SCR1041 (attacking the ballot initiative process), oppose SCR1044 (eliminating judicial term limits), oppose HCR2032 (attacking vote by mail), and oppose HCR2058 (warp the census to take power away from undocumented and BIPOC communities). An email tool on HCR2058 is here.

FL | Partners need Floridians to use this toolkit to amplify social media content telling legislators to prioritize passage of the Florida Voting Rights Act to protect voters and democracy.

MN | Partners are urging MN members to use We Choose Us’s coalition line (833-345-2554) to urge Senate passage of the Minnesota Voting Rights Act to restore protections offered by the federal Voting Rights Act and ensure every eligible voter can exercise their freedom to vote.

NH | HB1569 would make it harder for voters to register to vote on Election Day, requiring proof of citizenship and other documents to register, and removing the option to register via affidavit. Please join NHCVR’s grassroots briefing about HB1569 on April 9. Please use this email tool to share the briefing.

OH | Fair Districts is seeking volunteers to help gather signatures for the Citizens Not Politicians Amendment which will end partisan gerrymandering, empowering citizens, not politicians, to draw fair legislative districts in an open and transparent process. Organizations/businesses can endorse the effort here.

VA | Partners are asking VA members to call the Governor’s Office at 804-786-2211 and email Gov. Youngkin urging him to sign SB 364 which would Protect Election Officials – he has until April 8 to act.

3/21/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Maine | National Popular Vote passed both chambers, but needs to pass a procedural vote in both chambers again. Partners are asking Mainers to write to their legislators now to ensure the bill is delivered to the governor.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/14/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Indiana | Partners are urging IN members to call 317-232-4567 to urge the governor to veto HB HB1338, which threatens public access by restricting the information that can be used by the state’s Public Access Counselor.

Michigan | National Popular Vote legislation is temporarily stalled in the Michigan House. Partners need your help to continue to apply pressure. Please sign and send the petition to MI legislators.

Ohio | Citizens Not Politicians are seeking partner organization endorsements for their campaign for a redistricting amendment, which will empower citizens to draw fair districts in a transparent process.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/08/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Indiana | Partners are urging IN members to call the Governor to veto HB 1264 using this sample today! This legislation will force new citizens to prove their citizenship status before being allowed to vote and will make it harder for students and young people to even register to vote.

Florida | Partners need FL members to sign the petition and use this toolkit to tell legislators to prioritize the passage of the FL VRA (SB1522/HB1035) to protect voters and democracy.

Minnesota | Please join this urgent activist call on March 13th at 7pm ET to discuss how to pass a bill establishing a citizen’s advisory committee for redistricting.

New Hampshire | Please use this toolkit to advocate against HB1569 ASAP, which would remove affidavits from the registration process —requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship, among other documents, to register to vote. This bill will go to the House floor for a vote as early as March 14.

Ohio | Citizens Not Politicians are seeking partner organization support for their campaign through endorsement, as they scale their campaign for the redistricting amendment, which will empower citizens to draw fair districts using a transparent process.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America).

3/01/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Alabama | Coalition leaders are expecting a House floor vote next week as the AL legislature gears up to pass the anti-democracy bill. Stand Up America is urging AL members to email their state legislators to vote NO on SB1 by using this email tool.

Ohio | As Citizens Not Politicians build their campaign for their amendment (which will create a process where citizens, not politicians, are empowered to draw fair districts using a transparent process), they are seeking organizations and community leaders to endorse this campaign here ASAP.

Florida | Partners need FL members to sign the petition and use the toolkit to amplify to urge legislators to prioritize the passage of the FL VRA (SB1522/HB1035) to protect voters and democracy.

Indiana | Partners need IN members to write their Senators TODAY to stop the passage of SB1264, which imposes new proof of residency requirements that will make voting challenging for new voters. The bill is in the Senate and will be voted on soon.

Election Protection | Partners are recruiting volunteers to help protect our elections. Learn more protectthevote.net and reach out to Izzy for more information.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

2/26/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

New York | Sign and share this petition against New York’s new congressional maps, which would favor incumbents. Also, there will be a Fair Elections NY lobby day on March 4th in favor of public financing (Sign up here).

Rhode Island | The same-day registration bill in RI now has a bill number. Partners are urging RI members to sign this petition advocating for same-day registration for voters, instead of being registered 30 days ahead of the election.

Maine | The vote for the National Popular Vote is imminent. Daily Kos is running a letter campaign to legislators here.

Michigan | NPV is temporarily stalled in the Michigan House, but advocates are shifting strategy to get movement in the State Senate until the Michigan House majority is restored hopefully in May. Join this Daily Kos Letter Campaign to the State Senate

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

PS Election Protection primary programs are recruiting across the country from California to Florida. Please help us recruit volunteers at protectthevote.net – reach out to Izzy for source codes

2/12/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Florida | Partners need FL members to amplify the need for equitable ballot access and sign a petition to urge FL legislators to prioritize protecting democracy, as they work to pass the Harry T and Harriette V. Moore Voting Rights Act (SB1522/HB1035) to combat obstacles to the ballot.

New Hampshire | Partners are urging NH members to contact their senators and encourage the passage of SB 445 to take big money out of politics through the Voter-Owned Elections Program using this toolkit. The vote could be this week!

Michigan | Michigan is rolling out early voting for the first time and is in need of poll workers for the primaries on February 27th. Here is the link to volunteer.

Wisconsin | LWV WI and their election protection partners are currently recruiting election protection volunteers for the April 2 Presidential Primary. Sign up here.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

2/1/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Hawaii | Partners are asking HI members to submit a written testimony (instructions here) in SUPPORT of SB 2381, which would provide full public financing of elections.

Michigan | Partners are encouraging MI partners to become poll workers ahead of their first election with early voting.

Ohio | Fair Districts Ohio is urging OH members to collect signatures that would establish an independent redistricting commission by signing up for the petition training

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

1/29/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Fair Districts Ohio is urging OH members to collect signatures for the Citizens Not Politicians Amendments and learn how to do it by signing up for the petition training to establish an independent redistricting commission.

Rhode Island | The Let Rhode Island Vote coalition is urging partners to help build momentum to pass Same Day Registration. Ask your members to sign the Let RI Vote petition.

Michigan | The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is now taking public comments.

Information for how to make public comments and map comments here.
There is very low participation, so partners are encouraging members to participate and make their voices heard.

New York | Common Cause New York is asking New Yorkers to push their Assemblymembers to cosponsor A2408A, which creates a uniform procedure for regulating and vetting volunteer poll monitors throughout the state.

Utah | The Let Utah Vote Coalition is asking that UT members sign their petition to defend accessible voting for all Utahns.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

1/22/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Fair Districts Ohio is urging OH members to collect signatures for the Citizens Not Politicians Amendment and learn how to do it by signing up for the petition training to establish an independent redistricting commission.

New Hampshire | A Senate hearing took place on SB 445 last week; the committee vote is coming soon. Please use this resource to target relevant legislators.

Rhode Island | Partners are asking RI members to sign the Let RI Vote petition to pass same-day registration to increase voter participation in Rhode Island.

Maine | Maine Conservation Voters wants ME members to thank Secretary of State Sheena Bellows and members of the Maine House of Representatives for following the law and disqualifying Trump from the ballot.

New York | Partners are urging NY members to sign up to lobby their assembly members and illustrate their support for critical voting rights and pro-democracy legislation.

Utah | The Let Utah Vote Coalition is asking that UT members sign their petition to defend accessible voting for all Utahns.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

1/08/24

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Fair Districts Ohio is recruiting volunteers for the Citizens Not Politicians campaign to establish an independent redistricting commission through the ballot initiative. Please ask your members in Ohio to volunteer to gather signatures.

New Hampshire | The New Hampshire Coalition for Voting Rights is urging partners to share resources to their NH members to learn how to testify and take actions against/for bills based on the coalition’s position, using their toolkit and talking points.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Sunwoo (Stand Up America)

11/1/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Massachusetts | Please ask your MA members to write legislators to support the Voting ACCESS Act (SB 410) to provide same day registration, uniform mail voting forms, and equitable systemic solutions for elections.

Michigan | Urge your MI members to email state legislators to support election worker protection and stop AI deepfakes in political ads. The House is voting on the bill this week.

South Carolina | Public Citizen and Carolina for All are fighting for legislation to protect election officials and election workers by creating stronger punishments for interfering in elections. Sample email here.

Poll monitor recruitment | Urge your members to volunteer as Election Protection Field Monitors in Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, Florida and Texas.

Poll worker recruitment | Power to the Polls is urgently requesting partners to help recruit poll workers in OH, AZ, MS, TX, NY, NC, and KY using their toolkit.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

10/26/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Arizona | Please urge your AZ members to sign up to become poll workers, poll monitors, social media monitors, and de-escalators through Election Protection Arizona focusing on Pima and Maricopa County to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Kentucky | Ask your members in Kentucky to volunteer to become Election Protection Field Monitors. Volunteers can receive a $100 stipend per 4-hour shift. If you have any questions, email [email protected]

Michigan | Urge your MI members to email state legislators to support election worker protection and stop AI deepfakes in political ads.

Ohio | Partners are recruiting Early Vote poll monitors and need your help to reach out to friends and organizations in your network; poll monitoring trainings are held Mondays and Thursdays.

Poll worker recruitment (multiple states) | Power to the Polls is urgently requesting partners to help recruit poll workers in OH, AZ, MS, TX, NY, NC, and KY using their toolkit.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

10/23/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Massachusetts | Please ask your MA members to write legislators in support of the Voting ACCESS Act (SB 410) to provide same day registration, uniform mail voting forms, and equitable systemic solutions for elections.

Michigan | Please ask Michiganders to email the Michigan House to pass legislation to protect voters from deceptive AI in political ads.

Ohio | Partners are recruiting Early Vote poll monitors and need your help to reach out to friends and organizations in your network; poll monitoring trainings are held Mondays and Thursdays.

Poll worker recruitment (multiple states) | Power to the Polls is urgently requesting partners to help recruit poll workers in PA (Allegheny County), KY (statewide), TX (Tarrant County), and FL (Duval, Orange, and Palm Beach Counties), using their toolkit.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

10/12/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan | Please ask your MI members to email their representatives to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Michiganders deserve the most updated, secure voting system, and access to ballots regardless of ability status. (Another email tool here).

Additionally, join the efforts to pass the National Popular Vote by asking Michiganders to take action with this toolkit, emailing legislators, signing this petition, and making calls on the coalition line: 833-346-1776.

Texas | Join Common Cause Texas and NAACP LDF for Shelby County v. Holder for teach-ins across Texas this month to uplift calls for voting rights reforms Texans need the legislature to act on. Please ask your Texas volunteers to join us in Dallas County, Austin, San Antonio, and Harris County.

Wisconsin | The legislature is back in session. Please ask WI members to email their legislators and sign this petition to oppose any attempt to impeach WI Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.

Daily Kos is organizing a petition swap. Reach out to [email protected] if you’re interested.

Ohio | Partners are recruiting Early Vote poll monitors and need your help to reach out to friends and organizations in your network; poll monitoring trainings are held Mondays and Thursdays.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

10/05/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan | Please ask your Michigan members to email their representatives to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Michiganders deserve the most updated, secure voting system, and access to ballots regardless of ability status. (Another email tool here).

Additionally, join the effort to pass National Popular Vote by asking Michiganders to take action with this toolkit, emailing legislators, signing this petition, and making calls on the coalition line: 833-346-1776.
AVIL has called all the clerks regarding election administration funding and needs your help sending letters asking all clerks to reject appointments of election deniers. Email Ashiya Brown at [email protected] for more.

Wisconsin | The legislature returns Oct 10-19. Please ask WI members to email their legislators and sign this petition to oppose the baseless attempt to impeach WI Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.

Ohio | Partners are recruiting Early Vote poll monitors and need your help to reach out to friends and organizations in your network; poll monitoring trainings are held Mondays and Thursdays.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

9/28/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. But first, a celebration in New York…

New York | THANK YOU to all the partners and allies!! Governor Hochul signed the NY Early Mail Voter Act and 9 other voting rights bills into law!

Please use this social toolkit to thank the governor, and email her using this sample.
Amplify Common Cause NY, Stand Up America, and Citizen Action NY on social media.

Massachusetts | Partners are urging MA members to write legislators in support of the Voting ACCESS Act (SB 410) to provide same day registration, uniform mail voting forms, and equitable systemic solutions for elections.

Michigan | Please ask your Michigan members to email their representatives to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Updated language has been finalized.

Additionally, join the fight to pass the National Popular Vote bill by asking your Michigan members to take action with this toolkit, emailing legislators, signing this petition, and making calls on the coalition line: 833-346-1776.
Help All Voting is Local make calls to MIchigan clerks to ensure they apply for election administration grants by October 2. Email Kelsey Christian [email protected] if partners, volunteers, or allies are interested.

North Carolina | SB 749 is on the Governor’s desk. Please ask your North Carolina members to write their legislators to help stop election takeovers to vote against the expected veto override of SB 749 and SB 747.

Wisconsin | Please ask WI members to sign this petition to encourage lawmakers to stop their baseless attempt to impeach WI Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.

Poll worker recruitment (multiple states) | Power to the Polls is urgently requesting partners’ help recruiting poll workers in PA (Allegheny County), KY (statewide), TX (Tarrant County), and FL (Duval, Orange, and Palm Beach Counties), using their toolkit.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

9/21/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Massachusetts | Partners are urging MA members to write legislators to SUPPORT the Voting ACCESS Act (Senate Bill 410) to provide same day registration, uniform mail voting forms, and proactive oversight of polling location accessibility.

Michigan | Michigan partners are working to pass the Voting Rights Act this fall. Please ask your Michigan members to write their representatives in the House.

Here is a sample Daily Kos Letter campaign.
Recruit your members to Common Cause phonebanks on this Friday and next Wednesday. Contact Shannon Abbott for more information at [email protected].

North Carolina | SB 749 passed through the House earlier this week, please ask your North Carolina members to stop Election Takeovers using this sample.

New York | Governor Hochul signed Vote By Mail into law. Please use this toolkit to thank her for her signature or amplify Common Cause New York, Stand Up America, or Citizen Action NY.

Wisconsin | Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly elected Justice Janet Protasiewicz to the state Supreme Court in April, but Republican legislators are threatening impeachment before she tries a single case. Please use this sample language from Daily Kos to ask your Wisconsin members to encourage lawmakers to stop this baseless attack.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

9/13/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan | Voting Rights Act: Join Michigan’s Secretary of State Benson and coalition partners at a community event on Sept 21 to increase voter accessibility by passing the MVRA. Please ask your Michigan members to email their legislators to support the bill.

North Carolina |

Power Grab: SB 749 passed out of House rules this week and will head to the floor soon. Please ask your North Carolina members to send messages to their lawmakers to urge them to stop this election takeover bill.
Partisan Poll Observers: SB 770, a bill that would allow partisan poll observers to enter voters’ cars while they are curbside voting. It had a hearing this week and partners are urging legislators to oppose the bill. Here is a backgrounder and talking points on SB 770.

New York | Governor Hochul may sign the vote-by-mail bill soon. If your organization would like to prepare social or press, please take a look at this coalition letter for talking points.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

9/6/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan | Voting Rights Act: Partners are diligently working to ensure voters are educated about the MVRA and its accessibility requirements. Register here to learn more with the MI Secretary of State. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to support the bill as well.

Prison Gerrymandering: National and in-state partners can sign this coalition letter in support of the bill to end prison gerrymandering.

North Carolina | SB 749 will likely face a committee vote next week. Ask your North Carolina members to send messages to their lawmakers to urge them to stop the election takeover bill.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

8/31/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Join a Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle on September 13 at 6PM to learn and engage in the fight for fair maps. Citizens not Politicians is working on a redistricting reform ballot initiative for 2024.

Michigan

Voting Rights Act: The state legislature will return after Labor Day. We expect the Michigan Voting Rights Act to be debated, amended, and hopefully passed this Fall. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to ensure equitable access to the ballot.
Campaign Finance: Help DFAD and Public Citizen collect comments in support of a new campaign finance bill to rein in secret money from utility companies. If you have any questions, please contact Talyce at [email protected] and Ilana at [email protected].

New York | The vote by mail bill is still awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. The coalition letter is still open for signature by NY-based groups.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

8/24/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Citizens not Politicians is working to put a redistricting reform initiative on the ballot in 2024. Join a Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle on September 13 at 6PM to learn and engage in the campaign.

Michigan | Partners are rallying support for the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to ensure equitable access to the ballot.

North Carolina | Partners are urging North Carolinians to ask Gov. Cooper to veto SB 747, which passed the legislature.

New York | Vote by mail is still awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. Coalition letter is still open for signature by NY-based groups.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

8/17/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Citizens not Politicians filed the first 1,000 signatures last week to put a redistricting reform initiative on the ballot in 2024. Since this is just the first step, partners are asking Ohio members to join a Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle on September 13 at 6PM to learn and engage in the campaign.

Michigan

Partners are rallying support for the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to ensure equitable access to the ballot.
All Voting is Local and in-state partners are campaigning to hold fake electors accountable and need your help to increase engagement at community meetings. To get involved, reach out to Ashiya, MI State Director, at [email protected].

North Carolina | Partners are urging North Carolinians to ask Gov. Cooper to veto SB 747. The bill has been weakened (much less extreme poll observer abilities, maintaining Same Day Registration, and preserving Early Voting days), but it would still impose barriers to casting a ballot in NC and could disenfranchise thousands of voters who rely on absentee voting by mail.

New York | Partners are continuing to drive calls and actions with the coalition line (833-345-2553) and this tool from Common Cause to get Gov. Hochul to sign the early mail-in vote bill. If/when Gov. Hochul signs the bill, partners will release a Thank You letter. Here is the letter for NY groups to sign on.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

8/10/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Ohio | Hurray!! Issue 1 was overwhelmingly defeated 57-43. Congratulations to the One Person One Vote campaign and everyone who did so much work to protect direct democracy in the Buckeye State!

Michigan | Partners are continuing to rally support for the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to ensure equitable access to the ballot.

North Carolina | SB 747, one of the bills that would upend NC’s election system, may move as soon as next week. Partners need NC members to use the Coalition Toolkit to join virtual phone banks and write letters to legislators now to oppose it.

New York | Partners continue to call on the Governor to sign the early mail-in vote bill. Help drive calls and actions with the coalition line (833-345-2553) and this tool from Common Cause. If/when Gov. Hochul signs the bill, please be ready to lift and thank the Governor. Contact [email protected] for more.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

8/3/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan

Partners are continuing to rally support for the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Ask your MI members to email their legislators to ensure equitable access to the ballot.
All Voting is Local and in-state partners are working on an accountability campaign against fake electors and others who schemed to access voting machines illegally. To get involved, reach out to Ashiya at [email protected].

New York | Partners are urging the Governor to sign the mail-in vote bill and need your help driving calls with the coalition line: 833-345-2553. Here is another tool from Common Cause. If you’d like to help with op-eds or comms, please contact [email protected].

Ohio | Vote No in August is on the ballot next Tuesday, August 8.Opponents just dropped a $5 million ad buy for the final week of the campaign, so please encourage OH members to get involved!

Please ask your Ohio members to phonebank, friendbank, and text bank Ohio voters. If your organization has capacity to support this campaign, contact [email protected].
Ask your Ohio members to get trained for Election Protection to become Poll Monitors and Ambassadors.

Pennsylvania | AVIL and partners in Pennsylvania are preparing to conduct accountability actions against Sam DeMarco, a fake elector and Allegheny County Council member. Reach out to Scott Seeborg ([email protected]) from AVIL to get involved.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

7/26/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

We will continue to hold weekly meetings and send this digest until there are no more relevant calls to action and asks from in-state partners.

Arizona | Coalition partners are asking AZ members and national partners to write letters to Gov. Hobbs urging her to veto the ballot imaging bill. Contact Jenny Guzman at [email protected] for drafting assistance.

Michigan | Partners are asking MI members to email their legislators in support of the Michigan Voting Rights Act to ensure equitable access to the ballot, expand language access, and prohibit voter suppression.

North Carolina | Partners are urging North Carolinians to use the rapid response toolkit to join virtual phone banks and write letters to legislators to oppose SB 747, SB 749, and HB 772 which would upend NC’s election system.

New York | Partners are urging the Governor to sign the mail-in vote bill and need your help with driving calls with the coalition line: 833-345-2553. If you’d like to help with op-eds or comms, please contact [email protected]. Here is another tool from Common Cause.

Ohio | Vote No in August campaign is on the ballot on August 8. Please ask your Ohio members to phonebank, friendbank, textbank and write VoteForward letters to Ohio voters. If your organization has capacity to support this campaign, contact [email protected].

Ask your Ohio members to get trained for Election Protection to become Poll Monitors and Ambassadors.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

7/20/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

NOTE: We will continue to hold weekly meetings and send this digest until there are no more relevant calls to action and asks from in-state partners.

Arizona | Session will resume on July 31. The ballot imaging bill is expected to be brought up right away. In-state partners would like more national organizations to write letters to Gov. Hobbs urging her to veto the bill. Contact Jenny Guzman at [email protected] for letter templates or assistance drafting.

Michigan | Please ask your Michigan members to email their legislators in support of the Michigan Voting Rights Act to ensure equitable access to the ballot, expand language access, and prohibit voter suppression.

16 people were indicted for participating in a false elector scheme to overturn the 2020 election, All Voting is Local is launching a campaign to remove three of them from public office. Contact [email protected] and [email protected] if you’d like to participate in a planning call tomorrow.

New York | The Governor still needs to sign the vote-by-mail bill. Keep driving calls with the coalition line: 833-345-2553. If you’d like to help with op-eds or comms, please contact [email protected].

Ohio | Vote No in August campaign is on the ballot on August 8. Please ask your Ohio members to phonebank, friendbank, and write VoteForward letters to Ohio voters. If your organization has capacity to support this campaign, contact [email protected].

Ask your Ohio members to get trained for Election Protection to become Poll Monitors and Ambassadors.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

7/13/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

NOTE: We will continue to hold weekly meetings and send this digest until there are no more relevant calls to action and asks from in-state partners.

Michigan | Please ask your MI members to email their legislators in support of the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) to ensure equitable access to the ballot, expand language access, and prohibit voter suppression.

For more information: NAACP LDF; Stand Up America; MVRA one-pager.
Time sensitive request to get as many Michiganders to complete this form and testify to overturn Citizen United by July 31st.

New York | In-state partners continue to drive calls to Governor Hochul on the coalition line (833-345-2553) to urge her to sign legislation giving all New Yorkers the option to vote by mail.

Ohio | The Vote No in August campaign is on the ballot on August 8. Please ask your Ohio members to join the coalition, phonebank, friendbank and write VoteForward letters to Ohio voters. If your organization has capacity to support this campaign, contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

7/5/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

NOTE: We will continue to hold weekly meetings and send this digest until there are no more relevant calls to action and asks from in-state partners.

Michigan | Please ask your MI members to email their legislators in support of the recently-introduced Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) to ensure equitable access to the ballot, expand language access, and prohibit voter suppression before the legislature returns on July 18. More information: NAACP LDF; Stand Up America; MVRA one-pager.

New York | Please ask New Yorkers to call Governor Hochul at 833-345-2553 and tell her to sign legislation to give all New Yorkers the option to vote by mail.

Ohio | The Vote No in August campaign is on the ballot on August 8 – only 34 days from now. Partners are urging OH members to join the coalition, phonebank and write VoteForward letters. The voter registration deadline is July 10 and early voting starts July 11. If your organization has capacity to support this campaign, contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

6/28/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Arizona | Partners need AZ members to write veto letters to the governor to stop a ballot imaging bill. Fill out this form and the coalition will follow up with sample materials.

Michigan | Please ask your MI members to email their legislators in support of the recently-introduced Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) to ensure equitable access to the ballot, expand language access, and prohibit voter suppression. More information: NAACP LDF; Stand Up America; MVRA one-pager.

New York | Please ask your NY members to call Governor Hochul at 833-345-2553. Tell her to sign legislation to give all New Yorkers the option to vote by mail. Partners are also asking members to use this tool to urge the State Board of Elections to reject vulnerable and inefficient voting machines.

North Carolina | Partners are urging North Carolinians to join virtual phone banks and write letters to legislators to oppose SB 747 and SB 749, which would upend NC’s election system and hand near-total control over to politicians in the legislature.

Ohio | The “Vote No in August” coalition needs organizations to endorse the campaign to defeat an effort to make ballot initiatives more difficult.

Activists nationwide can send letters to Ohio voters here. Here’s more info on the campaign.
Additionally, please ask your members to sign up to be poll monitors and election protection ambassadors.

Oregon | The legislative session just ended, but we wanted to celebrate all the organizations that helped pass HB 2004 that will send Rank Choice Voting to the ballot in 2024 for federal and statewide races. Amplify this tweet to celebrate this historic win!

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

6/22/23

June 21

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Arizona | The voting rights coalition is urging AZ members to write a veto letter to the governor to stop a ballot imaging bill, before the legislature returns in July. Information will be sent to users who complete this form, and here is a sample letter for in-state and national partners. Note: This bill is contentious and some partners do support it.

Michigan | Partners urgently need MI members to call target State House members TODAY to urge passage of the National Popular Vote bill before recess.

North Carolina | Partners are asking NC members to join a phone bank and write letters urging legislators to not pass SB 747 and SB 749, which would upend NC’s election system and hand near-total control over to politicians in the legislature. The bills passed the Senate yesterday and are now headed to the House.

New Hampshire | Partners are asking NH members to urgently call House Speaker Packard at 603-271-3661 before 4:30 PM on Thursday and ask that he remove Rep. Steve Smith from the conference committee on SB70 (the online voter information portal bill) and replace Smith with someone who will sign onto the committee report. The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support. It should not die because of one member of the committee. Coalition toolkit.

New York | NY-based organizations should sign this coalition letter urging Governor Hochul to sign the historic vote-by-mail bill by Friday 12pm ET.

Ohio | The “Vote No in August” coalition needs organizations to endorse the campaign to defeat an effort to make ballot initiatives more difficult. Activists nationwide can send letters to Ohio voters here. Here’s a list of other endorsers and more info on the campaign.

Sincerely,

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

6/14/23

June 14

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Michigan | The NPV bill made it out of the House Elections Committee and will hopefully continue to move. Here is a sample email tool for the whole state.

North Carolina | Partners are asking for NC members to urge the legislators to not pass SB 747 and SB 749 that would upend the NC election system and hand near total control over to politicians in the legislature. Sign up to write letters, phone bank, and attend a rapid response call TONIGHT at 7PM EST.

New Hampshire | Partners are asking NH Members to write their legislators and use the coalition toolkit to ensure the passage of SB 70, as an election information portal is essential to ease burdens on voters and poll workers and ensure that they have the most up to date information.

New York | The New York Assembly will return on June 20th for a two-day work week to handle unfinished business. Partners are asking for NY members to amplify this ad about VIVA NY, a bill to make sure voters can still vote with pen & paper passed the NY Senate.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

6/08/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

We have had some great wins in Connecticut and Georgia. Please amplify these victories on your channels.

Michigan | Partners are asking MI members to make calls in support of the National Popular Vote (833-346-1776) and send emails, after it passed out of committee today. Here is NPV’s toolkit.

North Carolina | Partners need NC members to write legislators in opposition of the omnibus anti-voter SB 747 that will impose harsh voting restrictions (including upending same day registration). You can also direct members to join phonebanks in opposition to the bill.

New Hampshire | SB70, the bill to establish an online voter information portal, is expected for a vote on TODAY! Please ask your NH members to write their legislators and use the coalition toolkit to help pass the bill.

New York | The New York session ends this week, and there are many bills moving that need your support.

Sign on to this coalition letter in support of hand-marked paper ballots
Please use this sample email to push for bills to protect and support voters.
There are efforts to damage the public financing program in NY. Use this toolkit to protect the program.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

6/01/23

Happy June everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Alabama | The Alabama Senate is considering HB 209, a voter suppression bill that makes it a felony to help your neighbors vote absentee. There are only two days left of the session, so please ask your AL members to call and email their legislators, use this toolkit, and volunteer.

Connecticut | The Connecticut Voting Rights Act passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote and has only days left to pass the House. Please ask your CT members to email and call their legislators (Spanish: 833-345-2556 and English: 833-345-2554) before session ends on June 7. Digital toolkit is here.

Georgia | Partners are asking Georgians to email Fulton County Board of Elections’ Chairman Robb Pitts ([email protected]) to oppose the appointment of Lee Morris to Fulton County Board of Election before June 7 and amplify the CTA on social media.

Michigan | Partners in Michigan need members’ help pressuring the Speaker to move National Popular Vote forward by making calls (coalition line: 833-346-1776) and sending emails. Here is NPV’s toolkit.

Help DFAD and Public Citizen make Michigan the 23rd state to call for Citizens United to be overturned via constitutional amendment. Ask your members to submit written Impact Statements.

New Hampshire | A House vote on SB70, the bill to establish an online voter information portal, is expected on June 8. Please ask your NH members to write their legislators and use the coalition toolkit to help pass the bill.

New York | Please ask your NY members to (1) call their legislators to demand broad access to absentee voting (A3291/S7046) and (2) call their legislators to support bills to allow food and water to be distributed at polling locations (A1346) and require ballot measures be written in plain language (A1722).

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

5/24/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Arizona | Partners are asking Arizonans to call Governor Hobbs to veto SB1066 at (602) 542-4331. The bill would make it harder for third party organizations to help register voters.

Alabama | The Alabama Senate is considering HB 209, which criminalizes absentee ballot assistance. Ask your AL members to call their legislators, use this toolkit, and volunteer to support the Alabama Voting Rights Coalition.

Connecticut | Connecticut Voting Rights Act (SB 1226) is poised for a Senate vote very soon. It will then need to pass the House. Please ask your CT members to keep the pressure going by emailing their legislators (another tool here) and making calls with the coalition line (Spanish: 833-345-2556; English: 833-345-2554) to pass this historic legislation before session ends on June 7.

New Hampshire | A House vote on SB70, the bill to establish an online voter information portal, is possible on June 8. Please ask your NH members to write their legislators and use the coalition toolkit to help pass the bill.

New York | Please ask your NY members to make calls to their legislators to demand that the coronavirus protections for voting absentee remain in place (A3291/S7046).

Oakland, California | Last November, Oakland voters approved the nation’s second-ever Democracy Dollars program. Now, advocates are fighting to ensure the City Council funds the program. Ask your Oakland members to contact their city councilmembers today or use this toolkit to support.

Ohio | The “Vote No in August” coalition needs organizations to join the fight and endorse the campaign to defeat an effort to make ballot initiatives more difficult. Here is a list of endorsers.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

5/17/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Alabama | Please ask your AL members to help stop HB 209, which criminalizes absentee ballot assistance by calling their legislators, using this toolkit, and volunteering to support the Alabama Voting Rights Coalition, as the bill hearing will be on May 23, 2023. You can also join the Empower the Vote briefing on May 22 at 6PM, highlighting voter suppression efforts across the South.

Connecticut | Help pass the Connecticut Voting Rights Act (SB 1226) by urging your CT members to email their legislators (another tool here) and make calls through the coalition line (Spanish: 833-345-2556; English: 833-345-2554). The bill passed Senate Appropriations this week and only has a few more stops before session adjourns on June 7.

Florida | Partners are asking for organizations to sign this veto letter for SB 7050 by COB today (Thursday) – Please send your logo and organization name to [email protected]. Floridians can still make calls to Gov. DeSantis to stop this anti-voting bill.

Michigan | Michiganders can email their legislators and call House Speaker Tate to support the National Popular Vote on this coalition line: 833-346-1776. Toolkit is here.

New Hampshire | Partners need NH members to help ensure that voter registration is accessible by writing to their legislators and taking action with the toolkit to pass SB70.

Also, thanks to everyone’s help, HB195, a bill to increase transparency in money in politics is headed to the governor’s desk!

Nevada | Partners are asking Nevadans to help pass SB 404, which would allow counties to start counting early ballots before Election Day by submitting testimony.

Ohio | The “Vote No in August” coalition needs organizations to get involved and endorse the campaign to defeat an effort to make ballot initiatives more difficult in Ohio.

Izzy (Common Cause)

YT (Leadership Conference)

Brett (Stand Up America)

5/11/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Alabama | Please ask your Alabama members to use the Alabama Voting Rights Coalition toolkit to help stop HB 209, which criminalizes absentee ballot assistance. It will likely be in Senate Committee next week. Sign up to support the coalition here.

Connecticut | Connecticut members should email their legislators (another tool here) and make calls through the coalition line (Spanish: 833-345-2556; English: 833-345-2554) to urge passage of the Connecticut Voting Rights Act).

Michigan | Ask your Michigan members to call Speaker Tate to support National Popular Vote using the coalition line: 833-346-1776. Toolkit here.

New Hampshire | Ask your New Hampshire members to contact their representatives to support SB 70 to allow voters to register and update their voter information online.

Nevada | Please ask your Nevada members to submit testimony before May 16 in support of SB 404, which would allow counties to start counting early ballots before Election Day. Instructions and talking points are here.

Ohio | Yesterday, Ohio lawmakers passed SJR2, a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the passage rate for ballot measures to 60% (from a simple majority) and make it harder to get an initiative on the ballot by raising signature requirements. The resolution will be voted on in a low-turnout special August election. The Vote No in August coalition needs your help to protect our democracy – please sign on as an organizational partner.

Texas | Partners are asking Texans to attend the ‘We Know Our Worth: Rally for our Rights’ on Saturday, May 13 at 2 PM to stop bills that would allow a state takeover of our local governments, our classrooms, our bodies, and our elections.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

5/04/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Connecticut | Partners are fighting…

To pass the Connecticut Voting Rights Act (SB1226) to eliminate discriminatory barriers to the ballot – ask your CT members to send a message or call their legislators (Spanish: 833-345-2556; English: 833-345-2554).
To defeat an amendment that would eliminate same-day voter registration in primary elections – please contact your legislators ASAP to help.

Michigan | Ask your Michigan members to call (517-373-0857) or email ([email protected]) the House Speaker urging him to pass National Popular Vote. Here is an email template, NPV’s toolkit, and a tool to drive emails to the legislature.

New Hampshire | Ask your members to support SB70 to create an election information portal before May 16. Here is a toolkit to drive emails and calls.

New York | Partners are asking New Yorkers to support A5934A /S6169A, a bill to let voters use hand-marked paper ballots or ballot-marking devices, using this template to draft a memo in support.

Ohio | Partners need Ohians to call legislators RIGHT NOW to stop HJR1/SJR2, which would raise the threshold to pass constitutional amendments from 50% to 60% and make signature gathering far more burdensome. To learn more, join a briefing call with We Are Ohio and Common Cause this Friday. Key legislative targets:

Cindy Abrams 614-466-9091
Gail Pavliga 614-466-2004
Gayle Manning 614-644-5076
Andrea White 614-644-6008
Sara Carruthers 614-644-6721

Texas | Today, the Texas House Elections Committee heard several election bills that will dilute the power of voters. Texans should write their legislators now to stop SB1039, which is a local election takeover bill.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

4/26/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Connecticut | The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut would expand language access, break discriminatory barriers to the ballot, and protect against voter intimidation. Ask your CT members to write, send a message, or call (Spanish: 833-345-2556; English: 833-345-2554) their legislators in support. Here is an explainer and flier on the bill.

Florida | The Senate passed SB 7050 and it’s now headed to the House. Partners are asking Floridians to write their legislators to oppose the bill, which would reduce transparency, allow current elected officials to run for president without resigning, and attack registration of diverse communities.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) is on its way to the Governor! Congratulations to all the advocates and organizations who helped pass this historic bill to protect and expand our democracy! Please lift up victory content from We Choose Us!

Ohio | Partners are asking Ohioans to make calls to the House to stop HJR1/SJR2, which would raise the threshold to pass constitutional amendments from 50% to 60% and make signature gathering significantly more burdensome. The Senate approved the resolution this week and the House passed it in committee.

Oregon | Partners are asking Oregonians to write legislators and take action to pass HB 2107, HJR 4, and HJR 18 to expand AVR and pass same-day voter registration.

Texas | SB1750 would abolish Harris County’s nonpartisan election administrator position and transfer the power to run elections to partisan officials. Houston-area residents should contact the House Elections Committee in opposition here.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

4/19/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Alabama | Partners are asking national groups to use this toolkit to stop HB209, which would criminalize absentee ballot assistance. The bill was approved by a House committee on April 19.

Connecticut | Please ask your CT members to join this town hall today at 6PM to learn about the CT Voting Rights Act. All partners who are interested in getting involved should join a coalition meeting on April 26 at 1pm to help pass the bill before Sine Die on June 7.

Michigan | Partners are asking Michiganders to send emails to legislators, submit LTEs, and amplify efforts to pass National Popular Vote that may have a vote on April 25 and register for the campaign finance reform lobby day on April 27.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) passed the House last week!! The ‘We Choose Us’ coalition is urging the Senate to hold a floor vote soon. Organizations can submit support letters (template) to [email protected] by Friday, April 21. Minnesotans should continue sending emails and making calls to legislators with the coalition line: 833-346-1783. The coalition also invites folks to join a virtual session debrief session on May 2 at 6PM.

New York | New Yorkers should call Governor Hochul and legislative leaders at 1-866-702-3122 to urge their support for funding NY’s small-donor matching system in the final state budget. Partners also launched a 1-click petition asking for a public comment period before new voting machines are approved.

Oregon | Partners are asking OR members to write legislators to pass HB 2107, HJR 4, and HJR 18 to expand AVR and pass same-day voter registration.

Texas | 19 election bills are in the House Elections Committee today. Partners are asking that Texans drop cards and write members of the House using these talking points to stop fast tracked anti-voting bills.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

4/12/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here including an urgent action in Texas.

Georgia | SB 222 would make it illegal for election boards to receive private funds to support their elections. Partners are asking GA members to call Gov. Kemp at 404-655-1776 and demand he veto SB 222.

Michigan | Michiganders can use this toolkit to send emails to legislators, draft LTEs, and amplify the effort to pass the National Popular Vote. Also, partners need MI members to register for April 27’s campaign finance reform lobby day.

Minnesota | Partners expect a House vote on HF3 (the Democracy for the People Act) on Thursday. Please lift the social media toolkit and register for a turnout phone bank TONIGHT at 4-7PM EST ahead of a rally tomorrow! MN members should continue using the coalition line (833-346-1783) and click-to-email tool to push for final passage

New York | Partners need NY members to email legislators or call legislators at 1-866-702-3122 urging their support for NY’s campaign finance reform program to be in the budget.

New Hampshire | Partners are asking NH members to use this toolkit to support SB70, which would modernize New Hampshire’s elections by creating an online voter registration and absentee ballot request portal.

Oregon | Partners need OR members to testify and write their lawmakers to urge passage of SB 579, which will expand voting rights to incarcerated Americans. Additionally, Oregonians can email lawmakers to expand automatic voter registration and pass same-day registration.

Texas | Partners are asking TX members to join a training on testifying and organizing to defend Texas elections TODAY at 5:30PM.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

4/5/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Connecticut | Ask your Connecticut members to call Gov. Lamont to fully fund 2 weeks of Early Voting.

Florida | A new omnibus voting bill (SB 7050) would expand the authority of “election police” and stiffen ID requirements for first-time voters, among other egregious provisions. Partners are asking Floridians to tell lawmakers to STOP SB 7050’s assault on voting rights.

Georgia | Ask your Georgia members to call Gov, Kemp at 404-655-1776 and demand he veto SB 222, a bill that seeks to criminalize election workers and pressure counties to fund their own elections.

Michigan | Partners anticipate a House committee vote on National Popular Vote on Tuesday, April 11. Here’s a toolkit to help pass NPV. Partners also need MI members to register for April 27’s campaign finance reform lobby day.

Minnesota | Partners are asking national organizations to send letters of support for the Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) to [email protected] using this template by April 11. Additionally, MN members should continue using the coalition line (833-346-1783), click-to-email tool and join phonebanks on April 10 and 12 and April 13, 20 and 27 before a possible House vote on Thursday April 13.

New Hampshire | Support SB70, a bill to create an online voter registration and absentee ballot request portal, before a House hearing on Tuesday, April 11 at 3pm, by asking your NH members to sign in here (Select April 11, Election Law, a member of the public representing “myself,” and check “I support this bill”).

Oregon | SB 579 will expand voting rights to incarcerated Americans. Partners need OR members to testify and write their lawmakers to urge passage.

Texas | Partners need help urging lawmakers to provide $3 million in funding to educate voters about ID requirements in TX.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/30/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts – including urgent action in Texas and New York. See previous weekly digests here.

Connecticut | Ask your CT members to call Gov. Lamont to fully fund Early Voting.

Florida | Ask your FL members to tell lawmakers to dismantle voting barriers by passing HB 1249/SB 1560 to provide more language-related assistance at the polls and HB 1507/SB 1668 to give ineligible voters notice of their eligibility status.

Georgia | SB 222 criminalizes election workers and takes funding away from counties to run their elections. The bill passed this week, so partners are asking you to tell GA members to call Governor Kemp’s office at 404-655-1776 and demand he veto SB 222.

Indiana | Ask your IN members to urge their senators to vote NO on HB 1334, a bill that will require anyone applying to vote absentee by mail to include a copy of their Indiana driver’s license or their voter identification number.

Michigan | Ask your MI members to help pass National Popular Vote or attend a lobby day to pass campaign finance reform.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (SF3/HF3) will be heard in both the Senate and House committees next week — House Ways and Means on April 13 and Senate Finance on April 20. Partners are asking Minnesotans to tell state legislators to vote YES for HF3/SF3 and sign this support letter.

New York | Partners are asking NY members to use this toolkit to call the coalition line (1-866-702-3122) to urge the Governor, Senate, and Assembly to pass $39.5 million in the final budget for NY’s small-donor public financing system.

Oregon | Partners need OR members to write their state senator to pass SB 579 to restore voting rights to citizens in prison. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary and is now in the Joint Ways & Means Committee.

Texas | Over 30 election subversion bills were scheduled for concurrent hearings ranging from election police force, state takeovers of election administrators, & voter purges. The bills were all tabled today, but will come back tomorrow. Ask your TX members to email in opposition to the bills in this guide.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/23/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Connecticut | Ask your CT members to submit testimony to the Appropriations Committee to urge them to fully fund early voting.

Georgia | Ask your GA members to write their state legislators and tell them to oppose SB 222 – the bill would make it a felony to receive private funds to support elections.

Indiana | Ask your IN members to use this call to action tool to ask their state senators to vote NO on HB1334, which requires anyone applying for an absentee by mail ballot include a form of identification.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) only has one committee stop left in the House and Senate. Partners are asking legislative leaders to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Here is the toolkit, CTE tool, upcoming phone banks, and a coalition line to drive calls: 833-346-1783.

New York | Partners are asking New Yorkers to use the coalition line (1-866-702-3122) to pressure the Governor, Senate, and Assembly to pass $39.5 million in the final budget for NY’s small-donor public financing system. The budget is due April 1.

Oregon | Partners need OR members to write their State Senator to pass SB 579 to restore voting rights to citizens in prison. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary and is now in the Joint Ways & Means Committee.

Texas | SB 2 passed the Senate and is now on the House floor. SB 2 would change the penalty for voting violations to a second-degree felony – instilling needless fear into the voting process and making eligible Texans more hesitant to participate. Here is a sample letter to lawmakers.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/15/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Indiana | Indiana already has one of the most restrictive vote by mail laws in the country – but legislators are pushing to make it even more stringent. Use this call to action to ask your Indiana members to tell their senators to vote no on HB1334.

Maryland | Partners are asking voting rights organizations to sign this letter supporting the Maryland Voting Rights Act (HB1104), which has a hearing this week.

Michigan | MI partners need help convincing legislators to support the National Popular Vote (HB4156/SB126), ahead of a possible House committee vote next week. Here is the toolkit.

Minnesota | The omnibus Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) only had one committee stop left in the House and Senate. Partners are asking legislative leaders to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Here is the toolkit, CTE tool, upcoming phone banks, and a coalition line to drive calls: 833-346-1783.

New Mexico | The NM Voting Rights Act is on its way to the Governor! Congratulations to all the advocates and organizations who helped pass this historic bill to strengthen AVR, expand ballot access for Native voters, and restore voting rights to 17,000+ New Mexicans! Please lift up victory content: ProgressNowNM; OLÉ; NM Native Vote; Dreams In Action NM.

New Hampshire | Please ask your NH members to tell their legislators to oppose HB 460 – the bill targeting affidavit voting. Here is a toolkit. The bill could be on the House floor next week.

Oregon | Partners need OR members to write their Senator to pass SB 579 to restore voting rights to citizens in prison. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary last week and is now in the Joint Ways & Means Committee.

Wisconsin | Sign up to monitor polling locations on college campuses ahead of the April 4 general election. Campus Vote Project, the League of Women Voters, and Common Cause are asking volunteers to sign up ASAP and urging WI members to request their absentee ballots now.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/8/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Maryland | The Maryland Voting Rights Act (HB1104) would protect voters and establish preclearance requirements. A hearing is expected this week. Please sign this letter in support of the bill.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) passed the House State and Local Government Committee earlier this week. Partners are asking groups to recruit their Minnesotan members to attend March 16’s Lobby Day, call their state senators on the coalition line (833-346-1783), write their legislators, and register for upcoming phone banks on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Nebraska | Partners need Nebraska members to tell legislators to passing LB 20 to restore voting rights upon completion of a felony sentence. The bill moved out of the Government Committee and to the General file last week, so it will be debated on the floor in the coming weeks by the entire Legislature.

New Mexico | Thanks to incredible in-state organizers, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB 4) passed the Senate (27-14) this week!! The bill now returns to the House to approve minor amendments made by the Senate, before going to the Governor’s desk. Please ask your NM members to write to the House in support.

New Hampshire | Please ask your NH members to tell their legislators to oppose HB 460 – the bill targeting affidavit voting. The bill could be on the House floor next week. Here is a toolkit with talking points.

New York | Please ask your NY members to call legislators to fully fund NY’s new small dollar matching program (coalition line: 866-702-3122). Here is a toolkit with sample social and more actions.

Oregon | Partners are asking OR members to write letters to their Senator to pass SB 579, a bill to restore voting rights to citizens in prison.

Texas | Partners are asking Texans to write letters to legislators urging them to stop the criminalization of voters and other anti-voting bills.

Wisconsin | Campus Vote Project, the League of Women Voters, and Common Cause are asking volunteers to sign up to monitor polling locations on college campuses ahead of the April 4 general election.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

3/1/23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with some of the most urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now – both proactive and defensive voting rights efforts. See previous weekly digests here.

Arizona | SB1324 would publicly leak the name, address, and precinct of every Arizona voter; open the door for election deniers to go door-to-door, harassing voters; and put vulnerable communities at risk of exposure. The coalition is working to keep Dems united in opposition.

CTA: Ask your AZ members to take action with this action to send messages to lawmakers.

Georgia | SB221 is an omnibus anti-voting bill that outlaws drop boxes and illegally purges voters.

CTA: Ask your Georgia members to take action here.

Maryland | The Maryland Voting Rights Act (HB1104) is expected to have a hearing on March 7. The bill would protect voters and establish preclearance requirements.

CTA: Sign your organization on to support the bill by Friday, March 3.

Minnesota | The Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) continues to move swiftly through the committee process, with two stops left in both chambers.

CTA: The coalition is asking groups to help recruit to a March 16 Lobby Day (toolkit here).
CTA: Ask your Minnesota members to call their state senators on the coalition line (833-346-1783), write their legislators, and register for upcoming phone banks.

New Mexico | The New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB 4) is on its way to the Senate Judiciary.

CTA: Partners need New Mexico members to write letters and emails to their state senators now.

New York | NY lawmakers are considering underfunding or delaying the state’s voluntary small-dollar matching system.

CTA: The Fair Elections coalition is asking in-state groups to sign this letter by Friday, March 3, to oppose those efforts.
CTA: Ask your New York members to call their state senators (coalition line: 866-702-3122) and attend the “Power of Public Financing” workshop on Monday, March 6 (RSVP here). Here is a toolkit with sample social and more actions.

Ohio | HJR 1 will raise the threshold for ballot initiatives from 50 to 60 percent passage. Here are talking points on the bill.

CTA: Partners need Ohioans to write letters to the editor using this tool.

Idaho | Idaho partners need help pushing back against SJR 101 (which would increase obstacles for ballot initiatives) and HB 205 (which would restrict voting by mail).

CTA: Write letters to protect voting by mail and protect ballot initiatives.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

2-22-23

Hey everyone!

Arizona | SB1324 would publicly leak the name, address, and precinct of every Arizona voter before and after every election. This bill would open the door for election deniers to go door-to-door, harassing voters, and could even put domestic violence victims at risk of exposure. Ask your AZ members to take action – here is a sample message to lawmakers.

Connecticut | A hearing was held Feb. 22 on the voting rights package including early voting, no-excuse absentee, a CT Voting Rights Act, and a ban on foreign spending on state ballot referendums. A vote is expected in the next few weeks. Partners are asking Connecticut members to show their support.

Minnesota | The standalone bill to restore voting rights to Minnesotans on parole or probation (HF28) passed on Tuesday! Meanwhile, the omnibus Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) is still working its way through committees. Please ask your Minnesota members to call their state Senators on the coalition line (833-346-1783), write their legislators, and register for We Choose Us’ upcoming phone banks:

Monday, February 27th 5-8 PM
Monday, March 6th 5-8 PM
Monday, March 13th 5-8 PM
The coalition is also hosting a National Partner Briefing on March 1.

New Mexico | The New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB4) passed the House on Tuesday night!! The coalition is asking New Mexicans to drive calls and emails to the Senate with this email tool and letter tool on the coalition website.

Texas | Several anti-voter bills are moving in Texas. Please help lift these calls to action:

Partners are asking Texans to write letters to legislators urging them to stop suppressing voters with anti-voting bills like the “elections police force” intimidating voters now.
Common Cause Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, and ACLU of Texas will host an informative webinar on March 7 on how to testify and advocate for voting rights.
Sign up for the Texas Grassroots Alliance Conference on March 3-5.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

2-16-23

Hey everyone!

Connecticut | Partners are asking Connecticut members to show their support for Early Voting, No-Excuse Absentee Voting, a Connecticut Voting Rights Act and a ban on foreign spending on state ballot referendums.

Minnesota | The omnibus voting bill – the Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3) passed two committees this week and is moving quickly. Please ask your Minnesota members to call their state Senators on the coalition line (833-346-1783), write their legislators, and register for We Choose Us’ upcoming phone banks:

New Jersey | On February 21, the campaign to pass the New Jersey Voting Rights Act will launch. Please help amplify Twitter content from NJISJ, ACLU NJ, LWV NJ and more, and use this toolkit with sample social, graphics, and talking points.

New Mexico | The New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB4) passed the House Judiciary on Monday! A full House vote could come next week. The coalition is asking partners to then drive calls and emails to the Senate with this email tool and the letter tool on the new coalition website.

Texas | Partners are asking Texans to write letters to legislators urging them to stop suppressing voters through anti-voting bills, including the “elections police force” intimidating voters now.

Wisconsin | Partners are asking WI members to call on Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu to rescind Bob Spendill’s appointment to the WI Election Commission.

Here is a sample letter to lawmakers.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

2-8-23

Hey everyone!

Here’s our weekly digest with some of the most urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now. Please reach out if you’d like to be added to our coalition listserv or Slack.

Minnesota | Yesterday, the Democracy for the People Act (SF3 / HF3), an omnibus voting rights bill, passed the House Elections Committee. The bill’s rights restoration provisions also passed the House in a 71-59 bipartisan vote.

Please ask your Minnesota members to call their state Senators on the coalition line (833-346-1783) and to register for We Choose Us’ upcoming phone banks:

New Hampshire | Partners need New Hampshirites to call and email their state representatives to support the Voter-Owned Elections Act (HB 324), to allow viable candidates to run small dollar campaigns, and SB 220, to expand absentee voter registration. Both bills may receive a vote on February 14. Talking points are here and here.

New Jersey | The New Jersey Voting Rights Act campaign will launch on February 21 and the coalition is asking national and NJ-based voting rights groups to sign this letter in support.

New Mexico | The New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB4) passed the House Gov’t, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee yesterday! Please ask your New Mexico members to write their representatives today.

New York | The Fair Elections coalition is asking partners to submit testimony by February 8 at 5pm in support of fully funding New York’s statewide Public Campaign Finance Program. Here’s a How-To & Sample Testimony guide for New Yorkers.

Texas | Texas partners are asking Texans to write letters to legislators urging them to stop suppressing voters through anti-voting bills, including the “elections police force” used to intimidate voters now.

Wisconsin | All Voting is Local Action and partners are calling on the Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu to rescind Bob Spendill’s appointment to the WI Election Commission.

Here is a sample letter to lawmakers tool.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

2-1-23

Hey everyone!

Arizona | Opportunity Arizona and other partners are organizing Arizona members to attend the Senate Elections Committee hearing on February 6 to speak against a suite of anti-voter bills.

Ask your members in Arizona to sign up here to testify against these bills.
Send this action to your members in Arizona to ask the legislature to repeal new rules that allow lawmakers to remove communications from the public record.

Minnesota | Join the ‘We Choose Us’ Coalition and Stand Up America in writing letters urging state legislators to vote YES on the Democracy for the People Act (SF3 / HF3) that will be heard TODAY in the Senate Elections Committee. The bill will restore voting rights to Minnesotans on parole/probation, establish AVR, pre-register 16/17-year olds to vote, expand language access, and set up democracy dollars, among other pro-voter reforms.

Endorse the bill (here) and ask your Minnesota members to call their state Senators on the coalition line: 833-346-1783.

New Hampshire | Here is a list of priority election bills moving in NH. Ask your New Hampshire members to sign in to support SB 220/HB 502 (no excuse absentee voting) and sign in to oppose HB 482 (Voter ID for Absentee Voting)

New Mexico | Partners are urging New Mexico members to write to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee members urging them to pass the New Mexico Voting Rights Act (HB4) that will be heard on Friday, Feb 3.

Wisconsin | All Voting is Local Action and partners are calling on the Senate Majority Leader to rescind Bob Spendill’s appointment to the WI Election Commission.

Here is a sample letter to lawmakers to call on Sen. LeMahieu to rescind the appointment.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

1-25-23

Hey everyone!

Minnesota | The ‘We Choose Us’ coalition is pushing the legislature to pass the Democracy for the People Act (HF3/SF3), an omnibus bill of pro-voter reforms. Hearings on pieces of the bill have already begun.

The coalition is asking organizations to endorse the bill here by EOD on 1/27.
Please ask your Minnesota members to testify on behalf of the bill by signing up here.

North Carolina | Common Cause NC is asking North Carolinians to send a message to House Speaker Moore demanding he stop bending the rules to consolidate power and potentially override the Governor’s veto without notice to the public.

New Mexico | Help the statewide, grassroot coalition pass the New Mexico Voting Rights Act that will be filed soon by signing this support letter to the state legislature.

Please lift the coalition’s recent press event (here and here), and relevant social posts from OLÈ, NM Native Vote, ProgressNow NM, Equality NM, and ACLU NM.

Texas | Ask your Texas members to send a message to lawmakers to stop anti-voter efforts to establish a “election police force,” impose harsh criminal penalties for making a mistake while voting, and outlaw the use of our public schools as voting locations.

Wisconsin | All Voting is Local Action and partners are calling on the Senate Majority Leader to rescind Bob Spendill’s appointment to the WI Election Commission.

Here is a sample letter to lawmakers to call on Sen. LeMahieu to rescind the appointment.

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

1-18-23

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to our weekly update email with some of the most urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now. If you’d like to join the coalition to receive more state updates or help contribute to this digest, please reach out and we will add you to the listserve/Slack. Please ask your in-state members to take action ASAP!

Pennsylvania | Partners are urging the PA House of Representatives to stop abusing the constitutional amendment process and they need your help sending email and text messages. Here are talking points and sample messages to lawmakers.

Minnesota | The We Choose Us Coalition is urging both chambers to act NOW to protect and expand our democracy by restoring voting rights to individuals with prior criminal convictions, implementing automatic voter registration, and taking money out of politics to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Here is the grassroots toolkit.

New Mexico | Please help the statewide, grassroot coalition pass the New Mexico Voting Rights Act by signing this support letter to be sent to the state legislature.

Wisconsin | All Voting is Local Action and partners are calling on the Senate Majority Leader to rescind Bob Spendill’s appointment to the WI Election Commission

Here is a sample letter to lawmakers to call on Sen. LeMahieu to rescind the appointment.

If you have any questions, please reach out!

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

1-11-23

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to our weekly update email with some of the most urgent state-level democracy reform campaigns that need national support now. If you’d like to join the coalition to receive more state updates or help contribute to this digest, please reach out and we will add you to the listserve/Slack. Please ask your in-state members to take action ASAP!

Pennsylvania | In-state partners are asking constituents to message lawmakers, especially state House legislators, to urge them to stop abusing the constitutional amendment process to limit access to the ballot (including proposed voter ID + gov. regulatory power).

Here is a sample message to lawmakers.

Minnesota |The Democracy for the People Act (HF 3/SF3), an omnibus package of pro-voter reforms including AVR, rights restoration for people on parole/probation, pre-registration of 16/17-year-olds, and democracy dollars, was introduced.

Join the We Choose Us coalition and Minnesota partners for a Pro-Democracy Agenda Launch on January 17, 2023 at 9:30am in Saint Paul. Register and recruit other activists to attend.

Nebraska | Initiative 432 passed requiring voters to present “valid” photo ID to vote. The legislature now must determine what constitutes valid ID.

Join Common Cause Nebraska and partners to ask your members in Nebraska to publish letters to editors to ensure that all Nebraskans can vote with ease.

New York | Good government groups are advocating for both hand-marked paper ballots and electronic voting machines at each polling site.

Please sign Smart Legislation’s sign-on letter requesting public comment on potentially insecure voting machines. And learn more about legislation to establish strong election protections here.

Also, join Common Cause New York’s ‘Let’s Talk Leg: The Beginning of Session’ webinar on January 12, 2023 at 5:30PM, to receive the latest legislative updates.

Disinformation Newsletter | Please fill out this form to subscribe to the weekly disinformation newsletter.

If you have any questions, please reach out!

Izzy (Common Cause)
YT (Leadership Conference)
Brett (Stand Up America)

Weekly Digest » Archive Page

Archive: Weekly State Democracy Amplification Digest

Archive of Weekly Digest Meetings

May 9th, 2024

May 2nd, 2024

April 25th, 2024

April 18th, 2024

April 11th, 2024

April 4th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

3/21/24

3/14/24

3/08/24

3/01/24

2/26/24

2/12/24

2/1/24

1/29/24

1/22/24

1/08/24

11/1/23

10/26/23

10/23/23

10/12/23

10/05/23

9/28/23

9/21/23

9/13/23

9/6/23

8/31/23

8/24/23

8/17/23

8/10/23

8/3/23

7/26/23

7/20/23

7/13/23

7/5/23

6/28/23

6/22/23

6/14/23

6/08/23

6/01/23

5/24/23

5/17/23

5/11/23

5/04/23

4/26/23

4/19/23

4/12/23

4/5/23

3/30/23

3/23/23

3/15/23

3/8/23

3/1/23

2-22-23

2-16-23

2-8-23

2-1-23

1-25-23

1-18-23

1-11-23

Join the Fight

Add’l Links

Spread the word

Partners

This Campaign Is PowereD By: