We've Got A Whopper!
Happy Tuesday, Activists!
Well, you could call this one a whopper. We have a LOT for you today so buckle up.
But first, the good news! You may have seen that at 8:00 last night the Supreme Court released its ruling on the regime's plan to change our mail-in ballot voting. The Court has prevented them from putting their restrictions in place. But because it is an injunction, and the litigation will continue, it does protect us for this election but likely not yet for 2028 unless the Court rules again in the same way. You can read more detail here.
And before you dive into all the actions we have for you, do you wonder what voters are thinking now? Check out this Guardian article (no subscription needed) with the op-ed from Indivisible co-directors Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin about what voters are the most angry about and the general election messaging we need to crush Trump-aligned candidates this November. Indivisible just completed the poll with Lake Research Partners on the issues and messaging.
Our biggest job right now? Getting out the vote. We have several ways for you to do that below. Keep in mind that we need to win big this November to reduce the threats to take away our votes or that the vote was "rigged" at all. So you can find what works for you and sign up! |
This time we won't be marching for No Kings. This time it's all about securing the vote. We do that in two ways: 1) Election Protection efforts, see below; and 2) "Banking" the votes early - where we encourage voters to sign up for a mail-in ballot and to drop their voted ballot off in a drop box or at a Satellite Election Office early. That's Pennsylvania's idea of voting early.
Here's how we help voters bank their votes early. Our No Kings events will be at the Philadelphia Satellite Election Offices (SEOs). You can see the list of all those offices at this link. The idea is that a voter can apply for a mail-in ballot, hand it in at the SEO, get their ballot back and vote the ballot, and then drop it in the drop box at the SEO - all in one quick trip! That can start happening today!
We all need to show up so voters know that voting in our state is safe and secure! The more we show up with bigger numbers at the events, the more comfortable folks will be to be part of the vote. And it'll be fun! We'll have balloons, signs, maybe some food and music (if you'd like to provide some music reply to this newsletter and let me know!).
After you check out the map of the SEOs, please tell us which office you want to go to at this link. We'll have two shifts so also sign up for a shift at this link.
When: Saturday, October 17, 2 shifts 10:00 - 12:30 & 12:30 - 3:00 Where: Again, see the locations of the SEO offices at this link and then tell us which office you want to go to at this link. Sign up for a shift at this link.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP PROTECT OUR VOTES We all need to do our part! Take your pick on which role you will fill.
BE A POLL OBSERVER Poll Observers are the eyes and ears on the ground at polling places across the state on election day. They assist voters and ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot. The PA Dems Voter Protection Team will train, assign, and support you to make sure that you are as effective as possible on Election Day. Sign up here with the PA Dems for the training and to learn more.
This virtual session is required for anyone volunteering with one or more of the following PA Dems Voter Protection programs: Voter Assistance Hotline, Voter Assistance Textline, Ballot Cure. Sign up to help make sure voters get their ballots counted! When: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at various times.
ELECTION OFFICE MONITOR TRAININGS As an Election Office Monitor, you will be an outside observer of county election office locations during mail ballot voting to gather information about office procedures, monitor for issues, assist voters, and report observations to PA Dems staff for follow up and resolution. This role requires attending one 60-minute virtual training.** This year, we expect more satellite election offices and a greater interest in over-the-counter voting. EOMs will play a crucial role in protecting the earliest stage of the process. Shifts for this role are allotted in 4 hour increments. Sign up here.
BALLOT COUNT CANVASS OBSERVER TRAINING Beginning tomorrow, September 16. As a Canvass Observer, you will help ensure every vote is counted by monitoring the pre-canvassing and canvassing of ballots, providing progress updates, and reporting any irregularities to the Voter Protection Team. This role requires attending one 60 minute virtual training.** Shifts for this role are allotted in 6 hour increments.
VOLUNTEER RECRUITERS You can do it right now! Help us call prospective volunteers to encourage them to get involved. These are the friendliest phone banks ever. We are reaching out to prior volunteers to help them re-engage. We will train and support you as you make calls. Sign up here.
HERE'S HOW WE BANK YOUR VOTE EARLY
Even with last night's SCOTUS ruling, we hope you are signing up for a mail-in ballot. And this is what we're during with voters for No Kings 4. Remember you need to do it every year. Check your voter registration at this link and on the same page you'll see whether you've signed up for a mail-in ballot this year.
The deadline to sign up for a mail-in ballot is October 27 by 5:00 pm. If you haven't signed up, do it today! Here is all the information to sign up.
The ballots are likely coming out this week. Once you get yours, vote the ballot soon. And then drop it off at a drop box or at a Satellite Election Office's drop box. Here is the list of all of them. Once you drop off your ballot you'll know that it will go to the election office.
Once you have dropped off your ballot, check the status at this link.
CANVASS AND TALK TO VOTERS
It's that time again - time to talk to voters! We are going to Bensalem to canvass for Eileen Abillar, who is running for state Senate. The candidates in this coordinated campaign are also Bob Harvie running against Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Bryan Allen, running for State House. They are terrific candidates with a real chance to flip these seats. We canvassed last Sunday and it was great - good conversations with a lot of voters.
Democrats only need to flip three state Senate seats to take over that part of the legislature (Dems already control the House by one seat). Then we'll have the governor, senate and house - the trifecta! And there is nothing that will impact Philadelphians more than a trifecta in Harrisburg. Imagine that - higher minimum wage, protected women's healthcare access, fully funding public schools. The list goes on for what can be/will be done!
When: This Sunday, 10:15 - 2:00 (including drive time) Where: Location to be provided once you sign up. Sign up here to canvass this Sunday in Bensalem. It's only a 30-minute drive from center city and we have a car pool! Reply to this email if you want to carpool.
VOTER REGISTRATION
For each event, we'll provide all the materials you need and a quick training at the beginning. Registering voters will boost turnout in this November's election.
IF YOU FIND YOU CANNOT MAKE IT, PLEASE EMAIL US AT THIS LINK That way someone else can go off the wait list and take your spot.
Philly AIDS Thrift - Where: 710 S 5th St, Philadelphia When: Saturday, September 19, Noon - 4:00 pm (2 shifts) When: Saturday, September 26 - this is the annual block party! 12 - 6:00 pm - 3 shifts. And more coming!
Donuts and Democracy! This looks like fun! It's registering students on college campuses and attracts them with what they like most - donuts! When: TOMORROW 12 - 4:00 at Temple University or until the donuts run out! Other dates are Thursday September 24 at Drexel, and Friday 9/25 - Community College of Philadelphia. Sign up and learn more by emailing the organizer (one of our volunteers, Paula). Have fun!
MAKE CALLS TO VOTERS!
Phone banking and talking to other humans is a key driver of votes. You can do just that by taking your pick below. Training is always part of the beginning of the sessions.
1. Let's go to Ohio and call voters for Sherrod Brown! Indivisible's phone bank to Ohio voters to support Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate, and U.S. Congressional candidates Brian Poindexter (OH-07), and Don Leonard (OH-15) to represent them in DC. TOMORROW, September 16, 5:30 pm. Sign up here and learn more about it.
2. Indivisible’s phone bank partnership with mega-popular romance podcast Fated Mates is BACK. Sign up for the first Fated States phone bank of the midterms to make calls to Georgia voters in support of Sen. Jon Ossoff this Saturday, September 19 at 1:00. Come for the important chats with voters; stay for the giveaways, guest visitors, and camaraderie with fellow romance readers! These Indivisble/Fated States phone banks will continue every Saturday until the election. Paid for by Indivisible Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Sign up here and see more information about it.
3. Join Turn PA Blue and make calls all over Pennsylvania. Several days per week so take your pick! Sign up here and learn more about it.
NO DATA CENTERS IN PHILLY!
You may have missed this, but two data centers are being proposed in Philadelphia - one in Northeast Philly and one in the southwest. These will increase our costs significantly - reportedly costing us: $840 annual increase in our electric bills, 600,000 asthma cases annually nationwide, and $1.3 billion in extra costs already covered by Pennsylvanians from 2024 - 2025.
What can you do? We must call our City Council members and tell them you want the City to set a data center moratorium. You can find your councilmember at this link.
AND you can sign the petition to tell City Council they must put a moratorium on data centers until we have guardrails in place to protect the people.
And A Few More Things:
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