Voting Matters!

Voter turnout is critical for any election- especially mid-terms, yet most young people are never asked to register to vote. The Civics Center is changing this and YOU can be an agent for change. Find out here what you can do and ways you can help.

National Week of Conversation

June 14-20th is the National Week of Conversation. We invite you to check out the Franklin Project's week’s events and speakers and plan your own events to discuss the issues threatening our democracy. Consider hosting your first Junto Club meeting! Highlight your experiences on social media by using the hashtag #ListenFirst.

Support the supportive Georgia businesses

As you know, legislation has been introduced in several states which limit the accessibility of voting to people of fewer means and people of color. Tzedek encourages individuals to reach out to heads of Georgia based corporations to exhibit their influence. Click here to participate.

Run For Something

“Stop the Steal” believers are insinuating themselves into all levels of government. The solution is to offer talented, responsible candidates to run for city council, school boards, registrars, judgeships, county supervisors, and more. Many local elected positions have only one candidate. As the right wing is mobilized to run for these offices, we should be, too! If you have never considered running for office, check out Run for Something, which recruits, trains, and mentors first-time candidates. If you can’t run for office, find someone in your life who can, and encourage them to do so.

The California Recall Matters to Everyone

         The campaign to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom met the threshold to trigger an election on the question of recalling Newsom. The California process is confusing. On the recall ballot, if a voter wants to retain Governor Newsom, the voter must vote "No" (i.e., against recall). Newsom will not even be on the ballot as an affirmative choice. The only candidates on the ballot will be those who would replace Newsom if the recall effort succeeds. If Newsom is recalled, the candidate who replaces him need not win a majority to be elected governor. The race currently has dozens of candidates in waiting, including many Republicans with strong name recognition (e.g., Caitlyn Jenner). In other words, in a solidly Democratic state, the next governor could be a Republican who wins with 20% of the vote.

 Here's potentially the worst part.  In California, if a U.S Senator leaves office, the replacement is appointed by the Governor! If Senator Dianne Feinstein were unable to serve out her term, it is theoretically possible that a Republican governor could appoint her replacement. If Newsom is recalled and a Republican replaces him, Mitch McConnell would then replace Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority leader!

          If you are a California Democrat who signed the petition to recall Newsom out of frustration, you have 30 days to change your mind and ask to have your name removed from the petition. Because 30% of those signing petition were Democrats, they have the power to stop the recall effort in its tracks. See KCRA, "Newsom recall: Here's California's recall process for governor and what to expect next." A voter wishing to withdraw his or her signature must submit a written request to their county elections official to have their signature removed from the petition.  There is no specific format required; however, the withdrawal must include the following: voter's name, residence address (at time of signing the recall petition), voter's signature.

          While the odds are against the recall, we can't leave anything to chance. If you are a California registered voter who signed the recall petition, please reconsider your action and the potential consequences. You can also help spread the word. See "Women Against the Recall."

actions against voter suppression

Support For the People Act HR-1/S-1

Fair Fight Action has launched a massive national story collection program to reach out to voters outside of Georgia to collect voting stories to help demonstrate to Congress the need for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For The People Act. Click on the link to learn more about the program and to sign up for the training. 

                 "Those who tell the stories rule the world."                                              Hopi Indian proverb

LET’S SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY TOGETHER!!!!!

Central Valley Matters: Growing the Grassroots

We want to tell you about a very exciting new group. They call themselves Central Valley Matters, and they are working to promote grassroots organizations that can make a difference in the lives of the people who live in District 21.

Congressional District 21 is currently represented by Republican David Valadao, who won the House race against TJ Cox by only 1500 votes.  We know that this area has one of the lowest rates of voter registration and lowest rates of voter engagement in California.  We also know that the Spanish speaking community, which is the majority of the population, is woefully underrepresented in any leadership positions.  Central Valley Matters is working hard to change this. 

Through careful vetting, they chose three groups embedded in their communities working to empower and engage their neighbors.

Dolores Huerta Foundation 501(c)3 (Kern)

Valley Voices a 501(c)3 (Kings)

Valley Forward a 501(c)3  (Fresno)

These groups are hiring local canvasser/activists in Dist 21 with all our help and support. The activist/canvassers are fluent in Spanish, well trained and need the employment. These techniques are the same as those used in Georgia to win the Senate. As trusted messengers, they will bring about lasting change in the Central Valley.  Democracy doesn't happen overnight and lasting change needs time to develop.

The people of the Central Valley need us!  Not only are those in the Central Valley among the poorest people in our state, but they are also the hard working people who harvest much of the food we eat.  We can make a difference toward democracy in our own state.

It takes a village to raise a child and a country full of people dedicated to justice to make Democracy work.