[[link removed]]
John --
America is in a tough spot, with division many of us haven't seen in our lifetimes. And when you trace it back to the source, we can credit so much of it to the extremes that make up a tiny fraction of our country, yet dominate politics.
How do they manage to do it? Why do otherwise reasonable leaders capitulate to them? It's simple, but something so few Americans realize: Our primary problem is our primary elections.
Look, there are always going to be crazy people; extremist ideologues or cultist partisans (or a combination thereof, as we've seen in recent years). We can't and shouldn't expect them to disappear. But they sure as heck shouldn't be in charge of anything!
What people don't realize is that in most districts, 3-8% of voters decide who will represent everyone else in the state legislature and Congress. That's how few people typically vote in the dominant party's primary, and since the vast majority of districts are designed to guarantee only one party can win, the primary really is the general.
And who disproportionately shows up for primary elections? The extremes. Which is why Country First is working on long term solutions to reforming our primary system WHILE also working in the short term to get as many Independents, Democrats, and disaffected Republicans to participate in primaries in which an anti-democracy politician would otherwise win. We call it PRIMARY FIRST [[link removed]] .
Support PRIMARY FIRST [[link removed]]
That's what we did in 2022 with great success, and we're scaling that success in 2024! Shortly, we'll be rolling out our programs for the election year, which will provide amazing opportunities for people to invest their time, talents, and treasure to save American democracy. And best of all, our programs offer a fountain of hope, felt through the diverse community of good, reasonable people we've attracted to the cause.
Yes, there are going to be disappointments and setbacks. There will be times that feel like a step backward. But we must not forget the victories, the advances, and the sacrifices that have brought us to this movement and this opportunity to leave our kids and grandkids a stronger America than the one we inherited.
And we will do it,
Together,
Country First Team
Support Our Critical Mission [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
See something of interest? All are welcome! Click on the event to register.
COMING UP @ COUNTRY FIRST
Thursday, 11/16 : An Evening with Adam Kinzinger (Los Angeles Book Tour) [[link removed]]
Monday, 11/20 : Communications Working Group [[link removed]]
Tuesday, 11/21 : Electoral Reform Working Group [[link removed]]
Monday, 11/27 : HQ Open Forum [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Each week, Country First highlights a key volunteer who has demonstrated placing Country over Party. If you would like to submit someone who has made a positive impact on your experience with Country First, please email [email protected] [[email protected]] .
MEET STEVEN GYALAI
Where are you from?
I am from Canton, Ohio. Having retired from U.S. District Court Federal Probation and Pretrial Services System, I am especially proud to have served my country and the wonderful Federal Judges I served under in three separate Judicial Districts. I took my oath to the Constitution seriously and am incensed by those that choose to abuse their oath to the country!
What has been your focus at Country First?
My focus is to support those who have the courage to stand up -- like Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Rep. Liz Cheney -- to those who choose selfish self interest over country.
What was your motivation for joining Country First and how did you hear about us?
I was impressed with Rep. Kinzinger’s honesty and integrity in the face of great criticism, which is what attracted me to Country First.
What are your hopes for America in the coming years and generations?
We will move beyond the current threat to our democracy because we have a strong judicial system. The world is watching and we set the standard to which other countries aspire. History will treat those who tried to overturn a just election very poorly!
Thank you, Steven, for all of your hard work and dedication to promoting and preserving democracy!
[[link removed]]
RANKED CHOICE VOTING
CBS News Minnesota [[link removed]] : Good Question: How Does Ranked Choice Voting Work?
Minnesotans go to the polls in just three weeks, and in several cities, you don't have to pick just one candidate. Watch this video to learn more about how ranked-choice voting works.
ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Associated Press [[link removed]] : Wisconsin Judge Rules That GOP-Controlled Senate’s Vote to Fire Top Elections Official Had No Effect
A vote by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin [[link removed]] Senate last month to fire the state’s nonpartisan top elections official had no legal effect, and lawmakers are barred from ousting her while a lawsuit plays out, a Dane County judge ruled on Friday. Administrator “Meagan Wolfe will continue serving as head of the Wisconsin Elections Commission pending a decision on whether elections commissioners are legally required to appoint someone for the Senate to confirm,” Judge Ann Peacock said.
GERRYMANDERING
MSNBC [[link removed]] : North Carolina’s GOP May Have Cracked the Gerrymander Code
Federal courts have ordered Georgia and Alabama to remake their congressional maps. But North Carolina may have found a cheat code. “North Carolina Republicans are probably the nation’s most dedicated gerrymanderers [[link removed]] . They haven’t always been the most successful [[link removed]] in the long term, but they’ve always been ready to bounce back and try again [[link removed]] . And with a new congressional map approved last Wednesday, they may have actually found a map that will stick [[link removed]] — and potentially decide control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.”
ABC News [[link removed]] : Which States Could Get New Congressional Maps in 2024?
More than a half-dozen states face the prospect of having to go through the redistricting process again, mostly due to federal and/or state litigation over racial or partisan gerrymandering concerns. Both Democrats and Republicans have the opportunity to flip seats in districts drawn more favorably than they were last cycle. Read this piece to know which states to watch.
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
NPR [[link removed]] : More Americans Say They Support Political Violence Ahead of the 2024 Election
Tensions are high among American voters ahead of presidential contests next year, according to a new national survey [[link removed]] released Wednesday by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in partnership with the Brookings Institution. Researchers found that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe democracy is 'at risk' in the upcoming presidential election — and about a quarter of those surveyed said they think "American patriots may have to resort to violence to save the country."
[[link removed]]
SHOP [[link removed]] our Limited Edition Signed Copies of Renegade by Adam Kinzinger!
BRING a friend to one of our events!
Join one of our Volunteer Working Groups! As a grassroots coalition, Country First is dedicated to providing each member with the opportunity to contribute to the success of the movement. National Volunteer Working Groups are separated by interest and are aligned with one of Country First’s key pillars.
Election Reform [[link removed]]
Political Research [[link removed]]
Communications [[link removed]]
Mending Divisions [[link removed]]
Get Involved [[link removed]]
Support the Mission [[link removed]]
Wear the Cause [[link removed]]
Country First
PO Box 2385
Ottawa, IL 61350
United States
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .