CLCV Member,  

This is hard. We’ve all given so much to change our country this year, and
I’m fighting despair that our results aren’t more definitive and
sweeping. 

The truth is, we knew that we would need to be patient and take the time
to count every vote. We knew that the electoral college would be our
biggest obstacle to electoral progress, and that remained true (more to
come on this). We also knew that change happens from the bottom up and
that has been further proven as well.

There’s a lot we don’t know as we wait to #CountEveryVote, but there’s a
real pathway nationally for a Biden presidency in the next couple of days.
And, with your help, we have some powerful wins projected in California.
This morning I’m reminding myself that democracy is work that takes place
365 days a year and this isn’t over.

Here’s what we do know:

* A record, historic number of Americans voted, in the midst of a
pandemic. A surge of young voters turned out around the country, many
for the first time. Vice President Biden will get millions more votes
than Trump and win the popular vote. 
* There is a slim and unlikely path for Democrats to take control of the
Senate. Democrats will keep the majority in the House, but lose seats
to Republicans. 
* Big Oil had a bad night in California, with CLCV and our partners
getting some key wins in the State Legislature, resulting in a net
gain of climate champions in the Senate. 
* Key propositions in California, like Props 15, 16, and 18 are
struggling, with more votes to count. Prop 17, re-enfranchising voters
on parole, has passed!
* We are ahead in some key local battleground races.

Now, we have to take the time to count every vote. People stood in line
for hours and their voices need to be heard.

The Electoral College Has to Go

It’s difficult to know what the final outcome will be, except to
acknowledge that it will be closer than we all would have wanted despite
historic and unprecedented turnout numbers. Biden will win the popular
vote but that doesn’t matter with the electoral college. What is as clear
as ever is that the electoral college and senate malapportionment are
structures built to give more power to the votes of white people across
our country. These structures are working as designed. Democracy and
justice require we take this fight on. 

But for today, our collective job is to stay patient and engaged. There is
still so much we don’t know, and let’s commit to this process and see it
through. 

Thank you for staying with us in this fight,

Mary Creasman 

Chief Executive Officer

California League of Conservation Voters

 

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We believe that radical change is necessary and only by transforming our political system will we create the opportunity to take bold action on climate change. We elect and cultivate environmental champions, turn election victories into policy wins, hold our lawmakers accountable, and build political power for change. We inspire hope and action and fight for equity and justice for all Californians. We are in the business of changing what’s possible.

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