You should read it. In fact, anyone interested in voters’ rights and election integrity should read it.
Written by Stacy Abrams and Lauren Groh-Wargo, the article lays out the steps taken to turn Georgia blue. They sum it up this way:
“The steps toward victory are straightforward: understand your weaknesses, organize with your allies, shore up your political infrastructure and focus on the long game.”
And they’re correct. Now, let me stop here to address a few obvious questions: Q: Isn’t this a political article celebrating Democrats and isn’t True the Vote supposed to be nonpartisan and nonpolitical? A: True the Vote is neither partisan nor political. But that’s not the point. Q:Why would you draw attention to a politically focused article written by Stacy Abrams given thatshe’s publicly accused True the Vote of voter intimidation and suppression? A: Well…it’s worse that that.We have been sued by and are countersuing Stacy Abrams’
group Fair Fight Action. They sued us to stop Georgia voters from filing elector challenges. We countersued to protect citizens’ rights to petition their government without fear of intimidation or abuse. But that’s not the point. You should read this article to understand their commitment to strategy, tactics, and execution. Now reflect
on what your own experience has been as it relates to election integrity. Even if you’ve never actually worked in an election just by virtue of living through the 2020 election cycle I suspect you have opinions. OK, hang in here with me…. Let’s revise the quote:
“The steps toward election integrity are straightforward: understand current weaknesses, organize with your allies, shore up your constitutional infrastructure and focus on the long game.”
Election integrity was hit hard in 2020.Really, really hard.Disciplined strategy and tactical execution were in short supply. It was incredibly painful, but it happened. And we can never let it happen again. The steps are straightforward:
We have to understand and address weaknesses… there are many ways to look at weakness, but improvements are already being made on some fronts. States are rallying to support much-needed election reforms.Support your state representatives and help them hold the line against the coming federal overreach.
We have to organize with allies….ok, this hits closer to home.What organizations are you affiliated with? What is their stance on election integrity? Could you help bring groups together?Even special interest groups have an interest in election integrity. Picture connected organizations across your county working in 2022 to ensure every polling place is filled with volunteers, every voter record is checked, and all eyes are on election accountability.For now, just think about this, think about who you know, think about connections. The organizing will start soon.
We have to shore up our constitutional infrastructure…the Abrams’ article called it ‘political infrastructure’, but election integrity transcends politics. In 2020 we watched as constitutional standards were spiked. A tsunami of lawsuits, bureaucrat fiats, and last-minute rule changes set our country on a
jumbled journey of confusion and lawlessness. More could have been done to stop this. More should have been done. But now, forewarned is forearmed. We know HR1/S1 is setting up the unconstitutional federalization of elections. God forbid it passes, but if it does we must be ready to stand together in opposition to it, through legislation, litigation, and citizen-engagement.
Lastly, we must focus on the long game. Election standards have been eroding for a long, long time. And after what we just went through it will take time to restore the public trust. Stay engaged.
True the Vote’s 2021 plans will follow these steps.Right now, the dust is still settling.More and more information will be available in the months ahead. Shocking facts will come to light. Secure apps and organizing platforms will be launched. There will be projects you can be part of. For now, please take a minute and read Stacy Abrams’ article, think through the above steps, call your county (if you didn’t do it, see last week’s email), and … stay connected. Yes, these are chaotic times, but we are made stronger through adversity.Do not give up.Focus on the long game. Working together, we really can true the vote.
There is still a great deal more yet to be done in the fight for the vote.
You can be a part of the process along with True the Vote. Just staying informed as citizen by receiving all our news and updates, you'll be helping to ensure the health of our system.
You can be an integral part of citizen-led efforts to ensure the integrity of your local ballot process. And with new apps and new ways to help right in your own backyard, you'll have phenomenal tools to get the job done right.
Don't wait. After all that's happened, after all the hardship of the last year, let's not waste one more minute just watching. Let's start doing something about it, together.
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