Keeping you connected to what’s happening at The Union and sharing news about our ongoing work to oppose anti-democratic forces in American elections.

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The Soapbox

The Union’s newsletter for our 59,000+ volunteers

We have resolved to join forces to help preserve our Union, our Republic, and our democracy.

September 14, 2022
THE SOAPBOX will keep you connected to what’s happening at The Union and share news about our work to oppose anti-democratic forces in America.

State of the Union: Just 55 days remain until Election Day. Rule breakers, election deniers, obstructionists, and others make up the terrible threat that is the Trump extremist fringe. At The Union we are rallying Democrats, Republicans, and Independents with a single-minded focus to preserve and defend our democracy.

This past week brought renewed attention to the threat these anti-democratic forces pose to a free and fair vote on Election Day and our democracy overall. In a rules-be-damned strategy, their intent for November 8 is to disrupt voting preparations and intimidate voters and poll workers like they did in 2020. We can never forget Ruby Freeman’s powerful testimony at a congressional hearing this summer.

VIDEO: Georgia election worker intimidation ([link removed])

The Playbook: While we’re pleased to see reports about improving prospects for pro-democracy candidates in November, each of us must continue to do the work to protect our country from the chaos the Trump extremist crowd desires. Here are key messages to carry forward this week:
* Plan and protect your vote. Vote411 ([link removed]) is a good resource to check your registration, voter registration deadlines, and when absentee / early voting starts in your state.
* Allies to Trump are coordinating extensive disruptions to the preparations for November voting.
* Unbelievably, 60% of Americans will find a 2020 election denier on their November ballot.
* While the midterm election outlook isn’t as dire as it was earlier this summer, we are a long way from victory. There is no time to rest as we work to protect democracy.
* The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a new round of 30+ subpoenas to Trump officials as it broadens the probe of the former president’s fundraising, fake electors, and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
* Congressional hearings about January 6 will soon return to examine Trump’s “Stop the Steal” post-election fundraising grift and potential obstruction of justice by the Secret Service following its agents’ destruction of evidence related to the Capitol attack.
* Sen. Lindsey Graham unites Democrats and divides GOP with extreme abortion legislation.

The Pulse: The respected Cook Political Report bolstered a developing point of view that this election cycle will be unlike past midterms. More analysts are saying the odds are increasing that the U.S. Senate will remain in the Democrat’s control while Republican gains in the U.S. House will be minimal, possibly not enough to take control. It also takes a close look at how Democratic candidates are overperforming Biden’s vote performance in 2020.

Cook Political Report digs into midterms, Biden approval ([link removed])

Trump extremists are disrupting voting preparations: Local officials are sounding the alarm about an unmistakably coordinated effort to swamp elections offices with information requests about the 2020 election. Such requests are routine, but the scale and timing of this coordinated effort by Trump loyalists is unprecedented. It encompasses more than two dozen states and scores of counties. Their requests, often identical, are a deliberate attempt to paralyze preparations for the 2022 vote – including voter registrations, absentee voting, and logistics for Election Day itself.

A coordinated attack on voting preparations ([link removed])

Sixty percent of Americans have an election denier on their 2022 ballot: As Election Day nears, this is a sobering realization that the reach of election deniers is extensive. We must remain engaged and press forward to defeat those who intend to dismantle the basic tenets of our democracy.

Election deniers will be on 60% of ballots ([link removed])

MAGA candidates in five states threaten democracy: Trump extremist gubernatorial and secretary of state candidates in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin will exert tremendous power over the 2024 presidential election if they win this November. Each state is a prized swing state in 2024. And each of these Republican election deniers has promised to make it more difficult to vote. They will erect barriers to voting, create chaos in vote counting, and incite uncertainty during the 2024 Electoral College.

2022 MAGA candidates in five states threaten 2024 chaos ([link removed])

Michigan GOP encourages poll workers to violate rules: As Election Day approaches, Republican officials in Michigan are encouraging their poll workers to break the rules governing what election observers can do at polling places. This may just be a preview of the disarray we’ll see on November 8 across the country.

Michigan Republicans prepare to disrupt Election Day ([link removed])

Trump fundraising and fake elector scheme get renewed scrutiny: The DOJ issued 30+ subpoenas to current and former Trump staff last week. Investigators are seeking information in the ongoing grand jury probe of the former president’s PAC fundraising and his scheme to use fake electors in a failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Trump’s PAC raised more than $250 million and many are questioning if the money is being spent in compliance with federal election law.

Trump PAC and fake-elector scheme under scrutiny ([link removed])
Jan 6 committee video on Trump fundraising ([link removed])

Get ready for new blockbuster January 6 hearings: The congressional committee investigating Trump’s assault on the U.S. Capitol will reconvene soon and wow does it look like they have a blockbuster agenda lined up for a September 28 hearing. The committee is expected to dive into Trump’s fund-raising grift that he and others used to bilk more than $250 million from donors. We also expect to learn more about the actions of the Secret Service on January 6 and what agents may have done to destroy evidence and obstruct the investigation into what happened that day.

Blockbuster January 6 hearings return ([link removed])

Graham’s extreme abortion bill unites Democrats and splinters GOP: U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham introduced extreme abortion ban legislation yesterday just as Republican candidates are trying to hide and obscure their restrictive stances on the issue. The legislation adds new urgency to reproductive rights just weeks before the midterms as abortion rights advocates sound the alarm following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.

Graham abortion bill unites Democrats, divides GOP ([link removed])

Field Team 6 is activating grassroots action: The Union is fortunate to partner with great organizations that share our mission to protect democracy from the Trump extremist-fringe. Last week we held a virtual speed-dating-style event with Field Team 6 to introduce volunteers to an array of ways to engage and activate voters in swing states.

Learn more at the next Volunteer Fair ([link removed])

Early voting nears: It’s time to check your voter registration and be sure your friends and family are all registered. Absentee and early voting options will be available soon. The rules vary so please check your state’s voting guidelines at Vote411.org to plan your vote.

Plan your vote ([link removed])
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Plan your vote and vote early
Invite a friend: With less than two months to go before the election, please find time to reach out and invite even just one friend to Join the Union today ([link removed]) .

Thank you for helping to defend democracy.

Together,

The Union

P.S. Do you have news or feedback to share? Please reply to this email.
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The Union is a single issue, pro-democracy coalition. While the Union is supported in its launch by The Lincoln Project and the reach of their 7 million followers, we are an independent, volunteer-driven, self-organizing force of people, partners, and actions aligned in defense of our democracy.

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