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 60,000+ volunteers
We have resolved to join forces to help preserve our Union,
our Republic, and our democracy.
September 28, 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: As absentee / early voting opens across the country, getting out the vote must be our top priority for the next 41 days. Thanks to your hard work these past 10 months voters recognize the grave threat to democracy Donald Trump and his cult pose to America.
Check out these opportunities ([link removed]) to volunteer in your community.
THE PLAYBOOK: Winning down-ballot contests for state attorneys general, secretaries of state, and county and local offices are essential to protect democracy. Many election deniers are running for these positions that oversee voting. The Union is regularly promoting ways to help in these critical down-ballot contests. Here are key messages to carry forward this week:
* Plan and protect your vote. Vote411 ([link removed]) is a good resource where you can check your registration, voter registration deadlines, and when absentee / early voting starts in your state.
* Voter interest in the midterms is at 64%, an all-time high. The 60,000+ volunteers of The Union are focused on turning that interest into pro-democracy votes on Nov. 8.
* The seditious conspiracy trial for leaders of the Oath Keepers has begun. They are charged with planning the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
* Down-ballot candidates are working to protect democracy and need our help.
* Trump is poised to unleash $100 million to help election denying candidates.
The Pulse: Voter interest has reached an all-time high for any midterm election. Sixty-four percent of voters say they have a high interest (9 or 10 on a 10-pt. scale) in the upcoming election. This should bode well for pro-democracy candidates if we can turn that interest into getting voters to the polls.
Interest in election reaches all-time high ([link removed])
The down-ballot fight to save democracy: News headlines these days are focused on the big-ticket races for Congress and governorships. But down-ballot races for secretary of state, attorney general, and county and local offices can be just as important to free and fair elections. Here’s a look at a few of the pro-democracy candidates on the frontlines of this fight.
Standing in the way of election deniers and conspiracy believers ([link removed])
Voter intimidation starts ahead of midterms: People across the country are being intimidated by canvassers visiting their homes to ‘check’ on their voter registration status. The canvassers often lead people to believe that they represent local election boards claiming to be looking for election fraud. It is all a lie and a terrifying but inevitable outcome of the endless conspiracy laden rants from Trump and his election-denying cult of followers.
Voter intimidation starts ahead of midterms ([link removed])
Outrage motivates action: The gripping testimony of Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss during a January 6th committee hearing on the attack on the U.S. Capitol outraged us all. And that outrage is now turning into action as civic minded citizens are signing up to be poll workers for the upcoming elections.
Turning outrage into action at the polls ([link removed])
Become a poll worker on election day ([link removed])
Hiding in plain sight: The New York Times editorial board wrote last Friday that the mission of Trump’s cult is to “take over America’s election infrastructure.” They go on to say that “All those who value democracy have a role to play in strengthening and supporting the electoral system that powers it . . . It means getting involved in elections as canvassers, poll watchers or precinct officers.”
This Threat to Democracy Is Hiding in Plain Sight ([link removed])
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Reality is knocking on Trump’s front door: The justice system last week was a loser for Trump. Judges he appointed ordered his lawyers to put up or shut up and offer real evidence (not imaginary conspiracy theories) that proves Trump’s claims that stolen secret documents were declassified, and that the FBI planted evidence at Mar-a-Lago. With a separate $250 million civil case against him in New York, the former president increasingly finds himself trapped by his own words and deeds.
Reality moves into Trump World ([link removed])
The justice system is closing in on Trump ([link removed])
Trump strikes out with his appointed judges ([link removed])
Trump retreats to Fantasy Island: In a truly bizarre interview, Trump claimed that he could declassify documents by merely thinking it. The interview must have been conducted from Fantasy Island - where Trump Wine is sublime, Trump Taj Mahal still makes money, and Trump University delivers an Ivy League education. It’s pure fantasy from the mind of an unhinged and cornered huckster.
I think it so, and so it is ([link removed])
Trump readies a $100 million political war chest: We know that the former president’s legal woes will never deter his deranged assault on American democracy. Just last week he launched a new $100 million political organization, MAGA Inc. It’s his way of spending donor money to advance his narcissistic interests. When he decides, if he decides, to spend on other campaigns it will be about an ego-driven obsession to coerce candidates to bow down to him.
Trump’s $100 million war chest ([link removed])
Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial starts: The trial to hold leaders of the Oath Keepers accountable for their planned attack on the U.S. Capitol got underway yesterday in Washington, D.C. While nearly 900 people have been arrested and hundreds convicted for lesser crimes, this trial charges leaders of the Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy for their weeks-long plot to stop the transfer of power. We’ll be watching this afternoon’s January 6th hearing for any details connecting Trump and his advisors to this violent plot.
Seditious conspiracy trial starts for Jan. 6 attack leaders ([link removed])
GOP anti-voting lawsuits increase five-fold in 2022: The Democracy Docket ([link removed]) has found a dramatic increase in court challenges to voting rights by GOP groups. Nearly 400 lawsuits have been filed since 2020. These lawsuits appear to be another coordinated effort to obstruct voting.
Republican anti-democracy lawsuits on the rise ([link removed])
One stop shop for early voting information: Early / absentee voting is already underway in a handful of states. Here’s where you can find information to share with your friends and family as we all plan our vote for the midterms.
Plan your vote ([link removed])
Electoral Count Act reform makes progress in Congress: Bipartisan support is growing in Congress to reform the 1887 Electoral Count Act. The House has already passed its version of the legislation with some bipartisan support. In the Senate, at least 12 Republicans already support a bill that makes more limited, but still substantial reform. That is a filibuster proof majority with all 50 Democrats on board.
Progress is being made to reform the Electoral Count Act ([link removed])
Nevada Democratic Victory is committed to pro-democracy candidates: Our partner in this critical swing state is focused on in-person, hybrid phone-banking, and voter registration to elect Democrats on Nov. 8. Sen. Cortez Masto, Gov. Sisolak, AG Ford, and Cisco Aguilar, who is running for Sec. of State (and all the other pro-democracy candidates at the county and local level) deserve our support.
Here is how you can help ([link removed])
Invite a friend: You see this reminder at the bottom of almost every email we send. And we understand if it gets lost. But with 41 days left to do the work to defend our democracy (in this round, anyway) please, take the time to invite even just one friend to Join the Union ([link removed]) today.
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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