|
We have resolved to join forces to help preserve our Union,
our Republic, and our democracy.
October 5, 2022
|
|
THE SOAPBOX seeks to 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: The damage and heartache caused by Hurricane Ian has captured the nation’s concern. Political rivals put their differences aside last week to ensure those in harm’s way have the support they need now, and in the months to come. Even so, the midterms are just 34 days away and key races are tightening as voters are inundated with ads fueled by an unprecedented midterm spending surge. Please continue to do your good work to defend democracy from Trump and his cult of extremists.
THE PLAYBOOK: Significant threats to democracy continue to emerge as Election Day nears. We must stay focused on our work to preserve and protect it. The America First Secretary of State Coalition featured below is a particularly concerning threat. But local elections officials also face countless abusive court filings. Time and time again these meritless Trump-cult challenges are tossed out. But their goal is achieved: disrupt and distract from free and fair voting across the country.
- Plan and protect your vote. Vote411 is a good resource where you can check your registration, voter registration deadlines, and when absentee / early voting starts in your state.
- The need to get involved with GOTV efforts is critical as the anticipated surge in campaign spending begins and Trump extremists ramp up work to disrupt voting.
- Women voters have shifted significantly to Democrats following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
- The Supreme Court will hear two significant cases on democracy in its new term.
- The National Archives says it is still missing Trump White House documents.
THE PULSE: Key races have gotten much more competitive as spending surges. Remember that $10 billion prediction for spending on this year’s midterms? We are well on our way to that. Polling leads will swing back and forth in the remaining days to Election Day. Our job is to stay focused on our work – democracy first.
Campaign spending surge begins
The Lincoln Project’s Reed Galen asks Republicans to Flip It or Skip It: Celebrated Republican campaign strategist Reed Galen asked Republican voters to either flip their midterm vote to Democratic candidates, or simply skip voting all-together. There are too many anti-democracy seditionists on the ballot this year to do anything else.
Reed Galen asks Republicans to flip or skip midterm voting
Republican elected officials are endorsing Democrats for midterms: Republican elected officials across the country are endorsing Democrats over their Republican opposition. It is an encouraging trend that will, hopefully, continue to grow.
Republicans endorsing Democrats – it’s a thing now
Supreme Court to consider significant shift in electoral power: The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases critical to the future of American democracy during its new term that began this week. The cases are yet another reminder of how important our work is. We must ensure that we have a president and senators who will nominate and confirm judges committed to protecting democracy.
Supreme Court set to consider voting rights
GOP pushes for anti-democracy sea change in election authority
Secretary of state candidates conspire with anti-democracy coalition: Trump-extremist Jim Marchant is the Republican nominee for Nevada’s secretary of state. Last year he formed the America First Secretary of State Coalition with other election denying officials. The group continues to attract a substantial following. Its goal is simple and troubling - install election deniers as top state election officials across the country to be positioned to overturn future elections.
Trump-cult candidates vie to control future elections
|
|
Trump and Bannon continue their effort to bring havoc to midterms: Donald Trump’s cult is working to disrupt voting in this year’s midterms. Targeting Democratic leaning counties, the election deniers are challenging voter registrations across the country. Sixty five thousand registrations so far in Georgia, 22,000 absentee primary ballots in Michigan, and in Harris County, Texas, affidavits are challenging the eligibility of thousands of voters. Thankfully, in nearly every case, these inquiries have been tossed out. Please be on the look-out for this mischief in your area.
Trump and Bannon obstruct free and fair midterm balloting
Confrontational poll watchers threaten Election Day: Election supervisors in several states have had to deal with the confrontational behavior of Trump extremist poll watchers. In one North Carolina case a poll watcher physically blocked a voter from a voting machine. Election-denying conspiracists are showing up everywhere.
Election-denying extremists obstruct voting
Flynn and Byrne target voting systems: Two of Trump’s most vocal 2020 election conspiracy promoters are leading an effort to probe officials in battleground states about how elections are run. Associates of Michael Flynn, Trump’s disgraced former national security advisor, and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne have contacted or attempted to contact election administrators in at least 200 counties. Experts warn it is an attempt to manipulate elections and prepare for new misinformation campaigns. Both men were part of a Trump White House plot to seize voting machines.
Voting systems targeted by Trump allies
National Archives still missing Trump documents: The National Archives has informed Congress that it is still missing key documents from Trump’s time in the White House. Despite its efforts, Department of Justice subpoenas, and a court authorized FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Trump is still violating the law on presidential records. It may be time to search the basements at Trump’s golf resort in Bedminster, N.J., and Trump Tower in New York City.
Where are the still missing documents, Donald?
Women move decidedly toward Democrats for midterms: The Supreme Court’s decision ending the constitutional right to abortion has moved women to the Democratic party. The Dobbs decision placed abortion rights near the top of key issues for the midterms. And Republicans are clearly concerned as many candidates are hiding from their extreme anti-choice positions.
Women voters move toward Democratic candidates
Calling on newsrooms to defend democracy: A coalition of news industry leaders is calling on newsrooms across America to get more engaged in reporting on the threats to undermine free and fair elections and threats to a free press. The coalition believes the news industry has a duty to expose these threats.
Newsrooms called to cover threats to democracy
|
|
Voters Not Politicians - inspiring political reform: Congratulations to our partner Voters Not Politicians for inspiring a voter-led pro-democracy political reform movement in Michigan that now has thousands of engaged volunteers. Their good work ended gerrymandering in Michigan and restored political power back to the people. Now they need more volunteers for their Promote the Vote 2022 campaign.
Learn More About Voters Not Politicians
Invite a friend: Remember to invite a friend to join the Union today.
Thank you for helping to defend democracy.
Together,
The Union
|
|
|
|
