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We have resolved to join forces to help preserve our Union,
our Republic, and our democracy.
October 19, 2022
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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: A pro-democracy victory is within reach on Election Day. Razor thin vote margins are predicted in many of the races that will determine democracy’s future. Political commentator Matthew Dowd recently noted that out of the 100 million midterm votes, it will only take about 750,000 total votes across all those races to preserve democracy. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said that GOTV efforts will add two to three percent to the vote. That will be a win in most of our close races. We must go all-in on get-out-the-vote efforts from now to November 8.
Just 750,000 votes will determine the future of American democracy
THE PLAYBOOK: In close election contests, especially where pro-democracy candidates are facing anti-democracy candidates, every vote will count. We’ve got two remaining opportunities to win the votes we need. First is to persuade the few remaining undecided voters to put democracy first. We’re doing that with phone banking, canvassing, and other targeted outreach. The second is to get them and the massive base of support we already have to the polls – either through early voting or on Election Day. We need to stay focused on doing the work of getting pro-democracy voters to cast their ballots. Here are some key messages to use this week.
- Mobilizing volunteers to get-out-the-vote has reached a critical point in the closing weeks to Election Day. The Union is matching volunteers with key battleground GOTV efforts across the country. Consider opportunities near your home and get involved.
- We need more volunteers to join the 61,000+ who are hard at work defending democracy. Sign up today at jointheunion.us.
- 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.
- As you vote, be on the lookout for aggressive election observers. Trump-aligned groups have recruited and trained many election deniers to aggressively monitor voting at polling places. Make your plan to vote.
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THE PULSE: Recent news about the economy has tightened up the close election contests we are monitoring. Even so, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe reminds us that democracy and other issues continue to be significant factors with voters. And for many mainstream Republicans, a badly damaged Trump brand could help pro-democracy candidate performance against Trump-endorsed election deniers. Plouffe appeared on MSNBC with conservative commentator Rich Lowry.
David Plouffe on the midterms
Barack Obama points to the danger election deniers pose to democracy: President Obama is reminding us how critical it is to vote for pro-democracy candidates up and down the ballot to protect our voting rights from being stolen by election deniers. Your work has never been more important.
Obama speaks to the danger election deniers pose to democracy
The future of the nation’s democracy is at stake: The congressional committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol has subpoenaed Donald Trump. At the conclusion of its ninth hearing last week, it issued a stark warning that the future of the nation’s democracy is at stake. Donald Trump remains a clear and present danger to America. We are looking forward to the committee’s recommendations to strengthen our democracy and voting rights.
Key takeaways from the Jan. 6th hearing
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A growing fear for the future of American democracy: We’ve seen earlier surveys that ranked threats to democracy as a top concern among voters. In several recent polls inflation has re-emerged as a top concern but worries about the future of our democracy hold a close second. That concern is helping motivate voters to oppose Trump’s cult of election denying extremists. Pro-democracy voters are out there, our job is to get them to the polls.
Threats to democracy remain a top concern among voters
Republicans are working to defeat Trump extremists: Across the country in some of the most contested midterm campaigns, sensible Republicans have turned the “Never Trump” movement of 2020 into a “Never Trumpism” effort to defeat authoritarian candidates on Election Day 2022. It includes current and former Republican officeholders, campaign consultants, wealthy Republican donors, grassroots organizers, and voters who supported Trump in 2020.
Never Trump Republicans work to defeat Trump-cult candidates
Voting to preserve democracy is a priority for voters: The Washington Post sent reporters to talk to voters at several NFL games in swing states this weekend. Amidst the excitement of tailgating with family and friends, and even with tough economic news, voters included preserving democracy as one of the top concerns on their minds for the midterms.
Democracy remains a priority for voters
Trump-cult election observers prepare to intimidate voters: We are seeing a disturbing number of reports about Trump-aligned groups recruiting election deniers to be Republican election observers for the midterms. Led by Cleta Mitchell, a Trump lawyer and promoter of voter fraud theories, the so-called Election Integrity Network is training people ahead of the midterms to aggressively monitor voting. Mitchell, who played a leading role in the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, has been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6th committee and the Fulton County, GA district attorney.
Election denying activists are being trained to intimidate voters
Rules to restrict voting are on the ballot: New rules limiting voting rights are on midterm ballots in several key swing states. Not only are we confronting Trump-cult candidates for federal and state offices, but we’re also working to defeat ballot proposals that will make it more difficult to register to vote, impose limits for mail-in balloting, and add onerous identity verification rules to vote.
Anti-democratic voting rules are on the 2022 ballot
Laxalt family members endorse Cortez Masto: Family gatherings are likely going to be chilly for a while after fourteen members of Adam Laxalt’s family endorsed his opponent, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto for reelection to the U.S. Senate. The contest is extremely close between the incumbent pro-democracy senator and her election denying opponent in this critical swing state.
Laxalt family members endorse his opponent
Trump donor money diverted to pay lawyers: Donald Trump has raised hundreds of millions of dollars on his stolen-election lie, promising donors that the money would go toward overturning the 2020 election and supporting his election-denying cult of candidates. But it turns out he’s spent more of that money on lawyers and a couple of organizations that are bankrolling his former staff despite what he promised donors.
Trump diverts donor money to lawyers
Civic Engagement Beyond Voting (CEBV) is focused on Arizona activism: Our partner, Civic Engagement Beyond Voting works to motivate Arizonans so that their voices are heard in the state legislature on issues that matter. For the midterms, the group is working to get-out-the-vote for pro-democracy candidates across the state.
CEBV focuses on democracy
Invite a friend: Remember to invite a friend to Join the Union 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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