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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.

October 26, 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 hard work of pro-democracy advocates across the country has put victory on Nov. 8 within reach. Despite the headwinds of inflation and other issues, an NBC News poll released Sunday shows threats to democracy remain a top concern among voters. The poll also reveals a deeply divided electorate and a record number of voters on both sides, very interested in the midterms.

Threats to democracy remain high for voters

Topline data tables for NBC poll
Want to Defend Democracy but Don't Know How?
THE PLAYBOOK: Please go to The Union’s new Action Center to track our priority races for the closing days of the midterms. The Action Center is updated constantly with the most important and most effective ways for you to engage in the struggle to preserve democracy. These are the actions you can take to stand against the election-deniers, seditionists, and those who enable them. Every vote is going to make a difference, and every volunteer gets us closer to victory on Nov. 8.
  • With voter interest in the midterms at historic highs there has never been a better opportunity for volunteers to get-out-the-vote. Consider opportunities near your home and get involved.
  • Help The Union amplify our message by following us on Twitter. Help us get to 10,000 followers so we can reach even more volunteers and voters.
  • Be sure to regularly check on The Union’s Action Center for updates about the most competitive races and how you can affect them.
  • Plan and protect your vote. Vote411 is a good resource where you can check your registration and dates for absentee / early voting.

THE PULSE: The future of our democracy depends on voter turnout. With highly motivated voters on both sides, that future may be determined by a shrinking number of persuadable voters and a small percentage of mainstream Republicans who decide to vote against the Trump-cult. There are signs that Republican ticket splitting is likely. In Ohio, GOP Gov. Mike DeWine had an 18-point lead for his reelection in a recent poll, yet Trump-extremist JD Vance had a 2-point lead over Tim Ryan in the race for the U.S. Senate. By all accounts, voter participation in these midterms will be historic. Let’s keep doing the work.

Cook Political Report looks at what’s influencing the midterms

Midterm ticket splitting will be a factor on Election Day
 

Don’t stop thinking about a better tomorrow: Wow does it feel good to see The Union’s grassroots volunteers in action with our partners. Getting critical information to voters in swing states ahead of the midterms and getting them to the polls is what the work is all about. Congratulations to all who have gotten involved. This is the momentum we need to win. Here are just a few examples.
  • More than 2.5 million text messages have been sent to voters to get-out-the-vote.
  • Tens of thousands of social media posts have sounded the alarm about threats to democracy.
  • Thousands of volunteers are on the ground talking to voters in swing states.
  • Voter engagement with our GOTV work is way above prior election cycles.

Refuting Trump’s 2020 big lie: All of us have experienced the frustration of talking to friends and family who have bought into Trump’s stolen election lies. They don’t see the immediate and dangerous threat that Trump and his election-denying candidates pose to America. Ralph Neas, Anthony Essaye, and Alexander Vanderklipp, all volunteers with The Union, have authored a well-researched and easy to read rebuttal of these lies. We encourage you to share this widely with friends and family and on your social networks.

Refuting Trump’s Big Lie

Sorting out the lies from the truth in the midterms: Getting to the truth hidden in a flood of election misinformation and disinformation can be difficult. And it’s even more of a challenge for those who use social media platforms as their primary news source. ProPublica has published a useful guide to help sort through the lies and get to the truth.

ProPublica’s midterm election disinformation guide

Alarm bells ringing about election deniers: As key races in swing states tighten, alarm bells are ringing about what will happen if election deniers win in those states. Many like Kari Lake in Arizona, Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania, Jim Marchant in Nevada, and Kristina Karamo in Michigan continue to spread lies about the 2020 election. If they and others win on Nov. 8, they will bring Trump’s lies and chaos to the 2024 presidential election.

Alarm bells ringing about election deniers winning Nov. 8
Trump-cult is determined to sabotage voting: A disgusting but inevitable outcome of the effort to overturn the 2020 election is what Trump extremists are doing to sabotage the 2022 midterms. It is playing out in Nevada and other states. Harassment of election officials has led to mass resignations of experienced staff, threatening a free and fair election.

Voting sabotage is underway

Early voting statistics: As absentee and early voting kicks into high gear, it is important to track how voter turnout is trending in the lead up to Election Day. Be sure to click on various demographics – party ID, age, and gender in the link below. This data is updated regularly.

Bookmark this link to keep track of early/absentee voting

Trump schemes for post-election chaos: Donald Trump is scheming to plunge the country into another round of post-election chaos. The replay of 2020 will likely begin the night of Nov. 8, before all votes are counted. Like before, it will include spreading baseless lies about voting and frivolous legal challenges in multiple states. It’s another seditious scheme that will put the lives of election workers and voters in danger. And it’s even more of a reason to get as many pro-democracy voters as possible to the polls.

Trump plans more election lies

Beware of ballot spoilers: In most elections third party candidates attract some attention and capture a very small share of the vote. Rarely have these candidates had much effect in determining the winner. This year, with so many critical races showing razor thin polling margins, third party candidates could spoil the outcome for several pro-democracy candidates by capturing enough votes to hand victory to an election denier.

Beware of third-party spoilers on the ballot

Groups mobilize to help voters: Pro-democracy groups are mobilizing to help voters in several swing states navigate a slew of new and restrictive voting rules. Put in place by election-denying officials, these rules are a blatant attempt to disenfranchise many voters.

Protecting the right to vote where new rules make it difficult
Vets for The Union
Vets for The Union mobilize to save democracy: The Union is a diverse group of volunteers from across the country. One group, military veterans, is uniquely qualified to understand the significant threat to American democracy Donald Trump and his authoritarian cult pose to the United States. These brave patriots honorably served our country in defense of democracy across the globe. Now they are working hard to preserve and protect democracy here at home. We thank you for your service. If you are a veteran and haven’t connected with Vets for The Union, please reply to this email.  

Invite a friend: Remember to invite a friend to Join the Union today.

Thank you for working to preserve 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.

THE UNION IS A COALITION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATIONS.
PAID FOR BY THE LINCOLN PROJECT, www.lincolnproject.us.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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