Julie Oliver · [email protected]

March 29, 2024 at 10:12 PM

important note from Julie

Important note from Julie John, Hi everyone, Julie here. Five minutes ago I was told on a surprise Zoom call organized by the board in secret that I’m no longer the Executive Director of Ground Game Texas. When I founded Ground Game Texas in 2021, I was convinced that organizing around popul…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

March 19, 2024 at 5:10 PM

180K Democrats

John, In Texas, the biggest problem for Democrats is not voter registration — it’s voter turnout. Across the state, hundreds of thousands of registered voters—who would vote Democrat if they went to the polls—decide not to vote. These voters far exceed the margin between Beto O’Rourke and Gre…

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  Ground Game Texas Team · [email protected]

March 14, 2024 at 4:32 PM

Be a Pillar for Progress in Texas!

John, At Ground Game Texas, our commitment to creating a just and vibrant Texas never wavers. Every day, our team engages communities across the state, driving forward our mission for social justice and democracy. Join our monthly giving program and be one of the 100 new members we need for s…

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  Catina (she/her/ella) · [email protected]

March 12, 2024 at 2:31 PM

🤝 Two Years: Uniting for Texas Justice & Vibrancy 🌵🌟

John, As I mark two years with Ground Game Texas, my heart is full of pride and my spirit, charged with an unwavering commitment to our cause.  I was honored to spend time in Dallas this weekend, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our incredible local organizers. In these moments of rallying …

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

March 1, 2024 at 3:31 PM

Our campaign at the border is making waves

John, This week we crossed 1,000 petition signatures gathered for our campaign in McAllen, a major city on the Texas-Mexico border. While GOP leaders use border communities as props in their hateful messaging campaigns, Ground Game Texas is working with the community for real, progressive cha…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

February 26, 2024 at 3:31 PM

The only flippable Congressional seat in Texas

John, One of the most exciting Congressional races in the country is right here in Texas. At a time when the GOP has a razor-thin margin in the U.S. House, Democrats can flip the Texas 15th Congressional District this fall. Ground Game Texas has been organizing ballot measure campaigns in Hid…

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  Ground Game Fund · [email protected]

February 20, 2024 at 6:53 PM

Building an organizing pipeline

John, Ground Game Fund is a charitable organization that works alongside Ground Game Texas and its ballot measure campaigns. Our goal is to invest in public education and community organizing that advances our mission of democracy and social justice. This Sunday, we held an educational worksh…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

February 16, 2024 at 6:28 PM

Ground Game at the Border

John, For Democrats to win statewide in Texas, we must do better in borderlands communities, including the Rio Grande Valley — four critical counties at the southeast corner of the state. This is where the GOP is spending millions of dollars to convert long-time Democratic voters with promise…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

February 13, 2024 at 4:22 PM

Paxton is suing our cities and we’re fighting back

John, Texas AG Ken Paxton is suing five cities where Ground Game Texas passed marijuana reform policies. He thinks this will intimidate our local allies — and distract from his political embarrassments. It’s not going to work. We are mobilizing to fight Paxton and use this legal battle to edu…

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  Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

February 7, 2024 at 3:31 PM

RECAP: Powerful coalition at launch of Dallas campaign

John, Last week we got wind that Ken Paxton is suing five of the cities Ground Game Texas has worked in. He’s doing this because our ballot initiatives are proven to increase voter turnout among young voters and Black voters. But we refuse to let our court battle with Paxton distract us from …

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

February 1, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Ken Paxton v. Ground Game Texas

John, This is the moment we’ve been building for — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is directly challenging Ground Game’s popular work to advance marijuana reform at the city level. Yesterday, Paxton announced he’d filed lawsuits against five of the cities where Ground Game Texas passed mari…

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  Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

January 31, 2024 at 4:01 PM

DECRIM DALLAS 🌿🥦🌳

Ground Game Texas is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Paid for by Ground Game Texas. Contributions to Ground Game Texas are not tax deductible. This email was sent to [email protected]. Unsubscribe Update My Personal Information Receive Fewer Emails PO Box 310, Aus…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

January 24, 2024 at 9:28 PM

REPORT: Texas forced 26,000 rape survivors to carry pregnancies to term (trigger warning)

John, This news is some of the worst we’ve ever heard, and it illustrates the cruelty, and sheer lack of humanity, of the ruling Texas Republican Party. According to the Houston Chronicle: “Texas saw an estimated 26,313 rape-related pregnancies during the 16 months after the state outlawed al…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

January 23, 2024 at 4:01 PM

November’s victories begin today

John, If you’ve been following the news, you know the 2024 presidential election is heating up. Donald Trump is the likely GOP nominee, and there’s no time to waste to ensure Democrats can still win across Texas. Here at Ground Game, we have a plan for 2024: ballot measure campaigns in Dallas…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

January 18, 2024 at 5:01 PM

Our Dallas campaign is heating up

John, Texas has been dealing with an “Arctic blast” of freezing temperatures, but our campaign in Dallas is heating up! We’ve hired a great team and are collecting signatures in support of a marijuana decriminalization ballot measure for the city of Dallas. Our proposition would keep thousand…

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  Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

January 15, 2024 at 1:01 PM

Honoring MLK's Legacy: A Commitment to Unity

John, As we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on his powerful words: "If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." These words resonate deeply with our mission at Ground Game Texas, …

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  GGTX Team · [email protected]

January 11, 2024 at 4:02 PM

Protect Democracy in 2024🚨

John, Our democracy has been teetering for years, and now, in 2024, we stand at a crucial crossroads. The actions we take today will define our future. This year marks a pivotal opportunity and we must keep pushing in the right direction, to continue our efforts to address and clean up the le…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

January 8, 2024 at 3:46 PM

💔 Heartbreaking Ruling: Texas Needs Your Voice! 💪

John, As a mother and grandmother, my heart aches writing this. The 5th Circuit Court's ruling is a direct assault on our freedoms in Texas – another cruel blow in a series of attacks on our rights. It's horrifying to think that the Texas my children and grandchildren are growing up in is one…

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  Catina Voellinger, Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

January 4, 2024 at 7:01 PM

🏃‍♂️ 2024 in Full Stride: Ground Game Texas Needs Your Support! 🚀

John, 2024 is here, and in true Texas spirit, we're going BIG! This year, as we gear up for impactful campaigns and initiatives, your donation, big or small, fuels our efforts for justice and democracy. It empowers our team, supports our campaigns, and amplifies our voice. As we run full spee…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

December 28, 2023 at 5:31 PM

One graphic shows our impact

John,  This graphic shows the impact of Ground Game Texas: We’re ready for even more in 2024. Help us start next year strong! With gratitude, Julie Oliver, Executive Director Ground Game Fund   Ground Game Texas is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Paid for by Ground Game Texa…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

December 19, 2023 at 4:01 PM

🌵 GGTX 2023 💪 Uniting for Change ❤️

John,  After a year of campaigns and struggle across Texas, I’ve been reflecting on what Ground Game Texas is really about. Three words come to mind: hope, courage, and determination.  Hope, because you can’t do this work without a powerful belief in a better future.  Courage, because standin…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

December 13, 2023 at 4:07 PM

2️⃣ End of Year Reflections 🗓️

John, I’m holding two feelings in my heart, as 2023 comes to a close and 2024 begins.  On one hand, as I look back, I’m reminded that Ground Game’s vision, since our launch in 2021, has been to prepare for this 2024 election cycle. We’ve been testing our theory that ballot measure campaigns c…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

December 7, 2023 at 8:16 PM

🤔🏛 Why we’re suing two Texas cities

John, In the last week, our Ground Game legal team has filed two lawsuits on behalf of Texas voters. In Bell County, we are suing the City of Harker Heights because they refuse to add our voter-approved marijuana reform to the City Code. And here in Austin, we are suing the City on behalf of …

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

December 5, 2023 at 8:18 PM

Keep Ground Game Fund in Mind this Giving Season

John, The long-term work of changing Texas takes many layers of programs. To support charitable programs focused on public education and voter registration, we have a dedicated 501(c)(3) organization, Ground Game Fund, that allows donors to receive a tax deduction. This December, charitable c…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

December 1, 2023 at 3:07 PM

Next year’s Dallas campaign is our biggest yet

John,  Since 2021, Ground Game Texas has launched ballot measure campaigns in cities across the state, winning historic victories and learning how initiatives focused on progressive, popular issues can increase voter turnout. Now, we are one month away from launching our biggest campaign yet …

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  Ground Game Fund · [email protected]

November 28, 2023 at 3:29 PM

✅ Your Donation for Voter Registration Will Be Doubled Today! 🗳️

John, it’s Giving Tuesday! Ground Game leads a number of charitable programs focused on voter registration and public education. These efforts are an essential part of our broader work to expand the Texas electorate, educate voters, and create the conditions for progressive social change. Tha…

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  Julie, Mike, Catina, Ben & Matt · [email protected]

November 21, 2023 at 3:31 PM

THANKS Y’ALL!

John,  From the bottom of our hearts, from the whole team here at Ground Game Texas, we want to thank you for being a part of this work for a better Texas and a better future. Thank you! The work of cultivating political change takes many, many hands, especially in a state as big and tough as…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

November 16, 2023 at 1:30 PM

Abbott’s Bully Session

John, Unlike other GOP-controlled states, Texas does not have a school “voucher” program. That’s not saying our schools get the support they need. But at least we don’t provide vouchers to send public dollars into private schools. Greg Abbott is trying to change that. Desperate to please his …

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

November 13, 2023 at 9:22 PM

Media coverage of our 2022 Impact Report

John,  Last week we released our big “impact report” on how Ground Game ballot measure campaigns are changing local politics across Texas. The report has generated a lot of excitement, and led to a great profile of Ground Game Texas in the Texas Observer!  The Texas Observer did a detailed re…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

November 9, 2023 at 8:23 PM

Ohio inspiration: how Democrats can win

John, Tuesday was a great day for direct democracy. Despite the best efforts of the Supreme Court and the Republican Party, Ohio voters adopted a constitutional right to abortion! Here at Ground Game, we’re inspired by the perseverance of this week’s successful Ohio petition campaigns, result…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

November 8, 2023 at 3:35 PM

IMPACT REPORT: How we’ve kept 100s out of jail, saved millions in public funds

John,  Today is a big day for Ground Game: we just released our “Marijuana Reform Impact Report” from our 2022 electoral campaigns! You can see the full report here. Here are some of the highlights from our organizing and electoral victories across five Texas cities: Marijuana reform will ke…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

November 1, 2023 at 7:47 PM

Huge Success in Lubbock!

John,  In case you needed some good news: we’ve got some GOOD news! In Lubbock, Texas, our partner Lubbock Compact did something amazing: in 60 days they collected more than 10,500 signatures in support of marijuana reform. With an all-volunteer crew! If you know anything about Lubbock, you’l…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

October 24, 2023 at 2:41 PM

Why Bell County, TX is key to stopping vouchers

John, Two weeks ago, we told you about Texas Rep. Brad Buckley, who represents the city of Killeen and is Chair of the Texas House Education Committee. Rep. Buckley, more than anyone else in the Texas Legislature, will decide whether “school vouchers” will be adopted statewide. We called out …

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

October 19, 2023 at 8:16 PM

🕷️The TX Legislature is a horror show 😱

John,  As our kids get ready for joyous Halloween celebrations, our Texas Governor is plotting to undermine public education at the Texas Legislature. The contradiction between the beauty of Texas people and the ugliness of state politics is once again on display. The latest from our state Ca…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

October 17, 2023 at 8:38 PM

Why we’ve chosen DALLAS as our anchor for 2024

John,  After months of planning and coalition building, Ground Game is preparing to launch our major program for 2024: a city-wide petition campaign in Dallas, Texas. This campaign will tie together so much of what we’ve been working on: inspiring new voters through marijuana reform; addressi…

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  Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

October 12, 2023 at 9:05 PM

🌵📣 Voter Registration Drives – Expanding Texas Horizons 🗳️

John,  In the vast ecosystem of initiatives at Ground Game Texas, registering voters is just one humble piece. Yet, each registration carries with it the hope of a more inclusive Texas, where every voice contributes to the greater chorus of our state. As we navigate through rural Texas, we'r…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

October 11, 2023 at 2:49 PM

This TX GOP Rep is the worst hypocrite imaginable

John, Texas is facing a Governor and Legislature who are plotting to absolutely ruin public education. Their plan? Holding hostage long-overdue teacher raises in exchange for private and religious schools claiming a huge percentage of our public education budget.  We stand with teachers and p…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

October 5, 2023 at 12:12 PM

NPR covered our work!

John,  A key part of supporting local movements for political change is developing a narrative for why action is needed. That’s why Ground Game is investing in public education focused on the need for criminal justice reform. We recently published a Lubbock report showing how city enforcement…

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  Mike Siegel · [email protected]

October 4, 2023 at 2:48 PM

Imagine Texas after we win

John, People who work in Texas politics sometimes get asked, “how do you do it? How do you stay hopeful and determined when victory seems so far away?”  The answer is pretty simple — we’re inspired by the work we do each day. By the people, by each other, and by what is possible if we win.  A…

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  Catina Voellinger · [email protected]

September 26, 2023 at 2:22 PM

Our social justice work in Lubbock, Texas

John,  Just when Texas politics get a little depressing, we find another reason for hope that social change is possible. The latest: a marijuana decriminalization petition campaign in Lubbock, Texas! Some of you may think of Lubbock as a place of West Texas conservative stronghold, and you wo…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

September 18, 2023 at 5:25 PM

Paxton acquittal is what voter suppression looks like

John, There’s no sugar-coating how depressing Friday’s news was for Texas Democrats. Despite overwhelming evidence of corruption and abuse of power, the Texas Senate acquitted Ken Paxton of all charges. He will now return to power as the state’s top law enforcement official. As an organizatio…

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  Mike Siegel · [email protected]

September 12, 2023 at 4:10 PM

Huge campaign victory in South Texas!

John,  Just days ago, Ground Game won our biggest South Texas campaign yet — a living wage policy that will help lift hundreds of workers out of poverty in Hidalgo County, one of the poorest counties in the country.  This battle wasn’t easy. We had to gather thousands of signatures through a …

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  Julie Oliver [via GGTX PAC] · [email protected]

September 6, 2023 at 2:29 PM

Imagine a Texas without Ken Paxton in office

John, Today is a historic moment in Texas, albeit in infamy. Our top state law enforcement officer, Attorney General Ken Paxton, is undergoing an impeachment trial for an array of offenses including corruption and abuse of power. Ken Paxton is the embodiment of the Texas Republican Party. We’…

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  Ground Game Texas · [email protected]

September 4, 2023 at 5:01 PM

Labor Day hits different in Texas

John,  Happy Labor Day! We hope you spend this day in rest — and in solidarity with the workers who’ve made so much possible for all of us. Here at Ground Game Texas, we are clear that our work follows a long organizing tradition that comes out of movements for civil rights and worker rights.…

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  Julie Oliver · [email protected]

August 31, 2023 at 3:01 PM

November 2024 starts now

John,  We’re under pressure. There’s less than 15 months until the November 2024 general election — a moment that could elect a Texas Democrat to the U.S. Senate, flip a South Texas Congressional seat, change the composition of the Texas House and so much more. If we want to be ready for that…

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  Mike Siegel · [email protected]

August 29, 2023 at 3:02 PM

The Legislature passed a “Death Star” bill but we are still fighting

John,  Many of you have heard about some of the awful bills passed in the 2023 Texas Legislative Session. One question we’ve been getting a lot is: “Can Ground Game Texas still do ballot measure campaigns?” The answer is a definite yes. Despite passing numerous laws that negatively impact so …

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  Catina (she/her/ella) · [email protected]

August 22, 2023 at 3:01 PM

Standing Strong: A Victory for Edinburg’s Workers

John,  Today, I'd like to share a recent achievement: in collaboration with La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), we successfully gathered signatures for a living wage for city workers in Edinburg!  Unfortunately, the city rejected our petition due to the residency of our signature collectors, a…

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  Mike Siegel · [email protected]

August 18, 2023 at 3:01 PM

Climate change is a political problem we can solve

John,  The city of Austin has had temperatures over 100 degrees for 40 days in a row. Across Texas, fires are burning, rivers are drying, crops are dying, and precious wildlife are becoming extinct.  Climate change is here, and it’s time to take decisive action. That’s why Ground Game Texas i…

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  Mike Siegel · [email protected]

August 10, 2023 at 6:05 PM

Ohio victory shows what’s possible in Texas

John,  There was a huge election in Ohio on Tuesday — and the result is great news for several reasons. Ohio voters have been working to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Earlier this year, community groups submitted 700,000 petiti…

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  Julie Oliver [via Ground Game PAC] · [email protected]

August 9, 2023 at 7:51 PM

How to dump Cruz? Register 1000s more

John, The U.S. Senate race is heating up in Texas. Two great Democrats have put their names in to challenge Ted Cruz. They have so much to talk about — Cruz undermining democracy, failing on gun reform, refusing to represent working people and more. But before we can beat Cruz we need a strat…

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