PROTECT OUR FREEDOM TO VOTE
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Imagine it’s November 9, 2022, the day after the midterm elections. The For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act haven’t passed. But voter suppression laws did pass in enough Republican-controlled states that, combined with gerrymandering, the GOP took control of the House and Senate.
Fast forward to election day, November 2, 2024. Despite steep hurdles, voters turn out in massive numbers for the Democratic candidate, overcome the odds, and deliver the needed 270 electoral college votes. But Republicans dispute the results, claim a stolen election, and refuse to certify the results. Chaos ensues.
The scenario is not farfetched; 147 R’s refused to certify the 2020 results. House Republicans just purged their third-ranking member for insisting that Biden won fair and square. Republicans are unlikely to stand up for democracy in 2024.
In their first 100 days, Biden and the Democrats passed a $1.9T COVID relief package, vaccinated 140M people, and oversaw a 73% drop in COVID cases. But America needs a healthy democracy as much as it needs a healthy populace and a healthy infrastructure. Failure to pass the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act is not an option.
1. Call the Senate.
Script Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling with a strong sense of urgency to voice my full support for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. America needs a healthy democracy along with a healthy populace and a healthy infrastructure. Please keep working for their passage. Thank you.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling with a strong sense of urgency to voice my full support for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. America needs a healthy democracy along with a healthy populace and a healthy infrastructure. Please keep working for their passage. Thank you.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
America needs a healthy democracy as much as it needs a healthy populace and a healthy infrastructure. I fully support the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Please put country over party, co-sponsor, and vote for these two election protection bills.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please support passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. I am very worried about the health of our democracy. Our aspirations for free and fair elections are on the line.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
America needs a healthy democracy as much as it needs a healthy populace and a healthy infrastructure. I ask you to co-sponsor and vote for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please support passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. I am very worried about the health of our democracy. Our aspirations for free and fair elections are on the line.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please support passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. I am very worried about the health of our democracy. Our aspirations for free and fair elections are on the line.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please support passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. I am very worried about the health of our democracy. Our aspirations for free and fair elections are on the line.
3. Take Action.
Join us on Saturday, May 22 from 12-2 p.m. PT to phone bank for For the People Act.
The For The People Act (HR1/S1) will only pass if people like you and me are willing to take action. Join us to make calls to activists in key states and help pass this groundbreaking democracy bill.
Stopping Big Money from calling the shots in our politics. Ending partisan gerrymandering. Expanding our right to vote. Holding elected officials (including the president) to high ethical standards.
We'll give you all the tools and training you need to call voters in our target districts -- asking them to contact their lawmakers who will make the difference between success and failure. Sign up here.
Further Reading
Status of For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/voting-rights-for-the-people/2021/05/16/bb65909a-b458-11eb-ab43-bebddc5a0f65_story.html
How Republicans could steal the 2024 election: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/opinion/cheney-2024-election.html
Joe Manchin’s stand on election reform: https://www.vox.com/22434054/joe-manchin-voting-rights-act-for-the-people-john-lewis-preclearance-filibuster-senate
How congressional certification works: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article248307550.html
Republicans who refused to certify the 2020 election: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/07/us/elections/electoral-college-biden-objectors.html
Cheney ousted for calling out false elections claims: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cheney-trump-mccarthy-vote/2021/05/11/1bb8fa56-b2a9-11eb-ab43-bebddc5a0f65_story.html
Biden’s first 100 days: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/27/988822340/bidens-1st-100-days-a-look-by-the-numbers
