THE GOP IS RIGGING ELECTIONS TO SOLIDIFY WHITE SUPREMACY
“The People . . . have the protected right to shape the decisions that affect us all and to elect politicians who reflect their values,” Sen. Jeff Merkley. As yet, however, the right to vote isn’t protected.
QUICK READ: In state after state, the GOP is sabotaging future elections by blocking nonwhite citizens from the voting booth and rigging the vote-counting system. In Congress, bills to overturn those unconstitutional laws are blocked by the GOP using the filibuster loophole to thwart the Senate majority. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court continues its 20-year effort to maintain white supremacy.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The Senate will soon launch its fourth attempt this year to protect the right to vote for all Americans and to have their votes counted honestly.
But, as with the previous three attempts, a solid wall of Republicans, representing 24% of Americans, are using the filibuster loophole to prevent Senate passage of voting rights legislation.
Minority leader Mitch McConnell denigrates the voter protection bills as a “federal takeover of our nation’s elections.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley responds: “Seizing power by denying your political rivals an equal chance to vote is a diabolical threat to our constitutional vision and Americans’ freedom.”
The next voter protection bill will be the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Without its protections, the wave of voter denial laws (now at 33 laws in 19 states) will block nonwhite Americans from the voting booth and rig the vote-counting system. It’s all organized with dark money groups.
The GOP’s sabotage of elections extends beyond the states and Congress to the US Supreme Court, which has been dismantling voting rights for decades.
Without election protections, the GOP will steal control of the House and Senate in the 2022 elections and in 2024, the White House.
The filibuster loophole must be eliminated to pass laws to protect democracy.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote.
ACTION TWO: 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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote.
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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
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].
Sabotaging elections will destroy democracy. Defend the constitution. Protect the vote. Abolish the filibuster.
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAY, OCT. 22, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
PHONEBANK TO ENCOURAGE VIRGINIANS TO VOTE
SATURDAY, OCT. 23, 12:00 noon-2:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/
MONDAY, NOV. 1, 2:00pm-4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/
Further Reading:
Senate G.O.P. Blocks Voting Rights Bill for Third Time This Year - The New York Times
Opinion | Our constitutional crisis is already here - The Washington Post
Voting rights deserve an honest Congressional debate and federal protections- Dallas Morning News
Filibuster Reform is Coming—Here’s How Seven Ideas for Change - Sept2021.pdf
The Freedom to Vote Act | Brennan Center for Justice
Senate will vote on John Lewis voting bill as soon as next week | TheHill
