EXTREME GERRYMANDERING MUST BE STOPPED
Swift Senate passage of both voting rights bills is the only way to keep our elections relevant and protect our democracy.
QUICK READ: Republicans are frantically redrawing lines to increase their advantage to ensure that every election’s result will be clear long before the issues are debated or voters consider their choices. Their goal is to make elections irrelevant, so that no matter what the majority of voters want, Republicans will always be able to keep their positions and stay in power.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The same states passing voter suppression laws are pushing extreme gerrymandering which, by allowing politicians to choose their voters, locks in white Republican state and federal legislative control for the next decade.
Extreme gerrymandering in 2011 created 23 states where the GOP ontrolled both the legislature and governor (trifecta), ensuring no consequences for passing unpopular legislation.
So far this cycle, it’s decreased the number of competitive seats, reduced the voting power of urbanities, people of color and suburbanites in purple districts, and made GOP seats much more secure.
Redistricting alone will create the 5 seats Republicans need to take over the House, unless the Senate quickly passes the overwhelmingly popular Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
The first bans partisan gerrymandering of congressional maps and provides a strong judicial remedy for voters. The second restores and strengthens the voting-rights provisions gutted by the Supreme Court and protects voters from future attacks on their freedom to vote by any governmental entity.
Time is running out for Congress to counteract this assault on democracy. Senator Schumer must refuse to recess until Senators defend the freedom of all Americans to have their voices heard at the ballot box.
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].
Republican partisan and racial gerrymandering, which enables politicians to pick their voters, is destroying our democracy. If allowed to go unchecked, it will lock Democrats out of power for at least the next decade, destroying any possibility of enacting progressive, pro-family legislation. The remedy is swift passage of both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Keep pushing for their passage and convince Senator Schumer that, until then, there can be no recess.
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].
Republican partisan and racial gerrymandering, which enables politicians to pick their voters, is destroying our democracy. If allowed to go unchecked, it will lock Democrats out of power for at least the next decade, destroying any possibility of enacting progressive, pro-family legislation. The remedy is swift passage of both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Keep pushing for their passage and convince Senator Schumer that, until then, there can be no recess.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
That your party no longer believes in democracy and is prepared to thwart widely popular legislation that strengthens our system of government is unconscionable. At least you should step aside and allow that legislation to pass with majority support rather than hiding behind the anti-democratic, probably unconstitutional filibuster.
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].
Thank you for working diligently to protect your constituents’ freedom to vote. Until the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act passes the Senate, please speak out about the importance of these bills to the continuation of our democracy and convince President Biden to use his influence to ensure its swift Senate passage.
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].
That your party no longer believes in democracy and is prepared to prevent their voices from being heard is unconscionable. The least you can do for your constituents is to support the Fish & Wildlife Service’s decision to return 3 million acres to the habitat after Trump gutted it right before leaving office.
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].
Thank you for working diligently to protect your constituents’ freedom to vote. Until the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act passes the Senate, please speak out about the importance of these bills to the continuation of our democracy and convince President Biden to use his influence to ensure its swift Senate passage.
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].
Thank you for working diligently to protect your constituents’ freedom to vote. Until the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act passes the Senate, please speak out about the importance of these bills to the continuation of our democracy and convince President Biden to use his influence to ensure its swift Senate passage.
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].
Thank you for working diligently to protect your constituents’ freedom to vote. Until the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act passes the Senate, please speak out about the importance of these bills to the continuation of our democracy and convince President Biden to use his influence to ensure its swift Senate passage.
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
Phonebank on Saturday, December 11 from 9:00-11:00am (Pacific time)
Phonebank to demand bold changes to create a government that represents all of us, not just big corporations or special interests. We'll be calling voters in AZ and connecting them to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to support the Freedom to Vote Act. Training will be provided. You will need a phone and a computer or tablet.
Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/396674/
[Please join our organizers who are attending this phonebank, hosted by Common Cause and Target Majority NYC.]
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FURTHER READING:
The Freedom to Vote act Unpacked
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Unpacked
The redistricting apocalypse is here
G.O.P. cements Hold on Legislatures in Battleground States
Republicans Gain Heavy House Edge in 2022 as Gerrymandered Maps Emerge
‘Time Is Really Running Out’: Democrats Urged to Counteract GOP’s Gerrymandering Spree
Redistricting Has Maintained The Status Quo So Far. That’s Good for Republicans
GOP redistricting maps will gerrymander Democrats out of the House
