Chop Wood, Carry Water 7/2

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday,

Sorry for the late email. I’m actually at Newark airport about to board a plane back to Los Angeles. I’m still a bit under the weather so I’m going to keep this email short—I’ve only got one action item for you below. I’ll be back to a regular length post tomorrow, then I’ll likely take Thursday and Friday off.

Look, friends. I know this is an extremely stressful moment. I know we’re all upset, angry, and scared. I know the problems facing our democracy feel intractable right now, and like things can’t possibly be put right.

But they can. They will. They must.

There is a saying in recovery circles: “Let time take time.” It simply means that some solutions can’t be rushed, some progress is by definition slow, and some growth is so incremental as to be invisible. It doesn’t mean that we don’t do the work. It does mean that we can’t always see the results of that work right away.

So we will continue our efforts, one day at a time. We will continue to take action, even when we’re not sure what the outcome of those actions will be. And we will remember that while we can’t control what happens in four months, or six, or twelve, we can absolutely control whether we step up and fight for our country right now, today. So let’s do that, in whatever way we can.

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Register Young Voters! 🗳️

We all know how important Gen Z-ers could be in the next election. Four million turn 18 each year and are potential voters in November. This year, many states are successfully ramping up their efforts to register young voters. According to the Civics Center, Colorado and Michigan, for example, have registered 69% and 63% of their young voters respectively. However in other states, the picture is much bleaker. As the Civics Center recently reported, New York has 150,000 unregistered 18 year olds with some counties with registration rates as low as 19%.

YourVoiceMatters.Vote, a program of the nonpartisan National Women’s Foundation, is working to encourage best practices to register young people in high school (see their website for information on youth voting in your state).   

This year, YourVoiceMatters.vote worked with New Voters and other partners in DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to distribute cards to graduating seniors that congratulate them on their graduation and include a QR code with a link to register, check registration status, and make a pledge to vote this November.

They would like your help reaching new graduates in your community! You can go to their website and print and email cards to new graduates that you know! Every new voter from this next generation can help shape the future. Don't let them miss this crucial opportunity to make their voices heard.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess