Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
I’m running a bit late, so I’ll keep this short.
I just want to say thanks. I’m hearing from so many of you—you’re writing to tell me you have signed up to be poll workers, or to research candidates for DemCast, or to register young people during High School Voter Registration Week, or to write postcards, or to phonebank for the first time ever, or to knock doors, or to textbank.
You’re telling me how much better you feel for taking action.
You’re regaling me with stories about the voters you’re talking to. Or the voters you’re creating.
You’re describing the people power you’re helping to generate.
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that you inspire me every single day.
Please, keep sharing what you’re doing, either by replying to this email or by dropping it in the comments. Maybe you’ll share something that’ll motivate someone else.
You’ll definitely motivate me.
I’m so very proud of the work you’re doing, y’all. If no one else says it today, I will: You’re making a difference. Your work matters. And we are grateful for it. 💙
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling about a bill called S.4431, or the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This bill is so important—pregnancy discrimination is a HUGE problem in our country. I’m frustrated to learn that, while it has already passed in the House AND has bipartisan support in the Senate, it hasn’t yet been brought to a vote. Would the Senator please pressure Chuck Schumer to bring it to the floor soon? Thanks!
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling because I just learned that corporal punishment in schools is still legal in NINETEEN states, and that new school districts are allowing it all the time. This is barbaric. I know Rep Alcee Hastings has introduced H.R.1234 , the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2021, but that it only has five co-sponsors. This is unacceptable. Every Congressmember should be supporting this bill. Will the s/he co-sponsor it right away?
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call Chuck Schumer at (202) 224-6542 or (518) 431-4070 or (212) 486-4430 and say:
“My name is _____ and I’m from ____. I’m calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader to ask him to bring S.4431, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, up for a vote right away. We know the votes are there to pass it, and this bill is so important. [Feel free to share your experience if you have been a pregnant worker.] Please make passing it a priority. Thanks.
Give 💰
Y’all, the Santa Clarita Democrats are in dire need of postcard stamps for the 10,000 cards that their volunteers are writing for Christy Smith to take back the House. Mike Garcia, the Republican incumbent, has voted against everything, including codifying Roe V Wade, the Voting Rights Act, keeping birth control legal, gay marriage, upholding the election, etc. etc. We need Christy in office; she only lost by 333 votes last time! If anyone can help, please donate to their link here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/postcards-scvd
Get Smart! 📚
Friendly reminder that tonight Focus 4 Democracy will be presenting their latest recommendation - Accelerate Change - an innovative set of programs that turn out Black, Latino, and other voters by getting its millions of digital subscribers to contact their friends via social media at scale. Accelerate Change yields extremely cost-effective turnout by building ongoing trust to educate voters between elections.Â
They'll present Working America’s incredible persuasion programs as well.
I’ll be there, too!
I’d love to see you tonight, Thursday, September 29 at 5pm PT/8pm ET for their first event supporting this new recommendation. We’ll be joined by leaders of Accelerate Change and Matt Morrison of Working America. Register here.
Message Message Message! 📣
Progressive Turnout Project has created a great messaging toolkit called Team Turnout — an amazing resource with opportunities to rally Democrats to vote between now and Election Day. If you're already doing all you can, it's perfect to share with your networks to get more folks involved over the home stretch. Team Turnout includes:
Fantastic graphics with key voting information, values-based messages and more to share on social media
Paid opportunities in key areas for door-to-door canvassing and mobilizing folks you know about votingÂ
Spread the word and spread the message! Thanks!
Win Races! 🗳
Want to see us win big in NC?
Join All In for North Carolina Thursdays and Sundays as they reach voters in northeastern North Carolina and help swing this crucial state! They are calling for Beasley for Senate, the two Democrats running to maintain the NC supreme court majority (SO IMPORTANT!) and Valerie Jordan for a crucial state senate seat. Both the court and the legislature are key to maintaining democracy and reproductive rights.
Seasoned, upbeat phone bank captains will offer high quality, engaging training at the beginning of each shift, and no experience is needed!
You'll need a desktop, laptop, or tablet to take part in the phone bank.
Sign up for one or more shifts here!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to President Biden] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PPQZIX to 50409]
The 40 hour work week used to ensure that Americans had the ability to spend time with their families. And if they worked a single minute over 40 hours, they’d be paid time-and-a-half.
In 1975, more than 60% of salaried workers were automatically eligible to receive overtime pay. Today that number has shrunk to just 13%.
Employers are overworking their employees, requiring them to work 60, 80, even 90 hours a week without any overtime pay. If the overtime salary threshold were $83,000 today instead of the current $35,000 level, roughly the same percentage of people would receive overtime pay as when the American middle class was at its strongest.
I urge you to raise the salary threshold to receive overtime pay, just as you did under the Obama administration, so that millions more working people can earn a fair wage and have time off to spend with family.
Please stand up for working people by taking this action today. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
I’m answering calls from voters all over the country on the DNC voter protection hotline. Next week we expand to a text line. It’s very rewarding. I also text almost every day on various campaigns through Movement labs. They provide volunteers to text on mainly local grassroots activism throughout the country - recruiting Democrats to run in local races in Arizona, getting out information on abortion and medical services in rural areas, voter registration info. It’s really great to feel that I’m apart of all the incredible energy for good. And I’m sure I learned about these volunteer opportunities through Chop Wood.
I’m having my 69th birthday next week & celebrating by having 12 of my fav political buddies over to help me finish canvas my precinct ( I’m precinct chair). We are providing Voter info ( including early voting locations), information on Vote No on Amendment 2 ( anti abortion amendment similar to Kansas)., and campaign info on Charles Booker for U.S. Senate ( we’re going to oust Rand Paul), Morgan McGarvey for Congress ( replacing John Yarmuth who is retiring) and our Dem mayor and county clerk. Afterwards we’ll have veggie lasagna & celebrate! Determined to help save Democracy & have fun doing it!!