This advice from the New York Democratic Lawyers Council:
We are really in the thick of it now, right?
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work to do, and this year adds another layer to the complex question of, "How best to help?," in the form of, adhering to the health, safety, and social distancing regimen that is best for each of us.
If it all has you stressed out - this is the email you've been waiting for!
This is my top-line report about THE most important thing you can be doing to protect voters, save democracy, and elect democrats up-and-down the ballot - from any level of social distance!
What to do...
From your couch:
The emphatic answer to this is to phone bank into Wisconsin to help them recruit poll watchers.
I know, I know. If you’re reading this you’re probably (but not necessarily) an attorney. If so, you probably want to contribute a 'lawyerly' task to the effort…
Here’s the thing:
Phone banking is all about persuasion.
AND: phone banking to recruit poll watchers is, also, all about your own voter protection story and experience!
Many, many parts of Wisconsin totally lack enough Democratic attorneys to cover the polls. This means we have to reach out to Democrats of all vocations to step up!
Wisconsin Democrats in places like Eau Claire and Appleton need to hear your voter protection story. Tell them how you've made a difference for voters, and demonstrate to them that they can too!
You can sign up at the following link; there are phone banks EVERY evening of the week, except for Friday and Sunday: https://www.mobilize.us/dpw/event/316224/
Wisconsin not your jam? Well, guess what: Ohio needs all the same help!
Join a dedicated echelon of New Yorkers who have all been doing this on Wednesdays:
https://www.mobilize.us/oh2020victoryvp/event/326926/
From your desk:
There has been a tremendous interest in Hotline work in this socially-distanced age and there is no bigger need right now than in IOWA!
This is the perfect thing to do if you want to see Mitch McConnell's tenure as Senate Majority Leader end.
Why? Because Democratic Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield is closing in on defeating GOP incumbent Joni Ernst!
We gotta protect ALL Iowa voters to get Theresa -- and Biden/Harris -- over the top!
You could be an integral part of the team by attending an Iowa Hotline training this coming Tuesday or Thursday:
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/324301/
But the need to protect voters doesn't stop at the Hotline - Iowa is also mounting a robust "chase and cure" program to make sure qualified voters don't see their ballots thrown out. We gotta make sure every vote gets counted!
You can join Iowa's Ballot Cure Team by signing up for their next briefing here (it's on Wednesday night):
https://www.mobilize.us/ia2020victoryvp/event/335607/
In your neighborhood:
Poll Watch to protect the vote in New York!
Get started and earn 1 CLE credit by taking our election law update here: https://www.nydlc.org/2020it_intake
After you've gotten up-to-date on all the MANY changes since 2018 - you will be asked if you would like to work the NY Hotline, or help poll watch! Just click "yes" and you will be sent the next module, based on the task that you selected!
If you are inspired to take a day-trip
Pennsylvania poll observer training can be signed-up for here:
https://www.mobilize.us/pavotepro/event/319170/
There are trainings on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I've let PA Dems know New Yorkers maintain a high interest in helping our neighbors, and they have promised to send anyone who signs up to a place that's easy to get to.
Ohio currently has high need in Youngstown and Cleveland! If you would like to get started, please fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBl5py8MBaQnmjVSVndcv2PouX3nazktumRKTgVSdTBEzFfQ/viewform?gxids=7628
If you are inspired to help anywhere!
I cannot stress enough that Michigan is the firewall against a Trump victory in 2020. There are going to be a lot of new and younger voters in that state who need help.
To find out how you can assist, fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oiF2dCpjlWVUE6nNkiTijMD0TYvkZC2_o0QwO_zk9Po/edit?ts=5f36fba4
So: There you have it, NYDLCers. I work, live, and breathe this stuff everyday. This is my honest assessment of where we are at, and the MOST impactful way to make a difference at every COVID-era-comfort level.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do.
It is your commitment, your passion for safeguarding the rights of voters, your unwavering belief that the dream of democracy can and will be better and better realized - that keeps me going these days.
I want thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Kind regards,
Liza
New York Democratic Lawyers Council
http://www.nydlc.org/
New York Democratic Lawyers Council · 420 Lexington Ave, Suite 1610, New York, NY 10170, United States