CALL TO ACTION #904: Save Our Democracy! Protect Voting by Mail! Fund the Postal Service! (April 20, 2020)
197 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
Be sure to fully participate in our
May state and local elections!
Important dates
April 22-24: Voters’ pamphlets delivered
April 28: Voter registration deadline*
April 29: First ballots are mailed
May 19: Primary Election Day
*You can’t vote if you’re not registered! Check here to confirm or change your registration status. The deadline is only eight days away! Don’t delay. And urge all of your like-minded friends and family to do the same. Progressive activism means working the entire ballot, including seemingly obscure local boards and commissions. Make the BLUE WAVE wash over every level of government!
Today’s Call To Action
SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY!
PROTECT VOTING BY MAIL!
FUND THE POSTAL SERVICE!
The US Postal Service (USPS) is essential to our way of life, our grassroots democracy. Since inception, it’s played a vital role in spreading information and delivering mail and packages daily to every household and business in America at the same affordable rates:
- Keeping us connected with friends and family
- Distributing essential goods, stimulus checks and possibly even COVID-19 tests and vaccines
- Continuing to facilitate the request and return of mail-in ballots so that Americans can vote safely and securely from home
- Providing its almost 650,000 employees (18% veterans) with good, unionized jobs
Uninterrupted mail service is also required so the 2020 Census can get an accurate headcount, which will be used to determine the distribution of House districts for the next decade.
Although the USPS runs on postal revenue, not tax dollars, the massive decline in mail volume due to COVID-19 requires federal intervention. The allocated $10 billion loan hasn’t yet been approved by the Treasury Department, and the aid package being finalized funds neither the USPS nor expanded voting by mail.
We cannot allow Trump to privatize postal services. Make sure your members of Congress recognize the essential role the USPS plays in our national life. Demand full funding to ensure continued postal deliveries, and to allow Americans to vote safely from home or wherever they are.
Keep Fighting!
Keep Calling!
We are in this for the Long Haul!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
The Postal Service plays an essential role in our national life and our democracy, spreading information and disseminating goods and services throughout America. We cannot let Trump and the GOP privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail, which will starve our democracy, cut off receipt of goods Americans need to survive, and disenfranchise many Americans. The next stimulus package must include:
- Full funding for expanded vote-by-mail legislation
- Billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in the Protect Our Post Offices Act (HR.6425)
- Repeal of the pension pre-funding requirement contained in the USPS Fairness Act (HR .2382)
- Guaranteed legislative oversight of all appropriated funds
Without their inclusion, I urge you to refuse unanimous consent.
Thank you.”
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to demand that Greg Walden oppose all attempts to privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail—both of which will greatly harm his rural constituency. Please tell him to VOTE NO any new spending package that does not include:
- Full funding for vote-by-mail
- The billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR.6425
- Guaranteed legislative oversight of all funds appropriated by Congress
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: SOCAN Facebook Live, 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 22 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-socan-facebook-live-50th-anniversary-of-earth-day/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Earth Day Online with Alice DiMicele
April 22 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-earth-day-online-with-alice-dimicele/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Find out about Fungus with John Villella Online!
April 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-find-out-about-fungus-with-john-villella-online/
Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties
Postcards to Voters:
Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org
You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/
To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104
…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.
Letters to Voters
We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states. It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/
Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.
Virtual Letter-writing Parties
We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:
April 25 virtual letter-writing party – https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/
**Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/