CALL TO ACTION #951: Demand Safe Fair Elections (June 25, 2020)
131 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
***Today’s Call To Action***
DEMAND SAFE FAIR ELECTIONS
The 15th Amendment ratified in 1870 guaranteed the right for men to vote regardless of race. It wasn’t until 1920 that women were granted the same right when the 19th Amendment was ratified. Jim Crow laws were enacted starting in 1865 in response to the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. After 1870, these laws created obstacles specifically to stop Black people from exercising their right to vote. They have had to fight for that right ever since.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressed systemic attacks on the rights of Black voters by enacting federal oversight to stop voter discrimination and suppression by states. This Act was gutted in 2013 by the Supreme Court, prompting many states again enact a flood of new procedures mirroring Jim Crow to make it more difficult for Black people to vote.
COVID-19 has provided another tool for voter suppression—states restricting early and absentee voting while, at the same time, closing polling places in Black communities.
The HEROES Act would fund vote by mail and the post office. The Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 would restore federal oversight of voting laws. Grim Reaper Mitch McConnell is refusing to move on either.
End Systemic Suppression of Black Voters!
Congress must ensure SAFE FAIR ELECTIONS for ALL AMERICANS!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
If we are to have a true and healthy democracy, Congress must ensure safe and fair elections for all Americans and demand an end to the systemic suppression of Black voters. I am asking the Senator to demand that the HEROES Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote immediately.
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].
If we are to have a true and healthy democracy, Congress must ensure safe and fair elections for all Americans and demand an end to the systemic suppression of Black voters. Tell Greg Walden I want him to demand that the HEROES Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote immediately.
Where’s Walden? History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake.
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**
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Umatilla, Union, Wallowa & Morrow Counties
TODAY: June 25 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-2/
June 26, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”
Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.
“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”
The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Deschutes, Crook & Jefferson Counties
June 29 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-deschutes-crook-jefferson-counties/
Coming Friday, July 3rd to the Guerrilla Drive-In… ‘The Brainwashing of My Dad’
July 3 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/coming-friday-july-3rd-to-the-guerrilla-drive-in-the-brainwashing-of-my-dad/
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:
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/
