95 Days

Until the November 3rd Election

Our Recommendations for November

What Voting Blue means to us: We Steering Committee members are pragmatic progressives with no “purity or litmus tests” for our key issues. Rather, we will support the candidate that comes closest to our positions, which means that moderate Joe Biden is much preferred to fascist Donald Trump. And, electability matters; one can’t govern from the sidelines. Sometimes that means backing someone who looks less blue than their opponent, someone who is in a better position to be elected and actually help us. Finally, some candidates might want us to maintain our distance for political reasons specific to their constituencies. We respect that, so people we would otherwise recommend may be missing from this list.

President: Joe Biden

U.S. Senate: Jeff Merkley

U.S. Congress CD2: Alex Spenser

Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan

State Treasurer: Tobias Read

State Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum

State House District 4: Mary Middleton

State House District 5: Pam Marsh

State House District 6: Alberto Enriquez

Jackson County Commissioner: Terrie Martin

Today’s Call To Action

Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

The Supreme Court handed liberals surprising narrow wins on abortion, DACA and Trump’s assertion that he’s above the law. Blacks and immigrants fared more poorly.

It left untouched qualified immunity, which shields police from prosecution for misdeeds occurring during dangerous, split second confrontations. Black Lives Matter and others charge that it leaves victims without remedy for extreme police brutality.

The Court (5-4) revived the death penalty after a 17-year moratorium. Within a week, four men were put to death. While they were all white, this ruling will disproportionately impact people of color, the largest population on death row.

On immigration issues, the Court:

Found Trump’s attempt to end DACA, which protects 700,000 people from deportation, “arbitrary and capricious,” setting him up to find better legal justification to succeed.
Permitted Trump to deny citizenship or green cards to immigrants using public assistance, like food stamps or Medicaid.
Refused to condemn the Administration’s practice of quickly deporting asylum seekers following a brief hearing by ICE and requiring them to pursue their cases from Mexico.

As a first step for pushing back on this racism, Congress has the opportunity to honor civil rights icon John Lewis by expanding voting rights.

Pass the John Lewis

Voting Rights Advancement Act

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].

I am calling because the Supreme Court’s actions this term will be especially harmful to Blacks and immigrants. The Court left DACA vulnerable, put the lives of people of color at great risk with the death penalty decision and its inaction on qualified immunity. We can fundamentally strengthen fairness for all by passing the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”

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 because the Supreme Court’s actions this term will be especially harmful to Blacks and immigrants. The Court left DACA vulnerable, put the lives of people of color at great risk with the death penalty decision and its inaction on qualified immunity. Tell Greg Walden that we can fundamentally strengthen fairness for all by passing the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”

To remain silent on this is a moral outrage. If that’s Greg’s decision, I call on him to resign his office effective immediately.

Where’s Walden? History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake.

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (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: CALL GOVERNOR KATE BROWN

Governor Kate Brown Phone: 503-378-4582 Trump’s militarized DHS forces who have invaded Portland are acting without restraint or accountability. They are suppressing free speech and terrorizing peaceful protesters. I want to thank the governor for calling for them to leave and speaking out against Trump’s abuse of power. But I am asking for more. Every night that the DHS continues to march on Portland streets, more people are endangered. I am asking for real action to get DHS forces out of Portland now. And action necessary, up to and including use of the Oregon National Guard, to protect all Oregonians on the streets of Portland.

ACTION FOUR: BE AN ACTIVIST

July 31, 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.

Letters to Voters Garden and Zoom Parties – Medford (And Your Homes)
August 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ongoing, every Tuesday
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/letters-to-voters-garden-and-zoom-parties-medford-and-your-homes/

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.

Correction:

In yesterday’s newsletter, the contact information for Dasja Dolan, who is one of the leaders of ORD2 Indivisible’s letter-writing campaign for Vote Forward, was incorrect. Her email address should be . We regret the error.

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/