Sarah Pease
Redistricting Maps and Contacting Your ...
Redistricting Maps and Contacting Your Representatives

Redistricting Maps and Contacting Your Representatives

There are so many reasons to be in contact with your elected officials right now. But you have probably heard of the recent redistricting and want to know how this impacts who you may call about issues.

Here is a link to the the 2020 Election / 117th Congress districts map. “Although states have begun redistricting for the 2022 election, the 2020 districts map remains the correct map to determine who represents you in Congress until the next election’s winners take office on January 3, 2023.”

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CA/#map

Support Single Payer Guarnteed Health Care: Sign up for CalCare Car Caravan

Join the National Nurses United Car Caravan as part of the CalCare Kickoff Day of Action on Saturday, February 6th!

Sign up here!

“We will demonstrate from our cars with a caravan that will begin with a short program, then we'll all drive around an easy-to-follow route with signs on our cars to demonstrate visible support for guaranteed health care for all Californians. Further details will be emailed to you including start and end locations, a map of the driving route, and safety guidelines.

Be sure to decorate your car in advance if you are able - although some window signs will also be provided if you need them. If you have any questions, contact the host of this event listed below. We look forward to seeing you there!”

Details:

  • Laurel St entrance to Balboa Park (greeters will direct you)

  • 2535 6th Ave (approximately)

  • San Diego, CA 92101

  • Saturday, February 6th, 12:00 p.m.

  • Peter (Host)
    619 729 6468

  • The CalCare caravan will proceed from Balboa Park, down University Ave, to City Heights. Day of Zoom connect is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81833203511?pwd=S09ySFlNY0hhYWk4ZDBYVTluYVhwQT09 Meeting ID: 818 3320 3511 Pass code: 984711

Ways to Help Democrats Win Back the Senate

From Refinery29, by Elly Belle, 13 Nov 2020:

The Senate runoff races in Georgia are going to be key to Biden having a successful presidency: If Democrats win both races, there will be a 50-50 split in the Senate, making it possible to get more progressive agendas through without too much trouble. On Jan. 5, 2021 (and before, thanks to voting by mail), Georgians will vote once again. With so much riding on this runoff, how can you help?

If you want to turn your organizing efforts to helping the Democrats win in Georgia in January, there are plenty of places to donate and ways to get involved with phone banking, text banking, and more. Stacey Abrams herself has emphasized that donations to her organization, Fair Fight, could seriously help determine the outcome of the election.

Donate and volunteer virtually

You can donate directly to Jon Ossoff’s campaign and Raphael Warnock's campaign, or to GAsenate.com and Fair Fight. Currently, Fair Fight is raising public awareness and launching mass mobilizations in Georgia to get out the vote. But there are also other on-the-ground organizations and initiatives that will need donations and resources in the coming months. You can also donate to Black Voters Matter or Asian-Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, which are both working to protect voter rights and mobilize people.

If you don’t have the money to donate — or do, but also want to help out in other ways — both the Warnock and Ossoff campaigns are actively recruiting people to work with them, even if you don’t live in Georgia. The Warnock campaign is looking for people who can help amplify their content on social media. And the Ossoff campaign is hosting daily phone banks, which are easy to sign up for and which you can participate in no matter where you live.

If you live in Georgia, mobilize on the ground

One of the best ways you'll be able to help is if you live in Georgia. If you're in-state, you can volunteer for the Warnock and Ossoff campaigns on the ground, or work with organizations that are currently mobilizing voters. There are in-person canvassing opportunities, as well as opportunities to work at the polls with the Georgia Democratic Party, too. This includes participating in voter protection volunteer opportunities, to make sure that there’s no voter intimidation. Additionally, the Warnock campaign is urging voters to help get friends and family to vote. So if you’re a resident, there’s a lot you can do simply by speaking openly about the election and having conversations with people about why it’s important.

However, if you don’t live in Georgia and are considering coming to organize or fundraise there, give it some reflection before you go. Many people online have said this isn’t helpful, especially given safety issues surrounding the pandemic. It’s likely best to donate or offer your time and efforts from afar, and let the people already on the ground in Georgia do the work.

Stacey Abrams’ organization Fair Fight, along with local electoral organizers are doing the work to gain unprecedented voter turnout, and to fight voter suppression. Abrams is also urging whoever can to help win the runoff. "We have seen what is possible when we work hard and when we work together. We know we can win Georgia. Now let's get it done, again,” Abrams said in a statement this week.

Should Progressives embrace Federalism in the Face of a Divided Nation?

I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when, after protracted consideration, it became apparent that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the 2020 Presidential Election. But, for me at least, that sigh of relief came after a deep gasp. On Tuesday night, it looked like Donald Trump had won another 4 years in office. Indeed, as the votes rolled in, senate races that progressives counted on winning fell to Republican incumbents; often by large margins. Nationally, the election was far from a repudiation of the Republican agenda. The fact is, America just barely voted Trump out of office. Many people who voted for Biden and Harris, split their tickets and voted for Republican senators and congressional representatives. State ballots and governorships also stayed largely in Republican hands.

This presents progressives with a dilemma: How do we move forward with an agenda in the face of a deeply divided body politic? I know that my suggestion will be met with resistance and in some cases scorn, but we must think about compromise. The question is: how does this compromise look? Fortunately, our divisions as a nation can be correlated with geography. This suggests that a Federalist approach to governance, where local control of policy can let “us do it our way and them do it their way.”

This will come with problems: for issues like climate change, how do we allow some states to continue releasing harmful greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, while others curb theirs? How do we protect the rights of women in states where the right to choose is limited? These are substantial problems, but they do have partial solution and existing precedent. For example: climate change is a global problem, but not all nations are fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet we choose to regulate emissions to directly reduce anthropogenic climate change, and indirectly apply market forces to entities that choose to not regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In the issue of safe access to abortion, federal laws should exist to mandate free passage for individuals, to other jurisdictions, to obtain desired medical services. These challenges and solutions are a compromise for both sides, but to keep our country together, they are worth it.

This article in the New York Times, by Gurbir S. Grewal and Jeremy Feigenbaum, describes a return to Federalism as a response to the Trump era of massive federal judgeship appointments. I think the central points apply to creating a country with a greater variety of governing approaches for the sake of compromise.

As a progressive, I have always felt that my “side” has the best ideas. Perhaps it is time we put our ideas up against the competition and see who wins.

Further reading in NY Magazine about the progressive embrace of Federalism.

Protect the Results

Mobilization effort to ensure the outcome of a free and fair election. If Trump decides to muddy the water of the election results, we need to be ready to act. Sign up with Protect the Results to get involved.

Trump has repeatedly declined to state that he would support the results of the election if he does not win. It is difficult to overstate the importance of the peaceful transition of power in maintaining our democracy.

For a more detailed examination of how the Trump administration and supporters might try to subvert the election, please see the 24 September 2020 blog post and accompanying article.

Protect the Results

Mobilization effort to ensure the outcome of a free and fair election. If Trump decides to muddy the water of the election results, we need to be ready to act. Sign up with Protect the Results to get involved.

Trump has repeatedly declined to state that he would support the results of the election if he does not win. It is difficult to overstate the importance of the peaceful transition of power in maintaining our democracy.

For a more detailed examination of how the Trump administration and supporters might try to subvert the election, please see the 24 September 2020 blog post and accompanying article.

The Election That Could Break America

In the November preview issue of the Atlantic, Barton Gellman authors a chilling article that should serve as a warning for what may be to come, and provides some suggestions to keep our democracy on track.

Summary:

  • Concessions are important in allowing the winner of an election to assume legitimate power.

  • Anyone who thinks that Donald Trump will concede the election, regardless of the outcome has not been paying attention for the last 4 years.

  • The CORONA virus, a deluge of mail-in ballots, and a sabotaged Postal Service will make it likely that the 2020 election will not be settled on the night of the election.

  • The trend has been for ballots counted in “overtime” are predominantly blue. This has been called the “Blue Shift.”

  • The Trump administration will sow discord and call the validity of ballots counted after the night of the election into question, because they are aware of the Blue Shift.

  • Our democratic system is not designed to handle this contingency, as evidenced by the work of a election data modelers. Many modeled outcomes resulted in street-level violence.

  • The best defense against this outcome is to vote in person. If your vote is tallied on election night, it will do more to prevent a constitutional crisis.

Link to full article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/what-if-trump-refuses-concede/616424/

Vote early and often!

Sign the Environmental Justice Coalition's Petition to Require County to Hire Environmental Justice Staff

Here is the petition:

https://www.mothersoutfront.org/take-action/sign-our-petition-to-the-apcd/

Virtual participation in the County Board Hearing that will approve the current environmental justice program:


Direct link to the event: https://www.mothersoutfront.org/events/public-hearing-support-the-hiring-of-ej-staff-at-apcd/
Link to live stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/countysandiego
Link to send in comments on agenda items: https://sdcounty.granicusideas.com/meetings/1430-air-pollution-control-board-meeting/agenda_items
Link to Board of Supervisors meeting page: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html

Vote Safer San Diego

Afraid of the crowds at voting locations? Be safe and vote by mail.

San Diego County safe voting information:

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters is committed to ensuring that voters can exercise their right to vote in a safe, secure and accessible manner during the 2020 Presidential General Election.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail for the upcoming election.

Mail-in ballots give voters the option to vote from the safety of their homes.

If you decide to vote in-person, keep in mind the following:

Make sure you go to your assigned polling place. You can find your assigned polling place on the back of your Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet or you can look it up online.

Be prepared. Mark your selections on your Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet in advance so you can quickly fill in the official ballot in the voting booth.

We especially encourage older adults and people with underlying medical conditions to avoid long lines and crowded polling places by voting early.

Bring your face mask and plan to maintain social distance. The Registrar of Voters is adhering to the County’s public health orders and will make reasonable accommodations when needed to ensure the health and safety of all election workers, voters and observers to our office and polling places.

Real Clear Politics "Senate No Toss Ups 2020" Shows a Net Gain of Four Seats in the Senate

…But don’t get cocky.

Real Clear Politics shows Democrats pick up four seats in the Senate based on current polling with no consideration of margin of error. We could look at this and breathe a sigh of relief, but in reality it is a time to look at the current list of potential pickups and decide where YOU want to put time, money, or effort to make sure the Democrats take control of the Senate. This could be of historical importance if there is any dispute on the outcome of the Presidential Election.

The 10 most likely seats to flip are as follows:

Arizona Senate - McSally vs. Kelly

Link to Kelly Campaign

Colorado Senate - Gardner vs. Hickenlooper

Link to Hickenlooper Campaign

Georgia Senate - Perdue vs. Ossoff

Link to Ossoff Campaign

Iowa Senate - Ernst vs. Greenfield

Link to Greenfield Campaign

Maine Senate - Collins vs. Gideon

Link to Gideon Campaign

Michigan Senate - James vs. Peters

Link to Peters Campaign

Minnesota Senate - Lewis vs. Smith

Link to Smith Campaign

Montana Senate - Daines vs. Bullock

Link to Bullock Campaign

North Carolina Senate - Tillis vs. Cunningham

Link to Cunningham Campaign

South Carolina Senate - Graham vs. Harrison

Link to Harrison Campaign

It'll Cost You 55 Cents to Protect Your Vote this November

Add a 55 cent stamp to your mail in ballot to ensure speedy delivery. A small price to pay for democracy!

From CNN website Opinion Page, by David Andelman:

(CNN)President Donald Trump is doing his darndest to make sure that Americans' mail-in ballots won't get to the finish line in time to be counted, including most recently opposing much-needed funding for the US Postal Service. But there's a way to make sure he doesn't override the right to vote.

Put a 55-cent stamp on every mail-in ballot. I'm calling it "The 55-Cent Campaign." And consider it, now, officially launched.

In May, the United States Postal Service's Board of Governors appointed one of the President's cronies and major campaign donors, Louis DeJoy, as Postmaster General. Since its founding in 1775, with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General, the postal service has been the oldest, most apolitical government organ (though in 1971 it was hived off to become a more independent, self-financing entity).

Since DeJoy's arrival, however, Trump has done his best to undermine the postal service's abilities. And, on Thursday, Trump effectively admitted that he was doing his best to fix the election by keeping the postal service from sourcing the funds it needs to facilitate the scale of mail-in ballots likely needed for this election.

"They [the Postal Service] don't have the money to do the universal mail-in voting. So therefore, they can't do it, I guess," Trump said earlier in the week. "Are they going to do it even if they don't have the money?"

Indeed, the postal service may not have the money now, especially since Trump has said he won't approve $25 billion in emergency funding for the USPS, or $3.5 billion in supplemental funding for election resources that Democrats wanted written into the next coronavirus relief package, which is still in limbo.

While DeJoy has said that election mail will not be slowed and that it has "ample capacity" to handle mail-in ballots, some of his cost-cutting moves, as well as comments by other postal officials, suggest that he has effectively ensured Americans' ballots do not get to their destination on time.

Most election mail carries the third-class or bulk rate of 20 cents, which can take as long as 10 days to reach its destination. First-class mail takes two to five days, maximum. Until now, the postal service has treated election mail, including voter registration materials, voter information, ballot requests and the ballots themselves as first-class, no matter how much or how little postage they carry.

According to the New York Times, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said DeJoy had "informed some states that they may need to pay a first-class rate to deliver ballots rather than the normal rate — nearly tripling the cost." According to the newspaper, the postal service said DeJoy's comments were merely a suggestion for local election officials seeking to curb costs, not an on official mandate.

But there's a way to utterly frustrate DeJoy's suggestion.

Every voter should put a 55-cent stamp on his or her return envelope, no matter if it is already pre-printed with bulk postage by their election board. Political organizations, political action committees (PACs) and community groups should buy 55 cent stamps to distribute for mail-in-ballot return. A 55-cent stamp automatically overrides other lesser postage on the envelope and forces it to go first class -- hopefully arriving in plenty of time to be counted.

But what about getting that ballot to you in the first place? Thanks to the pandemic, states already have their backs to the wall, without the new and added burden of funds for mass mailings, outbound, with first-class postage.

So it's time for major donors to step in. The concept of donating to help out this process is on a state-by-state basis. Some states, like Illinois, according to Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois Board of Elections, actually allow political parties or PACs access to their voter registration rolls to send out mail-in-ballot requests. So, what's needed is big money to subsidize such programs wherever possible, to put first-class postage on each registration or application.

Mike Bloomberg, as of June 30, had already spent $1,089,302,159 by himself on elections. That's 1,980,550,034 first-class stamps -- or six stamps for every man, woman and child in America. How about if Jeff Bezos with his net worth of $114 billion, Bill Gates with $106 billion, Warren Buffett with $80.8 billion, or Mark Zuckerberg with $69.6 billion, chipped in?

Between requesting and mailing ballots, if four stamps are required (roundtrip for applications and ballots), then the "The 55-Cent Campaign" needs to raise at least $191,336,986 (to cover the number of voters who cast ballots for president in 2016 --136,669,276). That's less than 20% of what Bloomberg alone has already spent in this election cycle.

So, I've thrown down the gauntlet. Let's all pitch in now to help our postal service do the right thing.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/14/opinions/55-cent-mail-in-ballot-campaign-andelman/index.html

California Introduces "Where's My Ballot?" Online Service to Track Mailed in Ballots.

Tracking your vote-by-mail ballot—when it is mailed, received, and counted—has never been easier. The California Secretary of State is now offering Where’s My Ballot?—a new way for voters to track and receive notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot. Powered by BallotTrax, Where’s My Ballot?  lets voters know where their ballot is, and its status, every step of the way.

Trump is expected to lose by a landslide in California. However, local races may be tighter and keeping an eye on your mailed in ballot might be important. (Are you listening CA-50?)

https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

How to prevent your mail ballot from being rejected.

From the Washington Post:

How to prevent your mail ballot from being rejected

It requires more steps than voting in person — and there are more opportunities for error

Voting in 2020 is already different than any election ever before. Here are a few key voting terms to best understand how to make sure your vote counts. (Allie Caren/The Washington Post)

By Elise Viebeck

August 25, 2020 at 3:00 a.m. PDT

As millions of Americans plan to vote by mail this fall, many are asking: How can I ensure that my ballot is not rejected?

The risk is real, especially among voters who have not voted by mail in the past.

A recent Washington Post analysis found that more than 534,000 mail ballots were rejected during primaries across 23 states this year, disenfranchising voters and offering a preview of what could happen in November, when voter turnout is likely to rise dramatically. Studies have found that experience casting mail ballots tends to correlate with lower rates of rejection, and that younger voters and voters of color are more likely in some cases to see their mail ballots invalidated.

These findings are critical as voters make plans for how to cast their ballots this year.

Nearly 200 million Americans are eligible to vote by mail in the general election, an unprecedented number that reflects changes aimed at making voting easier during the coronavirus pandemic. Millions are expected to embrace this option to protect their health, some for the first time.

But the process of casting a mail ballot can be complicated. Compared with in-person voting, it involves more steps and more opportunities for problems — including some outside the voter’s control.

Here are six steps you can take to protect your vote while casting a mail ballot.

If you need to request your ballot, do it early.

In nine states and the District of Columbia, voters will receive ballots in the mail automatically, according to a Post tracker. Across the rest of the country, voters are required to ask for a mail ballot from election officials.

Ten states are making this step easier by automatically sending request forms in the mail. In the remaining 31 states, voters have to start the process themselves. Depending on the state, this can mean finding and submitting a request form or making the request through an online system.

Whatever method is available to you, election officials are asking voters to begin the process as soon as possible. That makes it more likely you will receive your ballot with plenty of time to return it.

Read the instructions, and seek clarification from election officials if you are confused.

Completing a mail ballot often involves more than selecting your preferred candidates. There can be a number of additional steps required to make your vote official, depending on the state, such as signing your name one or more times. If you live in a state with stricter rules, you might need a signature from one or two witnesses or a notary, along with information such as their printed name and address.

To guide voters through the steps where they live, election officials typically send instructions along with each mail ballot. It is important to read these instructions carefully to make sure you do not miss something or make a mistake.

If you are confused about how to complete your ballot, contact your local election official, who is often the county or city clerk. Their office can walk you through what to do.

If you must sign your name, learn about signature matching.

Most voters will be asked to sign their name at least once to complete their mail ballot. Depending on the state, that signature could determine whether your vote counts.

That’s because some states verify your ballot by matching the signature to one or more signatures on file with the government, such as the signature on your driver’s license. In some cases, they use the signature from your original voter registration form, even if it is years or decades old. This can create a risk of rejection for people whose signatures have evolved over time.

To make sure your ballot is not rejected because of a false mismatch, find out the rules where you live. If a matching signature is required, sign your name while keeping in mind that election officials may be comparing it with an old signature. If you sign with your initials but your signature on file contains your full name, your ballot might not be counted.

Avoid stray marks, tears and other accidental flubs that could disqualify your ballot.

To give your ballot the best possible chance of counting, it’s important to return it in pristine condition.

Do not stain or tear your ballot or the envelope. Be sure to follow the instructions about how to indicate your choice of candidates and what color ink to use. Outside the areas you were told to mark or sign, there should be no stray writing or marks. Some of these rules date to the 1800s, when a small alteration to a ballot could indicate that a voter was owed a payoff.

Once you’ve completed your ballot, make sure to follow the directions for placing it inside its envelope or paper sleeve. If there is an inner envelope, and the instructions tell you to seal it, do not forget. Do not use your own envelope to return a ballot.

Above all, if you think you made a mistake while filling out your ballot, do not try to fix it. Ask your local election office what to do — they might advise you to start fresh with a new ballot and help you get one.

Return your ballot as soon as possible. If you do not want to use the mail, there might be other options.

It is important to know the options for returning your ballot — as well as the deadline for returning it.

If you plan to mail it, attach postage if necessary and send it back with time to spare. If you do not want to use the mail, you might have other options, depending on where you live. Ask your local election official if there are ballot drop boxes available in your community or if you can return it in person at their office. Be aware that deadlines sometimes vary based on what method you decide to use.

Election officials and the U.S. Postal Service are advising voters to return their ballots early to ensure they are received in time for counting.

Seek reliable information about the process from election officials.

Rules for mail voting are complicated. They can vary, even within states, and have undergone dramatic changes this year.

Be wary of unverified “facts” about the voting process that have gone viral this year on social media, many of which may be inaccurate.

The people who run elections in your state, county or city are the best source of information about the voting process where you live. If you are confused at any point, seek answers on their websites, follow their official social media accounts or get in touch with them directly. Answering voters’ questions is part of their job, and they are responsible for making sure their communities have accurate information.

© 1996-2020 The Washington Post

Worried That Your Vote May Not Be Counted? Use This Resource to Track Your Vote!

Referred by Doug Porter

With the November election less than 3 months away, and efforts by the Trump Administration to compromise mail-in voting, NBC news has published a useful and comprehensive guide for mail-in, in-person voting, and voting registration requirements for all 50 states. The tool is interactive and allows you to determine deadlines and conditions for submission of voter registrations, absentee/mail-in ballot requests, and ballot submissions.

https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/

Heart to Heart: Weekly Digital Happy Hours

This is difficult time. Many people are dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, fear, and frustration. Indivisible members are no strangers to those feelings - they were what led us to form groups & take action back in the aftermath of the 2016 elections. However, the addition of a global pandemic has added isolation to the mix - we can't just gather at someone's home or other venues.

Maintaining community while maintaining distance is crucial.

To that end, Indivisible San Diego Persist & Indivisible CBFD will be hosting weekly digital "happy hours" for a chance to connect in whatever way you need: sharing, processing, venting, asking for where to find resources & help, laughing, crying, introducing pets via webcams...

This time will be focused on community, not on action. (We have plenty of other times focused on action, even remotely!) We hope you can join us.

  • When?

    Every Wednesday at 4:00pm (Pacific Time)

  • Where?

    Online via Zoom!

  • How?

    Join on your computer by clicking this link: https://zoom.us/j/537384334
    Or dial in by phone (find your local number here) with meeting ID: 537 384 334

CA53 Debate

This past Sunday we collaborated with 2 other local Indivisible chapters to hold a debate for the candidates running to replace Susan Davis in Congressional District 53.

We are so grateful for our moderator and our candidates, who kept things civil, informative, and productive. We are also grateful for our audience and everyone who is committed to finding the best person to represent them in the 53rd district! Thank you Ronn Kilby for filming the entire debate and making it available to even more voters.

See the entire debate here: CA 53 Debate Footage

On stage we had (in alphabetical order):

  • Jose Caballero

  • Janessa Goldbeck

  • Georgette Gomez

  • Sara Jacobs

  • Joaquín Vázquez

However, this is a crowded race, and although we had to limit the numbers of participants to really get in depth in our questions, we also invited other candidates to table & mingle at the end of the debate.

Some other resources as you research your options ahead of the March 3rd primaries: