Check this page regularly for Action items you can help with. Postcarding, phone banking, events, protests and more! In addition to local actions, we're gearing up for the 2024 election. Have an action you'd like us to post? Email us at: [email protected]. Thank you to United Thru Action for providing some of these listings.
OVERVIEW
Postcarding Groups - Join weekly, online postcarding sessions see information below. These grassroots groups meet 3 times a week and although NYC based, activists from around the country participate. You can stop by just to check it out even if you don't want to write. Each week guests and candidates are featured as well as issue oriented topics. All are welcome!
Downtown Nasty Women - Mondays, 10am -12:00pm (eastern). Subscribe to the newsletter to receive the schedule/link.
Markers for Democracy - Tuesday & Fridays, 9:30am - 12:00pm (eastern). Subscribe to the newsletter to receive the schedule/link.
Postcards to Voters - ongoing postcard writing campaigns.
Postcards for Democracy - tends to write for down ballot races.
Volunteer Corps
State Legislatures -The States Project. Change begins when you engage your friends and family to elect majority-making candidates who will shift the balance of power in a state legislature. Click HERE for a 1 min. video "where do we go from here in 20204" and HERE for a brief video about Giving Circles (getting together your community to support a state).
Interactive NY Redistricting Map CUNY has created the Redistricting & You: New York online map to help members of the public, journalists, elected officials, and other redistricting stakeholders compare and analyze proposed district maps in New York.
Blue Voter Guide makes voting easy by clearly showing the endorsements of a wide range of progressive organizations. Blue Voter Guide will show your ballot for all national offices, all statewide offices and ballot measures, and your state legislators. In most locations, we’ll show you your down ballot races as well.
Democracy Labs DemLabs created an interactive, clickable map of the US that illustrates key races and ballot initiatives across the nation. See Key 2024 Races. Click on your state to see what races and ballot measures will be on the ballot in 2024 or click on the “filter” buttons on the left to see which states across the nation have abortion access / restriction initiatives on the ballot.
DemLabs created the the webpage and map based on data collected by DemCast, which cultivates, amplifies, and maximizes the impact of grassroots digital media.
LISTING - DO MORE,WORRY LESS
Get Involved in Local Government Webinar Hosted by Manhattan Borough Prez Mark Levine
December 5, 5pm - RSVP for the Webinar here.
See a quick video here for more info.
Check out the Get Involved Hub here.
Join Manhattan Volunteer Corps Do you enjoy helping your community? Do you have some extra time? Click here
From Borough President, Mark Levine:
Over the last two weeks, I’ve heard from New Yorkers all across Manhattan who are feeling uncertain and anxious about how this new federal administration could disrupt local systems and challenge the values that define New York. What is clear from these conversations is that local government is our most powerful tool and will matter more than ever if we are to meet the challenges ahead and deliver for New Yorkers.
Every one of you can play a role in ensuring local government meets the moment. We need you to get involved in local decision–making, and help protect, support and strengthen your community today.
Whether your passion is education, public safety, healthcare, or the environment, there's a place for you to lend your voice and your talents.
Want to shape education policy? Run for your Community Education Council.
Are you concerned about your neighborhood? Apply to your local community board.
Are you passionate about healthcare or the environment? We have advisory boards that need your expertise.
Want to learn more about how you can get involved? I'm excited to announce that we're hosting a "Get Involved in Local Government" webinar on December 5th at 5pm, where you will hear from local leaders who are doing this important work to shape their communities.
My office works every day with these boards and committees, and I strongly believe they will play a vital role in how we respond to the challenges before us today and in the future.
Please take the first step today. Attend a community board meeting, volunteer at your local school, or simply contact your elected officials to share your concerns. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Manhattan.
Urgent Post-Election Actions
Tell our Senators to fill every judicial vacancy NOW!
Please make a quick call to tell our Senators to fill these open seats. We have less than six weeks, so please act now.
Congress is reconvening for the year's final session, and Senate Democrats only have a few more weeks in the majority. With another Trump presidency and a Republican-controlled Senate looming, Democrats must make the most of this time and do everything in their power to safeguard our democracy and our rights.
You are welcome to email your senators. However, calls are encouraged and more impactful.
For more information, script, and instructions, click here.
Source: Indivisible.org
JULY 15, 2024
Urgent Action is Needed - Abortion and LGBTQ Rights are on the November Ballot!
The NY ERA (Proposal 1) is an amendment to the NYS Constitution that explicitly protects people who experience discrimination. It will be on the NYS ballot this November, and we will have the chance to vote on it. There is currently a public commenting period on the proposed ballot language. Please send them an email (see our suggested script below). The more people who submit this feedback, the more likely it is that the Board of Elections (BOE) revises the language. Right now, the language is unclear and uses terms that may cause confusion among voters, which could lead to them leaving it blank. We need to pass the NY ERA to protect our rights! See more information here.
Urgent Action: Email the NYS BOE during the public commenting period to demand clear and understandable language for the ballot measure Proposal 1—the NY ERA! The most important point to get across is that we want the language to include "abortion" and "LBGT" because that language is clear to everyone.
Actions: Send the email, ask your friends and family in NY to send the email, and let us know you've taken this action below. The last day to submit comments is July 26, but the sooner, the better.
Copy and paste the letter below and email to [email protected]:
*****
To the Commissioners of the New York State Board of Elections,
My name is (your full name), and I live in (your city/town). I'm writing to provide feedback on the proposed ballot language for Proposal 1. First, the proposed language does not adhere to the plain language law signed by Gov Hochul last year that says ballot measures must be written at an 8th-grade reading level. You can use simpler words to make the language more understandable.
For example, “reproductive healthcare and autonomy” is unclear to me. I am not sure from this language if this amendment includes protections for abortion. Does it? Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, I want to be certain that I am voting for an amendment that protects abortion.
Also, the terms "sexual orientation and “gender identity” are not well-known terms for me and most New Yorkers. Please use "LGBT," as that acronym is much clearer. As a New York voter, the term “LGBT” helps me understand exactly what the ERA would do—protect communities who face ongoing discrimination in our state.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
(your full name)
*****
Take Further Action!
- You can also mail to the New York State Board of Elections, 40 North Pearl Street, Suite 5, Albany, NY 12207
- Ask your friends and family in NY to send the email, and let us know you've taken this action below.
- Record your participation: As part of the NY ERA coalition, VID has been asked to get at least 10 of our members to submit an email during the public commenting period. Let's get a strong turnout from VID! Email [email protected] and let us know if you sent an email to the NYC BOE!