Election Day countdown: 207 days
TL;DR
The take: In a Census year, the results of November’s elections will determine the balance of power in our country for at least a decade and shape a new generation’s perspective on the merits of democracy in America.
What you can do: Join us for an intimate conversation with the Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).
What you should know: 21 states already changed their primary plans; The Georgia primary is threatened by shortage of poll workers; There is already a nationwide shortage of poll workers; Older people work polls and are likely at higher COVID-19 risk; 46 states allow peopleunder 18 to work polls; Milwaukee calls on young people to work polls
What we are reading: Bernie’s legacy (Politico); Fixing our elections by November (The Atlantic); Stolen election (Mother Jones); The Wisconsin warning (Slate); Supreme Court choses partisanship (The Atlantic); Election wars begin (Axios)
The take
In a Census year, the results of 2020’s elections will determine the balance of power in our country for at least a decade and shape a new generation’s perspective on democracy in America. Yet, studies showthat young voters increasingly doubt whether democracy is essential: we have experienced the wake of Bush v. Gore, confronted Russian interference in 2016, and will likely deal with the consequences of widespread voter suppression in November.
Skepticism of the political process will only increase, as the validity of our elections come into question and our government fails to serve the needs of our young and most vulnerable populations. If we do not fix our elections by November, it will be next to impossible for us to repair the damage.
What you can do
With your time: Join us for an open virtual conversation with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:30pm ET. Space is limited.
With your money: If you are able, give $5, $10, $20, or $100 to our Candidate of the Week – Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).
About the candidate: Senator Mark Warner was a successful technology and business leader before beginning his work in politics. He became an activist in state politics, leading to his time as Governor of Virginia and later a Senator. He now serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
In the Senate, he has been a thought leader on the future of work, in an era of automation and globalization.
About his contested election: Senator Warner won his race by less than one point in his most recent election. He is running for a seat whose voters will help win swing key congressional seats and the state for the presidency.
Learn more on his website. Check out other races and organizations that you can support here.
What you should know
Primaries postponed (update): 21 states have either postponed their elections or moved them to mail-in only because of coronavirus.
Poll workers needed: In Georgia, a loss of poll workersthreatens in-person voting in the Georgia primary. There is already a nationwide shortage of poll workers. To complicate matters further, a government survey suggests that 56 percent of poll workers were over 61 in 2016. The CDC believes older people are likely at a higher riskof severe illness from COVID-19. Fortunately, 46 states already allow people under 18 to work the polls. Young people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin were already called uponto do so and more likely will be by November.
What we are reading
Bernie’s legacy: “Once again, a generation of Sanders’ supporters faces a modern incarnation of a classic choice: How to balance the yearning for ideological purity with the practical reality that amassing power often means making common cause with politicians who don’t inspire love.” (Politico)
Save the election: “The goal should be to avoid letting the rules dictate who wins based on whose voters can participate. Only by taking these steps can we be assured that the rules of the election won’t unfairly tilt the playing field.”(The Atlantic)
Stolen election: “What’s happening in Wisconsin is a preview of the strategy Republicans will likely adopt nationwide in November—oppose making it easier to vote, even in the midst of a pandemic, and hope that the courts will give you the green light.” (Mother Jones)
Wisconsin warning: “An election that forces voters to choose between protecting their health and casting a ballot is not a free and fair election. Nor should its results be treated as indisputably legitimate.” (Slate)
Kangaroo court: “The conservative majority interpreted the law narrowly, to emphasize the prerogatives of a state legislature that refused even to consider postponing an election that its majority expected the Republican Party to win. The same majority could have read the law, equally plausibly, to foreground the right of ordinary citizens to vote without literally risking their lives.” (The Atlantic)
Election wars begin: “2018 was a record year for election-related litigation, and [professor and election expert Richard] Hasen expects 2020 to surpass it.”(Axios)
Stay safe and Happy Holidays to those who observe.
Zak
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