The Connecticut Project’s Post

This post educates on the importance of addressing voting machine malfunctions that disrupt heavily Republican counties in Pennsylvania. The widespread issues in these key areas raise significant concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement in this critical swing state. It is imperative to ensure that all voters have equal access to a fair and functioning voting system to uphold the integrity of the democratic process. Addressing these malfunctions promptly and transparently is essential to maintain trust in the electoral system and safeguard the rights of all voters.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a 501(c)6 organization, which means that political endorsements are discouraged. As such, you will not see me endorse any political candidates in my official capacity as AIA President. You will however see me advocate for everyone to vote. As an American citizen, I take my duty to vote very seriously and have always advocated for everyone to exercise their right to cast a ballot in each and every election. Not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did everyone over 21 (note: the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971) actually have the opportunity to vote. For example, my father could not vote when he first turned 21 because of the color of his skin. He gained the right to vote just a few years later because of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This is one of the reasons why I take voting very seriously. The day before yesterday, Michigan commenced early voting for our State Primary Election, which is on August 6th. Because I will be out of town on that particular date, my very first activity of the day was voting at my local polling place. This is a photo of me with my “I Voted” sticker from Saturday. My challenge to you is to post about your participation in this year’s election and support others in their efforts to vote. From aiding mobility challenged neighbors with getting to the polls, to offering guidance on the absentee voting process, you can play a larger role in facilitating greater turnout. I remember voting in my very first election in 2004, and having some questions about how absentee voting worked since I was in college away from my home state. To help this new generation of voters (and perhaps more seasoned voters too), I’d like to share the following resource for reference: Vote.org is a nonpartisan nonprofit that is committed to advocating for voters in every state, creatively building tech and partnerships, reaching voters where they are and fighting against harmful voter suppression laws in court. Explore their website to learn more about what you need to do in order to cast your vote. Your voice matters! Get out and vote. It’s a serious matter. #MoreIn24Monday #KND4AIA #100Week33

Here's what you need to know about voting when you're away from home.

Sure. Go and vote. But don't be fooled into thinking America is a democracy. Investigative reporter, Greg Palast, just reported: "Don’t be fooled by press releases from Georgia’s Republican voting chiefs. ""The reason there is “record turn-out” on each day of voting so far is that, under new GOP-written law, the number of early voting days have been slashed, so that more voters with fewer voting days will create “record” turn-out — also boosted by a giant leap in early voting in Republican counties. "This is hardly evidence that there is no “Jim Crow” in Georgia voting." "Adding to the “record” turn-out: "The new state law, SB202, slashed the number of dropboxes in the two Black population centers of Atlanta and Savannah by 75%! "While, at the same time, state law INCREASED the number of drop-boxes in rural white counties." "And the state is keeping secret the number of “provisional” ballots cast — which would tell us how many vigilante vote challenges are shunting voters of color to these “placebo” ballots which CANNOT BE COUNTED unless the challenged voter personally appears at their county election offices to prove their address. "Not many white folk are forced to run this obstacle course." https://www.gregpalast . com/record-turnout-covers-up-jim-crow-2-0/

Today is the first day of EARLY voting! Make your voice heard. Here's the Tarrant County voting guide with information you'll need. Fort Worth Report

The Perkins Protocol has the incredible ability to unite the nation and maximize voter participation, even if you don't care about who wins! However, ranked choice voting can't take advantage of it, and in this substack, I reveal why.

In 2022, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee targeted 30 PA House districts with a standalone vote by mail program, while the GOP spent their time trying to limit voter options. The results were clear - our strategy worked! We flipped 12 seats, electing the first Democratic majority in a decade. To achieve this success, we focused on both mail ballot request generation and ballot chase. We targeted Democrats who had voted by mail in the past, as well as likely mail ballot voters and all newly registered Democrats. This stand-alone program not only targeted vote by mail but also helped refine their field targets for GOTV, with a four-person department dedicated entirely to vote by mail. Running a half-million-dollar campaign just on mail-in voting isn't something most legislative caucuses can do, but thankfully The States Project was there to support us and fund innovative new strategies like this. The Democratic Party and its national campaign committees need to develop a full vote by mail strategy on a state-by-state basis for every state where it's allowed. Until that happens, we're going to need an organization to take the lead in every state for vote by mail. In 2022, in Pennsylvania, the HDCC was that organization that helped not only “unexpectedly” flip our chamber but also elect a Democratic Governor, US Senator and more. Who will be leading vote by mail efforts in your state in 2024? If you don’t know yet, you should figure it out soon.

Do you want to set up a texting or calling campaign for GOTV, but aren’t sure where to start? We recommend these campaigns in the final stretch▶️ 🗳️Help people make a voting plan 👯Ask voters to “vote triple,” aka remind friends and family to vote 📲Follow up with voters you’ve contacted previously More tips in our latest blog post 📝 https://hubs.ly/Q02WHX3s0

I wrote this: When it Comes to Our Freedom to Vote, the Two Parties Are Not the Same “Leading an organization with a primary focus of expanding democracy by expanding the electorate – through voter registration, civic engagement, and education – we frequently hear: “I’m not interested in voting. My vote doesn’t matter. Nothing changes. The two parties are the same.’ The two major political parties in Pennsylvania are not the same. When it comes to advocating for our freedom to vote, legislating for enhanced accessibility to the ballot, and more convenient voting options for the electorate, it’s not even close.” https://lnkd.in/eTv2FEqT

In a thought-provoking article, Julianne Malveaux highlights the need for a national celebration of voting rights to strengthen our democracy. She argues that voting should be a celebration of democracy, a recognition of what citizenship means, and a reminder of our shared values. She suggests that making Election Day a national holiday could be a step in the right direction to bridge the divide in our society. This would not only make voting more accessible but also a celebration of democracy. However, she acknowledges the many flaws in this idea, including voter suppression and purging from the polls. Despite these challenges, she believes that a national celebration of voting rights could be a step in the right direction to bring us together. What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you think making Election Day a national holiday would help bridge the divide in our society? Share your thoughts in the comments below.