“You’ve got to show up and vote. Are you ready to protect freedom?”
– joe biden in tampa, FL April 23, 2024
Joe Biden tackled the issue of abortion rights head-on during his campaign visit to Florida on April 23. With the state’s six-week abortion ban set to take effect on May 1, Biden rallied support against these oppressive measures and emphasized the broader threat they pose to reproductive health care. His visit underscores Democrats’ strategy to mobilize voters, especially women and moderates, by putting abortion rights front and center in the upcoming election. Biden continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining personal freedoms and healthcare access, defending against efforts led by Trump and MAGA Republicans to abolish reproductive rights.
The upcoming ballot measure in Florida, Amendment 4, would establish a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, requiring a 60% vote for approval. Spearheaded by Floridians Protecting Freedom, the initiative aims to safeguard access to reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy. Despite opposition from Republicans and anti-abortion groups, similar measures across the country have mobilized abortion rights supporters. Democrats are leveraging the abortion initiative on the November ballot to drive voter turnout and positively impact the political landscape in Florida. As Biden proclaimed in Tampa, “You’ve got to show up and vote. Are you ready to protect freedom?”
You may be surprised to learn that the very red states of Montana and Ohio have Democratic senators! Jon Tester (MT) and Sherrod Brown (OH) were elected to the incoming Senate class of 2007 and have successfully served the people in their states well. Both Senators understand what the voters in their states want and need. And they’ve been voted in again and again, and not only by Democrats.
Jon Tester, himself a working farmer, has carefully cultivated his reputation as a moderate. He champions unions, ranchers, and veterans, and he holds his love of rural Montana close. His voting record confirms his desire to be seen as a moderate. But he is also a strong Democrat, who voted with the caucus to pass the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Gun Safety Bill, The Chips Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. He is pro-choice; he understands that the government should not come between a woman and her doctor.
Sherrod Brown, who describes himself as a progressive populist, has made economics his centerpiece. He fought against global trade agreements before it was cool. He has fought for the ACA (Obamacare) and for 40 years plus, has represented working-class people regardless of color or orientation. He’s also fully on board with abortion rights, introducing the 2023 Women’s Health Protection Act. He has a reputation in Ohio as being more moderate than the Democratic party.
Unfortunately, the other thing they have in common is being targets of MAGA Republicans. Money is pouring into Ohio right now for Trump-endorsed Bernie Moreno. Montana’s primary is not until June, but Republicans have fully targeted this race as one they can flip.
We must protect these two Senate seats to preserve our majority in the Senate. Having the majority allows us to set the agenda, confirm cabinet members and judges, and is the only chance to overturn Dobbs with legislation. If you can, please donate to them or a grassroots group in Montana or Ohio that will help them retain their seats.
Welcome, whether you are just starting to write Democracy postcards or need a refresher after a break, you can get your questions answered here!
What are Democracy postcards? These postcards started in 2017 as a way for voters to talk directly to other voters whenever there was an election or ballot initiative that is important for democracy. The cards vary in topics and partisanship, but the general idea is to put information directly in voters’ hands that they might not have access to otherwise. Media access is very fragmented; there is a lack of local news coverage, and we can provide information about candidates, initiatives, and voting.
Where do the addresses come from? There are many groups and they purchase lists from the appropriate state. They are able to sort these lists for different characteristics, ie voting tendencies, rural v urban, issues, etc.
How do I choose what cards to do? There are many campaigns. Make sure you like the cause, and can finish themby the mailing deadline.
I have my cards, what do I do first? Read the instructions and make sure you understand the mailing date. The campaign organizers have determined when these cards should be mailed to make the most impact. Then look over the cards to plan out where the address and stamp goes, and where the script goes. Some people practice printing the script to see how to space it.
Do I have to write the script provided? Yes, it is important to write the script provided. These scripts are designed for the voters on that address list. You can make small changes, such as using bullet points instead of full sentences, but you must include all the original information. You may not add extra information.
Can I personalize my cards? Yes, but judiciously. You can add color, highlighting, or underlining, but keep it professional and readable. No stickers, drawings or religious references. Do not include your last name, your location, or your organization.
Why do I have to print? Cursive instruction fell out of favor after 2000, so many younger voters can not read it. In addition, you may be writing to people that have English as a second language. We want these cards to be inviting and easy to read!
How should I write the addresses? Some campaigns will have address labels. If they do not, please print the addresses in dark blue or black ink only. Print the address as provided. Sometimes out of district addresses will be provided – that is fine – it just means that person has homes in more than one state.
What if I don’t have time to write, or can’t write for some reason? Donate so that others can write, or donate to a grassroots group working with voters on the ground. Find recommendations on http://www.TurnPurple2Blue.org
There are three incumbent Democrats in Nevada that we are watching. Cook Political rates these as Lean Democratic or Likely Democratic. This means that we have an advantage in these races right now, but that may change after the June primary. We can help remind voters what these Democratic Representatives have accomplished and counter any MAGA disinformation.
Dina Titus (NV-01) has an impressive biography and has been an important representative for environmental and women’s rights, housing and education. She is currently serving on the transportation and infrastructure committee. Cook Political rates this race as Likely Democratic.
Susie Lee (NV-03)has served since 2019. In Congress, her passions are: improving our education system, honoring our promise to veterans, and tackling rising health care costs. She serves as Vice Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and has been ranked the #1 bipartisan representative. Cook Political rates this race as Lean Democratic.
Steven Horsford (NV-04) has served since 2019. His passion is working for economic initiatives to expand job training and apprenticeship programs. He is a champion of democratic causes: environment, heathcare, housing, Unions and Women’s rights. Cook Political rates this race as Likely Democratic.
Nevada, an important swing state in 2024, has a history of low voter turnout. Due to economic and work forces, Nevada has long had a highly transient population. Now it is one of the fastest growing states, with a large influx that is being driven by low taxes and inexpensive housing. As a result, many Nevada residents have no history of ever voting in the state.
The stakes in 2024 are high for Nevada – the state is at high risk of flipping from Blue to Red in November. Democrat Jacky Rosen is running for re-election as are the three Democratic House representatives. All of these Congressional seats are considered vulnerable, with Rosen as one of the most endangered Democratic Senate incumbents in the country. A good turnout in the November election is critical to keep these seats from flipping.
Our featured postcard project for April addresses the serious problem of low voter activity in Nevada by registering new voters. Nevada is a universal mail-in ballot state, which means that every registered voter receives ballots at home. By registering to vote now, Nevadans will not only receive ballots for the upcoming primary election, but also for the general election in November. Mail-in ballots are known to increase voting, so voter registration in Nevada offers a unique opportunity to expand the voter pool and make a significant impact on November’s election.
It seems that the MAGA takeover of the Republican party is nearly complete. The vicious infighting is driving more early retirements – Representatives are leaving immediately, not just declining to run for re-election (although there are plenty of those too). Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Ken Buck (R-CO) led the departures, and now Mike Gallagher (R-WI) will leave on April 19, a date chosen to prevent a special election and leave the seat open. This reduces the Republican majority in the House to one – they can lose one vote and still have the majority. Rep. Buck has hinted that two more resignations may come.
It is still unlikely that the majority will flip to Democrats though. Democrats are expected to win a safe seat vacated by Brian Higgens in NY’s April special election. But three Republican vacancies will be filled by special elections in the coming months: Kevin McCarthy in California, Bill Johnson of Ohio and Ken Buck of Colorado. These are all safe Republican seats.
Focus on California Activate America has just announced a new campaign for Adam Gray (CA-13). The Republican incumbent won by only 564 votes in 2022. This seat seems eminently flippable. Why write for this race? Well, various articles have recently pinpointed a serious problem in our electorate – only about 15% are paying attention. So we can’t expect any changes to happen by themselves.
Focus on Nevada Activate America is writing to protect incumbent US House Democrats Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee. This plays well into our nested strategy; while protecting these house seats, we will also garner votes for Senator Jackie Rosen and President Biden in this very purple state. An interesting characteristic of Nevada is that the population changes quickly – so the power of incumbency is less. We need to work to protect these seats.
I completely agree with Barbara’s Game Plan! This is definitely the core strategy for winning 2024. And, make no mistake, we must win to save our democracy. Turn Purple 2 Blue Groups have already sent over 22,000 postcards with these goals, and I hope we get to 100,000!
But if you have some bandwidth to devote to protecting Democrats in other states and working for the future, there is valuable work to be done. People have special interests in different states – maybe you lived there for a time, or you have family there. People have special interests in different topics, too – maybe you will write for any school board or any abortion rights initiative. There’s a huge community of postcard writers passionately writing for local or other races that could bring up-ballot votes to win the Presidency, Senate, and House. It’s good to focus on what you are passionate about, and we can’t all work on the same thing.
I attended a Postcards for Democracy Zoom this week and found a wonderful group of people writing for local races and states that are not getting the full battleground treatment this year. From school boards to statehouses, the results of these races affect the daily lives of Americans, and we need to support democracy at every level. Bonus: by supporting these races today, we build an infrastructure and support system for the future, even if we don’t win. One thing we have definitely learned is that it takes years of concentrated effort to take back the gerrymandered statehouses. This is where we start.
An easy place to begin is Postcards to Voters. This organization is fantastic – and unique in that it is set up for individual writers to easily get addresses for postcards that must be sent within three days. You can get as few as four addresses and as many as 50 at a time. They are very strict about the three-day mailing time, so it’s better to request a smaller amount. If this interests you, you could budget some of your postcarding efforts here. I can help you get blank postcards at a much lower rate than Amazon, just email me at Christine@IndivisibleActon.org for details. You would be responsible for requesting the addresses and buying stamps.
Latest success: Alabama’s special election for the statehouse Democrat Marilyn Lands crushed her MAGA opponent by campaigning on reproductive rights. Postcards are ideal for special elections, and Postcards to Voters reports that “Two thousand one hundred sixty Postcards to Voters volunteers wrote 26,361 cards to boost Democratic turnout.”
People ask me all the time about long-shot races – especially when the Republican in office is especially hated (looking at you, Ted Cruz). These races always have a lot of press and a lot of fundraising asks claiming that the challengers are sooooo close! It is true that the demographic changes in red states will eventually benefit us, but we can’t sit back and wait. We need to build awareness, and donations to grassroots groups are essential in these states. Postcards can build solidarity and community among Democrats.
Markers for Democracy is a good source for Unicorn races!
Florida is intriguing this year. We were very disappointed by Val Demmings’ loss in 2022, but this year Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is making a good push against Rick Scott. On April 1st, the Florida State Supreme Court not only allowed the Abortion Rights initiative on the ballot, they greenlighted a 6 week ban. Remember the 6 weeks starts from the first day of your last period – so most women do not even know that they are pregnant. This race is moving out of “Hail Mary” territory.
Texas- talk about a Hail Mary! No Democrat has won a statewide race in Texas in 30 years, although Beto came within 3 points in 2018. Texas is rife with corruption, and they continue to vote for MAGA candidates even after mass shootings, indictments, and deaths from mismanagement of the power grid. You still could consider local races to help protect the Democratic cities of Austin, Dallas, and Houston, which are constantly under attack from the Republican supermajority.
I recently joined a new group called Markers for Democracy, which will give us access to these types of races. With this group, I can provide you with custom packets of addresses, postcards, and stamps. If you are interested, email Christine@IndivisibleActon.org.
The path to protecting the senate majority still is very narrow. We must protect Jon Tester (MT), Jacky Rosen (NV), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and Tammy Baldwin (WI). We must win the two open seats for Democrats Ruben Gallego (AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (MI). Even without a majority in the House, the value of the Senate majority is priceless: Judicial confirmations, Cabinet confirmations, and protections from fraudulent MAGA impeachments.
Some other possibilities have been in the news lately.
Maryland Senate Race Republican Larry Hogan has entered the senate race in Maryland. Democrats will choose their candidate in the primary on May 14th. While Cook Political rates this race as “likely Democrat,” Hogan is a popular moderate with good name recognition. Early polls show him in the lead. However the same poll also shows that Marylanders prefer Democratic control of the Senate. We need to watch this one closely.
Although not up for re-election until 2028, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently said that she will not vote for Trump and teased the possibility of leaving the Republican party. She has a good track record of fighting against radicals – in 2010 she won as a write-in candidate after a primary loss to a Tea Party candidate. Could she help us retain the majority? Too early to tell, but fun to imagine.
For postcard distributors like me, a practical Game Plan for 2024 is essential! In this election year, we have a very specific job to do and only months to do it in – to make sure we (1) keep a Democrat in the White House, (2) hold onto the Senate, and (3) flip the House. If we are unsuccessful with these objectives, it is unlikely that our other goals will be achieved in the coming years. We must make all our actions count.
Planning for this critical year must take into account that political priorities do change by year and election cycle. To quote the popular 1965 Byrds song: ”To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose.” So projects that might be very helpful in one year might not have the same impact in the next. And some types of projects are more critical at some points in the election year: for example, voter registration is more effective earlier in the year than later.
My top goal is to find postcard projects that have both high impact and high effectiveness. Studies show that grassroots activism can have the greatest impact in Toss-up races. So no “Hail Marys” from me, I’m afraid; I’ll be looking for those close races where we are likely to make a real difference with our postcards.
Here are types of projects I will give high priority to in 2024:
VOTING: Voter registration, Vote By Mail (primarily used by Democrats), Get Out the Vote (GOTV), and any other voting information (voting locations, hours, details). This is a top priority issue – a good number of your postcards will translate directly into votes!
ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Although there are lots of important issues that Democrats are associated with, the one that truly defines us in 2024 is abortion and reproductive freedom. The overwhelming majority of Americans support us on this issue. It will bring us a great many votes, even among voters who do not describe themselves as Democrats. In Florida now, reproductive rights is on the November ballot. It is looking like a similar initiative may be on the ballot in Arizona. Other states are following suit. There is tremendous power here, and the issue is likely to buoy our candidates
CONGRESSIONAL RACES:
For the Senate, We have to protect our majority, so this means protecting Democratic incumbents and flipping Republican seats. Every single Senate seat is important, so I would focus on Toss-up races unless there were other factors, such as abortion, directly influencing the race in certain states.
House – Democrats have a strong chance to flip the Republican’s razor-thin control over the House, but we have to be strategic. Here are two ways to get the most “bang for the buck”:
Employing a “nesting strategy” in states where key House and Senate seats are both in play: increasing turnout for the Senate seat also benefits House and Presidential races in that state. Arizona works well with our nesting strategy, but several other states work as well, including NV and PA.
Focusing on states like NY and CA, where we lost seats that we should have kept in 2022. That year, many Republicans won by very small margins in districts that Biden had carried in 2020. We have begun to reverse these losses (eg Tom Suozzi, NY-03) in 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of grassroots efforts.
Grassroots groups are the champions of Democratic politics. They help fill a gap between political processes and local communities. These organizations are driven by folks who are invested in their neighborhoods and are vital because of their authenticity and local focus.
Souls to the Polls is a bloc of voters addressing major issues facing Black families in Wisconsin.
Over the years, we’ve heard feedback that voters sometimes distrust and resent outsiders trying to sway political views. Rooted in the communities they serve, grassroots workers earn voters’ trust. When we follow local leadership and support their specific requests, we are more likely to have a positive impact.
Grassroots groups don’t just pop by for tea during election cycles. They are on the ground year-round to advocate for community concerns and interests. Often, they have lobbied for kitchen-table issues that make a real difference to voters in their districts, supporting education and healthcare reforms, environmental initiatives, and social justice causes.
Grassroots organizations foster a culture of civic engagement and build a sense of empowerment and trust among voters. Our democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in the political process. Wealthy outsider volunteers can’t do this work; grassroots workers need and deserve our support.
I encourage you to visit our Grassroots Groups page to learn more about the impact of our favorite organizations. While you’re there, please consider donating.
NEAZ Native Dems use personal vehicles for community work.
