Regarding holding Republicans accountable: we believe it needs to go father than going after Senators and House members. There are Republican state election officials in 15 blue or swing states who are in a singular position to indulge the conspiracy theories about voter fraud, a "rigged" election, and who knows what else. We're trying to highlight these people, and are encouraging citizens to speak up to demand that our election administrators remain non-partisan in executing their duties. Seems very relevant to this post, and we'd love your thoughts!
Do the Democrats have a legal strategy to deal with this and other issues? If not, they need to hire the best Constitutional lawyers with SC experience they can find.
In addition Marc Elias -- https://www.democracydocket.com -- campaigns probably will need to create an integrated Google Maps link to show people where ballot drop boxes are located in their community, to say nothing of mailboxes and post offices, too.
Great article and I think it should be a winning talking point (beyond the moral injustice of destroying an integral social service).
Tangentially related, do you think more should be done to promote in person early voting? It’s a safer alternative to Election Day (long lines & crowded) and more straightforward than mail-in, especially in states that are new to mass mail-in voting.
I think it is going to vary by state. Some states have drop boxes for ballots or different rules for when and how votes are counted. But if people can vote in person, safely in their state that helps ensure their vote will be counted.
Although it's a good idea, the problem with this is that a private business would have massive numbers of election ballots in their possession. I'm not saying that Amazon would lose or destroy ballots but it would provide an excuse to say that the election was invalid.
Another way to look at it would be if we put a company in charge of delivering the ballots whose CEO was Trump supporter.
I am definitely not suggesting Amazon be given a govt contract to be in charge of ballots. No private enterprise should be given that power! I would like to see it done as a voluntary alternative free delivery method. Kind of like Lyft giving free rides to the polls in certain areas. I have fedexed my ballot once or twice when I’ve dallied too long and thought the post office might not postmark it in time. Now with all the distrust being sown about the postal service I think it would encourage people who think their ballot won’t count.
I'm currently helping with messaging for candidate in PA who is nervous about Democrat vs. Republican messaging for his district. What do you recommend when a Dem candidate thinks his prospective voters don't want to hear that Republicans are bad?
I always kind of imagined right after the election, when the election results would be interfered with or if Trump just refused to leave and Rs blocked - that would be the time for mass protests and general strike-type behavior. When we run out of “ordinary options”. But it seems clear with this postal service interference - maybe that time would come sooner. What would the kinds of behavior happen be that would warrant everyone-drop-everything mass protests? Who would you think would drive or signal that redline - eg moveon.org or other organizations?
I’m truly terrified of another four years of this monster. I’ve updated my FB status, posted some talking points from this article and am going to start bugging the crap out of GOP Congress people as often as I can.
Thank you for calling attention to all of these very important issues.
The fact that there are no footnotes is the biggest indication of how worried Dan is about this.
Regarding holding Republicans accountable: we believe it needs to go father than going after Senators and House members. There are Republican state election officials in 15 blue or swing states who are in a singular position to indulge the conspiracy theories about voter fraud, a "rigged" election, and who knows what else. We're trying to highlight these people, and are encouraging citizens to speak up to demand that our election administrators remain non-partisan in executing their duties. Seems very relevant to this post, and we'd love your thoughts!
Do the Democrats have a legal strategy to deal with this and other issues? If not, they need to hire the best Constitutional lawyers with SC experience they can find.
They do. Marc Elias is working on it and is one the best lawyers in the country. He has a long history of beating the Republicans
Thanks!
In addition Marc Elias -- https://www.democracydocket.com -- campaigns probably will need to create an integrated Google Maps link to show people where ballot drop boxes are located in their community, to say nothing of mailboxes and post offices, too.
Great article and I think it should be a winning talking point (beyond the moral injustice of destroying an integral social service).
Tangentially related, do you think more should be done to promote in person early voting? It’s a safer alternative to Election Day (long lines & crowded) and more straightforward than mail-in, especially in states that are new to mass mail-in voting.
I think it is going to vary by state. Some states have drop boxes for ballots or different rules for when and how votes are counted. But if people can vote in person, safely in their state that helps ensure their vote will be counted.
Perhaps Amazon could offer free pick up and delivery of ballots.
Although it's a good idea, the problem with this is that a private business would have massive numbers of election ballots in their possession. I'm not saying that Amazon would lose or destroy ballots but it would provide an excuse to say that the election was invalid.
Another way to look at it would be if we put a company in charge of delivering the ballots whose CEO was Trump supporter.
I am definitely not suggesting Amazon be given a govt contract to be in charge of ballots. No private enterprise should be given that power! I would like to see it done as a voluntary alternative free delivery method. Kind of like Lyft giving free rides to the polls in certain areas. I have fedexed my ballot once or twice when I’ve dallied too long and thought the post office might not postmark it in time. Now with all the distrust being sown about the postal service I think it would encourage people who think their ballot won’t count.
I'm currently helping with messaging for candidate in PA who is nervous about Democrat vs. Republican messaging for his district. What do you recommend when a Dem candidate thinks his prospective voters don't want to hear that Republicans are bad?
I always kind of imagined right after the election, when the election results would be interfered with or if Trump just refused to leave and Rs blocked - that would be the time for mass protests and general strike-type behavior. When we run out of “ordinary options”. But it seems clear with this postal service interference - maybe that time would come sooner. What would the kinds of behavior happen be that would warrant everyone-drop-everything mass protests? Who would you think would drive or signal that redline - eg moveon.org or other organizations?
I’m currently writing postcards to encourage people to vote by mail. Should I continue?
I’m truly terrified of another four years of this monster. I’ve updated my FB status, posted some talking points from this article and am going to start bugging the crap out of GOP Congress people as often as I can.
Thank you for calling attention to all of these very important issues.