Democracy North Carolina Blog » Take Action Now!

Voting Rights Protest Planned for July 13 at General Assembly

katy — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:08:08 +0000

Democracy North Carolina to Mount Rally at the General Assembly at
11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 13th to Protest GOP Attacks on Voting Rights

Americans for Prosperity Plan Counter Protest Nearby

The Durham-based good government group Democracy North Carolina is sponsoring a rally tomorrow, Wednesday July 13th, to protest GOP attempts to override Gov. Perdue’s veto of the voter photo ID bill plus several still-pending bills that would eliminate Same Day Registration, slice a week off Early Voting and cut NC’s successful youth voter pre-registration program. Partisan redistricting efforts will also be addressed at the rally. The rally begins at 11:00 AM in front of the General Assembly. A short speaker program will be followed by a 10-minute silent protest in the Senate Gallery.

The conservative group, Americans For Prosperity, have announced their own General Assembly rally at the same time to urge GOP leaders to override Governor Perdue’s recent vetos of GOP-sponsored legislation.

Protect & Respect Our Vote Rally
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 ● 11:00 AM
NC General Assembly Building
16 W. Jones St. ● Raleigh, NC

For more information on the rally, please contact Democracy North Carolina Organizing Director Adam Sotak at (704) 277-8340.

URGENT ACTION ALERT

katy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:26:11 +0000

Urgent: Ask Perdue to VETO the Voter Photo ID Bill. We need you to take immediate action to protect voting rights in NC!

A bill to require voters to show government-issued photo ID every time they vote (HB-351) has passed both houses in the NC General Assembly and is headed for Governor Perdue’s desk. We need you to contact Governer Perdue and tell her to VETO this bill. It is the centerpiece of an attack on voting rights in our state. If we can stop this bill, we can build momentum for resisting other anti-voting initiatives by this General Assembly. Please take action now.

If this bill is signed into law, North Carolina would slip from one of the highest pro-voter rankings in the nation to well below average. Don’t let extremists who have refused to compromise on reasonable ID requirements destroy our state’s strong record of pro-voter policies. Please take action now.

Then, please, help us spread the word so others take action as well.

Take action to protect voting rights:

katy — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:53:09 +0000

We are writing to alert you to a new attack against basic voting rights in North Carolina. A new bill in the NC Senate would eliminate Same-Day Registration and youth pre-registration, slice a week off Early Voting, end Sunday voting, and require other changes that will make it much harder for millions of NC citizens to vote. We will fight this bill (S-657) and keep you updated about what you can do to help.

Right now, we are asking you to:

Sign up for our special action alerts on voting rights issues if you are interested in getting more involved. Visit http://bit.ly/l7GF8g to sign up.
Learn more about this bill and similar bills at our on-line Take Action Center: http://bit.ly/ilytg1. You’ll find information on the bills, flyers, action ideas and resources for both individuals and groups.

Also, please be aware that NC’s nationally-acclaimed public campaign programs for statewide judicial and Council of State candidates are under attack. Last week, Republican legislators attempted to eliminate them during the budget debate. Fortunately, Reps. Rick Glazier, Joe Hackney, Grier Martin and Deborah Ross courageously defended the programs and the attempt was withdrawn — for now. View video coverage of the debate at http://bit.ly/lJ4tsU.

We urge you to forward this email to others and to encourage them to visit our on-line Voting Rights Action Center at http://bit.ly/ilytg1.

We remain committed to “of, by and for the people,”
Your Democracy NC Team

P.S.: As we’ve documented often in our Link-of-the-Day reports, these bills are being pushed by NC House and Senate members who were elected thanks to millions in campaign contributions from ultra-conservative groups funded by NC retail millionaire, Art Pope. Learn more about his influence over NC politics at http://bit.ly/hDG9mX.

Day Of Action: April 13th!

katy — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:34:24 +0000

Help Us Fight Voter Photo ID! (HB 351)
Wednesday, April 13th at 11:00 AM
NC General Assembly Building
16 W. Jones St. Raleigh, NC

As you probably know — along with protecting voter-owned elections and fighting against big money politics — Democracy North Carolina is opposing a hard-line bill in the General Assembly that requires every citizen to show a government-issued photo ID every time they vote. While we are dedicated to protecting the integrity of our elections, our studies show this provision will disenfranchise thousands of honest citizens while doing very little to address voter fraud.

We were hopeful when Republicans seemed poised to modify the bill’s harsh identification requirements to make it less restrictive and more in line with other states. Unfortunately, extremists prevailed and the bill Republicans are now backing would place North Carolina among only two other states with such restrictive voting barriers. In addition, House Bill 351 takes money from NC’s Voter-Owned Elections programs to pay for implementing its mandatory photo ID requirement — meaning this legislation would also erode one of the nation’s most successful reform efforts to decrease special interest influence and ensure the impartiality of our courts.

North Carolina deserves better. There are more effective and less costly ways to combat voter fraud than those proposed in HB 351. Democracy NC advocates taking measures like hiring additional fraud investigators for the State Board of Elections, making voting technology tamper proof, streamlining the process for challenging voters and better educating citizens on eligibility requirements.

Join Us Next Wednesday
Help show the nation that North Carolinians will not let extremist politics shape our state policies. Join us for a Stop Photo ID: Respect Our Vote Rally on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 starting at 11:00 AM in front of the NC General Assembly Building at 16 W. Jones St. in Raleigh. We will be holding a rally, lobbying state legislators and telling the media our side of the story. We’re asking everyone to wear red to symbolize our need to STOP this unnecessary and expensive bill from becoming law. Download this flyer for more information on the rally or to distribute to others who might be interested. For more information or to RSVP, contact Adam Sotak of Democracy North Carolina @ 919-286-6000 Ext. 11 or email him at adamsotak@democracy-nc.org.

Take Action Now
If you haven’t already, please contact your NC House and NC Senate reps and tell them to vote NO to House Bill 351 and Senate Bill 352. Most importantly, contact Governor Perdue and tell her to VETO THE BILL if it passes both chambers. You can email here, or call her at governor.office@nc.gov. or call her at 1-800-662-7952.

Thank you for taking action! And please help us spread the word!

Sincerely,
Your Democracy NC Team

Guybo & Jenks Tell It Like It Is:

katy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:07:30 +0000

They may be old, but they know what they are talking about. Help us spread this video so we can spread the word about opposing the Voter Photo ID Bill:

Fight the Ill-Advised Voter ID Law!

katy — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:19:12 +0000

The NC General Assembly began this week and you’d think the new Republican leaders would get right to work fixing our state’s budget and creating jobs.

Well, you’d be wrong.

Instead, they’re hard at work on a proposal to add a new barrier to voting.Do you have a parent in a rest home or a kid in college? A friend who doesn’t drive? A sister who changed her name when she married? They will find voting more difficult under a bill that would require them to show a photo ID with a current address each time they vote.

A photo ID law will waste millions of tax dollars to “fix” a problem that barely exists. Republican leaders say the law is needed to stop voter fraud. But you are more likely to be struck by lightning in NC than have somebody steal your vote.

This proposal will especially hurt low-income citizens, people with disabilities, students, people of color and the elderly. It’s a shameful power grab.

Email your legislators today to oppose this effort and urge Governor Perdue to use her veto power to protect voters’ rights in North Carolina.

If you think a photo ID is good for voters, please read this short fact sheet.

You can also call Gov. Bev Perdue at 1-800-662-7952. Tell her to VETO any voter photo ID bill.

Tell others! Call us at 888-OUR-VOTE and find out what else you can do to help.

If you or someone you know would be affected by a photo ID law, share the story with Democracy North Carolina. We’re gathering personal stories that will be important to share with lawmakers.

Thanks for taking action!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Bob Hall — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:48:02 +0000

Facing South has an excellent summary of the meaning of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United case and its immediate impact in North Carolina’s 2010 elections. On the one-year anniversary of the decision, Common Cause asked the US Justice Department to investigate conflicts of interest involving two members of the US Supreme Court who sided with the majority in the 5-to-4 decision to open the floodgates for corporate intrusion in elections. It turns out Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas were feted guests at a swank strategy retreat sponsored by the now notorious Koch brothers, the chief patrons of Americans for Prosperity and champions of, you guessed it, opening the floodgates for corporate funding of election. The exact details and timing of the collaboration are murky, which leads to Common Cause’s inquiry. You can read the full letter to the Justice Department and add your name to the call for an investigation. You are especially invited to sign Democracy NC’s petition against corporate control of elections and, very important, send it on to your friends, lists, Facebook, etc. THANKS for taking that action!

What’s Ahead for 2011?

katy — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:56:30 +0000

We’re taking a look at the new political landscape here at Democracy NC, reviewing our core mission, looking at the opportunities and challenges ahead and talking strategy. As part of that process, we’re interested in what you think we should focus on in 2011, as well as any ideas or other thoughts you’d care to share on the coming legislative session and electoral season. Please comment below, keep it civil and, as always, respect all viewpoints offered in kind. Thanks for your input!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bob Hall — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:08:44 +0000

We have a challenge for you. Democracy North Carolina can’t support particular candidates, but we can promote a big turnout of conscientious voters. And you can help. Right now, we’re in the middle of a giant voter mobilization campaign designed to target, educate and turn out 100,000 North Carolina voters who support Voter-Owned Elections BUT who don’t typically vote in mid-term elections like 2010. We have five organizers working in more than 20 key counties across the state. We’re producing over 200,000 voter guides, church bulletin inserts and flyers with information about how to use Early Voting and Same-Day Registration. We’re mounting a two-week phone bank and a “Souls to the Polls” campaign that involves more than 300 churches and faith organizations in voter education and mobilization. And here’s where the challenge comes in: Your contribution of $25 or $50 or more will help us implement this bold, statewide plan – and your donation will be matched, dollar for dollar, toward a special $10,000 challenge gift. We need your help to meet this challenge! Please donate now on line. It’s essential for people who care about reform to have their voices heard where politicians listen the most – at the polling place. A low turnout of voters this year will be a disaster. If people of goodwill stay home, the passionate anti-government forces who fight pro-democracy reform will carry the day. Please use the link to give what you can or send your tax-deductible donation for the Voter Mobilization Campaign to Democracy NC, 1821 Green Street, Durham, NC 27705. Thank you!

It Won’t Happen Without Us!

katy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:21:27 +0000

We need action in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate during the Congressional recess!

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently told a group of fair elections supporters that it’s “we-the-people” who have to MAKE Congress do the right thing. So that’s our charge and it will not happen without YOU taking action. And now’s a great time to do it: Monday marks the beginning of the long summer recess for U.S. Congress. It’s the perfect time to contact them at their home office about fair elections and other issues dear to you.

If your North Carolina Congressperson has signed on as a co-sponsor for the Fair Elections Now Act (HR-1826, S-752) to provide optional public campaign financing for congressional candidates, please thank him (Jones, Miller, Price, Kissell, Watt, Butterfield have all signed on). If your Congressperson is not listed, please call their office and ask them to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act. Ask them if they are concerned about political money and what they plan to do about it. Insist on a response. Phone numbers and email addresses for the entire NC House of Representatives delegation are included at the bottom of this message.

It is also time to start working the Senate side. Follow this link to ask Senator Hagan and Senator Burr to co-sponsor S-752. It will only take a minute, but it makes a difference. We’ve made it easy for you by providing talking points you can edit.

NC’s House of Representatives delegation; click on the name for an email link:

Rep G. K. Butterfield, Jr. (D – 01)	(252) 237-9816
Rep Bob Etheridge (D – 02)	(919) 829-9122
Rep Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R – 03)	(252) 931-1003
Rep David Price (D – 04)	(919) 967.7924
Rep Virginia Foxx (R – 05)	(336) 778-0211
Rep Howard Coble (R – 06)	(336) 333-5005
Rep Mike McIntyre (D – 07)	(910) 815-4959
Rep Larry Kissell (D – 08)	(910) 920-2070
Rep Sue Myrick (R – 09)	(704) 362-1060
Rep Patrick McHenry (R – 10)	(828) 327.6100
Rep Heath Shuler (D – 11)	(828) 252-1651
Rep Mel Watt (D – 12)	(704) 344-9950
Rep Brad Miller (D – 13)	(919) 836-1313

Thanks so much!

Support Voter-Owned Elections

katy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:42:11 +0000

Write Your Senators Today!

North Carolina U.S. Representative David Price (D) is one of the leaders in the presidential public campaign financing reform effort, while NC’s Walter Jones (R), has introduced the Fair Elections Now Act (HR-1826) to bring VOE to U.S. House and Senate races. Price, Brad Miller (D), Larry Kissell (D), Mel Watt (D) and G.K. Butterfield (D) have joined Walter Jones in co-sponsoring FENA.

We need the support of North Carolina’s U.S. Senators for this bill, however! Email Kay Hagan here or contact Richard Burr here. Or better yet: visit our FENA Action Alert to send a quick email to both.

Do It Again In 2010!

katy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:38:42 +0000

Are you concerned about all the new 2008 voters who failed to show at the polls the following year? Would you like to see them return to vote in 2010 and embark on a lifetime of good voting habits?

If so, volunteer to help with our new voter phone banking efforts this fall. We’ll be calling voters who first registered in ’08 and encouraging them to turn out this November. You can be a part of our organized phone banking efforts in Durham, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville or Winston-Salem, call people in your part of the state using phone lists we provide to you, or call from home to the areas where we need your help the most.

Please write our Organizing Director, Adam Sotak, to volunteer.

Help Us Register New Voters!

katy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:33:53 +0000

Are you interested in making sure we add to the voter rolls in North Carolina before the November General Election? Would you like to register new voters in your hometown or take part in one of our local coalitions, located in Durham, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville or Winston-Salem? If so, please write our Organizing Director, Adam Sotak, for information on our voter registration materials and initiatives.