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Friend,
With advance voting and voting-by-mail happening now in many states before Election Day on November 3, we at American Promise are working with our partners in Fix the System to ensure that all American citizens can vote safely, and that every vote is counted according to law. This year’s election process may have some bumps and delays, which make it vital that we maintain our belief in our democratic process and practice peace and patience in the days following the election.
Throughout this election season and beyond, we will continue our work for equal representation for all. One way we do this is by encouraging candidates to sign the American Promise Candidate Pledge to advance the amendment to reduce the influence of money in politics. After they’re elected, we must continue our outreach to encourage these supporters to make this issue a top priority in the new Congress.
While this year’s events have exposed systemic failures and created hardships for many people, they also serve as a reminder of the value of our vote, the importance of working toward American equality, and the critical necessity of free and fair elections. We urge you to uphold the foundation of our democracy by voting in person if you are able and, if not, voting by mail or in advance.
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Jessica Hare
Empowerment Director, American Promise
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Sign the Pledge to Ensure Every Citizen’s Vote Is Counted
American Promise has joined Fix the System with other partner organizations to ensure a safe, secure, and accurate election — and that every vote counts! Here are a few ways to help:
- Sign the Count Every Vote pledge and join others in protecting the integrity of our elections by ensuring all votes are counted in accordance with applicable laws.
- Visit Vote.org to learn how, when, and where to register, and how to request a ballot or vote in-person in your state.
- Find the safest way for you to vote and keep your community healthy at the polls.
- Learn how business leaders can support fair, safe, and secure elections.
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Making Progress in Powering the Polls Across the Country
With less than two weeks until Election Day, poll worker recruitment and placement continue. But as the map above illustrates, many Americans are stepping up to help. Our partner organization Power the Polls is leading this effort to ensure we have a safe, fair, delay-free election for all voters.
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The issue: Polling place closures can lead to long lines to vote, and race is one of the strongest predictors of how long a person waits in line to vote.
The action: More poll workers means faster polling locations. If you are able, sign up to Power the Polls this Election Day.
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| Candidate Pledge Signers
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Every week more and more candidates sign our candidate pledge. Here, we highlight a few recent pledge signers — from California and Delaware — and celebrate their commitment to serving all Americans equally. Help us lift these candidates by downloading their pledge graphics from the link below and sharing on social media, making sure to tag the candidate and American Promise.
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Here are other recent pledge signers:
- Tim Conrad, candidate for Delaware State Representative, District 26
- Michael Ramone, candidate for Delaware State Representative, District 21
- Nicole Lowen, candidate for Hawaii State Representative, District 145
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Join the call to build a stronger and more representative democracy: Sign your name to show the next administration and Congress that Day 1 is for Democracy and H.R. 1, the For The People Act that calls for our 28th Amendment, should be top priority. Be sure your voice is heard!
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| National Business Network
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Members of the National Business Network are leveraging their unique and powerful business perspective to advance the 28th Amendment and achieve the goal of leveling the playing field so all businesses can fairly compete. Find the latest in the most recent Quarterly Business Network Newsletter — and if you don’t already receive it, sign up and share with your business colleagues.
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| Upcoming American Promise Events
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October 22: Alaskans are invited to watch the movie “Dark Money,” then join this online discussion before they head to the polls to vote on a state ballot measure that includes a constitutional amendment to limit money in elections that would make it the 21st state to call for the 28th Amendment! The film will be shown at 5 p.m. AT, followed by a discussion at 7 p.m. facilitated by Bill Hall of Alaska Common Ground. Learn more and register online.
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October 27: Learn how each of us can help put a stop to unlawful voter suppression and intimidation this election season during a webinar presented by the Fulcrum. Panelists Mindy Finn, CEO of Citizen Data and co-founder of Stand Up Republic, and Nsé Ufot, chief executive officer of New Georgia Project, will explain how to identify illegal activity at polling locations and steps to take to stop it. Learn more and register online.
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November 17: Join the National Business Network for a look at its new presentation and options for sharing it with business organizations in your area. National Business Network Member Scott Ellis will be guest presenter during this webinar that starts at 8 p.m. ET. Learn more and register online.
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| What We’re Tracking This Week
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From Ed Youngblood of Maine and Jim Rubens of New Hampshire: As former state senators and Republicans as well as advocates for the 28th Amendment, Ed Youngblood and Jim Rubens are calling for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine to support a constitutional amendment to limit election spending. Collins is in a competitive Senate race that has drawn more than $100 million in campaign spending. Read more.
From the Fulcrum: Vote by Design, a digital civics program created by educators for educators, is designed to empower young people to engage in the democratic process as independent and capable voters. “For too long, we have relied on history or civics classes to teach students how government works and the various roles that matter,” says co-creator Lisa Kay Solomon of Stanford University. Read more.
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From the Bangor Daily News: A competitive U.S. Senate contest between incumbent Susan Collins and Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon has drawn more than $100 million, with most of that from out-of-state donors. Spending by nonprofit dark-money groups targeted Collins early in the race, but outside spending against Gideon has picked up in recent months. Read more.
From the Center for Responsive Politics: Outside groups are boosting spending on a tight U.S. Senate race in Kansas to record levels. State Sen. Barbara Bollier, who switched parties from Republican to Democrat in 2018, is challenging U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall for the seat, which has been held by Republicans since 1932. Bollier has collected more than $20 million, while Marshall has raised nearly $5.5 million. Read more.
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American Promise empowers Americans to act together to win the 28th Amendment so people, not money, govern in America.
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