Chop Wood, Carry Texas 8/27
Donate! Or write letters! Your choice!
Hey, Team Texas!
I have always believed that there is no better cure for summer heat than getting inside, having an ice cold drink, and making some smart, effective political donations… As such, I have some great news for those of you who’ve been looking for an excuse to spend money: Powered by People.Â
This is an organization headed by Beto O’Rourke, with the long-term goal of turning Texas blue through partisan voter registration and mobilization. As many of you probably know, the beautiful state of Texas is home to some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country, and getting people registered is an uphill battle.
Powered by People is working in campuses across Texas to get students registered, building teams of volunteers dedicated to keeping voters informed and engaged, and much more. Donating to them is not only donating to fight voter suppression, but also to keep the poll numbers moving in our direction for the presidential election, to increase Rep. Allred’s chances at the Senate this Fall, and to build a more solid foundation for future elections. Donate here.Â
Now, for those of you who are actively avoiding excuses to spend money, but still want to combat voter suppression in Texas, more amazing news: letter writing. Below is a postcard campaign that I really recommend taking a look at- while this may not be completely free either, it’s a relatively cheap way to have an outsized impact.
Reclaim our Vote has multiple ongoing campaigns reaching out to BIPOC Voters in key states for the general election. Register with them to write to Black women in Texas (order your postcards now to send them out in October). You have to use their cards (which are beautiful) and watch a short video training. These postcards are specifically geared towards overcoming voter suppression–they’re GREAT! Sign up here.Â
OK, that’s all for now!
Thanks!
Jess
Thank you thank you! From all of us in Texas!!!! He does amazing work! We can turn Texas blue! He lost in 2018, kept working to register voters in Texas. Lost again in 2022, kept working to register voters. If Colin Allred wins, we will thank Beto. If Texas goes blue, we will thank Beto. So many of us got to work in his 2018 campaign and haven’t stopped. Today I was at a town hall and questions from my table about voter registration. I answered them and gave them my phone number and said, I will come and get you registered. Yes, I am a VDR (the hoops we have to jump through to register voters!) but I am taken the classes and have the certifications. Again, thanks Beto. This is what supporting his organization means! It means that a man who is in his 70’s will vote for the first time this November!
Great promise in this program . . . by my estimates, the current occupant of the Texas governor’s office received 1 in 5 eligible votes . . . 20%
That was reported as ‘55%’ and a decisive win.
55% of 46% turnout of 80% registered -> 20% of eligible.
That means 3 of 5 eligible voters didn’t vote; 1 of those wasn’t registered.
Huge opportunity . . . !
First, do you get the same numbers?
Second, I believe telling voters this ought to motivate them to see that their vote could count more this year.
There are explicit and subversive and implicit voter repression programs all across Texas. . . and the rest of our nation . . . is registration restricted now?
Can a citizen turn up to vote unregistered on voting day?
Also, I have been wondering if there are ‘voter buddy’ programs anywhere in our great country, to provide moral support, and simple physical presence and backup . . . babysitting, etc . . .
thanks for your work! - best luck to US, b.rad