November 6, 2006

Why Action? To make sure our votes count...

Posted by Adrienne Maree Brown at 9:50PM

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On November 7, so much hard work will pay off. People have done an amazing job continuing the always hot trend of successful new voter organizing. I am so excited to look around and see all the youth organizations that are all over this election, especially at the local level. In my new hometown of Oakland its ALL about Aimee Allison, it's SOOOO exciting. {If you or anyone you know has friend in District 2 please text them to go vote for bi-racial, post military, pro-environment, pro-youth, pro-Oakland Aimee tomorrow!!!}

Unfortunately the reports are already starting to pour in, from the Secretary of State in Missouri to early voters in Ohio: absentee deadlines and early voting dates are wrong, early voting poll times are wrong, poll workers are asking for the wrong ID or demanding ID when the law says it's unnecessary. And so it begins, this crazy dance of coincidences that pile up until, strangely, those most likely to vote for a progressive agenda in this country are silenced.

Organizations are coming together like never before to figure out ways of defending the vote. Many options are below.

At Ruckus we've partnered with mad folks to put out a call to action if voters get silenced, and we've created an easy action called Voters Silenced Here.

0. Realize you're the kind of person who is down to take action on Election Day, no matter much voter organizing you've ever done. Go no to www.ruckus.org/electionprotection and sign up to be part of the team and text PROTECT to 30644 to get on the list of folks who can be called to action tomorrow. It's like a Civil Rights Reserves.

1. Find out that something is going down which will adversely effect election results! We'll alert you through our texts based on your geography, but you have your ear to the ground and will no doubt be hearing things as well!

2. Cover your mouth with cloth, scarf, bandana, anything to show the image of silenced voters. Have enough for multiple people to cover their mouths so you can recruit folks to join you in action!

3. Then, download the sign from Ruckus on Election Day that says 'Voters Silenced Here.'

4. If you have time and resources, we'll have an Election Day Guide to Making a Bedsheet Banner up on our site as well!

5. Identify one spokesperson who can explain to media and anyone else on site how voters have been silenced at your polling station or County Board of Elections. {Can also help to make small flyers that explain it!}

6. Email adrienne@ruckus.org and let us know you're doing the action, and we'll post it on our site so folks looking for actions can join you. Send pictures if you can!!

A. You're willing to engage at the bare minimum level: Check out TheBallor.org and get the best possible information you can have in hand heading to the polls. (i.e. District 2 Oakland Cali voters vote for Aimme Allison!!)

B. You're willing to go further, spend an hour or two to make sure folks get to the polls, and that votes get counted: Protect Our Votes has info on Election Transparency efforts, ways to report incidents with Common Cause and PFAW, easy easy ways to protect this most basic common right.

C. You have a camera and are willing to document offenses at the polls: VideoTheVote.org ... and if you're more low-tech you can upload cell phone video at www.netrootsnetwork.com

D. You're still standing at the end of the day: When the polls close pollworkers are mandated to post the number of votes collected at that site in a public spot. Go and photograph that posting, preferably with a camera that can date and time the shot. This will be useful tangible proof when election results are tallied, making sure that each vote cast was counted!

E. You are willing to do an action that helps the media see specifically where voters have been silenced: sign up at www.ruckus.org/electionprotection, or just text PROTECT to 30644 ! And we'll loop you in.

If you have questions about any of this, email adrienne@ruckus.org, all of the above organizations are trying to be in touch and we're just going to try to know as much as we can tomorrow and merge efforts for the biggest outcomes possible!

Here's hoping none of this is necessary!

Adrienne Maree Brown is the Executive Director of The Ruckus Society.