Ready, Set, Vote and Other Strategies

Protecting a few ballots means saving democracy, said Ellen.

It requires building trust into the system, Lori added.

We need more than confidence; we need truth, said Mary Ann. Two days after Labor Day, we should have a Check Your Registration Day; during that time each of us should bring another person to register. Poor people can't go on line to check their registration status.

PFAW and NAACP, among others, can be contact points, said John Gideon, who had just joined the conversation.

We can call it Ready, Set, Go, and Check, said Mary Ann. We can engage our representatives and candidates during a two-week process.

The subject turned to Sequoia as John the news hound, also of votersunite, told listeners that this manufacturer, whose machines are used throughout New Jersey, is in danger of being taken over by Hart Intercivic; it is close to bankruptcy and claims to have forgotten about a $250,000 bond purchased from New York State. Sequoia had been pushing its machines there.

John also reported on the Kentucky and Oregon primaries, which went smoothly, though a local election in Arkansas turned out to be problematic.

But what do we want EI activists to focus on? What are the critical considerations? asked Mary Ann.

To get out as many as possible to observe elections, answered Susan. All states have different operation laws.

Participating at the polls is a way to really make a difference, she continued. That's our challenge.

It sounds simple, said Mary Ann, but it's really critical. With Ready, Set, Vote and other strategies, we can all join together and make it happen.

 1  |  2