Progressives Every Day: We Should Probably Have Some National Voting Laws
Progressives Every Day: We Should Probably Have Some National Voting Laws
Big news out of North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and more!
Welcome to the Friday evening edition of Progressives Everywhere!
I’m going to start on something of a personal note.
Today I was texting with some friends, trading notes about our respective high school experiences. In conversation, I brought up a kid named Justin, who was a senior when I was a freshman. He was a literal Eagle Scout, a quiet and clean-cut guy who I wound up inviting to eat at my lunch table. Because he graduated long before me, we lost touch — Facebook was released my freshman year of college — and that was sort of that.
I decided to Google his name this morning after mentioning him to my friends and was shocked by what I found: The first result was a GoFundMe campaign for his wife and kids, following his sudden death in August. It took me a minute to believe that it was Justin, as it’d been nearly 20 years since I’d last seen him, but near the bottom of the page, they posted a photo of him as a fresh-faced Air Force recruit:
It was definitely Justin. My soul sank. And then I couldn’t help but smile.
Justin’s dream was to attend the Air Force Academy, but for some reason or another, as far as I can remember, he wound up intending to go to Embry Riddle, an engineering school in Florida. As it turns out, I discovered, he wound up enlisting in the Air Force after September 11th, 2001, which occurred the fall after we lost touch. I’m not sure if he ever went to Embry Riddle, but regardless, he wound up serving four years in the Air Force.
I don’t know what he did in the Air Force, but he must have done something quite significant and brave. Next year, Justin will be entombed at Arlington National Cemetery Mausoleum.
And yet, because this country doesn’t do right by its heroes, Justin’s family needs considerable help. He was the breadwinner and had considerable responsibilities, as his and his wife Brandi’s three children are all autistic. His passing puts them all in a very precarious position.
This country has suffered unthinkable losses this year, and between GoFundMes for funerals and political campaigns, so many of us are financially and emotionally tapped out. But if you have a little extra cash and want to help out a family that could really use it, you can donate to them here.
OK, let’s get to politics!
Important News You Need to Know
Texas: Remember earlier this week when Gov. Greg Abbot issued an order that banned counties from providing ballot drop boxes in more than one place? It not only sucks on principle, but it sucks even harder in application, too.
Check out this map for an idea of just how extremely disenfranchising this order is in the most populated and most Democratic county in the state:
Ohio: Speaking of drop box orders, a federal court has put the decision in Ohio that allowed more than one box location per county on hold while the case is reviewed yet again.
The last judge said it was time for this litigation to end. Unfortunately, this one didn’t agree. In fact, they look like they’re going to side with Frank LaRose, the incredibly dishonest Ohio secretary of state.
Ugh. Will let you know more when news breaks.
Wisconsin: Hey, more egregious voting rights news out of the courts.
After a federal court rolled back the number of days that Wisconsin could accept absentee ballots after Election Day, the dissenting judge did not mince words:
National: While the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee left progressive candidates in swing districts out to dry in 2018, the group is now seizing on the political momentum and throwing a bit of money towards some of the left’s top contenders.
The Intercept has a story today on the DCCC’s investment in the campaigns of Kara Eastman (NE-02) and Dana Balter (NY-25), two returning progressive candidates who came inches away from unseating incumbents in 2018.
They aren’t putting a ton of money into the races, but it’s more than what some leading progressive groups have tossed in so far — Sunrise Movement has been absent entirely, while Justice Dems have raised some cash for Eastman and Working Families Party have helped Balter out with texts, emails, and grassroots assistance.
Progressives Everywhere, of course, has raised money for both Eastman and Balter — CLICK HERE to donate to their campaigns via our Congressional donation page!
National: Breaking news tonight: The White House last month blocked the CDC from mandating that masks be worn on airplanes, public transportation, and in big travel hubs.
Of course, the entire White House went on to catch COVID after delivering this veto, more proof that the Trump Administration is just unbelievably talented at dunking on itself.
I used to get flack when I’d tweet “Republicans are terrorists,” with people saying it was inflammatory. Now, it’s clear that they knowingly set out to kill people on airplanes (and inspire people to attempt to kidnap governors) so I feel like it’s pretty inarguable at this point.
South Carolina: Need more proof that they’re not only willing to let people die, but actively trying to make it happen? I mean, other than the fact that Trump holds to plan a big event on the White House lawn next weekend?
OK, here it is: Lindsey Graham refusesto get a COVID-19 test, even though he was at the super-spreader event where half of the Republican Party got the virus.
Already, that’s led to the South Carolina Senate debate being quasi-canceled, but Lindsey doesn’t care — his big focus is ensuring that he holds hearings to push Amy Coney Barrett onto the Supreme Court.
Why is he so obsessed with getting Coney Barrett on the court? Follow me to the next item for the answer!
National: The constellation of right-wing organizations that powered the Tea Party and Republican politics up until 2018 has gone all-in on Coney Barrett’s confirmation. This is their ultimate end-game and they are not sparing a cent.
Already, they’ve spent over $157 million on ads, pressure campaigns, and other public lobbying!
Last week alone, Americans for Prosperity, the Kochs’ dark money group, sent over 200,000 letters to senators in support of her confirmation. Who actually wrote them is unclear. I guess people dohave a lot of time on their hands.
Read all the breathtaking numbers over at Sludge, then breathe deep and pray that all the Republicans’ COVID is impossible to hide and they can’t do these hearings.
North Carolina: OK, here’s some good news: North Carolina’s State Board of Elections (controlled by Democrats) released a memo confirming that voter intimidation is illegal in the state.
This is key because Trump is drafting a volunteer army — literally called Army for Trump — for the explicit purpose of harassing election officials and intimidating voters.
Facebook says it won’t let them advertise and collect names for it on the platform, but I’ll believe it when I (don’t) see it.
Wait, before you go!
Progressives Everywhere is a one-person operation funded by readers like you (and whatever spare change I have in my pocket after paying rent). Together, we’ve raised over $4.2 million for truly progressive candidates and causes since 2018, helping to flip seats, restore voting rights, expand healthcare, and much more.
I’d love to do this as a full-time job (or at least make it one of my full-time gigs), but I’ve got a long way to go.
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