Time is running out to secure our elections! While Congress is on break, we must keep up the pressure!
#DemocracyOpenMic is a social media campaign that lets you use your creativity to make your voice heard on the urgent need to protect our vote during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No one should be forced to choose between protecting their health and participating in our democracy, but that’s the choice many are facing during the coronavirus crisis. The disastrous primary elections in Wisconsin and Georgia demonstrate the urgent need for Congress to act now to #ProtectOurVote.
In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act. This COVID-19 stimulus bill includes $3.6 billion in funding for states to implement:
Vote-By-Mail | Mandatory Early Voting | Clean and Safe Polling Locations | Online and Same Day Voter Registration | Accessibility Options for Voters | And Much More
But the Senate has yet to act to secure our elections. That’s why we need you, your passion and creativity to urge your Senators to protect our democracy.
Choose from the variety of options below to do your part in the fight to ensure that all Americans can safely vote this year.
Please note: By participating in#DemocracyOpenMic you permit the Declaration for American Democracy to use your creations in our coalition’s social media posts, either by itself or as part of a compilation.
Option 1 – Post a Video
Its simple — and it has a major impact! A quick video recording of yourself, speaking to the camera, can go to millions of people across the country.
Sample scripts:
Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy and Americans should not have to risk our health in order to cast our vote. With experts saying coronavirus will still be a threat in November, we need changes to our election systems that allow voters more options of when and how to vote. Changes like expanding vote by mail and early voting, and on-line registration.
The House has already answered the call by passing the HEROES Act, which provides billions of dollars to states to protect the votes of millions of people across the country. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same. (Your Senators name) It is time to pass the HEROES Act and fully fund elections because no one should have to choose between their health and casting a ballot.
Political power comes from a community’s right to vote and as long as we’ve been a county, Black communities’ votes have purposefully been suppressed to limit their power. With Black communities pushing back against white supremacy like never before, we need to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself this November with the suppression of Black votes like we saw in Georgia and Wisconsin earlier this year.
We should not have to risk our health to cast our vote.
We demand that the Senate step up and make changes to our election system that allows for the expansion that expands vote by mail, increases early voting and limits poll closures in Black communities.
The House has answered the call by passing the HEROES Act, which provides billions of dollars to states to make these necessary changes. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same. (Your Senator’s name) Pass the HEROES Act so that no one in our communities has to choose between their health and their right to vote.
Then tag @DemCastUSA @DFADCoalition and your Senator, use the Hashtag #DemocracyOpenMic, #ProtectOurVote and SHARE!
Option 2
Take a Selfie w/ a Sign (cats🐈, dogs🐕 and kids👶 work as well)
A picture is worth a thousand words — but let’s add some words onto a sign, just to be safe! These selfies taken with a handwritten sign work super-well on social, or print one of these awesome pre-made ones.
so…
1. Make a sign that expresses your thoughts.
2. Take a selfie with that sign.
3. Post it on your Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! Make sure to tag #DemocracyOpenMic, #ProtectOurVote, @DFADCoalition @DemCastUSA and your Senators in your tweet/post!
Option 3
Tweet and share on social media!
And we have made it super easy! Click for ready made posts!
Be sure to search the hashtag #DemocracyOpenMic and RT, comment and like!
If you need more ideas, check out more ideas from our friends at the Declaration for American Democracy.
