Organized by Let America Vote, The Coalition Brings Together Groups Focusing On Gun Violence Prevention, Women’s Reproductive Rights, Environment, Workers Rights, Veterans, LGBTQ+, Democracy Reform, Voting Rights
The first-of-its-kind campaign coalition will:
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Launch a dedicated War Room to defend vote-by-mail against attacks & misinformation; expose ongoing voter suppression; neutralize attempts to delegitimize the election by educating about how the historic use of vote-by-mail will impact Election Day results tallying
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Coordinate organizing efforts to recruit poll workers, register voters, return absentees and protect voters’ right to cast their ballot
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Launch an independent robust paid mail and digital education campaign reminding voters how to cast a ballot, especially during the pandemic
With fewer than 60 days until Election Day, a historic new coalition today launched the #SaveTheVote campaign, a first-of-its-kind, coordinated effort among the largest and most influential political and organizing groups from across the issue spectrum to safeguard this year’s elections. By providing clear, accurate information about voting to the American people and actively debunking misinformation, the diverse coalition will serve as a powerful counterweight to President Trump’s and the Republican Party’s relentless and unprecedented voter suppression efforts and attacks on the right to vote, especially in the middle of a pandemic.
The #SaveTheVote Campaign will coordinate messaging and grassroots activities among the coalition partners in three key areas: 1) promoting and providing updates around safe, reliable voting options in the upcoming election; 2) exposing Donald Trump’s efforts at voter suppression, including his attempts to undermine the Post Office; and 3) debunking misinformation related to voting and the election, including around vote-by-mail and the likelihood that Election Day results will be delayed given the coronavirus crisis.
The #SaveTheVote campaign will be divided into the following components:
First, Let America Vote will support the campaign with a dedicated War Room that provides message guidance and coordinates rapid response efforts to counter the Administration’s misinformation and voter suppression efforts. This will include a new website, detailed research fact sheets, social media products, and a daily newsletter.
Second, the #SaveTheVote campaign will coordinate organizing efforts among member organizations focused on returning absentee ballots and helping recruit poll workers, absentee ballot collectors, voter registration volunteers, and voter protection monitors.
Third, a smaller breakout group of coalition partners will launch a separate and uncoordinated paid mail and digital voter education campaign to give battleground voters in the most competitive states all the information they need to vote this November, including details on new COVID-related voting procedures, the full range of voting options in their state, how to request an absentee ballot, timelines, important dates, and specific information about in-person voting locations.
“Extreme voter suppression combined with a global pandemic is making it uniquely difficult for people to vote, and know how to vote, in what will be the most consequential election of our lifetimes — an election where the literal future of democracy is on the ballot,” Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller said. “We’re pulling together this campaign of the top national political organizations from across the issue spectrum — from gun violence prevention groups to women’s reproductive health groups and veterans groups to LGBTQ+ groups — to send a crystal clear message to Donald Trump: ‘we see what you’re trying to do to rig the election and we’re standing together to fight back and we’re going to win.’ This far-reaching coalition is stepping up to make sure we have safe, secure, accessible, and fair elections. That’s the only way our democracy can deliver a government that is truly accountable to the people. Every American must have an equal voice.”
Brady President Kris Brown: “Americans face one of the most consequential elections in our lifetimes this November, and it is critically important that every person have the opportunity to vote and that every vote is counted. That is why Brady stands with so many other organizations in working to ensure every American has the ability to cast their ballot in person on election day, prior to the election or by mail. For the gun violence prevention movement, our efforts to advance critical and life saving policies depend on the outcomes of elections across this country where gun violence prevention champions are running in critical races at the state and federal level. We need to ensure that all Americans who want to participate in this upcoming election are able to and that their votes are counted.”
Shane Larson, Communications Workers of America Senior Director for Government Affairs and Policy: “Our members understand the importance of voting. At this critical time for our country, CWA members are ready to do their part to ensure that everyone who wants to vote understands how to do so safely and reliably. It’s shameful that President Trump and his Republican allies are undermining the most fundamental process in a Democracy — casting a ballot in a free and fair election.”
Andrew Albertson, Executive Director, Foreign Policy of America: “At the heart of this country is our right to vote – the power of every person to take part in choosing our leaders democratically and holding them accountable. That tradition has inspired millions of people in countries across the world, but in 2020 it’s under threat right here at home. It’s up to all of us to live up to our founding ideas, to fight for our democracy, and to defeat efforts to suppress voting and disrupt our elections, and that’s what we’re going to do together with this coalition.”
Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President: “The Human Rights Campaign is pleased to join Save the Vote and advance voting rights alongside so many organizations. This is the most consequential election of our lifetimes, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that every vote is counted and that each and every one of our voices is heard. Over the past year, we have been deeply invested in protecting the right to vote – from partnering with Fair Fight to launching our Vote Equal, Vote Safe initiative to educate voters about their voting options this fall. Now, we look forward to building on this work and partnering with groups across the country to make sure that all of us exercise our fundamental right to vote.”
Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street President: “J Street’s work is driven by our Jewish and democratic values — and one of the greatest threats to those values is the ongoing attack on Americans’ right and ability to vote. We’re proud to be a part of Save the Vote’s vital mobilization in defense of American democracy, on the verge of an incredibly consequential election for our country and our community.”
Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund President & CEO: “Latinos will be the largest non-white voting bloc in the 2020 election, and one of the communities that is targeted by Trump and the Republicans’ voter suppression tactics. It’s up to all of us to protect our Democracy by keeping our communities informed and mobilized and stopping President Trump and Republican’s attacks on the electoral system. Latino Victory is proud to join the Save the Vote campaign and help ensure Latino voters in battleground states are informed and able to safely cast their vote in November.”
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO, LGBTQ Victory Fund: “LGBTQ Victory Fund has endorsed LGBTQ candidates across the country and up and down the ballot. Their success depends on all voters being able to freely and fairly participate in this election.”
Kelly Burton, President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee: “Whether he’s creating distrust in the U.S. Postal Service or spreading misinformation about the voting process, President Trump is doing everything in his power to suppress the vote and create chaos ahead of November. This is our last chance to elect the people who will draw new maps during the redistricting process next year – maps that will be in place for the next decade – and we refuse to stand idly by while this administration attacks the right to vote and undermines the integrity of our electoral process The NDRC is proud to join an effort that will ensure voters know exactly how to safely cast a ballot this year.”
Sean Eldridge, President of Stand Up America: “Donald Trump and his allies spend every day trying to save their jobs by making it harder for Americans to participate in the upcoming election. They push out misinformation to scare people from mailing in their ballots, close down polling places to prevent people of color from voting, and have even tried to sabotage the postal service during a global pandemic. Our members are more motivated than ever to fight back against these anti-democratic tactics and to stop this administration from rigging the system to keep themselves in power.”
Will Goodwin, Army Veteran and Director of Government Relations for VoteVets: “Our nation’s veterans and military families have made immeasurable sacrifices in service to the United States — to ensure the ability of their fellow citizens to participate in free and fair elections. This collaboration is essential to saving the vote this November and safeguarding American democracy. We are proud to stand alongside our friends and partner organizations in this fight.”
The initial list of organizations participating in the #SaveTheVote campaign are listed below:
Black 2 the Future Action Fund
Brady Campaign
Brady PAC
The Collective
Communications Workers of America
Democracy Docket
Foreign Policy for America
Human Rights Campaign
J Street
Latino Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Democratic Redistricting Committee
The Southern Strategy
Stand Up America
VoteVets
Background on Let America Vote:
Founded in 2017 by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, Let America Vote is dedicated to fighting back against voter suppression and protecting every American’s right to vote. Earlier this year, Let America Vote merged with End Citizens United to form one organization focused on a holistic approach to tackling two of the biggest challenges facing our democracy: big money and voter suppression.
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