What You Need to Know To Help Pass Ballot Prop 1

We had a fabulous OneNYS Indivisible call last night, thanks to Sarah Reeske, our statewide organizer.  Our first agenda item was Prop 1 (AKA NYS Equal Rights Amendment).  Research tells us that our conversations with voters --including family, friends, and coworkers, will make the difference in getting the ERA passed. If you want more information about how to have those conversations HERE is the tool you need.  The ERA is a constitutional amendment to protect the civil rights of all New Yorkers, including for reproductive freedom and abortion. Please click on the link and read the info. It will help you answer concerns from people in your networks once the anti-prop 1 forces start their gaslighting and lies about the ERA.  

60-Second Pitch: 

New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives, and futures. But across the country, politicians are restricting people’s rights and reproductive freedoms, including the right to abortion. Even here in New York, out-of-touch politicians have introduced 53 anti-abortion and anti-reproductive rights bills in the last decade. 

It's critical that New Yorkers vote YES on Prop 1 to guarantee our rights and reproductive freedoms so that they are permanently protected, and not left up to politicians who could roll them back. Even more, Prop 1 closes loopholes in the state constitution so New Yorkers, no matter who we are, can never be discriminated against by the government. Voting YES on Prop 1 will ensure that never happens.

Please take note of the important information about LGBT protections and age-related discrimination in the document as well as the myth-busting facts that you can share, like this one:

Q: What about all the unintended consequences of the amendment? Isn’t it written vaguely? 

The amendment is straightforward: it closes loopholes in the state constitution to ensure that no New Yorker can be discriminated against by the government. It does not hand out special rights to anyone and doesn’t change common sense laws on the books. This amendment is about protecting the rights we currently have – including the right to abortion – and not leaving them up to out-of-touch politicians in the future.

Seriously, review the ERA talking points document, and save/print if you need to. 
P.S. Prop 1 lawn signs are coming soon!
 

Imagine a Future Then Take Action

Last night we also heard from Ezra Levin, Co-founder of Indivisible.  He reminded us that flipping the House in 2024 depends almost entirely on New York.  We have the most Unrepresentative (flippable/purple) districts of any state in the country. He talked about the energy sweeping the country for Harris/Walz but reminded us that we need to harness the energy in a moment like this, or it will just dissipate, and we need to focus it in a way that it will make an impact. That means we need to keep recruiting volunteers, and we need to DO THINGS that have impact, and then we need to get everyone coming back the next week and the next week after that to keep doing those things. 

Ezra asked us each to imagine what it will feel like to watch Kamala Harris at her inauguration on MLK day 2025 with a blue House and Senate.  And then seeing bills signed in to law that protect our freedoms and make life better not for millionaires but for all of us. Then Ezra asked us to imagine telling our grandchildren about the role we played in making that future happen. Not just watching it on TV or scrolling through memes in social media, but really moving the needle through organizing and voter contact.  Pause and do that imagining for the next 30 seconds. 

Feels good doesn't it? 

What do you plan to do in the next 81 days to help make a blue wave future real?  Let's do it together!
 

Join James Meyers in Rome's Honor America Days Parade

Because of the tornado in Rome, Honor America Days was postponed from the end of July to Saturday, Sept. 7.  James Meyers, our Democratic candidate for State Senate (District 53 -- includes Utica and Rome), wants to have as many supporters walking with him in the parade as possible.  Rome is Joe Griffo's home turf, and James is the first person to challenge him on the ballot in 14 years. Let's let voters know they have a choice---and it's an excellent choice at that.  The parade steps off at 10 am.  More details coming soon about where to meet and up and when if you want to walk with James Meyers.  

James is a veteran and continues to serve in the Army Reserves. He has managed multi-million dollar contracts in his civilian job in Rome, is strongly committed to public education and public policy that helps workers, small businesses, and access to government services, and he volunteered as Ward 6 co-captain in the Celeste Friend for Mayor campaign.  So get your family and friends and join the parade!
 

It's Time for Ice Cream!

Celeste Friend's annual ice cream social in Utica is always fun and delicious!  Buy your ticket now by clicking HERE.   This year the event benefits James Meyers, running for the State Senate to represent Oneida, Madison, and northern Chenango Counties.  If you plan to buy a ticket or make a contribution in lieu of attending, please do so by August, 12th, which is a critical fundraising deadline. Help James maximize the state matching funds!   

Postcard Parties: Easy and Fun

Our goal is to write 1000 postcards to local women voters who need a nudge to vote, writing 200 each week on Thursdays in August and then start in on Paula Collins postcards for NY21.   We've had a great turnout!   Here's the schedule for the remaining dates:

IMV Postcard Parties (Thursdays in August)
Thursday August 22, 29
4:00-5:30 pm
New Hartford Library
2 Library Lane, New Hartford

Just show up ready to write postcards and connect with IMV friends. Bring a friend--all are welcome.

Write a Letter to the Editor

One of the best ways to influence your fellow voters is through Letters to the Editor.  Judy Jerome's June 13 letter written as a follow up to Donna McKendree's LTE kept the outrage at Brandon Williams going. Donna's LTE about the incompetence and failure of Williams' constituent services was also published in the Waterville Times. Regina Kekis had a letter criticizing Williams and Stefanik for their efforts to undermine Social Security. Kelli Samson's LTE in the Sentinel criticized Stefanik and lifted up Paula Collins as the best choice for NY21. 

Writing a LTE doesn't have to be overwhelming.  

Sarah Reekse is hosting two LTE Writing Power Hours on Monday, August 19th. Come for assistance, motivation, or guidance!  Sign up today:

Monday, August 19th, 10:30 am, Blue NY22 Morning LTE Writing Power Hour  Registration required–Register HERE.

Monday, August 19th, 6:30 pm, Blue NY22 Evening LTE Writing Power Hour Registration required–Register HERE.

And be sure to sign up for a special NYS LTE Workshop focused on Medicare: 

Tuesday, August 20th, 12-1pm, NYS LTE Workshop:  Medicare & Medicare Advantage fraud. Register here. Come learn about how to write a LTE about modernizing Medicare and some of the ways privatized healthcare for seniors with Medicare Advantage is ripping all of us off.
 

Indivisible's Women Wednesdays for Harris/Harris Phonebank (Virtual)

If you want to focus on getting Kamala Harris elected and/or knocking doors is not doable for you, then you might Register for Women Wednesdays for Harris weekly at 8:30pm ET through the election. Every Wednesday through Election Day, Indivisible is partnering on a national call bringing together women from all across the country to build community, strategize, and share tools to drive a Harris victory in November. 

Register for an Indivisible national phonebank into Nevada for Kamala Harris on Friday, August 23 at 3pm. The Democratic National Convention ends on Thursday, August 22, and we’ll be capitalizing on the energy of seeing Kamala take the stage as the Democratic candidate for president as we make calls on Friday. We’ll be dialing into Nevada -- one of the top presidential battlegrounds where the election will be decided this year. Come help us make sure Nevadans are fired up and ready to catapult Kamala into the Oval Office.

Talk to Voters at the Doors

Face to face conversations at doors --that's the number one more important way to impact election results. There are weekend shifts available Saturdays and Sundays, and weekday shifts scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Voters are expressing appreciation for learning about who and what will be on the ballot.  

The Dem HQ at 238 Genesee Street is also where you can pick up:

• lawn signs

• palm cards

• voter registration forms

• brand new slate cards featuring Harris/Walz at the top

• magnets (new!) 

Sign up to Canvass Weekends:  https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/642780/
Sign up to Canvass Weekdays: https://events.democrats.org/event/642762/
 

Enjoy the Watching the Democratic Convention Next Week
Then Take Action! 
 

If the televised Democratic National Convention on August 19-22 energizes you....

• Write an LTE about your enthusiasm, the candidates, or our shared values.  

• Sign up for a phonebank or canvassing shift

• Help us write postcards and build our IMV community while you do it

• Show up at a candidate fundraiser or support event (ice cream anyone?  parade anyone?)

Because Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!

You can follow us on Instagram's Threads.net/@indivisiblemohawkvalley, on X (Twitter) using @indivisiblemv, and, of course, on our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.