The Most Consequential Election of Our Lives:
What Can You Do Right Now?

You know that it's true. MAGA must be defeated at every level and in every possible race--or we risk losing our futures and freedoms--and the traditions and norms of our democratic republic. They've got a plan to reverse women's rights, LGBTQ rights, quash gun reforms, and a green economy that takes the climate crisis seriously, and hand over the wealth of our country from the laborers who have created it to the billionaires who hoard and hide it.  Their plan is to decimate the federal government --from FEMA and NOAA to the Department of Education and Head Start. We can't let them win. But unless we come together and do the work to get out voters to polls, they will.  That's why every day between today and Nov. 5th matters. Every day and every action.  Here are the things you can do now:

Critical Phone Reach Out to Absentee Ballot Voters

Voters are receiving their absentee ballots and we need to reach out to ensure they are informed on our candidates and remind them to vote. Anyone not currently canvassing or any canvassers who want to get further involved are encouraged to join one of our local Virtual Phonebanks to reach out to voters. Dem HQ is holding phonebanks on Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm and Mondays - Fridays at 6 pm. All you need is a phone and a computer and you can call from the comfort of your home. Click the link below to help out!
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/652229/

Knock Doors

Door knocking is happening every Saturday and Sunday, and throughout each week, daytime and early evening. 

Utica Saturdays and Sundays: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/715578/
Utica Weekdays: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/653442/ 
New Hartford Wednesdays:
 https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/668519/
Rome Thursdays: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/682288/
Whitesboro Sundays: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/653427/
Clinton: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/715558/
 

Get Ready for GOTV (Get Out the Vote)

This Saturday, Oct. 12th (tomorrow) at 3 pm, Jon Lipe will lead a Get Out the Vote Strategy Session at Dem HQ in Utica to give an inside look at GOTV, show how we’ll be turning out voters in November, and show how you can get involved! This is a great opportunity for experienced and new volunteers alike and anyone interested is welcome to join and can RSVP with the link below.
https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/720649/

If anyone has any questions, they can reach out to Jon at (315) 795-1920 or lipe.jonathan@gmail.com. All are welcome! 

Oneida County NAACP Dinner Honors IMV Activists/Allies

We are excited to learn that three IMV members /allies are going to be honored at the Oneida County NAACP's annual Freedom Fund dinner this year!  These three individuals are active in the the affairs and activities of their community, often working behind the scenes to open up spaces for others to be seen, to have their voices heard, and fulfill their potential. Their actions have contributed to the functioning of democracy, the betterment of their community, and/or the advancement of shared goals and values.  And they are:

Diane Berry, longtime civil rights, economic justice, and democracy activist at the core of IMV who has mentored many a new activist in our group.
Shana Dahlin, community justice activist, electoral campaign volunteer, and Citizen Action leader at the local and state levels or many years.  
Ace Morreale, young social justice activist who became involved in IMV and went on to found the Oneida County Pride Association.

This year’s Freedom Fund Dinner will be held at the Five Points Public House and Events Center in the Irish Community Center at 623 Columbia Street from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Doors will open at  12:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $60 per person for adults (ages 21 and older) and $40.00 for youth (ages 20 and younger), which includes NAACP membership, and $30 for NAACP lifetime  members.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite through Monday, October 21 using this link: tinyurl.com/NAACP-Oneida-County-FFD
Or contact Dawn Michelle Laguerre at laguerremedia@gmail.com /(315) 266-7548.
 

Opportunities to Meet Candidates in Rome!

 Rome Chamber Meet & Greet

A 2024 political candidate meet-and-greet will take place from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, hosted by the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce.

The event will be at the Rome campus of Mohawk Valley Community College, on Floyd Avenue. Registration for the event costs $15. To register, visit the chamber website at www.romechamber.com. Candidates attending include: State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-53 and challenger Jamie Meyers; Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119 and challenger Christine Esposito; and Paula Collins, Democrat, challenging Else Stefanik, who is unable to attend.  The Professional and Business Women of Rome will also present its Yellow Rose of Challenge awards at the event.
 

Candidates' Night at Copper City Brewing Company

Please join local Democratic candidates Marianne Buttenschon, Paula Collins, Sheri Lagreco-Bryant, James Meyers, and Austin Paddock for a meet-and-greet event at Copper City Brewing Company in Rome. 

What: Candidates' Night at Copper City Brewing Company
Where: 1111 Oneida Street, Rome, NY 13440
When: 6:00pm on Monday, October 21
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/TB6TKkUA8zSmNgCk/?mibextid=9l3rBW

This is a good opportunity for friends and family to meet our local candidates in a relaxed setting. Come for the games and drinks, and stay for the Q&A with our candidates. The more the merrier!
 

Project 2025 Talk by Dr. Clemmie Harris

"A Community Conversation About Project 2025," presented by Dr. Clemmie Harris, Utica University History Professor and Director of Africana Studies, will cover the origins of Project 2025, its key components, and its implications for our community if enacted. The presentation will be free, open to the public, and feature refreshments.  

A Community Conversation About Project 2025
Presented by Dr. Clemmie Harris
Location: Mohawk Valley Community College, Schafer Theater
1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501
Monday, Oct. 21
6:00-8:00 pm
 

Meet Comptroller DiNapoli at Herkimer Dem Fundraiser 

You're invited to the Herkimer County Democratic Committee Fall Fundraiser, “A Seat at the Table” with Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, 6:00 pm at the Little Falls Elks Lodge #42, 60 Ann Street, Little Falls, We will be serving heavy hors d'oeuvres and there will be a cash bar. The link for tickets ( or donations) is https://secure.achtblue.com/donate/herkfundraiser24
 

The Most Fun You'll Ever Have Spreading Democracy

Harvest on the Hill is on Saturday, Oct. 26th. 

We look forward to hosting our  "Kids Vote" Table at the event on James Street in Cornhill once again. This is a very important voter outreach event for us.  We give out candy, help kids vote for their favorite candy, superhero, etc. and also talk to their family members about voting or registering to vote.  

And it is a super fun event.  You can donate candy at upcoming IMV events, and we also need a bunch of volunteers.  Here's the sign up sheet. Whether you can help set up, volunteer for a couple hours to hand out candy, help kiddos vote, or talk to parents about the Democratic slate card,  WE NEED YOU!
 

Video Win of the Week!

 We love this video produced by our Indivisible Columbia, NY friends!  If you want to get a sense of what canvassing is all about, or introduce the reasons for canvassing or the nuts and bolts of it to newbies, friends, or family members, just share this video called "Canvassing is Easy and Effective."  

Powerful Messaging Challenge!

Indivisible has shared a social media/messaging toolkit live now at allinforharris.org/amplify, that gives you everything you need to take action. This isn’t just about sharing videos -- it’s about sparking a movement of defiance. Each video is message-tested, designed to connect with people on a deep level and get them to take action. And you have the power to get these messages out there.

So, here’s what we need you to do: 

• Use the toolkit and share one of the tested Amplify videos each day for the next 26 days. Indivisible has tons of videos for you to share across social media platforms. If you could set aside five minutes every day between now and election day to share one, it’s hard to overstate the impact that you could have on this election. 

• Join Indivisible next Wednesday, October 16, at 8:30 PM ET for a deep dive on Amplify and our winning narrative with messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio. You can use the language and messaging you learn about with friends and family, neighbors and coworkers, at the doors and in Letters to the Editor, and on social media platforms.  

What's Ahead

• Keep those excellent Letters to the Editor coming!  The deadline at the Sentinel is Oct. 18th--so a week from today!  Many other newspapers have similar deadlines.  

• Invite a friend who hasn't gotten involved yet to one of the events on the calendar below--whether it’s a candidate meet & greet, the Project 2025 Forum, or a family friendly event like passing out candy at Harvest on the Hill. Even better, invite them to join you at Jon Lipe's GOTV Strategy Session tomorrow. Demystify the whole Get Out the Vote process and increase our volunteer numbers for the final days of the election!

• Finally, mark your calendars for IMV's Kamala Harris Happy Birthday Canvass Launch on Sunday, October 20th at 2 pm at Dem HQ (238 Genesee Street, Utica). It's Kamala's birthday and we'll have cupcakes and Harris/Walz signs for canvassers. 

Take action.  Get busy.  Early voting starts in two weeks!

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