Values into Action: UUs Reclaiming Democracy

2012 General Assembly, PhoenixMUUSJA

Minnesota UUSocial Justice Alliance

Reclaim Democracy!

Reclaiming Democracy Panel• Randy Parraz—2010 AZ Senate Candidate, Citizens

for a Better Arizona and Maricopa Citizens for Safety and Accountability

• Kindra Muntz—Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections and the UU Legislative Ministry of FL

• Jennifer Thomas—Voting Rights Working Group and MN UU Social Justice Alliance

• Kara Smith—Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

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Democracy Makes Our Voices Equal

Special thanks to Google Images!

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Undermined: Control the Vote Count

• On-going threat to our democracy– Aided by

paperless electronic voting

• Focus of previous GAs – Programs – Actions of

Immediate Witness

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Undermined: Control Access to Voting• Initially, only white male educated

landowners could vote. • Over time, the franchise was expanded

to include all economic groups, racial minorities, women, and young voters

• This expansion is under consistent attack so on-going vigilance is needed to protect voter access.

• Much of the protection has come from the Federal government.

• This threat to democracy is my focus today.

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Presidential Voter Turnout Is HighRates Restored to Earlier Highs in 2008

• Yellow is Voting Age Population Turnout Rate: divide number of votes by "voting-age population”

• Green is Voting Eligible Population Turnout Rate: based on eligible to vote; excludes non-citizens, felons; includes overseas

• No decline since 1972 (18 year olds). Turnout rates restored to their earlier high levels as of 2008.

Dr. Michael McDonald, Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University http://elections.gmu.edu/voter_turnout.htm

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2010 Midterm Rates Are Much LowerBut Turnout Only Falls for Some Groups

• US VEP 61.6% in 2008 and 41.0% in 2010• Democrats lost big in 2010 because many young and minority voters stayed home

Ezra Klein, http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/11/democrats_lost_big_because_you.html

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Voter ID Makes All Elections Like Non-Presidential Years

• 11% of the voters do not have a “Voter ID”

• Groups with much higher rates tend to vote Democratic

• This makes Voter ID an effective tool to suppress Democratic voters

• New “Jim Crow”, introduced in 34 states• And it sounds reasonable to the 89% of voters with an ID

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Voter ID Does Not Impact All Equally

• Elderly, voters with disabilities, veterans, and women are also less likely to have current IDs

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Also Targeting Election Day Registration

• Target in Minnesota, disguised as “Voter ID”

• Targeted directly in Maine and grassroots effort restored it!

• EDR/SDR historically boost turnout rates by 10-12 points

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Top 10 Voter Turnout 2008Year State VEP Highest Office

Turnout Rate

2008 Minnesota 77.8%2008 Wisconsin 72.4%2008 New Hampshire 71.7%2008 Colorado 71.0%2008 Maine 70.6%2008 Iowa 69.4%2008 Michigan 69.2%2008 Alaska 68.0%2008 Oregon 67.7%2008 Missouri 67.6%2008 US Average 61.6%2008 US Low - Hawaii 48.8%

Red denotes Election Day Registration or Same Day Registration

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Top 10 Voter Turnout 2010Year State VEP Highest Office

Turnout Rate

2010 Minnesota 55.4%2010 Maine 55.3%2010 Washington 53.2%2010 South Dakota 52.8%2010 Oregon 52.7%2010 Wisconsin 52.1%2010 Alaska 52.0%2010 Colorado 50.7%2010 Iowa 50.0%2010 Vermont 49.5%2010 US Average 41.0%2010 US Low: District of Columbia 28.9%

Red denotes Election Day Registration or Same Day Registration

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Also Targeting Early Voting• Georgia, Florida,

Wisconsin and Ohio have ALEC-based legislation cutting back on early and Sunday voting

• Makes it harder to vote for church groups and working class voters

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Also Targeting Voter Rolls• Florida trying to illegally purge minorities from voter rolls, again –

it was widespread in 2000• DOJ forced it to stop

– But not all states are covered by the Voting Rights Act

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Allegations of Fraud Fuel Suppression

• Lots of allegations - almost no convictions – Despite years of federal and state effort to document it

• False allegations used as a smokescreen to pass voter suppression legislation

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Backers of Voter Suppression

• Good news: ALEC lost corporate support when ALEC Exposed highlighted their participation in “Stand Your Ground” laws – same committee promoting voter ID

• ALEC is funded by the Koch Brothers and large corporations

• They draft model legislation

• Highly partisan ties & promote a partisan agenda

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Legitimate Election Reform

• Supported by professional, non-partisan elections officials– All oppose “Voter ID” in Minnesota

• Has broad, bi-partisan support– “Voter ID” does not

• Supported by established non-partisan groups such as LWV, ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP, AARP– All oppose “Voter ID”

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UU Principles Ground Our WorkMy congregation’s opposition to “Voter ID” is a statement of conscience based on core UU Principles:• 1st Principle – inherent worth of all – it’s not fraud when

students, homeless , disabled or new citizens vote • 2nd Principle - justice, equity and compassion – it’s not fair to

have a disproportionate burden on our most vulnerable citizens: elderly, young, poor, rural, military

• 5th Principle – democratic process – we seek an election system that is high-functioning and enjoys the confidence of all voters.

The resolution supports our visionary goal to be a visible, influential voice acting to shape the larger community into a more just and equitable society.

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How You Can HelpWinning One Conversation At Time

• Align with good government groups– LWV, ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP– Seek elections groups in your state– Find or start a UU State Advocacy Network

• Lobby the Federal government to do it’s job!

• Stay informed – seek alternative media – “Sunshine” is powerful as seen with ALEC!

• Help educate others– Letter writing, house parties, phone banking,

door knocking – Grassroots can win as seen in Maine!

BIG MONEY, BIG MEDIA

BIG PROBLEM

Money is buying our elections, elected officials, and the media

TALK RADIO reaches more people than television!

RUPERT MURDOCH

Is this all we can do??

Reach out with social media

SEEK alternative news sources

• Independent news media

• QUESTION local broadcasters and newspapers when they underreport or misrepresent the news

Partner with other faiths and other organizations

• UUA MULTICULTURAL GROWTH & WITNESS• UNITED4THEPEOPLE.ORG• THEDARTCENTER.ORG

Join the UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network

Build your statewide UU Legislative Ministry

We are one of 13 Nationwide

JOIN US!

Dos and Don’ts This Election Season!

Nonprofit organizations, including congregations, have an important role to play in speaking to communities and the candidates about issues we care about. There are many laws governing the role that a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status can take in the election process.

We CAN’T

• Tell people who to vote for• Endorse candidates or parties• Make campaign contributions • Rate candidates on issues• Let candidates use organization resources

(unless they are made available to all candidates)

We CAN!• Advocate for the issues we work on• Ask tough questions• Partner with community organizations• Educate voters about the process• Encourage and remind people to vote• Distribute nonpartisan materials• Sponsor candidate forums to educate voters

about the issues • Support or oppose ballot measures

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We CAN!

Build Power!

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Small Group Discussion

• What are two things you are going to do when you get home?

• Who in your congregation can you work with?• Who in your community can you work with?

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AppendixValues into Action: UUs Reclaiming Democracy

Workshop information:Friday, 6/22/2012 9:00:00 AM - 10:15:00 AMPhoenix Convention Center -- 232 ABPROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS Much is at stake in upcoming elections.

Regressive policies and corporate control oppress people on the margins and disenfranchise the vulnerable. Hear from frontline activists working on the Arizona recall election and voter rights in other states, and learn what UUs and our partners can do together.

SPEAKERSKindra Muntz, Randy Parraz, Kara Smith, Jennifer Thomas