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“What [happens in] the next three or four years is going to determine what this country looks like for the next four or five decades…. We’re laying a foundation because the world is changing - dramatically changing. And we have a choice.”
- President Biden, 2/3/23 remarks at a DNC Finance Event
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Elections are Taking Place - Let’s Pitch In!
There have been a few noteworthy recent elections, with a positive start to the year. There also will be more special elections coming up, and we’d love to resume actions and help make a difference.
Here’s how we can help now. There is a runoff election for an open Wisconsin Supreme Court seat on April 4, 2023. With a conservative judge retiring, the election of a liberal judge will shift the balance of power on this court which currently is controlled by conservatives 4-3. Vital decisions on abortion rights, election rules, unions, and so much more are on the line. So, let’s get to work!
Write Postcards
Write together at Action Hour or write on your own (or both!), whichever you prefer.
Action Hours to write for the WI Supreme Court election will be held at 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesdays, March 1, 8 and 15 at NU Kitchen at 19-23 Pleasant Street in Newburyport. We’ll hold subsequent Action Hours if there are more postcards to write for this or other campaigns. Packets of 10, including everything you’ll need, are $5 per packet (to cover the cost of postage).
To write on your own, please email indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com to request addresses and a script, and either provide your own postcards or pick up a batch at one of our pick up locations. We’ll let you know those locations when you request addresses. Email us any time to let us know how many addresses you’d like in multiples of 10. We’ll send you the script and addresses as soon as possible, typically within 48 hours of receipt of your request.
Make Phone Calls
Join other MA activists in partnership with the Wisconsin Democrats to help get out the vote for this critical upcoming election:
The Wisconsin Dems also need our help to make calls to recruit Democrats to serve as poll observers for the April 4th elections. Learn more and sign up here, with shifts available almost every day.
2023 Plans
I-RISE leaders are meeting in Mid-March to discuss the organization's strategy and structure for the group’s work through the 2024 elections. If you are interested in possibly taking on a leadership role, please email Indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com. We’d love to involve you in newsletter preparation, postcard writing organization, meeting planning, speaker engagements, website updates, and planning of phone banks, text banks or canvassing events. We also welcome new ideas about areas of focus and actions to take, so please share your thoughts and suggestions!
Recent Election Highlights
Highlights of recent elections, with thanks to all who wrote postcards, made calls, or took other actions to get out the vote, include:
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In New Hampshire, Democrat Chuck Grassie won a special election to reduce the Republican’s razor-thin majority in the NH House. This election was held because the November election for this seat ended in a tie (following a recount triggered when the original results had the Republican leading by one vote). There is no better illustration of how every vote counts and how critical it is to get out the vote!
- In Pennsylvania, Democrats won three special state House races and now have a one vote majority in that chamber.
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- In Virginia, Jennifer McClellan won a special election to fill the House seat held by Rep. Donald McEachin, who died in November. This is a solid blue Congressional District that McClellan won by a wide margin, but it is still a relief to keep that seat. Plus, she made history by becoming VA’s first Black woman in Congress.
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In Wisconsin, liberal candidate Janet Protasiewicz advanced to a two-person run-off against conservative Daniel Kelly for a controlling seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Email indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com if you think you would like to help with
planning or leading I-RISE activities in 2023.
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