Values into Action: UUs Reclaiming Democracy

1. Values into Action: UUs Reclaiming Democracy 2012 General Assembly, Phoenix MUUSJA Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance

2. Reclaim Democracy!

4. 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

6. Democracy Makes Our Voices Equal Special thanks to Google Images!

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Voter ID Does Not Impact All Equally • Elderly, voters with disabilities, veterans, and women are also less likely to have current IDs

13. 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

14. Top 10 Voter Turnout 2008 Red denotes Election Day Registration or Same Day Registration

15. Top 10 Voter Turnout 2010 Red denotes Election Day Registration or Same Day Registration

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Backers of Voter Suppression • ALEC is funded by the Koch Brothers and large corporations • They draft model legislation • Highly partisan ties & promote a partisan agenda • Good news: ALEC lost corporate support when ALEC Exposed highlighted their participation in “Stand Your Ground” laws – same committee promoting voter ID

20. Legitimate Election Reform • Has broad, bi-partisan support • “Voter ID” does not • Supported by professional, non-partisan elections officials • All oppose “Voter ID” in Minnesota • Supported by established non-partisan groups such as LWV, ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP, AARP • All oppose “Voter ID”

21. UU Principles Ground Our Work My 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.

22. 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!

23. BIG MONEY,BIG MEDIA BIG PROBLEM

24. Moneyis buying our elections, elected officials, and the media

27. TALK RADIO reaches more people than television!

29. RUPERT MURDOCH

31. Is this all we can do??

32. Reach out with social media

34. SEEK alternative news sources • Independent news media • QUESTIONlocal broadcasters and newspapers when they underreport or misrepresent the news

35. Partner with other faiths and other organizations • UUA MULTICULTURAL GROWTH & WITNESS • UNITED4THEPEOPLE.ORG • THEDARTCENTER.ORG

36. Join the UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network

37. Build your statewide UU Legislative Ministry

38. We are one of 13 Nationwide

39. JOIN US!

42. 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.

43. We CAN’T • Tell people whoto 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)

44. 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

45. We CAN! Build Power!

47. 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?

48. Appendix Values into Action: UUs Reclaiming Democracy Workshop information: Friday, 6/22/2012   9:00:00 AM - 10:15:00 AM Phoenix Convention Center -- 232 AB PROGRAM 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. SPEAKERS Kindra Muntz, Randy Parraz, Kara Smith, Jennifer Thomas