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It appears the judges and others who oppose registering more voters don't care about actual voting rights and election integrity. It appears they're OK with limiting new voters because the GOP's plan is to win by cheating, not by free and fair elections.

Which means it's up to each of us to Get Out the Vote. Backers of tyranny are counting on public indifference or exhaustion. Pro-democracy candidates must win up and down the ballot in every state to show our determined defense of democracy and our relentless opposition to MAGA, Project 2025, and authoritarianism.

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It was the father of JC Watts, former Black OK member of Congress who said for a Black person to vote for my son is like the chickens supporting Colonel Sanders.

Kamala Harris happens to be Black.

Those of us in the south know those who oppose registering more voters oppose Black candidates. Talk is cheap. We need boots on the ground in Florida.

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It’s partisan judges..plain and simple and they have no -lace in our judicial system. Shame on them

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Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

Thank you Joyce and Janai, for this great five questions. I have already emailed my Congressman requesting he do all he can to support the three pieces of legislation you mentioned.

This to Janai: In California, every registered voter gets voter guides (non-partisan) in the mail , and each registered voter gets a ballot in the mail with prepaid return envelope and detailed instructions, The voters are also offered free subscription to BallotTrax (I think this year Ballot Trax is calling it 'Where's my Vote') This system is easy convenient and fraud proof.

You sign date and print your name on the envelope, sit down with you voter guide and your ballot and fill out the ballot. place the completed ballot in the envelope, fill out your return address (or use a prefilled sticker if you prefer and drop the ballot in the nearest mailbox. Each vote is not only secure it is private as each registered voter gets their own separate ballot, no matter how many residents are in the house.

I'm giving you this information, Janai because, while we are the most populous State in the Nation, our voting average sucks. If we're really, really, lucky we get 62% turnout, usually it's between 48% and 55%. You don't need an excuse to vote by mail, it costs nothing but your time. and you know your vote is counted. If the NAACP would get this out to all their offices it would really help.

It would help more if more States would adopt this same system.

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It would. I'm so impressed by how Californians can vote and track their votes so easily. Sadly, adopting those rules is a state by state thing. And I agree with you, we need much better turnout to make sure American voices are really heard in this election.

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Thank you, Joyce. The more people who are aware of the "freedom to vote securely" th3e better. I hope that organizations like the NAACP, AARP, and others will use this to get more voters to vote. the vote by mail is actually cheaper than in person voting, as it just requires scanners instead of voting machines. BallotTrax is a private company and I have no idea of the cost, but I'm sure other start-ups will follow.

I'm not really sure if lower cost can overcome the racist voter suppression, but I'm pretty sure those bigots could find a way (legal or not) to keep democracy down.

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I've signed up for email notices and I get a notice when my ballot is mailed to me and, most importantly, when my ballot has been received.

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Got that right. My CA Official Ballot, Ballot Official is in my hands now:

"Place your 'voted' ballot Into the return envelope." ✔️

"Sign & Seal your return envelope." ✔️

" Return your Ballot by mail postmarked by Election Day."

----- Nah, I'm going to get my BALLOT post marked, in-person, this MONDAY, 10/14/24.

Go Kam!

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I took our Absentee Ballots to the post office in Brooklyn Heights last week. Still writing postcards to swing states.

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Thank you Bryan for voting. We need as big a turnout as we can get

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I so agree Fay, we are so lucky to have all this and the lack of voters turn out is like leaving you disbelieving...

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It is awful that the governors were the ones to make the decision about extending the voter registration deadline. Florida will do whatever will help republicans.

I was not aware of all the Guides to Elections and Voting that are available through the Legal Defense Fund. Such a great source.

What is most important is that every person who can vote makes sure that they do. Vote BLUE up and down the ballot. Our freedom and democracy are at stake. It seems to me the right to vote has been jeopardized a lot this year by people being taken off the voting lists.

I still remain hopeful. Thank you Janai and Joyce for this tonight and for what you both do each and every day. “We’re in this together!”

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Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

Thanks to Joyce I am reading Democracy Docket e-mails as well and I am really miffed that a judge of any party displays no compassion for voters rights after disasters.

This just continues the narrative that our judicuary ranks are filled with partisan hacks that the Federalist Society was scraping the bottom of the barrel to get appointed.

I am so discouraged that with Donald Trump on the ballot once again that Americans don't see who he really is and that we are struggling to win this election.

I am so hurt to my soul that this election is such a struggle. Our stature among democracies has been tarnished deeply and I worry what struggles lay ahead. The forces that drive MAGA will survive Trump. They are not going anywhere.

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Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

Thank you, Professor. I can’t have more respect for her and what she stands for and stands up for. We the people. All of us. Peace and love always. It makes a difference.

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Janai is a warrior and all of the folks at LDF are true American heroes. We are so lucky to have them—one of the reasons I can sleep at night.

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Very important to help out www.TurnUp.com which is working hard particularly among communities of color to register new young 18to 29s exclusively in 32 “truly competitive” Congressional Districts! TurnUp is bipartisan and principally supports protection of abortion rights, gun safety and the key battle against climate change! Run by brilliant Harvard students; please donate generously tonight?? Thank you.

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Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

In Washington state all voting is by mail ballot. It’s a wonderful system. You can either drop it in the many ballot boxes or mail the postage paid envelope. Got mine yesterday and was pleased to vote blue. Taking it to the ballot box today. Too bad all states don’t go to this system.

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Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

So glad we have people like Janai and you fighting on our behalf! Finishing my postcards to Arizona tonight!

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I think DeSantis actually said that he would not extend registration times because it would result in a swarm of Democratic registrations. Not even trying to cover up the intent any more.

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Hi Joyce, our hearts are with those affected by the storm. I tried to imagine having to leave home for my safety with a family and return home to pick up the pieces. I don’t know if voting would be high on my checklist.

I assume the judges who decided to not extend the deadline are back home healthy, wealthy & wise right?

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As I am presently in what will be my new state after this election, it was nice to discover my realtor works in Election Day. And it’s easy to work the polling places for early voting. I’ll be signing up when I register in December. Long way to go before the move, and my vote is important in AZ, so the timing for this info is wonderful. Thanks for a great 5 questions tonight.

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Grateful for all who work towards and for voting rights. Georgia’s state supreme court is of course corrupt. Must continue to hope and work towards justice for all.

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Oct 12·edited Oct 12Liked by Joyce Vance

What an awesome interview, thank you Joyce !! One more time !!!

The link to the book bans makes you really frightened and at the same time disbelieving that this can happen in a democracy ion 2024...

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Make a donation to LDF, like I just did!

Support the LDF’s vitally important work!

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Joyce, I’m always confused about these special Friday posts; whether or not they can be shared and I understand that. This post has a lot of essential information in it for those affected by the two horrible storms, however, and I was wondering if this could be disseminated so people would be getting the latest and best info.

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I plan to hit the links where she shared and send that directly. It’s easier than any copy paste.

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Really enjoyed this conversation. I posted several referenced articles and websites on my Facebook page. Thanks, Joyce, for your continued efforts to help us understand what this challenging time presents us with.

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