MEMBER NEWSLETTER:
PEOPLE-POWERED PROGRESS
You are receiving this newsletter because you are one of MoveOn's most committed supporters, and we want to keep you updated on the incredible progress your generosity has fueled.
Thank you so much for all you do to advance a world of equality, sustainability, justice, and love. With you, we move closer to a vision of a radically better country every day.
2022 ELECTION PLAN: KEY RACES
MoveOn members are coming together for an unprecedented midterm electoral program. With your support, MoveOn will run our largest-ever midterm program, targeting Senate, House, governor, and secretary of state races. We have to go big to protect our democracy from MAGA Republicans working to overturn our elections, control our bodies, and block policies that will benefit all Americans.
2022 is about us versus MAGA. What started as Donald Trump's divisive campaign slogan has transformed into a despicable agenda that's taken hold of the Republican Party and is threatening to take over this country. We must protect and expand Democratic majorities in the House and Senate if we want a shot at advancing progressive legislation desperately needed—from gun control legislation to ending the filibuster to defending the rights under attack by the Trump- and Mitch McConnell-packed Supreme Court.
Something that sets this electoral cycle apart is an unprecedented focus on secretaries of state. In most states, they oversee the counting of votes, have the power to certify—or decertify—election results, and declare the winners and losers. Once described as "apolitical," secretaries of state may now be the most crucial officials standing between democracy and authoritarianism. That's why MoveOn is doing something unprecedented: We're investing millions in defeating Trump-backed secretaries of state across the country to elect individuals who will ensure fair elections. You can learn more about the endorsed candidates here.
The Washington Post found at least 163 Republicans who have embraced Trump's Big Lie of a stolen election were running for statewide positions, including secretary of state and governor, that would give them authority over elections. Rahna Epting, MoveOn's executive director, shared that MoveOn member energy has been behind our focus on secretaries of state, because "people understand that our democracy is at stake right now."
When we join together, we are powerful! To win the midterms, we will motivate voters and run voter contact programs; endorse and raise money for progressive candidates; phone-bank; attend events and take to the streets; start, sign, and share petitions; reach out to our elected officials; speak out on social media; and more. The 2022 campaign is the largest midterm election campaign in MoveOn's 24-year history, and together with you, we will do everything we can to win in November.
CANCEL STUDENT DEBT
MoveOn members took action to demand that the Biden administration provide relief to the millions buried under student debt. And, once again, MoveOn mobilization worked!
President Joe Biden has announced that his administration will forgive $10,000 in student debt for people making $125,000 per year or less, cancel an additional $10,000 for Pell Grant recipients who meet the income threshold, and cap monthly payments at 5% of a borrower's income. This action provides relief to up to 43 million borrowers, including eliminating the full remaining balance for roughly 20 million borrowers.
MoveOn members played an instrumental role in this decision. Together, we gathered over 4 million petition signatures, made thousands of phone calls to members of Congress, recorded audio and video testimonies explaining why the stakes are so high, and over the last year, supported monthly demonstrations in front of the White House, keeping up the pressure on the Biden administration to cancel student debt. With partners, we made it clear that student debt cancellation is a question of social justice, with the persistent gender pay gap and historic and systemic wealth disparities contributing to increased debt among Black and brown students.
Americans should be able to pursue higher education without debilitating debt. We all deserve access to quality education. We will continue to advocate for even more student debt cancellation and against predatory lending practices and ever-increasing tuition costs.
ABORTION ACCESS NOW
When the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked, MoveOn donors like you sprung into action. We raised over $150,000 for abortion funds and providers, mobilized over 300,000 petition signatures, and supported the organizing of over 1 million people at 450 Bans Off Our Bodies events across the nation.
In addition to organizing in solidarity with abortion access leaders, MoveOn members are using MoveOn's petition platform to advocate for reforming the Supreme Court. A petition to impeach Justice Clarence Thomas gathered over 1.2 million signatures, as well as national media coverage. Members are organizing for impeachment not only due to his role in serving a partisan conservative agenda. Thomas also voted against a decision to compel the release of Donald Trump's records on the January 6 insurrection before news surfaced that Thomas's wife urged the White House to overturn election results, leading up to and following the insurrection.
The majority of our country supports abortion access, but we need to reform our democracy to reflect our majority's view, including ending the filibuster, restoring balance on the Supreme Court, and taking action at the ballot box.
SAVE THE USPS
"Chronic underfunding of the USPS had disastrous implications on mail delivery during the pandemic, and Postmaster General DeJoy threatened voting by mail. MoveOn members jumped into action to defend the service—not only because they rely on it but because they care about postal workers. MoveOn members collected nearly 1.5 million petition signatures, led over 800 rallies, made thousands of phone calls to elected officials, and put up over 330,000 stickers. Thanks to the collective action of MoveOn members, we stopped DeJoy's attack on mail and achieved a legislative victory: The Postal Service Reform Act will save the USPS approximately $50 billion over the next decade and secure union jobs for 550,000 public servants. I'm inspired by MoveOn members' commitment to resistance and awed by the enormous amount of care and joy they bring into the progressive movement."
–Jenn, Director of Digital Campaign Strategy & Innovation at MoveOn
BECOME A VOLUNTEER THIS ELECTION SEASON
There's a role for everyone and every skill in MoveOn's volunteer network. MoveOn is specifically looking for the following roles:
Volunteer with the electoral program!
Our ambitious electoral plan is possible only with the collective power of MoveOn's membership. MoveOn's Democracy Slate of endorsed candidates represents a historic group of state-level candidates in key battleground states who are committed to defending our democracy from white supremacist coup attempts. MoveOn is looking for members to call voters, mobilize pledges to vote, and more.
Become a Community Support volunteer!
MoveOn is looking for Community Support volunteers to provide critical assistance to MoveOn's campaigns and mobilizations year-round. Whether you're researching down-ballot progressive candidates, vetting events for a day of action, prepping event hosts, moderating calls and livestreams, or any of our many other opportunities, Community Support has a role for you.
Join a grassroots online community of MoveOn Mobilizers. Mobilizers have access to exclusive MoveOn trainings, events, and updates. They also share resources with one another to build a community of collective care, action, camaraderie, accountability, and belonging.
"When I was in my 40s, I was a single mom raising a young teenage daughter, and I was self-employed. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and became disabled and consequently lost my business and my health insurance. When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, I was able to get the care I so desperately needed, and my daughter got her mom back. I found my purpose and my passion working with MoveOn. I train MoveOn members to make phone calls and speak to neighbors. We have such strength that we can tap into. There are so many people who need us right now. I'd like to see a country where people are treated equally and can thrive. Anyone can do what I'm doing. Anyone can learn how to do this. I went from being immobilized to being a thriving organizer and mobilizer with MoveOn's help.
–Kim, MoveOn member and mobilizer
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