3 Takeaways from Pence-Kobach Actions

by David Sanchez, Outreach Coordinator

Yesterday (September 12), the President’s advisory commission on election integrity met in Manchester, New Hampshire. Over 50 groups, including many DI partners, engaged and mobilized hundreds of activists to join in rallies in New Hampshire, Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona as the sham commission held its second meeting in Manchester, NH.

These action (both on the ground and online) are an example of the power of our coalition to speak out quickly and meaningfully. The commission meeting may be over but our work continues. Here are three quick takes from yesterday:

1. When We Organize, We Win!

Kris Kobach was on the defensive even before the commission began because of his false claims of voter fraud and attacks on the hardworking people of New Hampshire. People organized rallies in New Hampshire, Arizona, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Hundreds of people came out to support the actions across the nation. Our ability to quickly organize rallies in 5 different states (Georgia was postponed due to Hurricane Irma) and organize a tremendous amount of social media content, people get a glimpse of our collective power. Unions, environmental groups, civic organizations, and activist came together put rally around the need for a better democracy and to protest against the Presidential Commission.

2. Our Message is Strong!

It was clear that many of the commissioners are not focused on increasing participation and trusting everyday Americans with the freedom to exercise their rights. That’s why #DontMessWithOurVote resonated with folks on-the-ground and online. Our Facebook Town Hall, hosted by the DI and Common Cause with Wendy Fields as the moderator featured speakers included DI Board member Larry Cohen (former CWA President), Carolyn DeWitt (Rock the Vote), Allegra Chapman (Common Cause), Wanda Mosley (New Georgia Project), and Denise Lieberman (Advancement Project). People were rallying around the message of the day that the we need to fix our democracy by making sure every eligible vote should be counted.

3. This is Only the Beginning!

Our work for a reflective democracy where every eligible voter can participate fully and freely doesn’t start or end with the Pence-Kobach commission. It’s about all of us taking collective action to move common sense reforms that give the power to the people. State reforms being signed in law across the country are examples of the demand coming from the ground we saw yesterday. State reforms like Automatic Voter Registration thats has been passed in 10 states and the District of Columbia are recent victories. There are still more reforms that are currently being fought in states like New Hampshire, Missouri, Maryland, and Florida. The Democracy Initiative’s “ Raise Your Hands Pledge” was also launched to create a way for activist to plug into local campaigns.