Monday, December 10, 2018

Call today to reform our democracy

Take action and reach out to your legislators now to demand that they fix our broken democracy when the session begins in January.

Dear MoveOn member,

For the first time in many years, there is new and different leadership at the state Capitol in Albany. Now is the chance for real measures to strengthen and protect democracy, taking on the rigged system that has prevented progress for too long.

The November elections in New York put our state's disgraceful election system on full display. In New York City, broken voting machines caused voters to wait many hours to cast their ballots, and many gave up and went home without voting.1 Beyond that, due to New York's restrictive voting policies, thousands of people couldn't even participate.2 And unlimited money in politics—the result of some of the most lax laws in the country—sought to drown out the voices of regular people once again.3

Right now, Senate Democrats are honing their priority agenda for when they take power in January. Can you take action and reach out to your legislators now to demand that they fix our broken democracy, as a precursor to taking on so many of the huge challenges we face together?

Here is where to call: 

  • Assm. Miller - (518) 455-3028
  • Sen. Kaminsky - (516) 766-8383

You can say: There's no excuse not to fix our broken democracy. Pass voting rights and a small-donor public campaign finance system early in 2019.

Then click here to tell us how it went. 

Legislators have a long list of priorities going into next year. For too long, our communities have fought for real affordable housing, full funding for public schools, and other priorities to improve the lives of New Yorkers. In the past, real estate and hedge fund billionaires have used their money to block progress. From expanding access to health care to taking meaningful action to confront climate change, New York's broken democracy has allowed Big Money, corporate interests, and right-wing influence to stymie much needed legislation.

All of this is critically important. To make legislators' long wish list achievable, we first need to make Albany work for all New Yorkers, not just wealthy special interests.

Lawmakers leave this week for a retreat where they will set the agenda for the next legislative session. We have no time to lose.

Call your Assembly and Senate members today to ensure they make democracy reforms the first priority.  

Here's where to call: 

  • Assm. Miller - (518) 455-3028
  • Sen. Kaminsky - (516) 766-8383

Then click here to tell us how it went. 

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Gabby, Emma, Brian, and the rest of the team

Sources: 

1. "Election Day Angst: Voting Machines Crash All Over NYC," CBS News, November 6, 2018
 
2. "New York's Worst-in-the-Country Voting System," The Atlantic, September 13, 2018
 
3. "N.Y. Democrats Vowed to Get Big Money Out of Politics. Will Big Money Interfere?" The New York Times, November 22, 2018

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