VOTING RIGHTS & ELECTIONS
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on elections and voting rights. Interested in helping us track legislation and policy on this topic at the state or federal level? Take action with us.
THE CASE AGAINST SUSAN COLLINS
After promising to only serve two terms, Sen. Susan Collins is now running for her fifth term. That’s not the only promise to Mainers that she’s broken. Learn more in The Case Against Collins, an online resource for voters who want to look beyond the flashy ads and examine Collins’ increasingly partisan record on important issues for themselves. UPDATE: Collins confirms unqualified nominee to be director of National Intelligence and pro-dark-money nominee to serve on the Federal Elections Commission. Learn more about these and other votes in this resource!
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MAINE VOTES 2020
Everything we’ve done for the past three years comes down to this year’s elections. We’re ready. You’ll be too with our new Maine Votes 2020 resource. QUICK ACTION: Learn about the July 14 ballot, voting absentee ballot, registering by mail, and actions you can take to ensure safe and fair elections in July and November.
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BLOCK EXTREMIST & UNQUALIFIED JUDGES: No Zealots in Lifetime Positions
We’re tracking the most concerning nominees to lifetime judicial appointments, in partnership with other progressive groups. Justin Walker, a nominee to the DC Court of Appeals, opposes the ACA, unions, and civil rights and is the latest in a long line of extremist, unqualified nominees. QUICK ACTION: Learn more about Walker’s extremist record and tell Collins and King to vote NO on his confirmation.
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Victories & Good News Roundup: Blue Wave Edition
Democrats flipped the U.S. House of Representatives and broke Republican strangleholds at the all-important state level, where redistricting decisions are made, not to mention countless laws that affect everyday life. These state and national Blue Wave wins are due in large part to the efforts of thousands of citizen activists who ran for office, worked on campaigns, educated voters, knocked on doors, made phone calls, sent postcards, and got out the vote for candidates who support a progressive agenda.
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CANVASS TO WIN: Knock on doors to win at the polls!
The Nov. 6, 2018 election is just around the corner and Mainers are knocking on doors and making calls to support their favorite candidates up and down the ballot.
QUICK ACTION: Help make the change you want to see in government by volunteering for a canvass or phone bank near you!
READY, SET, VOTE: New GOTV Dashboard has everything you need
Suit Up Maine’s new GOTV Dashboard has everything you need to vote, get out the vote, and volunteer for your favorite candidates!
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PROTECT THE MIDTERMS: Demand Congress Act to Prevent Russian Attacks
As Trump continues to deny the Russian cyberattack on the U.S., intelligence agencies say the midterm elections are vulnerable to more attacks.
QUICK ACTION: Tell Congress to support bills to protect U.S. election systems, enforce Russian sanctions, and demand a hearing on the closed-door Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki.
PROTECT RANKED CHOICE VOTING: Vote YES on 1
Maine voters approved ranked choice voting in 2016 and the courts have ruled that the process can be used in the June primaries, but the fight to keep RCV is not over.
QUICK ACTION: On June 12 vote YES on Question 1 to tell the legislature that the people of Maine veto their repeal of ranked choice voting. UPDATE 6/12: Question 1 passed by 54% and will be in place for the Congressional elections in November!
TRAIN. RUN. WIN. Apply for Emerge Maine Class of 2019
The number of progressive women running for office in Maine and around the country is breaking records, thanks in part to programs like Emerge Maine that train women how to run for office.
QUICK ACTION: Apply for the 2019 Emerge Maine class and join the ranks of women working to change the political landscape.
READY. SET. VOTE: Prepare for the June 12 Maine Primaries
Maine’s June 12 primaries are just around the corner and the field of Democratic candidates for governor and U.S. representative for CD2 is large. Maine will also use ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the primary, the first state to use RCV in a statewide election.
QUICK ACTION: Check our event list for candidate forums and RCV trainings.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
