Hello Indivisibles. ELECTION OBSERVERS: We are calling on Members to step up and get trained as “Election Observers”. The training and organization is being offered by The League of Women Voters of Vermont. There are two online training times to choose from: September 3rd: 6:30 – 8:00; September 9th: 6:30 – 8:00.
You can sign up by going to this flyer: Election_Observer League of Women Voters.
Please DO NOT SHARE this information or this link.
Please DO let us know if you are signing up by emailing us at:
Election Observers will be stationed OUTSIDE each polling location in the Islands. They will not be inside the polling locations. They will be there to watch for any attempts at election interference, such as voter intimidation, election disruption, etc. Election Observers will document any interference using their phones, and they will alert election officials or law enforcement, as necessary. They will only act in a safe manner, and they will not interfere with any attempts to disrupt the election.
Election Observers will work in shifts. Our hope is to have at least two Election Observers throughout the entire election day, in each town. But that is a lot of people to cover 5 towns. We estimate we need at least 60 Observers, depending on how long the shifts last (? 2 hrs, 3hrs?). There will also be “Coordinators”. Please consider if you can give a couple of hours on election day for this important task. The Election Officials, who run the elections, are busy inside and are not always able to be aware of what is taking place outside the polling station. We will be their eyes and ears outside.
To be clear, we do not anticipate any disruption at any of our local polling locations. However, given the intense, unrelenting attempts by the Trump Administration to seize control of elections, and to sow chaos and uncertainty around the elections, we would be insane not to prepare for the possibility. This is a concrete action you can take to make sure people can vote and their vote will be counted. Sign up below.
CANADA
As I am sure you have heard, the absurd and destructive economic and political attacks on our closest ally and neighbor have intensified. I cannot do anything about the mental state of the President of the United States, but I can do my best to let our Canadian friends know that the rest of us are sane. For the next several weeks, some of our Canadian visitors will be driving and riding through our beautiful Islands. Unfortunately, there will not be as many as in the past. But we can show our support for those who do come, by displaying a US flag and a Canadian flag, side-by-side. We still have flags available for you in the bins located at the North Hero Library (outside, next to the bike rack, anytime) and at the Worthen Library in South Hero (in the main vestibule during open hours). Just go and take a pair. Then display them together, where they can be easily seen from the road.
VT INDIVISIBLE DIGEST
The latest edition of the VT Indivisible Digest is attached below. Stay up-to-date on what other Indivisible groups are doing and see additional events you may want to attend.
DONATION MATCH
To date, we have received donations to claim about half of the matching funds available from Indivisible National. They have offered to match any donation made to us through our ActBlue portal, up to $500. BUT ONLY DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST. That means that there are only 6 days left to claim those funds. First, “THANK YOU” to those of you who have made a donation to Indivisible Champlain Islands this month. It is greatly appreciated. Second, if any others can make a donation before the end of August, your donation will be DOUBLED. Any size donation is helpful. If we had 10 people make $25 dollar donations, we could claim the rest of the matching funds. Whatever you can do will help. You can go to our website to donate: IndivisibleCI.org. And, thank you!!
Only 69 days left until the Midterm elections. There is no time to lose.
Marilyn Lagrow
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