Democracy Happy Hour – October 16, 2024

Topic: Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE-PV) Project

Fix Democracy First hosts a weekly Democracy Happy Hour on Wednesdays @ 5-6:30pm PT. Grab a drink and join us and learn about the latest democracy efforts, challenges, solutions, as well upcoming events and actions.

This is a recurring event. You only have to register once.

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Democracy Happy Hour, October 09, 2024 - Meeting Recordings

• Speaker View: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/XYCrpoOtTIMFgVCAORv_hn0Y4eA9MDENRUMrZlF9-YssCwvp5FYEaTgK21HKchF1g0IGT6m8HMHxBbmi.wEwvayWzPSj_bzr5

• Gallery View: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/lao1g3DtNKOpaWxl1vMFspSvJsoi4np1muLGrL57Gd75Dq5oG-yAIlsXfcx7_H_0Gxu1WoFEwZuYu-fS.Si5LRruYGtgQ_T7s

• Chat file (will download directly to your computer): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/vIY6zx7SOA3wGubONTCip9aWfdm3RdR9qztPjldIIYyI2uSz-HGzFWWvgr6oV3qsFTzs_dNCQQdQPcMv.t5fea_emvfwdI_2h

• Closed Caption file (will download directly to your computer): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/dmDlp685JtIjlgKx2CF3h2xrqjm3aT36IInRPCW-iGpelvXHU7m_7ME_Wec-K6uchcj0jVzMJj15YREv.L9MGhCUluvN2wC-s

FDF Links

• Fix Democracy First - https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/
• Donate to Fix Democracy First here: https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/donate

Democracy Happy Hour Upcoming Topics/Schedule

• Oct 23 - SPECIAL EVENT for Media Literacy Week: Media Literacy in the Age of AI with NW Center for Media Literacy - How do we ensure we are getting accurate, reliable information? What should we be aware of when it comes to digital media? How do we maximize the benefits while minimizing risks of AI? Join our panel of educators and media literacy experts for a robust discussion on these topics, and more!
  
  Panelists:
  • Maliha Masood, Author, and teacher, Open Window School
  • Shahan Ali Memon, Doctoral student. Information School, University of Washington, Visiting scholar, New York University Abu Dhabi
  • Yun Moh, Curriculum Design Consultant at Renton Technical College
  • Anne Stewart, Digital Learning and Libraries Coordinator, Edmonds School District
  • Jevin West, Ph.D., Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Information School, University of Washington, Co-founder, Center for an Informed Public, UW
  • MODERATOR: Di Zhang, Adult Services Librarian at The Seattle Public Library
• Oct 30 - Combating Polarization & Extremism with Ryan Nakade, Ruminant Resolutions
• Nov 06 - Election Updates & Open Discussion - Where do we go from here?
• Nov 13 - Center For Wise Democracy with Jim Rough
• Nov 20 - Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality with author Renee DiResta
• Nov 27 - NO Democracy Happy Hour this week - CANCELED for Thanksgiving

Actions and events

• 3 Big Ways Democracy Vouchers Changed Seattle’s Elections - Jennifer A. Heerwig with Alan Durning – in Seattle on October 17^th @ 7:30 pm PT - https://townhallseattle.org/event/jennifer-a-heerwig/
• Multi-Member Districts Education Presentation – LWV of WA Project – November 9^th @ 10 am PT/1 pm ET - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-2ppjwoHdQNtgK-wnxesL0ToEq9RmLp#/registration
• Power the Polls - https://www.powerthepolls.org/fixdemocracyfirst
• SPECIAL: Democracy Happy Hour - Media Literacy in the Age of AI – Wed, October 23, 5-6:30 pm PT/8-9:30 pm ET – Register @ https://bit.ly/DemocracyHappyHour
• Why Do You Vote?  https://www.whydoyou.vote/
  • • Coffee Chats – Tuesdays at 9 am PT/12 pm ET
      https://www.whydoyou.vote/events
    • SPARK THE VOTE Social Media & Film Challenge, deadline extended to October 6^th - https://www.whydoyou.vote/spark-the-vote-challenge

Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE-PV) Project

Deborah Tien

Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE-PV) @ https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/

• About - https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/about-1
• Guide - https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/guide
• FAQs - https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/faqs
• Resources - https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/resources
• Training - https://www.endpoliticalviolence.org/training

Democracy in the News

Resources

• Early voting by state - https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/
• This new map can help us heal our democracy - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/14/healthy-democracy-ecosystem-map-civic-engagement/
• Video: Unpacking Super PACs | RepresentUs & OpenSecrets - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNe9MtVQl4

October

October 7

• US expecting foreign actors to question validity of election - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-expecting-foreign-actors-question-validity-election-2024-10-07/

October 9

• Donald Trump Says Project 2025 Author 'Coming on Board' If Elected - https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-project-2025-author-coming-onboard-if-elected-1966334
• Florida groups fail to force DeSantis to reopen voter registration amid Milton - https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2024/10/09/hurricane-milton-desantis-voter-registration-deadline-florida/
• Harris campaign concerned about money after raising $1 billion - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/09/harris-campaign-1-billion-fundraising
• Judge strikes down NY's Even Year Election Law as unconstitutional - https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/judge-strikes-ny-s-even-year-election-law-19825925.php
• Kamala Harris Has Raised $1 Billion Since Entering 2024 Presidential Race - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/us/politics/harris-billion-dollar-fundraising.html
• Republicans challenge legitimacy of overseas votes, including military - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/09/republicans-sue-overseas-voters-military-pennsylvania/
• Why the Supreme Court Might Cast the Final Vote for President - https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/10/09/supreme-court-intervene-election-00182754

October 10

• A federal judge rejects a call to reopen voter registration in Georgia after Hurricane Helene - https://apnews.com/article/georgia-voter-registration-hurricane-helene-862c30b93cd99f4d6a9c6f6391bc3310
• Cards Against Humanity offers payouts to new swing-state voters, responding to Musk's PAC - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna174957
• How Hurricanes Milton And Helene Are Impacting Voter Deadlines In Key Swing States—As Groups Go To Court - https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/10/10/how-hurricanes-milton-and-helene-are-impacting-voter-deadlines-in-key-swing-states-as-groups-go-to-court/
• How Years of Legislative Maneuvering Shaped this Year’s Judicial Elections - https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-years-legislative-maneuvering-shaped-years-judicial-elections
• Judge approves releasing source documents with more Trump-Jan. 6 evidence - https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/10/trump-jan6-jack-smith-appendix-public-release
• OpenSecrets and RepresentUs spotlight record-breaking pace of election spending by big donors  - https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/10/press-release-opensecrets-and-representus-spotlight-record-breaking-pace-of-election-spending-by-big-super-pac-donors
• Voting Rights Groups Fight Youngkin’s Sweeping Last Minute Non-Citizen Voter Purge - https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/voting-rights-groups-fight-youngkins-sweeping-last-minute-non-citizen-voter-purge
• WA initiative backers hit with $20K fine by campaign finance regulators - https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-initiative-backers-hit-with-20k-fine-by-campaign-finance-regulators

October 11

• Judge strikes down strict voter assistance rules in Texas’ 2021 rewrite of election laws - https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-election-laws-voter-assistance-ruling/
• US Justice Department says Virginia is illegally striking voters off the rolls in new lawsuit - https://apnews.com/article/virginia-voter-rolls-lawsuit-purge-immigrant-b796f5a58c0049fefc0e4bca89e4d2b3
• We’re bringing you secure, transparent and accurate elections in WA - https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/were-bringing-you-secure-transparent-and-accurate-elections-in-wa

October 12

• Abortion, voting rights, other key issues on the ballot in states this election - https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/abortion-voting-rights-key-issues-ballot-states-election/story?id=114511530

October 13

• Trump’s protests aside, his agenda has plenty of overlap with Project 2025 - https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-heritage-foundation-e2b1be71422f4afcfd4a397828f7cab6

October 14

• 11th Circuit rejects stay in key Alabama absentee voting law, protects vulnerable voters - https://www.alreporter.com/2024/10/14/11th-circuit-rejects-stay-in-key-alabama-absentee-voting-law-protects-vulnerable-voters/
• Republicans face backlash for lawsuits targeting overseas and military voting - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/14/republican-lawsuit-military-ballots-backlash/
• Swing-state election officials move aggressively to guard against a repeat of 2020’s disruptions - https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/14/politics/election-officials-guard-against-disruptions-swing-states/index.html
• Trump asks for another chance to move hush money case to federal court - https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/14/politics/trump-request-hush-money-case-federal-court/index.html

October 15

• 2 million voters with felony convictions have the right to vote – but might not know - https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/two-million-with-felony-convictions-right-to-vote-unaware-election-2024
• Abortion Could Decide Control of State Supreme Courts - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/us/abortion-could-decide-control-of-state-supreme-courts.html
• Arizona counties won’t be forced to do citizenship checks before the election, a judge rules - https://apnews.com/article/arizona-voters-citizenship-checks-rejected-lawsuit-8ac7ed539d65db1059647e8b06ad6a1a
• Billionaire GOP Megadonor Miriam Adelson Gives $95 Million To Pro-Trump Super PAC - https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/10/15/billionaire-gop-megadonor-miriam-adelson-gives-95-million-to-pro-trump-super-pac/
• Crypto has quietly become one of the biggest electoral players. You wouldn’t know it from their ads. - https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/15/crypto-election-ads-fairshake-00183700
• Democrats outspend Republicans on airwaves in crucial House races, with California and New York leading the way - https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/15/politics/house-election-tv-advertising/index.html
• Georgia Officials Report Record Turnout on First Day of Early Voting - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/us/politics/georgia-early-voting.html
• Ohio Supreme Court upholds limits on who can put ballots in drop boxes - https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2024/10/15/court-drop-box-restrictions-for-ohio-voters-with-disabilities-allowed-frank-larose/75553601007/
• Trump sidesteps question on committing to peaceful transfer of power - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/15/trump-jan-6-transfer-power/
• Virginia Election Officials Refuse to Certify November Vote Amid Lawsuit - https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-voting-machines-2024-election-virginia-2020-election-hillary-clinton-court-1969318

October 16

• Elon Musk gave $75m to his pro-Trump group in three months - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/16/elon-musk-donald-trump-donation-america-pac
• Georgia judge blocks ballot counting rule and says county officials must certify election results - https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-rules-certification-03f6bc623d9f6aeeb3f9dc47823d03f9

Good News Websites

• ABC Good News - https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/good-news
• Daily Good - https://www.dailygood.org/
• Good News Network - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
• Politics & Government Good News - https://www.goodgoodgood.co/impact/democracy
• Sunny Skyz - https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news
• The Happy News - https://thehappynewspaper.com/

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