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I will be posting this periodically to make sure everyone possible reads it because I feel passionate about it.
I am asking that every liberal/progressive web site, blog and organization along with every Democratic State and County chair declare October 1, 2008 as NATIONAL CHECK IF I CAN VOTE DAY. By putting out this call they commit to either phoning, texting or email their supporters to nudge them to check and make sure that they are still registered to vote. To make this a fun event, we are asking those organizations who are able to set up potluck house parties that evening and screen a film about the electoral manipulation that took place in the past two presidential elections.
Just this Tuesday there was an article post by yahoo which spoke about 300,000 folks in New Jersey whop thought they were registered to vote, yet found out that they either were purged from the polls or their registrations were never even entered. On Wednesday, a Republican County Auditor in Michigan declared that all those who are in any stage of foreclosure would be stricken from the voting rolls. We all remember the problems that occurred in Florida in 2000 and in New Mexico and Ohio among other places in 2004. I feel that by putting out a massive call such as this it would accomplish three goals:
1) the practical aspect of making sure our supporter are actually able to vote and finding out about any problems before it is too late to deal with them. Many states have a 30 or 14 day preregistration requirement in order to be able to vote.
2) if enough groups and organizations take part, we achieve critical mass. With this we would get the notice of the main stream media and perhaps spokespeople from these organizations would be interviewed and then that would allow a mention of the cheating that took place previously.
3) it would put Republican Secretary's of States, County Auditors and Poll workers on notice that the progressive movement will be much more proactive in protecting their supporters ability to vote and in the broader sense, be vigilant in securing the integrity of the electoral process.
I feel this is a justice issue and a very important one at that. It wouldn't take much effort for our organizations and blogs to put out this call, and it would only take a few minutes for their supporters to check on their registrations. How ever, it could save a whole of votes and as always the old axiom: "EVERY VOTE COUNTS" If you feel this has merit, by all means run with it, tweak it to your groups perfection and SPREAD THE WORD. Write to the liberal/progressive web sites and blogs you know of. It will only work if we have a MASSIVE coordinated effort. Feel free to email me at: pgtsndr@yahoo.com personally for more information.
In Solidarity,
Michael Collier The MICAH Project
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