Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC).
13 Local Ways to Fight for Democracy in the 2024 Presidential Election
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There’s less than six weeks between now and the presidential (and local!) election and, from reproductive rights to economic opportunities, there is a lot at stake.
In 2024, we’re investing our hopes for a robust democracy in hometown hero, Vice President Kamala Harris. But the battle won’t be easily won. Every vote will count, especially those in swing states like Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
So, get registered, get educated, and lend a hand in battleground states. Only around two-thirds of eligible voters actually participated in the 2020 election. Mobilizing the rest could make all the difference.
Get your vote on.
If you or someone you love isn’t yet registered, the time is now. Here’s how to do it the quick and easy way, and the super fun way:
Register to vote online. Yup, it’s that easy. If you’re not sure of your voter registration status, you can check it out here, too; registertovote.ca.gov
Dragmocracy.Nothing goes better with democracy than drag. Hosted by the legendary Honey Mahogany, this event at Manny’s will be filled with pride, debates with local politicians, performances, and the opportunity to register to vote. They’ll be giving away drink tickets and, as soon as 100 new voters are registered, everyone gets another round. Free. October 12 from 5:30-9p; 3092 16th St. (Mission), eventbrite.com
Good call.
Phone banking—mobilizing swing state voters via phone—is one way to inch the needle forward in support of Harris-Walz. There are a number of phone banks taking place live or virtually over the next six weeks including:
Disco Phone Banking at Manny’s. Bring a mobile device, charger, and headphones for two groovy hours of democratic organizing. Free. Sundays at 2pm from September 29 through November 3; 3092 16th St. (Mission), welcometomannys.com
True to Blue Virtual Phone Banking with the California Democratic Party. Get out the vote in Nevada and Arizona from the comfort of your own home. Saturday September 28 at 1pm and every Wednesday at 5pm through October 30; mobilize.us/cadems
Team Harris-Walz Virtual Phonebank. Ring up voters in battleground states from home to rally support for the Harris-Walz team. Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays, various times; events.democrats.orgInspire voters with your words.
(Courtesy of picryl.com)
If the idea of cold-calling voters makes your blood run, well, cold, grab a pen instead and join a letter or postcard writing campaign. Get the civic energy flowing at a live event, order pre-written postcard kits, or throw a postcard party of your own with these resources. Evidence shows it really does help to inspire voters:
Pints & Postcards.Pair your writing skills with beer from Mission brewery Standard Deviant at Indivisible SF’s two-hour event. Sunday September 29 at 4pm. Free, suggested $20 donation; 280 14th St. (Mission), eventbrite.com
Letter Writing for Kamala Harris at Manny’s.Join other like-minded voters at these one-hour writing events at Manny’s. Free. Sundays at 4pm and Mondays at 5pm through October 14; 3092 16th St. (Mission), welcometomannys.com
Postcards to Swing States.All you have to do is sign up and this progressive org will send you postcards, a voter list, and tried-and-tested messages for free (stamps not included);turnoutpac.org
Blue Wave Postcard Movement. Make a big impact with minimal effort with the Blue Wave Postcard Movement. Their goal is to send 13 million pre-filled postcards to Nevada voters—one of this election year’s most important battlegrounds—by October 25. Get 100 postcards and address labels for $12 (stamps not included); shop.bluewavepostcards.orgKnowledge is power.
The more you know about the issues, the more motivated you’ll be to vote for your values. From the upcoming Vice Presidential debate to an outdoor movie night, these events will help you wrap your brain around what’s at stake.
Vice Presidential Debate Watch Parties. There will be only one face-to-face showdown between Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance. RSVP to watch it with friends and strangers on Tuesday October 1 at 6pm at:
Manny’s, 3092 16th St. (Mission), eventbrite.com
The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. (Mission), eventbrite.com
Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero (Embarcadero), commonwealthclub.org
The Academy SF, 2166 Market St. (TK), academy-sf.com
Oakstop-California Ballroom, 1736 Franklin St. (Oakland), eventbrite.com
A Vote is a Verb, an Art for Democracy Event. Head to Far Out West Community Garden for an outdoor film screening of two documentaries exploring some of this year’s most important political issues. October 4 from 5:30-9:30pm; 1399 43rd Ave. (Sunset), eventbrite.com
Running for My Life.This one-night staged reading of the critically-acclaimed play Running for My Life shares the experience of Congress women in the days following January 6, 2021. Tickets are free, all proceeds from a suggested donation of $20/person will benefit Rock the Vote. October 6 at 7pm; 2 Marina Blvd. Bldg B. (Fort Mason), eventbrite.com
Ballot Breakdown. Join We Ride We Vote for an afternoon of discussion about local, state, and regional issues at Everett & Jones Barbeque on Sunday October 12 at 2pm; 126 Broadway (Oakland), eventbrite.com. On October 16 at 6:30pm, Manny’s hosts a non-partisan night of ballot education, collaboration, and analysis; 3092 16th St. (Mission), eventbrite.com
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