Model and Strategy
COVID-19 poses an existential threat to our democracy. Since March 13 there has been an explosion in advocacy to expand vote by mail options, ensure safe in-person voting, and educate voters on how to vote safely. Meanwhile, President Trump and his proxies resist, saying that vote by mail is wrought with fraud, and will hurt the GOP--despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary (Trump is beating Biden 55% to 42% amongst senior voters, but Covid-19 is particularly lethal amongst this group).
RepresentUs was founded to fill gaps. Here are the three we are addressing: 1)A targeted and aggressive communications “air war” to prevent the debate from becoming a right vs. left proxy war, and refute allegations of vote by mail being insecure or favoring Democrats. Current politicization creates political vulnerabilities for election administrators, and leaves ally election officials with a false choice: choose sides or do nothing. 2)Provide public accountability campaigns against opponents of voting improvements through public shaming, direct action and targeted digital/traditional ads. 3)Lay the groundwork to pass permanent vote at home systems in the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions.
Impact
SHORT: The number of press stories quoting/citing VoteSafe.US; that refer to the split amongst the GOP on vote by mail, and the number of stories that use our data to refute allegations of fraud and partisan advantage.
MEDIUM: The number of states that improve policies that increase access to vote by mail, and improve safety measures at polling stations; and
LONG: The number of state legislatures that pass permanent vote at home systems in the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions.
Leadership
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Josh Sliver
Co-Founder & Director