General Discussion

Wednesdays

(20,315 posts) Mon Sep 16, 2024, 07:47 AM Sep 16

🚨 50 Days Until Election Day! 🚨 Election Calendar, Activists' Lists, and Donation Links (updated daily)

ALERT! Less than 3 weeks until states begin closing voter registration – so let’s go out and register voters!

Early Voting begins TODAY in Pennsylvania! Other states soon to follow! Check the calendar below to see when early voting begins in your state!

Also – if anything is done by mail, be sure to mail things in WELL IN ADVANCE. Remember, we’re still dealing with DeJoy’s postal system!

I'll be updating this list daily until General Election Day, including links and other info.

Please let me know if there are any broken links, or incorrect or incomplete information, and I will make the necessary corrections.

Oh, and also feel free to copy & paste all this info onto other platforms, your Facebook, social media, etc.

2024 Election Calendar

Mon. September 16 (TODAY)
Pennsylvania: in-person absentee (early voting) begins. These will be the first votes cast in the 2024 General Election. Watch for starting dates for early voting in your state!

Wed. September 18
Missouri: in-person absentee voting, with excuse (early voting) begins

Thu. September 19
Pennsylvania: Knock on Doors in Beaver County, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/padems/event/634546/

Fri. September 20
Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Sat. September 21
Only 14 days before voter registrations begin closing.

Sun. September 22
Pennsylvania: Donuts for Democracy in Mercer, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/padems/event/683715/

Mon. September 23
Mississippi: in-person absentee voting begins (early voting)

Thu. September 26
Illinois: early voting begins

Pennsylvania: Knock on Doors in Beaver County, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/padems/event/634546/

Sat. September 28
Only 7 days before voter registrations begin closing

Sun. September 29
Pennsylvania: Donuts for Democracy in Mercer, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/padems/event/683715/

Tue. October 1
Vermont: early voting begins

Alabama: House District 52 Special Election

Vice Presidential debate, CBS, New York City. Time TBA.

Sat. October 5
Louisiana: voter registration deadline (the first registration deadline of the 2024 General Election. Beware of registration deadlines in your state!).
North Dakota: no voter registration required

Sun. October 6
Alaska, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee: voter registration deadline
Maine: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Mon. October 7
Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Texas: voter registration deadline
Montana, Nebraska: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Tue. October 8
Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico: voter registration deadline
New Mexico: early voting begins
California, Indiana, Ohio, Wyoming: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Wed. October 9
Arizona: in-person absentee ballot (early voting) begins

Fri. October 11
Idaho, North Carolina, Oklahoma: voter registration deadline

Sat. October 12
Delaware: voter registration deadline
Nevada: early voting begins

Mon. October 14
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day (Federal Holiday)
Colorado: voter registration deadline

Tue. October 15
D.C., Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia: voter registration deadline
Georgia: early voting begins

Wed. October 16
Missouri, Wisconsin: voter registration deadline
Rhode Island, Tennessee: early voting begins
Iowa: in-person absentee (early voting) begins
Kansas: early voting and in-person absentee voting begins

Thu. October 17
North Carolina: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Fri. October 18
Connecticut, Nebraska: voter registration deadline
Louisiana, Washington: early voting begins

Sat. October 19
Massachusetts: early voting begins

Mon. October 21
Alaska: voter registration deadline (received-by deadline)
Alabama, California, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wyoming: voter registration deadline
Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, South Carolina, Texas: early voting begins
Alaska: in-person absentee (early voting) begins
Idaho: early voting and in-person absentee voting begins

Tue. October 22
California: same-day registration and voting begins
Hawaii, Utah: early voting begins
Wisconsin: in-person absentee (early voting) begins
Missouri: in-person absentee voting, without excuse (early voting) begins

Wed. October 23
New Hampshire: voter registration deadline
West Virginia: early voting begins
Kentucky: in-person absentee (early voting), with excuse, begins

Thu. October 24
Maryland: early voting begins

Fri. October 25
Utah: voter registration deadline
Delaware, D.C.: early voting begins

Sat. October 26
Massachusetts: voter registration deadline
Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York: early voting begins
Alaska: Absentee ballot request deadline (request for postal ballot deadline)

Mon. October 28
Hawaii, Washington: voter registration deadline

Tue. October 29
Alabama: Absentee ballot request deadline (by mail, received-by deadline)

Wed. October 30
Oklahoma: in-person absentee (early voting) begins

Thu. October 31
Kentucky: in-person absentee (early voting), without excuse, begins
Oregon: in-person absentee (early voting) begins
Alabama: Absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)

Sun. November 3
Daylight Saving Time ends

Mon. November 4
Vermont: voter registration deadline
Alabama: Absentee ballot return deadline (hand-delivered), 5:00 p.m.
Alaska: Absentee ballot request deadline (request for online or fax ballot deadline)

Tue. November 5
General Election Day
Alabama: Absentee ballot return deadline, by mail (RECEIVED-BY deadline)
Alaska: Absentee ballot return deadline (email, online, or fax)
Alaska: Absentee ballot return deadline (by mail, postmarked by this date and received by November 15)

Get your Election Day countdown clock here:
https://www.270towin.com/2024-countdown-clock/

Voting Information, Including Voter Registration

Register to vote now!

Your local county Democratic Headquarters probably has voter registration forms, or can tell you how to get them. City halls, public libraries, fire stations, and police stations often have registration forms. Give 'em a call.

Then, there's this online registration tool:
https://www.rockthevote.org/

Check Your Voter Registration Status - Don't Risk Losing Your Voice (posted by qwlauren35)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218589191
Go here (courtesy Nevilledog):
https://iwillvote.com/

The Harris-Walz campaign says: "Don't forget get to check the expiry dates of all your voting Ids."

MineralMan says: make sure you have a current passport or other proof of citizenship prepared, just in case it's required for you to vote! "Get a marriage certificate, too, if you are a woman and changed your surname after you got married." If you're a woman who married more than once, you need official copies of all marriage and divorce (or death) certificates.
https://democraticunderground.com/100219422144

More links regarding your voter registration status
(Thanks to Attilatheblond for this info)

Check your voter registration status frequently, ESPECIALLY shortly before your state's deadline. Particularly important if your county has GOP officials who may try to purge voters.
https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration

Voter I.D. Requirements, By State
https://tracker.votingrightslab.org/issues/id-requirements?law=100

National Association of Secretaries of State
https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote

Check your state's registration deadline https://www.usvotefoundation.org/state-election-dates-and-deadlines

Voter Registration Card information
https://www.usa.gov/voter-registration-card]

Want to see what your ballot will look like? Sample ballot lookup (this also gives info about the candidates and issues on your ballot):
https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup

College students! Here's info about voting and absentee voting (voter registration closes as early as October 5th!):
https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/away-at-college-how-and-where-do-you-vote/

Absentee and mail-in voting information (also important for college students!):
https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote/absentee-early-voting

Info for overseas voters:
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote-from-abroad

Info for military voters:
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/You-Can-Vote-From-Anywhere/

Facebook Voting Information Center:
https://www.facebook.com/votinginformationcenter/

Blue Voter Guide, which shows Democratic candidates and proposals in your district. Simply enter your address:
https://bluevoterguide.org/

Donation Links

Before you donate, beware of obscure sites that claim to be for Democrats, but never reveal where your money really goes. Your money could be just used to line their pockets, donated to something totally irrelevant, or even donated to TRUMP! See this thread:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219259896

Some reputable sites (but be sure to read all the caveats, below):

Donate to Harris For President fund!
https://kamalaharris.com/

ActBlue is a nonprofit organization that builds tools Democrats count on to run their own small-dollar fundraising programs.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/introducingactblueexpress

A caveat about ActBlue, to paraphrase DFW:
"I send checks rather than go through ActBlue, because then the amount actually donated will be greater. Note that the credit card companies keep a big chunk of what's donated via ActBlue. When you send a check instead, the candidates keep 100% of the donation. In tight races where every cent of the campaign budgets count, that margin could matter."

"Not all of our candidates will win. A losing candidate is still responsible for campaign debts. I doubt ActBlue or Mastercard will offer to help out."

BumRushDaShow says: “Some of the ActBlue sites are setup for PayPal or equivalent. If you donate that way, you won’t invoke the fee that the credit cards would take out of your donation.”

Staph says: “I use PayPal, linked to my checking account. No credit card involved. I still choose to pay ActBlue a tip, but I can make it smaller while still giving ActBlue some operating funds. Your mileage may vary.”

Hermit-The-Prog says this about the cut that goes to ActBlue:
“When you give on ActBlue, there’s a 3.95% fee we pass on to the group you supported to cover processing costs. Completing a contribution involves costs related to processing your credit card. We’re legally required to pass along processing costs to the campaign so that we do not make in-kind contributions to them. As a nonprofit, we use tips from donors to pay our bills.”

https://support.actblue.com/donors/contributions/what-happens-to-my-money-when-i-donate/

ActBlue’s main page, where you can donate to Democratic candidates:
https://secure.actblue.com/

Omaha Steve's donation link to Democratic Underground to elect Kamala Harris:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4biden

Donate to Stop-MAGA and get up to a 900% matching donation! They donate through ActBlue. (Thanks to DallasNE for this info)
https://action.stop-maga.com/0628a3

Omaha Steve's general donation page:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218885532

Democratic Party (and Democratic Party allies) Activism

Volunteer to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!
https://web.kamalaharris.com/forms/take-action-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris

Buy Your Harris-Walz Wearables, Yard Signs, Buttons, and other Merch here:
https://store.kamalaharris.com/

Sign up to volunteer at the Democratic National Committee's site:
https://democrats.org/
They offer online training for grassroots activism:
https://democrats.org/take-action/
(credit to usonian for this info)

Progressive Turnout Project is the largest voter contact organization in the country, specifically dedicated to mobilizing the Democratic Party and defending democracy. Our mission: rally Democrats to vote.
https://www.turnoutpac.org/

Support Vote Save America!
Vote Save America is the one-stop shop for everything you need to get informed, get involved, and get out the vote in the most important election of our lifetimes.
https://www.votesaveamerica.com

People Power For Florida
This group has already helped hundreds of college students register to vote.
https://www.peoplepowerforflorida.com/
(Thanks to RandySF for this article and info):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/104519600

Look up your state here to find many ways to help Democrats win this November!"
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/

Still stumped as to what to do to help? Here is an utter heap of things you can do to support your local Democratic candidates, thanks to Attilatheblond:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219326632

Want to help Democrats from home, no matter where you live? Send postcards! (Info and links below)

DUer Coexist says: "Part of the suggested wording for the postcards is: 'That you voted is public record. Who you voted for is private.'" This is to reassure voters who may be living with MAGAts.

Postcards to Swing States needs your help!
Research proves that writing postcards will add more than 130,000 votes, which is three times the number that decided the outcome of the 2020 election in favor of President Biden. Help if you can! Spread the word!
(Credit to Dulcinea for this info)
https://secure.everyaction.com/wWYzSycvi0uyLrKtsMnNXw2?emci=b2ebea75-f250-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=cb4d8fad-4153-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=21478646

Write Postcards to Key States through TurnoutPac!
https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
https://secure.everyaction.com/wWYzSycvi0uyLrKtsMnNXw2

Another postcards site -- Postcards to Voters (thanks to Pinback for the info):
https://postcardstovoters.org/

Yet one more postcard site, Activate America (courtesy DBoon):
https://www.activateamerica.vote/postcards

Also, you can write letters to democratic leaning voters in swing states, via Vote Forward (thanks to texasfiddler for this).
https://votefwd.org/about-us

FLIP NC --
North Carolina Democrats created FLIP NC, an all-volunteer grassroots organization, to focus on winning competitive seats in the legislature and courts, with the goal of ending gerrymandering. FLIP NC aims to convince North Carolinians to fill out the entire ballot, not just the top of the ticket.
https://flipnc.org/

Some great online resources, courtesy Attilatheblond:
"Indivisible dot Org"
"I suggest looking for state and local groups of 'Indivisible' on Facebook. Good people at many levels, all providing info and giving us FB pages to share info and encouragement. If your community does not have an Indivisible group, contact the parent group about how to form one!"
https://indivisible.org/

"My local FB 'Indivisible' pal posted a new private Facebook group for activists:
Rural Indivisibles Caucus Group. It’s for rural Indivisible leaders to share ideas, questions, and best practices for activism and engagement. Private (only members can see who's in the group and what they post). Visible (anyone can find this group).”

(Arizona) "Civic Engagement Beyond Voting is an amazing group online and on FB to determine your interests and where to best put your personal efforts. Check out the site. Find out about state and local groups."
https://www.cebv.us/

Texas Majority PAC – help turn Texas blue!
https://texasmajoritypac.com/

Women's March: Take Action To Support Reproductive Freedom!
https://www.womensmarch.com/

"White Women: Answer the Call – Show Up For Kamala Harris"
https://www.answerthecall2024.com/

White Dudes For Harris – Donate or Volunteer:
https://whitedudesforharris.com/

Cat Ladies For Kamala
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1141823957112429/

Seniors For Harris – sign up to volunteer:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-join-seniors-for-harris

Comics For Kamala
https://pages.hovercast.live/comics-for-kamala/home

Progressives For Harris
https://www.instagram.com/progressives4harris/

Elders For Kamala
https://thirdact.org/events/elders-for-kamala/

Swifties For Kamala (S4K)
https://www.threads.net/@swifties4kamala?hl=en
https://x.com/swifties4kamala
https://www.instagram.com/swifties4kamala/?hl=en
ActBlue donation site: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/swifties4kamala

Leaders We Deserve
Founded by David Hogg and Kevin Lata, Leaders We Deserve is a grassroots organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and State Legislatures across the country to help defeat the far-right agenda and advance a progressive vision for the future.
https://leaderswedeserve.com/

Voters of Tomorrow
"We are a Gen Z-led movement that engages, educates, and represents young Americans in politics and government."
https://linktr.ee/Voterstomorrow
https://www.facebook.com/voterstomorrow/
https://www.instagram.com/voterstomorrow/?hl=en

Support Democratic candidates and nominees!

Competitive U.S. Senate Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 8/28/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219391761

Omaha Steve's link to competetive Senate races (donate to 8 Democratic Senate candidates with one click):
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4bluesenate
More info here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219241901

Competitive U.S. House Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 8/28/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219391767

Omaha Steve's link to competetive House Races (donate to 27 Democratic candidates with one click):
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4abluehouse
More info here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219246556

Competitive State Governor Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 8/28/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219391774

10 Seats the Republicans Could Lose Because of Election Denialism
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/carl-gibson/110075/election-denialism-could-cost-these-10-gop-reps-their-seats-and-end-johnson-s-majority

(Arizona) Thanks to TurboDem for this tidbit:
Two of the justices who voted for the archaic 1864 abortion law are up for re-election in Arizona.
“I don't know if anyone has posted this info today, but for my fellow DUers in Arizona two of the justices who voted for the law are up for re-election in 2024.”

Clint Bolock and Kathryn H. King

Please remember their names on election day!
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218849843

States where reproductive rights is on the ballot:
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota.
https://19thnews.org/2023/12/abortion-states-election-2024-ballot-measures/
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/abortion-ballot-measures-2024-elections
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218829989
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219035993

(Arkansas has rejected their petition): https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219133434

(Missouri has rejected their petition):
https://democraticunderground.com/100219439000

Keep in mind the adage, "Politics is local." So, stay aware of local downticket races: county, municipal, state house and senate, etc. There are too many to list here, so keep alert and show your support for your area's Democratic candidates, and spread the word to your nearby friends and colleagues online and by word-of-mouth.

Miscellaneous Links

Tips for spotting AI-generated election misinformation and propaganda (Thanks to TheProle for this):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219078770

Everyone please get this phone number on auto before you go vote:
(202) 514-3847

This number connects to the DOJ civil rights division that handles real time reports of voter intimidation & other forms of suppression. (Courtesy Geechie)

Civil Rights violations online form:
https://civilrights.justice.gov/
(Scroll down to “Voting rights or ability to vote affected” for more info)

To report a threat against voters, threats against election officials, or election fraud:
https://tips.fbi.gov
or call 800-CALL-FBI

A quote by George Takei:
“If you are turned away at the polls because your name is not on the register, don’t walk away. Say this: ‘I REQUEST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.’ Don’t let them steal your vote.”

What has Kamala Harris accomplished as vice-president, anyway? Some great talking points:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219214182

Here's a good quote by Cyrano:

"Join us. Knock on doors. Volunteer to make calls, or work at the polls. Convince anyone you know who can be convinced."

To quote new DUer Climate Crusader,

"When we work, we win. Get out the Vote efforts. Volunteer to make calls, give rides to the polls, get friends and family out, become a poll watcher.

When you vote we get a vote, but when you volunteer, you multiply that vote!!!"

Harris/Walz 2024!

-------------------------------

Also, I need to ask DUers a favor. I’m not going to live forever, and there will come a day when I will disappear from DU.

In which case, I ask fellow DUers to continue these “Election Day Countdown” posts on my behalf in 2026, 2028, and beyond, beginning around 6 months before the Midterm or General Elections, if you see I’ve been absent for several months before that.

Take note of the kinds of things I include in these current posts. Then, in future elections, generate similar such threads, update and post them daily, and keep the threads kicked several times a day (such posts inherently don’t generate many replies).

I believe such posts make a difference, and I want this effort passed down to future generations. Thanks in advance!