FOR OUR PROTECTION, EVENTS MAY NOT BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!!
Copy and share ONLY with your members to avoid Zoom intruders.
SWIMmers, listen up!
"There are more than enough Democratic and Democratic-leaning Independents for Kamala Harris and Democrats to win up and down the ballot in 2024. Our job is to get them to the polls. The election will be close but victory is within 'the margin of effort.' We must leave nothing on the field of battle. It has been a long and challenging campaign, but we are within sight of victory. Do not relent." - Robert B. Hubbell
SWIM AND PARTNERS UPDATES
See SWIM's website here for much more down-to-the-wire news and events from our many partners!
WHAT'S UP WITH SENATOR PETERS
Meet with Senator Peters' staff: Join SWIM as we host Kevin Hrit and other members of Senator Peter's staff for updates on their activities in Washington, DC. Our next meeting will be October 21 from 4-5pm. Register here!
Please send your questions to info@statewideindivisiblemi.com a week in advance so we can share them with the senator's staff ahead of time.
WHAT'S UP WITH SENATOR STABENOW
Meet with Senator Stabenow's staff: We have only two more sessions with Terry Campbell, Senator Stabenow's unparalleled Regional Manager, as the Senator is retiring at the end of the year. Don't miss this always enlightening discussion. The next meeting is October 31 at 11am. Register here!
Please send your questions to info@statewideindivisiblemi.com a week in advance so we can share them with the senator's staff ahead of time.
INDIVISIBLE NATIONAL NEWS
GROUP LEADER MEETING WITH SCOTT
This will be the third and final meeting for the year. It's always great to see Group Leaders together. Leah Greenberg, Indivisible's co-founder, will visit with us to share the larger picture two weeks out from E-Day. Then we’ll hear from fellow Group Leaders on local organizing efforts. That will add energy, solidarity, support and focus for the rest of the campaign period. We also hope to have an update on plans to Protect the Results from the initial count through certification of Electoral Votes on Jan. 6th. We got this! Register here.
Reach out at scott@indivisible.org, with any questions you may have.
NEIGHBOR 2 NEIGHBOR
Neighbor2Neighbor continues with strong (and satisfying!) neighborhood outreach! Indivisible National is reaching new activists, bringing in new canvassers, and allowing experienced canvassers to build their own local following in their own neighborhoods as trusted messengers. Thank you, SWIMmers, for pushing Neighbor2Neighbor out locally! It’s absolutely adding to the margins nearly everywhere that folks are employing it. Sign up here.
IF YOU GET YOUR EVENTS FROM MOBILIZE, FOLLOW SWIM'S MOBILIZE PAGE HERE
CALLS TO ACTION
SWIM IS SUPPORTING OUR "PROTECT/FLIP THE HOUSE" CANDIDATES!
Sister District is making calls into Michigan: With less than 20 days left before Election Day, Sister District is partnering with SWIM to Get Out The Vote in swing states! Join us to make a difference by calling voters in the most critical state legislature races in the country! Calls into Michigan are alternated with Wisconsin (call both if you can, WI is important too!)
Fridays at 4pm EST to flip a key district for Shadia Martini in MI-54.
Sundays at 12pm EST to re-elect Jaime Churches in MI-27.
MICHIGAN SUMMER TO SAVE DEMOCRACY (MSSD) NEEDS YOUR EXTRA BEDS!
HELP PLACE VOLUNTEERS TRAVELING TO MICHIGAN TO BOLSTER OUR 2024 EFFORTS! MSSD is working to bring in even more volunteers from out-of-state to hit the ground here in Michigan! But they need places to stay. These volunteers are fully vetted and matched to hosts, so if you have a spare bed as we get down to the wire here, drop them a line at michigansummer24@gmail.com.
The MSSD initiative has several ways in which you can participate:
Join the Volunteer Placement Team and assist with interviewing potential volunteers and hosts to assist with vetting, determining “good fits” and facilitating contact between volunteer and host to make their arrangements.
Provide housing for a carefully screened volunteer for a few days, a week, a month, or longer at a time of your choice.
Share this message within your network.
Our Volunteer Placement Team is available to answer your questions and discuss with you this valuable way to really increase our outreach power. Email Allan Brill at MichiganSummer24@gmail.com to learn more and get involved!
SECRETARY OF STATE JOCELYN BENSON ZOOM ON VOTING RIGHTS
Show your support on October 20 at 6:00 PM by attending a town hall with SOS Benson. We will hear the details about current voting practices and what to expect before, on and after Nov. 5. It’s important for us to know what’s happening so we can share this information with others. Remember, our job is not over just because we’ve already voted! Scan the code above or sign up here to register.
SWIM (StateWide Indivisible MI) is a co-sponsor of this event.
MOBILIZE AND MARCH
On November 2 there will be Women's marches across the country. For more information sign up here. For a full list of events check here.
MICHIGAN NEEDS MORE DEMOCRACY MVPS!
Become an Election Inspector:
Share this Democracy MVP resource with your networks to make sure this election has enough poll workers to shut down claims of fraud! Working an election is the best way to understand how secure our process really is. Even Rs can learn things by doing this!
Work the MDP HotlineThe fantastic grassroots organization VoProPros has been asked by MDP to help out, and they have arguably the best hotline game in the nation. Here's their ask:
Training is on-demand online. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/2024mivictory/event/714138/ (a 37 minute video that is good information for every activist to know!)
Technological proficiency is needed, with the ability to have multiple documents up on your screen(s) at one time and to be able to toggle back and forth as needed. Google Docs is used.
Onboarding will be provided after sign-up.
Schedule a shift. Each shift is 3-4 hours.
Get started saving democracy!
HELP with Absentee Ballots
Some volunteers serve as Counting Board Challengers. After training, volunteers will be assigned to a counting room to observe the process, intervene with election officials as needed, and report any issues to the Voter Protection Team. Counting Board Challengers must be registered to vote in Michigan and they receive credentials from the MDP. Ready to take the next step? Sign up here! Check out this document for more info.
MICHIGAN RESISTANCE & WAVE PARTNER TO SUPPORT BOLDEN & THOMAS
Michigan Resistance is once again texting voters to cast their non-partisan vote on Michigan's Supreme Court for JusticeKyra Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas. Last time they worked together, they helped Bernstein & Bolden with over 20,000 texts. Check here for more information on how the program works. If you are interested in participating, you can contact Terryl Sperlich at 810-516-0923. She will get you signed up and send you lists to text.
HELP STUDENTS VOTE!
Are you a college student — or parent of a student — looking to vote in a swing state? Are you mired the swamp of registration dates, home vs. campus addresses, and what you’ll need to prove residency? Here’s your guide: click studentvote.info. Enter the swing state (or competitive NY district) where you want to vote from the drop-down menu: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
SOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT CANDIDATES
It is often difficult to know who to vote for, especially in the down ballot races like judicial seats. Here are some of the voter guides available. Spread the word on how critical down ballot races really are! It's true: all politics is local!
SEED THE VOTE
Seed the Vote works to build the number and power of progressive elected officials, while also blocking the far right from taking power in federal elections. They do this by recruiting volunteers to “battleground” states to door knock and phone bank. Because they know that long-term change won’t happen only through elections, they send volunteers to local grassroots organizations that work year-round on social justice issues in working-class communities of color.
This year, Seed the Vote is partnering with Michigan United Action to recruit volunteers for their deep canvassing efforts in Detroit and Macomb County to support the Democrats. Their volunteers on the ground are having tremendous conversations and want you to join them!
Attend a Seed the Vote Info Session to find out how to get involved.
Donate to Seed the Vote to cover the transport and lodging to Michigan for out of state volunteers.
Take a look at our 2024 Doorknocking Guide to learn more about our program.
THIRD ACT MICHIGAN IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD WOMEN & MEN
THIRD ACT is a new grassroots group of Elders (60+) committed to fighting for the environment and democracy. Founded in 2021 by long-time environmentalists Bill McKibbon and Vanessa Arcaro, about three dozen Working Groups have taken root across the country. They work on established campaigns for Fossil Free Fuel Finance, Powering up Communities, and Uplifting Voter Democracy. Local and national protests against Big Oil, support of climate-conscious candidates, and fair and accessible voting for all are among their recent actions. If climate-smart action and voting accessibility in Michigan are your passions, check them out here, or email them at michigan@thirdact.org
BEST PLACES TO DONATE TO CANDIDATES!
Our Protect the House and Flip the House candidates need your financial support and a donation right now is extremely important. Check out the DemCast Michigan's Protect the House and Flip the House candidates here.
Many of you are familiar with Jessica Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water newsletter. She has put together a list of strategic organizations she's vetted and deemed worthy of your donations. Check out her document here.
Oath is a one-stop shop for political giving that helps donors maximize their impact, promoted by Jessica Craven and Rust Belt Rising, so you know they're worthwhile! Their platform allows donors to search for individual candidates by name or discover new candidates by issue or state. They rate each race based on competitiveness, stakes, and financial need. Oath never takes a cut or shares your personal contact information.
Type 'Michigan' in the search window and you'll find Trevis Harrold, Kimberly Ann Thomas, Daniel Mahoney, Christina Hines, Jim Haadsma, and Nate Shannon. Check them out at https://app.oath.vote/donor.
RESOURCES TO AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGING
PARTNER TOOL KITS
FROM THE GRASSROOTS CONNECTOR
TrackTrump.com distills truths about Trump into a one-page handout. Issue by issue, lie by lie, Tracktrump.com catalogs the wild beast’s offenses. But why does America need a Trump tracker?
“Because the lies out there are so vast,” said Laurie Grossman, a teacher who started Tracktrump with her sister, Jane. “This information is absolutely crucial when the firehose of lies is so ginormous. Our idea is to just show people what they’re voting for and when you do that, you often see them reconsidering.”
A great one-pager to have in your arsenal when you're out door knocking these last 2 weeks!
Free Ads for Democrats at trueblue24.com You read that right!
True Blue 24 is offering free Democratic ads for campaign managers, candidates and politicians. These images are perfect for billboards, yard signs, and postcards. With over 80 ads, covering 15 decisive issues--from climate to gun safety--you're sure to find the message that resonates.
Copy digital files for social media directly from the site. Files are also available for postcards, yard signs and billboards. Share this free resource!
PROJECT 2025 IS THE REPUBLICAN MANIFESTO TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY! SPREAD THE WORD!
SWIM put together a list of resources, from deep dives to a 3 minute YouTube video and TikTok created materials. You'll find all the info you need to teach your voters how important it is to defeat the Orange One in November and maintain global security! This is a living document and will continue to be updated.
KEYBOARD WARRIORS NEEDED TO AMPLIFY ONE DEM MINUTE!
View and share these videos via YouTube link OR click "Download Video" for an .mp4 file that you can share to the social media platform of your choice. You can even embed the files into your emails, newsletters. etc. Share widely!
IDEAS FOR MESSAGING OUR VALUES
Check out this Guide to Messaging Our Freedoms from We Make The Future and ASO Communications (Anat Shenkar-Osorio). They provide sample messages for a wide range of issues from our freedom to vote to our freedom to be our true selves.
And here is a link to Anat's latest toolkit: From the Indictments to the Courts: Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit!
JOIN THE GRASSROOTS COLLABORATION PROJECT DIRECTORY
Work smarter, not harder. Collaboration is the key to getting many efforts off the ground and building capacity and effectiveness in what we do. Networking helps us achieve that. Sign on to the Grassroots Directory here and find other activists willing to help your project! We start building for 2026 now!
INDIVISIBLE'S NEW MEMBER PIPELINE
If you missed this in previous newsletters and emails, be sure to sign your group up for National's New Member Pipeline - easiest sign-up ever. National will forward contact info for folks in your zip code who have signed up with them. It's the easiest way to grow your group! Do it today!
USING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO AMPLIFY GOOD NEWS
Use these terrific resources to pick up memes to spiff up your messages, use great gifs in your newsletters and social media posts, and gather talking points for your discussions:
Into Action Labs allows you to download and add your own message(s).
MI Right to Read offers a toolkit of graphics.
DemCast Michigan has a wealth of rich, sharable content.
Field Team 6 takes the fear out of posting on social media with this fun video explaining simple step-by-step simple instructions to social storming - at whatever level you want to dive into! FT6 also has a Field Team 6 Current Storm page with prepared posts that can be one-click shared across many platforms.
Indivisible's Trainings-to-Go include materials such as slides, handouts, or discussion questions, as well as facilitation notes/directions for the person leading the space. Start with a pilot batch of 3 Trainings-to-Go: Recruitment 101, Indivisible 101, and Tools for Building Inclusive Groups - and more are coming! These are located in the Support Hub along with a lot more! Questions or suggestions can be sent to training@indivisible.org.
STAY CURRENT ON SWIM ACTIVITIES AND PARTNERS' EVENTS
Here are some ways to share them with your network:
Bookmark the Website:
www.statewideindivisiblemi.com. New events from SWIM and our partners are posted regularly! The website is designed to be a central repository of the resources and network partners that SWIM has amassed since 2016.
Members: Send us your announcements, events, photos or writings to info@statewideindivisiblemi.com! We need to share our successes.
Follow us on Facebook:
SWIM private group is open to all interested members. Simply answer a few simple questions on the page and you are in! This is a great way to keep current on events and issues in between newsletters. This is the sole Facebook page for SWIM so join the group today-our past public page has been archived.
Follow SWIM on X (Twitter) @SWIMIndivisible and Instagram at Statewide indivisible Michigan:
We are always looking for members with experience on alternative social media platforms, so if you are familiar with Threads, Mastodon, WhatsApp, TikTok, Tribel, Post, etc. please contact our SWIM social media maven Vickie Gutowski at info@statewideindivisiblemi.com.
STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ELECTEDS
Contact Michigan House of Representatives: https://www.house.mi.gov/AllRepresentatives
Contact Michigan State Senate: https://senate.michigan.gov/FindYourSenator/
Contact the Governor:
Phone: 517-335-7858
Mail: PO Box 30013; Lansing, MI 48909
Contact the Attorney General:
MI Portal: https://www.michigan.gov/ag
Email: miag@michigan.gov
Phone: 517-335-7622
Mail: 525 W. Ottawa St. PO Box 30212; Lansing, MI 48909
Contact Members of Congress:
Phone: 202-224-3121
Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Using Fax Zero (a free faxing service):
Senators: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php
Representatives: https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php
Contact White House or Other Federal Agencies: usa.gov/federal-agencies
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