VOTER TOOLKIT

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Resisterhood Documentary Director’s Statement

Welcome my fellow Resisters! Let me start by thanking you for checking out this Voter Toolkit. You are here because you know how important it is to vote in 2022 Midterm Elections. This could actually be the most important election in our lives. We must all make our voices and our votes count!
My name is Cheryl Jacobs Crim (you can call me CJ) and I’m the director of RESISTERHOOD, a documentary that follows a diverse group of grassroots activists working tirelessly to defend our democracy and stop the erosion of our civil rights. After the 2016 election I knew I needed to use my skill as a filmmaker to tell stories of everyday Americans fighting for the country I believed in—a country with equality and justice for all. I have filmed dozens of peaceful protests and hundreds of people getting arrested while making some good trouble—necessary trouble (the picture above was taken just after I paid my $50 fine for being arrested at a protest).
RESISTERHOOD embodies the idea that joining together to support and uplift each other is what democracy looks like. So get out there, vote, and encourage everyone around you to vote. Send them this Voter Toolkit. Together, we can create an America we are all proud of!

Sincerely yours,
CJ. Crim

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When/how do I register to vote?

Right now! There’s no time like the present, so if you have 2 minutes check it right now through Vote Save America.

Not sure whether you registered or not? Never fear, check right here. This will take 30 seconds and it is really important, so no excuses!

Make sure to check the registration deadlines for your state. You’re busy so I got you: check here or here to see what your state’s rules and deadlines are and for a plethora of useful voting info.

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How do I vote by mail?

After you’ve made sure you’re registered to vote, check to see what your state’s request rules are for mail-in voting because it varies by state and some rules have changed because of COVID. In some states you can send in a request online, and in some you need to mail-in the form, so be sure to check!

Once you got that all squared away, then viola! You should receive your ballot in the mail. Be sure to check the deadline because it may be for the postmarked date or date received, depending where you live!

We aren’t done yet though! Once you receive your ballot be sure to fill it out and mail it in as soon as you can to mitigate mail congestion and increase the likelihood of your vote being counted in time.

Still feeling a bit confused? Vote Save America can help walk you through the process. It’s fast, easy, and will make a huge impact.

More info: Learn more about voting with this sharable Instagram post!

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How can I vote safely in person?

Hopefully this pandemic is finally going away and we will not have any restrictions. But we do encourage all Resisters to request mail-in ballots so they can vote remotely. We know that might not work for everyone so here we go:

The official election day is November 8th, but some states have early voting so be sure to check here to see what your state’s rules are. If you can vote early, PLEASE DO!

Each state will have physical voting locations, however some states have cut down their number of polling places. Make sure to check here or here to find out the exact rules for your state and to find where your closest polling location will be.

Here’s a shareable instagram post on how to vote without using the USPS.

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Why is voting in the Midterms important?

Think of your vote as your voice—this is your prime opportunity to let our leaders know what kind of America you want to see. This election is about you, your fellow resisters, and the communities actively hurt by the continuing divisive legacy of our last president.

This election is not a one time thing, it is a movement whose shockwaves we will feel for years! We want to elect representatives who will help build a more just America. With issues like climate change, inequality, and health care becoming more urgent, we need to elect people who look out for all of our interests - not just their own.

Your vote is your voice and your vote is your choice. So make a choice! What type of America do you want to see and who will get you there? If you don’t vote, we might see more Trump wannabes in office - and we really don't want that. Voting in this election will bring you one step closer to a government that will truly stand for all Americans.

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Does my vote matter if I live in a very “red” or “blue” state?

Your vote is your voice and your chance to tell Washington what kind of America you want to live in. If you don't vote, regardless of where you live, you waive one of your most important rights as a citizen.

Polls only predict elections as long as those polled are the people who vote. The notion of “safe states” relies on data taken from the last election cycle, so a “safe state” does not truly exist if you don’t vote. “Safe states” like California, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, New York, and Tennessee have all flipped at some point in their history.

Also, voting in your state's local elections is extremely important in not only flipping your state, but in improving your local community so you can see a real change at your front door. Check out this information guide to learn more about why local elections matter and for a break down of local positions you can vote for.

As this upcoming election is vitally important for the future of our country, go out and vote no matter which state you live in! Your vote is your voice and your vote is your choice!

Here's a link for further reading.

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What is a swing state?

A “swing state” refers to any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican presidential candidate by a swing in votes. These states are usually targeted by both major-party campaigns, especially in competitive elections.

What is considered a “swing state” can change with each election cycle. FiveThirtyEight gives a great analysis of how the election map has changed and looks at key battleground states for the upcoming election.

One vote in an ocean of millions might not seem like it can make a difference, but consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history. One vote might seem small, but we can’t forget that Trump won the 2016 election mainly because a large concentration of Trump voters who lived in key districts of “swing states” turned out to vote and helped him secure enough electoral votes to win the presidency even though he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.

Your vote really matters.

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Why is the Senate important to win?

The Senate makes up half of Congress, with the other half belonging to the House of Representatives. They have the power to make laws, declare wars, and confirm presidential appointees like cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices, federal judges, etc… So yeah, pretty darn important.

Right now the Senate is split with 50 Republican seats and 48 Democratic seat plus the 2 Independents who vote with the Democrats. It could not be any tighter. In case of a tie, Vice President Kamala Harris casts the deciding vote.

In the 2018 Midterm elections, Democrats had a landslide victory in the House of Representatives and flipped 40 seats, taking back control of the House. They then sent progressive bills over to the Senate where they were killed by the filibuster before even being considered - ARGH.

Winning the Senate is vital to ensure that President Biden's agenda to put people before politics does not get filibustered the way it is right now.

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What is voter suppression?

Voter suppression is a strategy used to manipulate election outcomes by directly or indirectly preventing certain groups’ ability to vote. One example is the terrible Jim Crow laws that had poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses to prevent Black Americans from voting. These discriminatory laws ere overturned by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

But in 2008, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act and states across the country have passed measures to make it harder for Americans—particularly black people, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities—to exercise their fundamental right to cast a ballot. These measures include cuts to early voting, gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and purging voter rolls.

Republicans fear that mail-in ballots will increase voter turnout for Democrats, with groups that usually vote in lower numbers now having greater access to the polls through mail-in voting like young people, low-income people, minorities, and those without access to transportation.

As voting is our greatest right as citizens, we must continue to speak up against voter suppression. Go to ACLU.org or The Brennan Center for Justice to learn more about voter suppression and how to help combat it!

Shareable Instagram posts on Voter Suppression: On Mail-In Voting, Send a letter to your senators via text

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I’m under 18, how can I still help?

Not 18? No problem. You might not be able to have your voice heard at the polls this year, but there are still tons of ways you can get your voice out there and help. You can still get involved and participate in the election process in the following ways:

Be informed! Read up on political issues (both local and national) and figure out where you stand.
Get out and talk to people. Even if you cannot vote, you can still voice opinions on social media, in your school or local newspaper, or other public forums. Share this exact toolkit with your friends, family, and network to bring awareness. You never know who might be listening.

Volunteer. Become a poll worker. If you support a particular candidate, you can work on their campaign by participating in phone banks, doing door-to-door outreach, writing postcards, or volunteering at campaign headquarters. Your work can help get candidates elected, even if you are not able to vote yourself.

Check out the National Youth Rights Association Activist Toolkit to learn more on how to get involved at your school, work with elected officials, and promote youth’s rights!

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Watch the Film

Do you want to feel the POWER of the resistance and see the movement in full force? Watch the trailer and click on the button below to watch the RESISTERHOOD documentary today!

• STREAMING NOW

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Resisterhood Social Media Content

Download these graphics optimized for Instagram and Facebook with suggested captions so you can post it on social media and mobilize your friends and family to get out and vote! To do so:

Desktop:
1. Click on the images to expand
2. Right click on the full size image
3. Choose "Save Image As..."

Mobile:
1. Click on the images to expand
2. Press and hold on the full size image
3. Choose "Save Image"

“2020 Voter Registration Deadlines” suggested caption:
The first step in taking back America is registering to vote, so get registered now at vote.org! #resisterhood
Tweet this!

“2020 Mail-in Ballot Deadlines” suggested caption:
Make sure your vote is counted – mail in your ballot as soon as possible! #resisterhood
Tweet this!

Tag @resisterhooddoc in your posts so we can thank you for doing your part to get out the vote!

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Resisterhood Power Playlist

Need some motivation on the road to election day? Grab your speakers and blast our Spotify Resisterhood Power Playlist filled with empowering tunes that’ll get you moving and keep you active!

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Relevant Links & Organizations

Want to learn more about voting? Check out the links below to find more information and for great organizations to follow and donate to!

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Heroes' Stories

Learn more about the heroes of RESISTERHOOD!

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