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Civic Engagement Education

Get Local, Really Local

Let’s talk, you and I. We’ve both been sucked into news about the impeachment. It’s a big deal, REALLY BIG DEAL. We both want to fix the problems in DC and we’ve both called at least one of the 5 elected representatives that are supposed to advocate for Nebraskans.

You know, and I know, that it was a waste of time. All those calls, letters, and postcards were a waste of time and energy. The jerks in DC never once voted against the Trump agenda, not one single time. They voted against our healthcare and the dreamers, and they voted for gun proliferation and for the rich get richer.

Here’s the strategy going forward, GET LOCAL:

Step 1
The only thing that matters this year is getting rid of awful incumbents and stopping candidates supported by the governor. I know that sometimes it can be tempting to send money to an amazing progressive candidate in another state, but this year, I’m begging you to give local. Nebraska needs you to be fully engaged in Nebraska. If you are going to phone bank, do it for Nebraska candidates that need your help to win the primary. If you are going to give money, give it to Nebraska candidates. If you are going to complain about an elected official, complain about who represents you. Mitch McConnell isn’t your guy. You can’t vote him out. But you can vote out Smith, Fortenberry, Bacon, and Sasse. Talk about their shitty voting records, insulting town halls, and how they always put party over politics. Protest Local.

Step 2
Support great candidates. You have candidates in all three congressional races. There are incredible woman running for most of the federal seats across the state. We have legislative candidates running, and all the down ballot races like regents, county positions, and some city elections. Find out who is running for your vote and HELP THEM.

  1. Pull a list of your districts here: https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/VoterView/Home.do
  2. Look for your candidates on this list: http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2018/pdf/forms/statewide-candidate-list.pdf

Example – If you live in Matt Hansen’s district in Lincoln, don’t worry about the congressional race in Omaha because Senator Hansen needs you to knock doors and talk to your neighbors. That’s how this works. Focus on Nebraska and better yet, focus on your neighborhood.

Step 3
Become a block captain for the Democrats. A few of us at Seeing Red signed up to see what it was all about. We expected a poorly run and slapped together program. What we actually got was a clearly thought-out grassroots campaign to get people registered to vote and have accurate information from someone in their neighborhood. Sign up and you’ll get a packet of 50 homes to canvas three times from now until November. Round one is ensuring everyone in each of the homes is registered to vote and signing them up to vote by mail.

If you are a registered independent, this program is worth becoming a Democrat. It’s easy and you will 100% have an impact on voter turnout. Nothing is more important than voter turnout this year. NOTHING.

In summary, GET LOCAL, and fix the nation by ensuring YOUR state is doing it’s part from city councils to congress to put the best people in office.

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