Open Democracy Action's Action of the Week
Action of the Week - A Simple But Powerful Action You Can Take
Questions / Comments / Corrections, contact Brian Beihl, Deputy Director
- Updated May 18, 2021 -
This week's Action:
Wednesday, May 19, at 9:30, NH Election Law hears testimony on a surprise, non-germane amendment to SB 89. This amendment tries to prevent the use of election rules in the federal H.R. 1 / S. 1 For the People Act for state and county elections.
Given the refusal of the NH Legislature to pass sensible bills which allow every voter to be heard, we think that the provisions of H.R. 1 / S. 1 For the People Act are huge steps forward, and support the implementation nationally and here in NH.
Here is your action:
Please sign in to oppose this SB 89 amendment via the House Calendar! http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
- Select “Wed. May 19th”
- Select “House Election law”
- Select “SB 89 amendment 2021-1445h ”
- Select “I oppose this bill”
- Then complete the address information
If you want to speak against the amendment: Under testimony, select “Testimony is for non-germane amendment.”
9:30 a.m. SB 89 Amendment Public Hearing on non-germane amendment #2021-1445h to SB 89.. The amendment adds a part VI to the bill which would not allow NH to follow the For the People Act rules, if it passes, for county or state elections. A similar amendment was defeated in Texas last week, suggesting that this may be a coordinated national effort to neutralize H.R. 1 / S. 1. Should it pass, Open Democracy Action would oppose SB 89. The NH Senate would have to “concur” on SB 89 after such an amendment. Open Democracy Action opposes this amendment
Thank you for taking this simple action!
Brian Beihl, Deputy Director, Open Democracy Action
If you did this action and want to do more, consider joining an Open Democracy Team. Our six regional teams are briefed each week for an hour and given 1-3 actions each week, but with more learning and strategy involved. Actions include writing letters to legislators, letters to the editor, working with your local election officials on issues, calling your state reps and senators, and fun actions like this signs, walks, parades and festivals. You can choose your level of commitment, but you'll be a smarter, more engaged, more powerful citizen as a result! Check it out
Campaign Finance Corruption Chorus
We're combining two of our favorite actvities: Singing and Social Action!
Announcing the 2020 Campaign Finance Corruption Chorus, sponsored by Open Democracy Action. Our mission will be to 
sing "Corruption Carols" at campaign events in the last few weeks of the 2020 New Hampshire Primary, as well as carolling around Manchester where the national and international press hangs out.
This will be a relaxed and FUN group with a humorous yet powerful message. We're still working out the attire, but thinking we'll have matching warm hats and maybe scarves which will be provided to our singers.
RSVP your interest by filling out the form below. We're hoping to have our first rehearsal shortly.
Thank you and hope to hear you soon!
Deputy Director, Open Democracy Action
603-620-8300
Sign upTake Action
It's not good enough to complain. Our Republic is in peril, and it's time for you to take action on Democracy reforms. Big Money politics is standing in the way of advances the voters want in healthcare, environment, tax reform, education and energy. Until we fix it, we can't break the gridlock!
Here's how you can take action!
Join a NH Regional Democracy Team!
Write a letter to the editor! (Coming soon!
About Open Democracy Teams
Thanks for considering being part of an Open Democracy Action Regional Democracy Team here in New Hampshire. If you are outside of New Hampshire, there are other ways for you to help, but our regional teams are working in their towns and neighborhoods here in the Granite State only.
Open Democracy Action just launched its Regional Democracy Teams in November of 2019, and we're still sorting out the infrastructure and mission. Your voice is important at this critical time as each team decides what activities are best within each region.
Go to the Open Democracy Regional Teams sign-up page
Our organization, founded by New Hampshire campaign finance reformer Doris "Granny D" Haddock, who at 89 years old in 1999, set
off on a walk across the United States to raise the alarm of how our campaign finance system was creating a system of legal bribery, particularly at the federal level. She was a critical part of kindling nationwide support for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, which passed in 2002. Granny D died in 2010, but unfortunately lived to see the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which rendered her work for McCain-Feingold moot. But Granny D remains a hero, not just here in New Hampshire, but for reformers all over the country, for showing what one ordinary person can do to make change.
Our Open Democracy Teams will work around their areas on a variety of activities, but all of it related to strengthening our Democracy:
Regular Activities:
- Holding briefings via Zoom each week See the Schedule
- Calling state reps and senatorswhen Democracy legislation is pending
- Contacting the Congressional delegation on federal legislation, like the Freedom to Vote Act
- Writing letters to the editor in your area newspapers
- Write open letters (also LTEs) to government officials via the media
- Writing to the NH Secretary of State and other state officials
- Communicating changes in election policy to town election officials and the public on things like absentee voting (because the SOS doesn't do it very well)
- Share news, actions and social media to your social media or email list networks (other activist groups, town political committees, faith groups, civic groups, etc.)
- Help to mobilize other groups on important issues like redistricting
Covid permitting:
- Attend hearings & do sign hold outside the Legislative Office Building or State House
- Exhibiting at local fairs and festivals
- Walking or doing street theater in parades (We've done "SuperPAC Man" and "Senator Philmore Pockets" in past parades)
- Speaking to school, civic and religious groups about our issues
- Talking with other activist groups, such as climate, pipeline, healthcare, or other groups which get blocked by Big Money interests.
- Hosting an annual Granny D Day walk on January 24th, or reading one of her speeches on the steps of your town hall.
- Do a screening of one of several money-in-politics movies at your local library
- and whatever else you can dream up to further our cause!
If you're ready to take action, go to our Open Democracy Teams sign up page, confirm what region you're in, and sign up. You'll be doing your part to help save our republic by getting our democracy back in the hands of the PEOPLE, not special interests or corporations.
As Granny D said, "Democracy isn't something we HAVE, it's something we DO!"
Time to Take Action!
News
News from Open Democracy Action
Open Democracy Action is a 501c4 nonprofit which works on campaign finance reform, getting Big Money out of politics through activism, supporting legislation, and lobbying lawmakers.
Our Monthly Newsletter, The Equal Voice
Read the latest issue of Equal Voice: A Newsletter for those who Walk the Talk of Campaign Finance Reform, which includes news from Open Democracy Action and its sister organization, Open Democracy and its project NH Rebellion.
Spring 2021 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
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April 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
January 2020 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
December 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
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September 2019 Equal Voice Newsletter in PDF
Press Releases from Open Democracy Action
See our latest press statements regarding our activities and actions!
New Hampshire voters:
Are you tired of the corrosive power of money in politics? Want to do something about gerrymandering and voter suppression?
This is where you do something about it.
Learn where your candidates and elected officials stand, and take action.