“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela. Congressman Joe Neguse says this is one of his favorite quotes. He went on to say at the Boulder rally that voting is an act of hope, and that hope is contagious. Voting is a right and a responsibility and apparently also an act of hope. Voting is expressing what you want and what you see for the future. I am confident that voters have hope for the future and are not willing to continue with the division, darkness and corruption of the current administration. More than 1 million voters have already cast their ballots, but as exciting as this is, it is not record breaking. As of a week ago, more than 40,000 eligible Democrats had not yet voted. Unaffiliated voters had voted the most, but as a percentage of their actual numbers, it was not very exciting. Polls are very positive for Democrats everywhere, but we can’t always believe polls. The only thing that will make a difference for a future of hope and change, is if we turn out and vote in such overwhelming numbers that they cannot be challenged.
All indicators point to good news for Democrats, but if we do not turn out with down ballot voting for Dem candidates, we know the GOP machine will make it very difficult for Dems to be seated as the majority. Chances of Trump and the GOP challenging the election, suppressing voting and instigating Jan 6th 2.0, are very likely. We need to be prepared, and we need to ensure that we get out and vote in overwhelming numbers to make anyone’s plans for insurrection a non-starter. We still have a few days to get out the vote. If you can help with canvassing and phone banks, check out our Events calendar or sign-up to volunteer . Or, go to a candidate’s website and check out their canvass and phone banking opportunities. Large voter turnout always favors Democrats, which is why Republicans try so often to suppress the vote. At 40% voter turnout, we will lose. At 60% voter turnout Dems win most of the time. At 65% voter turnout, Dems win every time. At 70% voter turnout we would get a congressional majority and be able to pass actual policies. At 80% voter turnout, we would get a super majority to pass everything…gun laws, banking laws, healthcare, and abortion rights enshrinement. Trump and the current administration only hold power because we let them hold power. We can turn this around. We can make a future where people are not put in camps, endless wars do not continue, corruption is not running rampant and the press is not suppressed.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” as said by Elenor Roosevelt. I know we all have beautiful dreams of the Dems taking the House and Senate and maintaining a majority in Colorado. It all depends on us. Please encourage everyone you know to get their ballots in as early if possible. It really is a courtesy to all of the election judges to get votes in early so they do not have to spend late nights counting at the voting center. The whole process goes even more smoothly if votes come in early. Colorado truly has the gold standard of voting. Our system is nearly foolproof, despite the lies and misrepresentations of Tina Peters.
We are hopeful and anticipating a great victory on Tuesday. If you would like to come and watch the returns and be among like-minded Dems hopeful for the future, please join us at the Kress theater in downtown Greeley on November 3rd. We will be having a potluck and watch the returns on the big screen. This is also a fundraiser for the party so bring a dish to share and help us make our goals for the end of the year. Please RSVP by going to wd.centralcomm@gmail.com and let us know what you plan to bring. Or call our office and 970-351-7047. Get ready for a true blue tsunami. See you there!
Bev Wallace, Vice Chair