April Actions for Democracy
April 12-16: Truth

Sojourner Truth Square.png

False narratives about voter fraud (culminating in the “big lie” about the 2020 election) are purposely spread by people in power to oppose election reforms, like expanding mail-in ballots and early voting. The For the People Act would make these important reforms both permanent and national, including implementing automatic voter registration, expanding early voting and vote by mail, and making Election Day a national holiday.

Take Action

Make your truth heard by writing a letter to the editor (LTE) about why our democracy needs the For the People Act. 

Here are five quick steps to writing a successful LTE:

  1. Read NCJW’s best practices for submitting an LTE.

  2. Identify your local paper and look for an article on democracy, voting, campaign finance, gerrymandering, or undue political influence for which the For the People Act provides a response.

  3. Search the paper’s website for “how to submit a letter to the editor” and follow the rules closely, noting which article you are referencing.

  4. Write a short (around 200 words) letter explaining why you care and submit.

  5. If your LTE is published, spread the word. Email it to your senators, post about it on social media (tagging @NCJW and @workerscircle), and consider writing another!

Here are some talking points to help you draft a LTE about the For the People Act:

  • Jewish tradition teaches us tzedek tzedek tirdof -- to pursue justice. We have an obligation to secure access to health care, welcome immigrants, end poverty, ensure fair wages, and much more. We can impact the way the United States lives out these principles by voting.

  • The For the People Act is a sweeping democracy reform package that will expand and protect voting rights for all, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, get dark money out of politics, and restore transparency and accountability in our government. 

  • The For the People Act includes needed reforms to modernize our voting system and address blatant attempts to make it harder to vote, including nationwide automatic voter registration, simplified vote-by-mail, secure paper ballots, and expanded early voting.

  • The House of Representatives recently passed the For the People Act (HR 1) in March, and it’s time for the Senate to take action to pass the bill.

  • The For the People Act is not a replacement for actions and advocacy at the state level, but it would stop the new wave of voter suppression in its tracks by setting national standards to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote and the ability to make that ballot count.

  • The For the People Act is popular on both sides of the aisle! A February poll found that more than two-thirds (68 percent) of likely voters support the For the People Act, with 70 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of independent or third-party voters and 57 percent of Republican voters expressing approval for the bill. (Source.)

  • Together, we can transform our democracy into one that represents, reflects, and responds to all Americans.

  • The best way to protect democracy is to strengthen it.

Example LTE for the Savannah Morning News

Guidelines from the paper for LTE submissions

Re: 3/31/21, New Georgia voting bill brings sweeping changes. Here’s how it will impact you.

Under the guise of protecting democracy and following the historic turnout from communities of color in the 2020 Election and the Georgia run-off, state lawmakers lost no time in passing a sweeping voting bill that will make it harder to vote and even criminalize passing out food and water to voters waiting in line to cast their ballots. Sadly, GA is not alone. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, 361 bills that would restrict voting access have been introduced in 46 other states.

While the NAACP GA State Conference and other organizations fight this law in court, Georgia citizens should know that Congress is considering a bill that would stop this law in its tracks and reform our democracy so that it is accountable to everyone.

The For the People Act (S1) would get big money out of politics, restore voting rights and offer new protections for voters, end gerrymandering so that electoral districts are fairly drawn, and hold government officials accountable with new ethics standards. In particular, it will end suppressive voting policies that have disproportionately impacted voters of color and ensure our elections are free and fair for all.

I believe that most people in Savannah are as appalled as I am at the passage of SB 202. It is more urgent than ever that Congress pass the For the People Act to answer this law and others like it in states across the country. The best way to protect democracy is to strengthen it.

Full Name, 

Savannah, Georgia

Lift up this week’s action on social media and follow the Workers Circle and NCJW to reshare our posts:

Sample language: I care about the #ForThePeopleAct because [insert why you care!]@NCJW @workerscircle