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85 weeks to the presidential election

The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We are a big tent for all people who want a kinder, flourishing nation.

If you only have 10 minutes, take our top three suggested actions:

In this edition of the AoC Checklist:

Contact your House representative

Check the box if you made contact–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Contacting your representative’s staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you.

Look up your House representative here.

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing because I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:

I value demo­­­­cracy

With respect and collaboration, we work to create a nation that welcomes all people, expands freedoms, and upholds the Constitution. Each citizen must be able to freely and fairly elect those who represent their values.

Action 1: Demand transparency in political funding.

Source: Brennan Center

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Since 2010, anonymous mega-donors, corporations, and non-U.S. entities have spent billions of dollars to influence U.S. elections and sow disinformation. The Brennan Center is calling on Congress to increase transparency in campaign funding by passing the Honest Ads Act and the DISCLOSE Act

Sign: The Brennan Center petition. (Note: Uncheck the box above the SEND YOUR MESSAGE button to ensure you’re not added to the Brennan Center mailing list.)

Alternate: Contact your two senators and one House representative directly (look up).


Action 2: Advocate for accessible voter registration opportunities for new citizens.

Source: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Write: The Honorable Ur M. Jaddou, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 5900 Capital Gateway Dr., Camp Springs, MD 20746

Script: Hello, I’m writing from [STATE] to support new Americans’ voting rights. The U.S. welcomed nearly 1 million new citizens in 2022 alone, and it’s important that all of our new neighbors can participate in their democracy. Please ensure that high-quality voter registration services are available to all prospective voters at or immediately after all naturalization ceremonies. Thank you.


Action 3: Advocate for accessible voter registration opportunities for students.

Source: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Write: The Honorable Miguel Cardona Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202

Script: Hello, I’m writing from [STATE] in support of increasing voter registration access for students. It is crucial that young people are empowered to be civically engaged, and the federal government can help. I’m asking you to follow President Biden’s Executive Order and add voter registration opportunities to the FAFSA forms. Thank you.

I value equality

Support the dignity of your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. We also support policies that show welcome to aspiring Americans and decency to people seeking refuge.

Action 4: Advocate for pay transparency legislation.

Source: MomsRising

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: Your two STATE legislators (look up).

Script: Hi, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] to urge legislative action in support of pay transparency laws, which have been proven to reduce the gender and racial pay gap. In 2022, women in the U.S. worked 3-11 months more to earn the same pay for the same work as white men, with Latina and Native American women working almost twice as long for the same pay. I’m asking [NAME] to pass and enforce pay transparency laws in our state to close this unjust pay gap. Thank you.

Bonus: If you live in CA, CO, CT, MD, NV, NY, RI, or WA, your state already has pay transparency laws! Send your governor a thank-you (look up).


Action 5: Protect access to abortion pills.

Source: SisterSong

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: Walgreens via their contact form or by writing to: 

Rosalind Brewer, CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., 108 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL 60015

Script: Hi. I’m contacting you from [STATE] to urge Walgreens to dispense FDA-approved mifepristone to your customers in states where abortion remains legal. By denying provision of such medication in 20 states, Walgreens is rejecting federal policy aimed at protecting abortion access and reducing maternal mortality. Please respect the will of the majority of voters who support abortion rights. Thank you.


Action 6: Oppose a proposal for restrictive new asylum policies by March 27.

Source: AoCC

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

The Biden Administration has introduced a new transit ban that will require people from outside of Mexico seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to first apply for—and be denied—asylum in another country. The proposed rule is open to public comment for the next 10 days.

If you haven’t already, submit a public comment: In your own words via the Federal Register before the comment period closes on March 27 using these talking points. This policy would:

  • Uphold a fundamental human right the U.S. is constitutionally obligated to uphold, and previously championed at the international level. 
  • Reinstate prior asylum bans that were deemed illegal.
  • Create unnecessary barriers to protection that will put the lives of people seeking asylum at risk.
  • Rush the timeline, risking that public comments will not be seriously considered before the rule is implemented.
  • Be implemented after the end of the current presidential term, which opens the door for its indefinite extension.
  • Breaks from President Biden’s campaign promises and threatens to bring back some of the previous president’s most harmful asylum policies.
  • Impact you, your loved ones, and/or your community (if true, please describe).

Action 7: Advocate against family detention.

Source: Detention Watch Network

Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: President Biden using the White House contact form.

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] because I oppose the cruel practice of detaining aspiring American families. Numerous professional medical associations and the DHS’ own medical experts have documented the harmful effects of detention on individuals and families, especially children, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and malnutrition. I am calling on the entire Biden administration to live up to campaign promises and permanently end family detention.

Alternate: Sign the petition through Action Network. (Note: Click “Edit Subscription Preferences” and uncheck the box to ensure you’re not added to the Detention Watch Network mailing list. You may still receive emails from Action Network.)

Acts of Grati­­­­tude

We believe in gratitude as a tool for change. We will print a letter of thanks from Americans of Conscience with your signature and mail it to the recipient. Your information will be removed from this website no later than four weeks after the Checklist’s publication date.

*An asterisk denotes a Gratitude suggested by a subscriber!

Thank Gov. Tim Walz (D–MN) for safeguarding transgender people’s right to access  gender-affirming healthcare.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Office of the Governor, 130 State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155


*Thank NE state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D) for filibustering for three weeks to block legislation that would limit transgender youth’s access to gender-affirming healthcare.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509


Thank FL state legislators Sen. Lauren Book (D) and Rep. Rita Harris (D) for introducing a bill to outlaw the so-called “panic defense” in cases of violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:

LB: 228 Senate Building, 404 South Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399

RH: 1302 The Capitol, 402 South Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399

Good News

If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!

Progress on issues previously featured in the Checklist

  • A fundraiser to benefit survivors of a mass shooting in Half Moon Bay, CA meets their goal.

Indigenous Nations

  • Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. (Cherokee Nation) signs legislation dedicating $1 million to preserve the tribe’s historic sites and authorize official biographies of past leaders.

National

State and Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart


Need inspiration?


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