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82 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 senators

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

Look up your senators here.

Join the 60 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:

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

Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. 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: Advocate for accessible voter registration opportunities for all eligible voters.

Sources: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Brennan Center

Join the 61 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Write: The Honorable Robin Carnahan, Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration 
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20405

Script: Hello, I’m writing from [STATE] to applaud the progress your agency has made in modernizing Vote.gov, and to urge you to accelerate the work that remains to be done. To truly make Vote.gov a trusted place for voter registration, I’m asking you to add signature capture to the online form to allow it to serve Americans who lack access to printers or transportation to voter registration offices. I and millions of eligible voters are counting on your agency to strengthen our constitutional right to vote. Thank you.


Action 2: Make running for Congress easier for non-wealthy Americans.

Source: Brennan Center

Join the 48 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Write: Chair Dara Lindenbaum
Vice Chairman Sean J. Cooksey 
Federal Election Commission 
1050 First Street, NE 
Washington, DC 20463

Script: Hello, I’m submitting a comment in response to the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking re: Candidate Salaries, published December 12, 2022 (87 FR 75945), concerning the use of campaign funds to compensate candidates. I join the Brennan Center in advocating for the following 3 rule changes, which would allow citizens of all backgrounds, not just the wealthy, to run for Congress:

  1. Allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay themselves a living wage, capped at the base salary for members of Congress.
  2. Draft the new salary rules to comply with other applicable federal, state, and local ethics laws for elected officials.
  3. Require public disclosure of salary and benefit payments to candidates, to allow voters and donors to make informed decisions during campaigns.

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 3: Advocate in solidarity with Jewish communities.

Source: ADL

Join the 65 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: Your two senators and one House rep (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the record-breaking rise in antisemitic acts which threaten the safety and autonomy of our Jewish neighbors. I urge you to put an end to antisemitism by publicly condemning these acts, educating the public about its history and ongoing presence, and fully funding initiatives and policy solutions that oppose the spread of antisemitic views.

Bonus: Join the Anti-Defamation League in opposing hate by signing the Pledge Against Antisemitism.


Action 4: Advocate for humane immigration reform.

Source: Immigrant Justice Network

Join the 78 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

On March 29th, the New Way Forward Act was reintroduced in Congress. This landmark legislation addresses some of the most harmful provisions of immigration law behind racist enforcement practices, including expanded incarceration in detention centers and unjust deportations. Call on your members of Congress to champion this long-overdue legislation. 

Sign: The Immigration Justice Network letter to Congress. (Note: Click “Edit subscription preferences” under the “Start Writing” button to opt out of emails.)


Action 5: Demand an end to human rights abuses by ICE contractors.

Source: Detention Watch Network (DWN)

Join the 174 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

Contact: Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 865 SW 78th St., Plantation, FL 33324

Contact: DHS Office of the Inspector General, Attn: Office of Investigations – Hotline, 245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600, Washington, DC 20528

By phone: 1-800-323-8603

By email: dhsoighotline@dhs.gov

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] because I’m deeply concerned about the dire mismanagement of Baker County Detention Center. Their ongoing violations of ICE standards and federal laws include inhumane treatment, excessive use of force, extreme medical neglect, racialized harassment, and blocking access to legal counsel. I insist you immediately end your contract with Baker County Sheriff’s Office and release detained individuals to the safety of their communities.

Alternate: Sign the ACLU Florida petition. (Note: You will be added to their email distribution list.)


Action 6: Support the survivors of a tragic detention facility fire.

Sources: Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center; The Hope Border Institute

Join the 14 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

At least 39 aspiring Americans died and 29 were gravely injured due to a fire at a detention center in Ciudad Juárez. Unconstitutional immigration policies have led to overcrowding at the U.S.-Mexico border and an increase in human rights abuses. The survivors and families of the victims are still being considered by CBP to enter the U.S. and are in need of legal and humanitarian support.

Donate: To the groups directly involved: Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, The Hope Border Institute, and the Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services (DMRS).

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.

Thank Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D–NM) for upholding New Mexicans’ voting rights by signing the Voting Rights Act into law.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, Santa Fe, NM 87501


Thank Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D–MA), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D–WA), and Sec. of the Interior Deb Haaland for their efforts in producing the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, a legislative framework for the U.S. to live up to our legal and financial treaty responsibilities to Native American nations.

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

EW: 309 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510

DK: 2059 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515

DH: Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240


Thank Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R–AK) for supporting a proposal in the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, which would give Native nations full criminal jurisdiction over non-Native Americans who commit any crimes on tribal land.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 522 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510

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

  • 51,952 individuals and organizations comment on the Federal Register in response to the Biden administration’s proposed changes to the process for seeking asylum in the U.S.

Indigenous Nations

National

State

Local

  • The City of Philadelphia addresses police violence during the summer of 2020 by:
    • Paying monetary damages totaling $9,250,000 collectively to those harmed by the police department.
    • Disengaging from the federal program which arms state and local law enforcement with military weapons and equipment.
    • Presenting the West Philadelphia community with data about police use of force and responding to community feedback.
    • Providing trauma-informed counseling to survivors of police violence and promoting community-led programming in the aftermath of violence and misconduct.
  • San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voices support for reparations for eligible Black adults.
  • Adjuntas, Puerto Rico utilizes their own solar microgrids, allowing residents to generate power separate from Puerto Rico’s privately-operated grid.

Corporate/business

  • Multiple pharmaceutical companies owe penalties for raising drug prices faster than the rate of inflation.

Groups and organizations

  • The Abortion Defense Network provides assistance with legal advice, expenses, and representation related to abortion care.
  • Additional volunteer pilots join Elevated Access to help patients seeking abortion or gender-affirmative healthcare travel to places where they can more safely exercise their bodily autonomy.

News with heart

  • Two families reunite years after being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Electricity generated from renewable sources surpassed coal-generated energy for the first time in 2022.
  • Finland and Spain pass laws basing legal gender recognition on self-determination for people aged 18 and older and 16 and older, respectively.

Need inspiration?


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