26 weeks to Midterm Elections
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:
- Action 1: Protect personal and medical autonomy for all.
- Action 7: Advocate with Indigenous people for government follow-through on promised action.
- Action 3: Restore voting rights to 5.2 million Americans.
In this edition of the AoC Checklist:
- Senate actions: What we’re contacting our senators about.
- House actions: What we’re contacting our House reps about.
- Action 1: Protect personal and medical autonomy for all.
- Action 2: Verify your voter registration monthly through November.
- Action 3: Restore voting rights to 5.2 million Americans.
- Action 4: Protect the security of election officials.
- Action 5: Find out if election deniers are running for office in your state.
- Action 6: Encourage students and young people to make sure they have ID required to vote.
- Action 7: Advocate with Indigenous people for government follow-through on promised action.
- Action 8: Hold the president accountable for environmental justice promises.
- Action 9: Help Afghan refugees feel at home in the U.S.
- Action 10: Demand the closure of an abusive detention center.
- Say Thanks: Acts of Gratitude
- Check out Good News from around the nation
- How you can support and share 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. They don’t mind, but be sure to contact both progressives and conservatives. They need to hear from you.
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 about several issues. I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:
- Reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (S. 1275) with permanent funding for a National Indian Domestic Violence Hotline. [Source: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center]
- Restore access to asylum for those seeking freedom and safety in the U.S. by opposing the continuation of Title 42. [Source: United We Dream]
- Co-sponsor and pass S. 4085, the PROVE Act, letting 16- and 17-year-olds nationwide preregister to be added to voter rolls as soon as they turn 18. [Source: Rock the Vote]
- Draft legislation to prevent the loss of Medicaid coverage for millions of people when the public health emergency ends. [Source: Center on Budget]
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. They don’t mind, but be sure to contact both progressives and conservatives. They need to hear from 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 about several issues. I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:
- Restore access to asylum for those seeking freedom and safety in the U.S. by opposing the continuation of Title 42. [Source: United We Dream]
- Draft legislation to prevent the loss of Medicaid coverage for millions of people when the public health emergency ends. [Source: Center on Budget]
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: Protect personal and medical autonomy for all.
Sources: AoCC and Sister Song
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Guaranteed access to reproductive healthcare is set to be overturned at the federal level. Amidst the ongoing interference with the personal freedoms of marginalized identities in the U.S., this news has left many feeling angry, exhausted, or hopeless. Now is the time to get involved.
Step 1: Call:Your state legislators (look up) and governor (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m calling from [ZIP] to express my support for the constitutional right to privacy. The draft Supreme Court opinion has chilling implications for not only abortion access, but other rights that are essential to democracy, including marriage equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, access to contraception, and more. Can I count on [NAME] to keep these rights from being eroded in [STATE] by codifying privacy protections into state law? Thank you.
Step 2: Call: Your two U.S. senators (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] calling on you to pass S. 1975, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion access for all Americans.
Step 3: Donate to ensure reproductive freedoms.
Donate: To an abortion fund or independent providers.
Action 2: Verify your voter registration monthly through November.
Source: AoCC
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
In March, Texas voters trying to vote in their primary reported that their registration was canceled without notice or reason. An AoCC subscriber discovered her last name was misspelled, potentially disqualifying her vote. Don’t let your ballot be rejected. Commit to checking monthly, starting today.
Visit: Vote.org.
Bonus: Sign up with VoteFlare.org to be notified if anything about your voter registration changes.
Action 3: Restore voting rights to 5.2 million Americans.
Source: Brennan Center
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
If you live in AL, AK, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MN, MS, NE, NM, NC, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, WV, WI, or WY (all red, orange, and yellow states on this map): Contact your state legislators (look up).
Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP], and I believe in second chances. [STATE] disenfranchises people with felony convictions, a practice that disproportionately affects Black citizens. Can I count on [NAME] to support legislation that restores voting rights to citizens with felony convictions? Thank you.
If you live elsewhere: Donate to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help Floridians with felony convictions pay fines and fees so they can vote.
Action 4: Protect the security of election officials.
Source: AoCC
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Commissioner Thomas Hicks
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
866-747-1471 (toll free)
Script: Threats against local election officials and poll workers are endangering the recruiting of qualified officials and poll workers, and states want to protect these public servants. The Election Assistance Commission has the power to authorize states to allocate federal Help America Vote Act funds to improve security and threat monitoring for local election officials. These improvements are estimated to cost $300 million nationwide over the next five years, a small price to pay to protect our democracy. Thank you.
Bonus: Use the Brennan Center’s email generator to tell your congressional representatives to protect election officials (uncheck the box labeled “By checking this box, I agree to receive periodic email updates from the Brennan Center” if you don’t want to receive emails).
Action 5: Find out if election deniers are running for office in your state.
Sources: The Voting News and States United Democracy Center
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Check your state on these maps by States United Democracy Center, to see if any candidates for governor, attorney general, or secretary of state are campaigning by spreading lies and conspiracy theories undermining the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. State officials who run, oversee and protect our elections should support democracy by ensuring free and fair elections. Your vote in the upcoming elections will ensure election deniers do not gain the power to overturn the will of American voters in the future if they do not like the results.
Action 6: Encourage students and young people to make sure they have ID required to vote.
Source: The Civics Center
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
An estimated 18% of citizens aged 18-24 do not have photo ID with their current address and name. These young people, especially students of color or students who attend a school in a different state from their state of residence, will be disproportionately impacted by new and stricter voter ID laws.
Take action: Encourage young people to ensure they have a valid ID to vote. Review your state’s rules on the VoteRiders website, text IDCHECK to VoteRiders’ National Helpline at 844-338-8743, or email HelpLine@voteriders.org.
Bonus: Donate to Spread the Vote to cover the costs of getting ID documents for new voters.
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.
Action 7: Advocate with Indigenous people for government follow-through on promised action.
Source: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Step 1: Contact: The Department of Justice on Twitter, at (202) 353-1555 (comment line), via the DOJ contact form, or at
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Twitter and DOI’s Twitter, at (202) 208-3100, via the DOI contact form, or at
Sec. Deb Haaland
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
Script: Hi, I’m contacting you from [STATE] in support of the Not Invisible Act, which unanimously passed Congress in 2020 but has yet to be properly implemented by the DOJ or DOI. There is no more time to lose on this critical measure. I am calling on you to fulfill your responsibility to coordinate prevention efforts, grants, and programs related to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples. Thank you.
Step 2: Contact: The Department of Justice on Twitter, at (202) 353-1555 (comment line), via the DOJ contact form, or at
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
The FBI on Twitter, at (202) 324-3000, or at
FBI Headquarters
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] to urge improved data collection on missing and murdered Indigenous women under Savanna’s Act. American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls experience violence at extreme and unprecedented levels—more than four in five have been subjected to violence, with assault rates 12 times higher than the rest of the U.S. I echo the demand of Indigenous people for the DOJ and FBI to “assist tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Indian women.”
Bonus: Read family members’ stories, and find inspiration on how to take action in Restoration Magazine’s Special Edition on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Action 8: Hold the president accountable for environmental justice promises.
Source: Indigenous Environmental Network
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: President Biden via the White House contact form (preferred) or at
President Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] in support of halting construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. This pipeline has already been fined millions of dollars for environmental damages, and will further jeopardize surrounding communities, ecosystems, and endangered species if previously revoked federal permits are approved. I urge President Biden to take immediate action to protect our land and waters by denying key permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Thank you.
Action 9: Help Afghan refugees feel at home in the U.S.
Source: Afghans For A Better Tomorrow
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
In the fall of 2021, almost 500 Afghan refugees arrived in rural Northern California. Some have since been resettled in new housing, but the majority are still living in temporary housing. If you are able, please consider donating new, everyday items to help these individuals and families get by.
Order directly: Through the Afghans for a Better Tomorrow wishlist.
Donate: To California organizations resettling individuals and families.
Action 10: Demand the closure of an abusive detention center.
Source: Freedom for Immigrants
Join the 0 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: The Department of Homeland Security at (202) 282-8495 or DHSSecrectary@HQ.DHS.gov.
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] asking you to immediately terminate ICE’s contract with the Glades County Detention Center in Florida. ICE officials at Glades have a long and troubling history of perpetuating human rights abuses. I am repeating the call of those detained and their loved ones in urging you to cancel—not just limit—your contract with Glades County, and immediately release all those who are detained there.
Acts of Gratitude
Signatures to the forms below will be printed with a letter of thanks from Americans of Conscience, and mailed to the recipient 2 weeks after the Checklist publication date. Your information will not be stored after that date.
Thank the CT General Assembly for protecting abortion patients and providers against lawsuits related to other states’ anti-abortion laws.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:
House: Speaker of the House Matthew Ritter, Legislative Office Building, Room 4106, Hartford, CT 06106
Senate: President pro tempore Martin Looney, Legislative Office Building, Room 3300, Hartford, CT 06106
Thank Dr. Warren Hern for dedicating nearly 50 years of his career to providing abortions in the face of violent threats.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Boulder Abortion Clinic, P.C., 1130 Alpine Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80304
Thank Reps. Cori Bush (D–MO), Pramila Jayapal (D–WA), Barbara Lee (D–CA), Jackie Speier (D–CA), and Sen. Gary Peters for openly sharing about their own or their loved ones’ abortions.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:
CB: 563 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515
PJ: 2346 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
BL: 2470 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
JS: 2465 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
GP: Hart SOB, Suite 724, Washington, DC 20510
Good News
As Americans of Conscience, we celebrate!
Tribal
- The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association forms a cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Parks Service to ensure that the perspectives, voices, and traditions of Tribal communities are represented in national parks outreach and tourism programs.
- Amber Ortega (Tohono O’odham) is found not guilty after being charged for protesting border barrier construction near the sacred Quitobaquito Springs.
National
- Congress passes and the president signs the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act.
- House forms three new task forces to address the climate crisis.
- Dept. of the Interior invests $46 million in climate change funding for Indigenous communities.
- DOJ sues to block a $13 billion acquisition of a health technology company by UnitedHealth Group due to concerns about corporate consolidation’s effects on patients.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues new guidance for assessing proposed gas pipelines, setting new, greener precedents for how major energy infrastructure is approved.
- The federal government erases $415 million in debt for nearly 16,000 students defrauded by for-profit colleges.
- The Office of Professional Responsibility gains greater oversight power over Border Patrol.
- Plaintiffs detained by ICE reach a settlement compelling ICE to preserve COVID-19 safety measures to protect people in immigration detention and limit re-detention.
- U.S. ports can utilize $450 million in infrastructure bill funding to help ease supply chain congestion and lower prices for consumers.
- People from Cameroon seeking refuge in the U.S. are granted Temporary Protected Status.
- Congressional staffers and employees take steps to unionize.
State
- AL: Youth experiencing homelessness are no longer required to pay fees to obtain a driver’s license, which is often required to access social services and to vote.
- CA passes the College Student Right to Access Act, which requires public state universities to provide access to medication abortion services.
- CA’s Medi-Cal program, which provides older adults and disabled people with healthcare coverage, will phase out and eventually eliminate asset limits by 2024.
- HI circuit court refuses several oil companies’ request to dismiss Honolulu’s lawsuit seeking to hold them accountable for climate change impacts threatening Oahu.
- KY: Federal court temporarily blocks a package of abortion restrictions that effectively ended legal abortion in the state.
- NE: A bill that would immediately ban abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned fails to pass the state legislature.
- NJ codifies abortion rights into state law.
- TX: Melissa Lucio requests a new trial after receiving a stay of execution.
- VT voters will have the opportunity to enshrine abortion rights and reproductive autonomy in the state’s constitution via a ballot measure in November’s election.
- WI’s Supreme Court blocks a final attempt by the state legislature to institute a gerrymandered congressional map.
- In 21 states, people convicted of felonies automatically regain their right to vote upon their release from incarceration.
Local
- Teacher and wheelchair user Dayniah Manderson wins a lawsuit against the NYC Dept. of Education and will be accommodated at work as is her right under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the NYC Human Rights Law.
- Orange County Schools Board of Education votes to keep three books regarding racism, segregation, and gender identity on school library shelves indefinitely, citing the books’ literary and social value to students.
- San Antonio Public Library’s Enhanced Library Cards (ELCs) will be accepted by SAPD as an alternative form of ID.
- San Francisco’s Police Department formally changes operating procedures and will stop using sexual assault survivor DNA to investigate unrelated crimes.
- Miami-Dade County public schools will observe Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month annually during May.
- All 16 Polk County Public Schools library books facing formal content challenges will remain on shelves following formal review (scroll down to “Review Committee Results”).
- A proposed abortion ban in Manvel, TX fails in a city council vote.
Corporate/business
- Tesla is ordered to pay Owen Diaz $137 million after a court finds the company fostered a racist working environment.
- Arms maker Lockheed Martin calls off a deal to acquire rocket engine company Aerojet amid opposition from antitrust enforcers.
- DirecTV drops a network that routinely spread election and pandemic disinformation as well as other conspiracy theories.
- Native students who are members of federally recognized tribes and residents of California can attend the University of California tuition-free.
Groups and organizations
- For the first time, the WHO recommends the use of telemedicine for abortion pill prescriptions in its abortion care guidelines, reinforcing how all approved forms of abortion are safe and important.
- Reproductive rights group URGE and artist Liberal Jane release “SMAshing Stigma,” a free zine providing facts about self-managed abortion and guidance on eliminating stigma and expanding abortion access.
- Reproaction offers a free skills-training video featuring information on self-managed abortion and how to talk about it.
- Bail reform legal and policy experts launch Justice Not Fear-New York to provide factual information about bail reform efforts and counter misinformation.
- Odilia Romero (Zapotec) and CIELO advocate for direct pandemic aid for Indigenous communities and access to services in Indigenous languages.
- The Liberate Abortion Campaign pens an open letter urging action from President Biden to maintain and expand abortion rights.
News with heart
- More people than ever utilize abortion pills as a method of pregnancy termination in the face of limited in-person abortion access.
- Trans people who undergo at at least one gender-affirming surgery have significantly lower odds of psychological distress, according to a study published in JAMA Surgery.
- Record-breaking swimmer Lia Thomas, who is trans, receives public support from her University of Pennsylvania swimming and diving teammates.
- Welcoming newcomers to the United States would help decrease inflation, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- Afghans who are newly arrived to the U.S. find assistance and comfort from other American residents of diverse national origin.
- Pamela Moses, who unknowingly registered to vote while ineligible, has all criminal charges against her dropped.
- U.S. Women’s Soccer team members receive $24 million in backpay and will earn pay equal to the men’s national team in all competitions going forward.
- A fourth formerly HIV-positive patient remains asymptomatic following treatment four years ago, indicating she has been cured of the disease.
- San Francisco Giants assistant coach Alyssa Nakken becomes the first woman to coach on the field in MLB history.
- Hockey fan Nadia Popovici alerts NFL staffer Brian “Red” Hamilton to a cancerous mole on his neck, potentially saving his life.
- More than 80% of Americans polled by CBS News reject removing books about history or race from schools.
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Housekeeping
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Please oh please add women’s rights to your daily list!!
We’ve lost focus on them and what is happening with choice is devastating.
Thanks for suggesting this. Be assured that we track women’s issues along with many other social justice issues. Indeed, the systems that oppress women oppress all. Look for an action regarding reproductive health in the June 3, 2022! We’ll get there together.