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76 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 52 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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

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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: Support voting rights for 5.2 million Americans.

Source: Brennan Center

Join the 54 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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If you live in AL, AK, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NE, NC, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI, or WY (all red, orange, and yellow states on this map, except MN and NM which have new laws going into effect in July): 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 people of color. Can I count on [NAME] to support legislation that honors the fundamental voting rights of citizens with felony convictions? Thank you.

If you live elsewhere: Donate to the Sentencing Project to help defend the voting rights of people with felony convictions.


Action 2: Advocate for voting opportunities for people in pre-trial custody.

Source: Leadership Conference on Human Rights, Brennan Center

Join the 28 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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Write: The Honorable Ronald L. Davis, Director
U.S. Marshals Service
1215 S. Clark Street
Arlington, VA 22202

Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [STATE] asking you to follow the recommendations of over 100 civil rights organizations to support the voting rights of all eligible Americans in federal pre-trial custody in the following ways:

  1. Provide high-quality voter-registration services and assistance voting to eligible individuals.
  2. Publicize an assessment of the results of these efforts.
  3. Leverage your agency’s contracts to ensure ballot access for all eligible voters, not just those in federal custody.

Thank you for considering these recommendations.


Action 3: Protect election workers in your state.

Source: Brennan Center

Join the 42 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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Contact: Your state legislators (look up). 

Script: Hi, I’m a resident of [ZIP] calling to ask you to follow three recommendations for protecting election workers in advance of the 2024 elections:

  1. Reduce harassment and threats of physical violence by funding physical security protections and training.
  2. Allow election workers to protect personally identifiable information.
  3. Prohibit intimidation and doxing of election workers and ensure that all workers receive protection throughout the entire election process.

Can I count on you to promote legislation that addresses these recommendations? 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: Support good governance through a clean debt limit increase.

Source: NRDC

Join the 97 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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Contact: Your House rep (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the devastating effect of proposed spending cuts in H.R. 2811. This misguided approach to solving the debt-ceiling crisis would weaken our infrastructure and jeopardize the well-being of children, veterans, seniors, disabled people, and other vulnerable communities. I urge you to sign the discharge petition for House Resolution 350 to allow for a humane and responsible resolution to the debt limit crisis.


Action 5: Protect our communities by advocating for stronger climate reform.

Source: NRDC

Join the 35 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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Contact: The Honorable Michael S. Regan, Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20460

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] because I’m concerned about the lack of regulation for fossil fuel power plants, which currently face no federal limits on carbon pollution even though they are responsible for one-third of U.S. emissions. Proposed EPA rules establish standards to clean up these plants or retire them in favor of renewable energy, but we need swifter and bolder action. Please urge the EPA to quickly implement the strongest possible standards to counter this crisis and save lives.


Action 6: Advocate for the pardon and asylum status of a survivor.

Source: California Coalition for Women Prisoners

Join the 99 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!

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Contact: Gov. Gavin Newsom

By mail: ATTN: Office of Legal Affairs, Pardons, State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814

By phone: (916) 445-2841

By contact form: here (select “Clemency – Pardon” as the topic)

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] in solidarity with Ms. Marisela Andrade (CDCR#WA7304, A#074-816-783), a survivor of sexual trafficking and domestic violence. Ms. Andrade was approved for parole in 2021 but was transferred directly to ICE custody, before finally winning release in March. I urge you to pardon Ms. Andrade so that she may continue her quest for asylum and remain safely in the U.S. with her children.

Alternate: Sign the CCWP petition. (Note: You will be subscribed to Change.org emails)

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 the Kansas City, MO city council for voting to protect the rights of transgender Missourians seeking gender-affirming healthcare in the city.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: City Hall, 414. E 12th St., 22nd Floor, Kansas City, MO 64106

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Join the 108 Americans of Conscience who have added their names!

NameCityState
BethWeavervilleNC
BeatricePhiladelphiaPA
GeorgiaAustinTX
KathyNewburyportMA
PatriciaPhiladelphiaPA
NameCityState

Thank Gov. Roy Cooper (D–NC) for vetoing a bill that severely limits abortion access for North Carolinians and those from nearby states.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Office of the Governor, 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699

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Join the 105 Americans of Conscience who have added their names!

NameCityState
BethWeavervilleNC
BeatricePhiladelphiaPA
GeorgiaAustinTX
DonnaSterlingMA
PatriciaPhiladelphiaPA
NameCityState

Thank Sen. Alex Padilla (D–CA) for introducing the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for 5.2 million aspiring American essential workers.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 112 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510

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Join the 95 Americans of Conscience who have added their names!

NameCityState
BethWeavervilleNC
BeatricePhiladelphiaPA
GeorgiaAustinTX
DonnaSterlingMA
JLChesterfieldVA
NameCityState

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

National

State

Local

Corporate/business

Groups and organizations

News with heart

  • The rate of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plateaued in 2022 and has not risen since.
  • Following higher-than-average unemployment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of employment for Black women reaches a 22-year high.
  • Employers created 253,000 jobs in April, while the unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent, matching a low from May 1969.
  • Wages and salaries rose 5 percent between March 2022 and March 2023.
  • Photographer Li Qiang documents and shares his family’s immigration experience.

Need inspiration?


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