Voter Suppression & Democracy Degradation

ELECTION 2020 Voter Suppression & Democracy Degradation FL Indivisible Network Dale Anderson August 26 , 2020 – 7 pm OVERVIEW

1. The stakes in the 2020 election?

2. Pathway to Autocracy

3. The GOP’s voter suppression strategy

4. Vote-at-home

5. H.R.1 - Protecting our Democracy The Stakes in the 2020 Election

9:10 PM 3 America on the Brink

Election 2020 – A Last Chance?

1. Stop our Slide into Autocracy

2. Extract Russia’s Hold on our Politics

3. Rejoin the International Community

4. Counter Authoritarian Regimes

5. Combat Climate Threat • Position for 2021 Redistricting • Protect a Liberal Supreme Court Seat • Rescue Obamacare • Prevent an Assault on our Safety Net • Stop the Corruption of our Judicial System

9:10 PM 4 The Pathway to Autocracy - 2016

2016 - The Demagogue rises in a troubled democracy

5 The Pathway to Autocracy - 2016

Fascism arises in Democracies FASCIST POLITICAL TACTICS • US vs. Them – attacking minorities • Claiming return to a “mythic” past (MAGA) • Belligerent nationalism • Continuous propaganda / lies / rallies • Promoting conspiracy theories Demagogue usesJason “fascist Stanley • Creating “Unreality” tactics” to gainYale power University • Elevating the “Patriarchal family” (win election) • Constantly claiming to be the “victim” • Attacking expertise / intellectuals 2016 - The Demagogue • “Binary” law and order • We [whites] are law abiding rises in a • You [people of color] are criminals troubled democracy • Threatening the free press • Demeaning urbanism / multiculturalism • Abandonment of human rights

6 The Pathway to Autocracy - 2016

Fascism arises in Democracies Once in power, he uses the “Authoritarian Playbook” to solidify power and cripple democracy Demagogue uses “fascist tactics” to gain power (win election) 2016 - The Demagogue rises in a troubled democracy

Jan. 2017 - Present7 Authoritarian Playbook 2017 -Present

Once in power, he uses the “Authoritarian Playbook” to solidify power and cripple democracy

Steve Levitsky Larry Diamond & Daniel Ziblatt Not a Military Coup…but an “Executive Coup”

8 Following the Autocrat’s Playbook Consolidating Power

   

   Bill Barr 

12 Larry Diamond Stanford Center for Democracy Following the Autocrat’s Playbook Consolidating Power

  

As he [Trump] grows less enamored of Fox News,  Trump may want something that he can control completely. If Pack can produce the rough equivalent of “Trump TV,” then the president will finally have a true state media at his command and no longer  need to rely on Rupert Murdoch.  The Voice of America Will Sound Like Trump  Bill Barr Under the president’s control, U.S.-funded broadcasters could turn into a presidential propaganda machine. 

7:00 AM ET – Atlantic 21 June, 2020 12 Larry Diamond Stanford Center for Democracy Fascism arises in Troubled Democracies

On 2 June, as police officers across the country deployed brutal tactics in response to protests over the killing of George Floyd, the former secretary of labour Robert Reich announced that his old vocabulary – already crowded with harsh words for President Donald Trump- Robert Reich - was making way for a new addition. 11 Fascism arises in Troubled Democracies

From 2016 until just these past few months, mainstream media has failed to describe and explain fascism and the nature of the authoritarian playbook

Instead, as Trump and the GOP chipped away at independent oversight and “I’veOn 2 heldJune, off as usingpolice the officers F constitution rules and standards, the wordacross for the three country and deployeda half media referred to these as: years,brutal buttactics there in responseis no to longerprotests any over honest the killing of alternative,”George Floyd, Reich the formertweeted. • “Trumpian” “Trumpsecretary is ofa fascist,labour andRobert he isReich promoting announced fascism that in his • “Unprecedented” America.”old vocabulary – already crowded with harsh words Junefor President 11, 2020 Donald Trump- • “Unusual” Robert Reich - was making way for a new addition. 12 Trump’s Fascist Playbook Trump’s Playbook in 25 Steps (Salon – July 1, 2020) 1. Declare yourself above the law 2. Use racist fearmongering 3. Politicize AG and Dept of Justice 4. Fire US attorneys investigating you – examining actions 5. Fire independent inspectors general 6. Demean / ignore Intelligence Community 7. Pack courts with “loyal” judges 8. Politicize the Depart of Defense – “my generals” 9. Purge the Party of the “disloyal” – create a cult 10. Eliminate expertise and experience in government 11. Reward donors and cronies 12. Coddle dictators 13. Create scapegoats – demonize migrants and POC 14. Denigrate and ridicule all critics 15. Promote conspiracy theories 16. Downplay real national threats 17. Encourage armed supporters to “liberate” states 18. Bribe nations to investigate your opponents 19. Flood the nation with lies and propaganda (Fox) Robert Reich 20. Suppress the votes of opponent populations 21. Seek to block mail-in ballots during pandemic 22. Fail to protect from Russian election hacking 23. Postpone the election of polling bad 24. If defeated, claim voter fraud and refuse to leave 25. Declare victory in the face of defeat 13 The Playbook worked in Hungary

• Constitution rewritten following 2010 – Fidesz > 2/3 control of parliament • Parliamentary Districts redrawn (Gerrymandering) • “Supreme Court” expanded, all Felix Schlangwein – May 2020 over 62 retired and seats appointed by Fidesz. • Civil servants fired and partisans placed in all positions of power (such as election oversight). • State Broadcasting network controlled by Fidesz ... • Private media forced to sell to the state or Orban associated oligarchs. By 2017, 90% media owned by Fidesz. • Emergency Powers Act signed - March 30, 2020 (no expiration Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban date) The Playbook worked in Hungary

• Constitution rewritten following 2010 – Fidesz > 2/3 control of parliament • Parliamentary Districts redrawn (Gerrymandering) • “Supreme Court” expanded, all Felix Schlangwein – May 2020 over 62 retired and seats appointed Mayby Fidesz. 2019 • Civil servants fired and partisans Donaldplaced in Trumpall positions showered of power praise(such as on election Hungarian oversight). prime • ministerState Broadcasting Viktor Orbán network for a controlled by Fidesz ... • Private“tremendous media forced job”to sell to the state or Orban associated Shruggedoligarchs. off complaints By 2017, 90% that media his Whiteowned House by visit Fidesz. represents a reward for• theEmergencyerosion ofPowers democracy Act signedin - HungaryMarch and 30, Oban's 2020 (noclose expiration ties to the Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban Kremlindate). Trump “Green Lights” Authoritarian Expansion

HONG KONG YEMEN WEST BANK UKRAINE KASHMIR

Trump’s Silence - a “Green Light” • Violence towards neighboring states • Abandoning Human Rights • Coddling Authoritarian Leaders • Reputation Laundering of Autocrats U.S. at Great Risk in 2020

Four Factors of Authoritarian Risk America has faced these previous threats – but never all four simultaneously

1. Political Polarization 2. Conflict over inclusion “People“Fearful typically of such assumepolicy changes, that inequality the rich makes take 1. Immigrants actiondemocracy to protect vulnerable their interests by increasing and preserve the 2. Felons chancestheir that wealth the less and well advantage.”-off will rise up 3. African Americans against the wealthy, but that is rarely the 4. Dreamers “This can occurcase….” when the wealthiest 5. The “poor” citizens seek to solidify their power even if 3. High, growing economic inequality “Rather,it entails as harm inequality to democracy grows, it is……..They the affluent themselvesmay be willing who are to abidemore likely a polarizing to mobilize 4. Excessive Executive Power politicseffectively. of us vs. They them realize and that the working adoption and of repressivemiddle-class measure people, ifwho that greatly is what outnumber it takes The Fragile Republic forthem, leaders tend to to favor protect redistributive their interests.” policies.” Suzanne Mettler and Robert Lieberman Foreign Affairs – Sept/Oct 2020 17 Republican’s Primary Election Strategy

Trump and the Playbook

9:10 PM 18 The Modern Authoritarian’s Playbook “Is America Still Safe for Democracy” Foreign Affairs - May/June 2017

3 Tactics of an Elected Autocrat & May/June 2017 a Supportive Regime • Steve Levitsky • Robert Mickey • Lucan Ahmad Way

CIA Director - Gina Haspel 1. 2. 3. Politicize State Neutralize Key Parts Rewrite the Rules of Institutions of Civil Society the Political Game • Courts • Free Press / Journalists • Corrupt elections • Justice Department • Universities / Experts • Congressional rules • Military / CIA • Watchdog Organizations • Campaign financing • Agencies • Right to Protest/ Assemble • Citizen initiatives Playbook#1 Risk attacksin 2020 –theSliding Pillars into of Autocracy Democracy

FREEDOM of SPEECH Three Pillars of a Liberal, Constitutional & ASSEMBLY Democracy

FREE & FAIR 1. Liberal Rights • Freedom of speech CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTIONS • RULE OF LAW Freedom of association 2. Rule of Law • Integrity of the law • Equal application of the law

3. Democratic Electoral System • Periodic free and fair elections

Source: How to Save a Constitutional Democracy – Tom Ginsburg & 9:10 PM Aziz Huq, 2018 – U. of Chicago Law School 20 Pillars ofRule a Liberal, of Law ConstitutionalUnder Assault Democracy

FREEDOM of SPEECH & ASSEMBLY

FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS CONSTITUTIONAL Trump, the GOP and Barr RULE OF LAW • Pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio • Commuting Roger Stone’s sentence • Tampering in the Paul Manafort case • Withdrawal of charges against M. Flynn • Opening investigations into former FBI agents • Failure to hold an impeachment trial • Shielding Trump from subpoenas • Claiming Presidential immunity to all crime. • DOJ involvement in investigating political opponents (Biden, Clinton, etc.)

9:10 PM 21 Pillars ofRule a Liberal, of Law ConstitutionalUnder Assault Democracy

FREEDOM of SPEECH Feb 16, 2020 & ASSEMBLY ❑ William Barr’s Resignation Demanded Letter signed by > 2000 alumni of the Department of Justice (Democrats and FREE & FAIR Republicans) ask for AG William Barr to ELECTIONS resign over his interference in the Roger CONSTITUTIONAL StoneTrump, sentencing. the GOP and Barr RULE OF LAW • Pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio • Commuting RogerMay Stone’s 11, 2020 sentence • Tampering in the Paul Manafort case ❑• WilliamWithdrawal Barr’s of charges Resignation against Demanded M. Flynn • OpeningLetter signed investigations by > 2000 into alumni former of theFBI agentsDepartment of Justice (former FBI, • FailureDemocrats to hold and an Republicans) impeachment ask trial for AG Rule of Law • ShieldingWilliam BarrTrump to fromresign subpoenas over his “Governments that use the enormous power• Claiminginterference of law Presidential in the Michael immunity Flynn to all case. crime. enforcement to punish their enemies and reward• DOJ involvementtheir allies in investigating political are not constitutional republics; they are autocraciesopponents (Biden,.” Clinton, etc.)

9:10 PM 22 LiberalDemocracy Rights UnderUnder Assault Assault

FREEDOM of SPEECH & ASSEMBLY

FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS 1. Constant assault on the press CONSTITUTIONAL • Press is the “enemy of the people” RULE OF LAW • Legal threats against newspapers and journalists • Encouraging violence against reports and journalists 2. Criminalizing protest • New state laws criminalizing protest (48 states) • Labeling peaceful protesters as “anarchists” 3. Attacks on civic organizations • White House petition to label George Soros and his organization “Domestic Terrorists” • Labeling Antifa a terrorist group • Threatening Southern Poverty Law Center 9:10 PM 23 RepublicanElections AssaultUnder on Assaultour Elections

FREEDOM of SPEECH & ASSEMBLY

FREE & FAIR CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTIONS Six Election Rigging Strategies RULE OF LAW ❑ Voter Suppression*

❑ Digital Hacking

❑ Gerrymandering

❑ Vote Buying

❑ Stuffing the Ballot Box

Source: How to Rig an Election Brian Klaas & Nic Cheeseman - 2018 9:10 PM 24 Stages of a Fascist / Authoritarian Movement

Republican Party Tea Party Trump Party • Authoritarian State? • Plutocracy? We are here? • Illiberal Democracy? • Fascist State

Koch brothers 2020 ELECTION Recruitment of The Demagogue The Demagogue Members Emerges In Power 1. White Nationalists One Chance to 2. White Evangelicals 1. MAGA (MAWA) Save Our 3. Oil and Gas 2. Build the Wall Democracy? 4. Corps and the “10%” 3. Lock her up 5. Others

Control of State Leg. …Gerrymandering….Voter Suppression -Control of Congress

Creation of the Rooting in the Ascending to or Exercising of Radicalization or Movement Political System Seizure of Power Power “Entropy” 2009 2016 2017-’20 25 Republican’s Primary Election Strategy

VOTER SUPPRESSION

9:10 PM 26 Voter Suppression Defined

Voter suppression is a strategy used to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing specific groups of people from voting.

It is distinguished from political campaigning that attempts to change the opinions of potential voters through persuasion and organization.

Source: Ballotpedia Definition

9:10 PM 27 Understanding Voter Suppression

Carol Anderson is an American academic. She is the Charles Howard Candler professor of African American Studies at Emory University.

28 Understanding Voter Suppression

15th Amendment 1869-’70 Direct Disenfranchisement • Violence • Fraud (ballot box) • Poll Taxes • Literacy Tests • Restrictive Registration • The White Primary

CIVIL RIGHTS BILLS 1960s Indirect Disenfranchisement • Voter ID laws • Threatening Messages • Deceptive Messaging • Limited Access to Polls • Registration Drive Barriers Carol Anderson is an American academic. • Caging Voters She is the Charles Howard Candler • Purging Voters from List professor of African American Studies at • Challenging Signatures Emory University. • Election Nullification • Poll Watchers 29 The Voter Suppression Playbook

Available for free on Amazon Prime

30 The Voter Suppression Playbook

The Voter Suppression Playbook

1. Project Red Map (2008) 2. Gerrymandering Districts (2011) 3. Voter Restriction Laws +++ 4. Gut the VOTING RIGHTS ACT of 1965 (Supreme Court - 2013) 5. Voter Fraud Propaganda 6. Voter Roll Purges 7. Voter Intimidation Tactics 8. Voter ID – déjà vu 9. Change the Courts (In Process)

Available for free on Amazon Prime

9:10 PM 31 Agents of Voter Suppression

Conservative Supreme Court Republican Governors and Trump & GOP Senate State Legislatures

FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS

State Election The Russians Officials

32 21st CenturyGOP Supreme Assault onCourt our TacticsDemocracy

U.S. Supreme Court President Trump & RNC GOP State In Last 10 Years Legislatures

1. Citizens United 2010 - Opened elections to Foreign (Russian) unlimited amount of corporate and foreign GOP State “dark money” Election Officials Interference 2. Shelby v. Holder 2013 - Released states to return to voter suppression tactics 3. Husted v Randolph Institute 2018 - Failed to stop purging of voter rolls 4. Ruch v Common Cause 2019 – Refused to set standards for redistricting and prevent gerrymandersing. All these Decisions were

9:10 PM 5:4 33 “Gutting”“Gutting” thethe VotingVoting Rights Rights Act Act

Justice Roberts Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg While racial disparities in voter wrote in her dissent that registration and turnout “was “throwing out preclearance when compelling evidence justifying the it has worked and is continuing preclearance remedy and the to work ... is like throwing away coverage formula” in 1965, Roberts your umbrella in a rainstorm said that “there is no longer such a because you are not getting disparity.” wet.”

Shelby 2013 v Holder

Roberts Delivers for the Republican voter suppression machine

9:10 PM https://www.ourdocuments.gov 34 State Level Suppression

U.S. Supreme Court President GOP State Trump Legislatures

1. Barriers to Voter Registration GOP State 2. Limiting the Voting Window Foreign (Russian) 3. Voter I.D. requirements Election Officials Interference 4. Onerous Vote-by-Mail requirements 5. Felon Disenfranchisement 6. Raising the Bar for Citizen Initiatives 7. Threatening Voter Registration Activists 8. Choosing Insecure Voting Machines 9. Election Nullification

9:10 PM 35 Suppression Tactic Antiquated Election Processes

States Intentionally Fail to Modernize the Voting Process WASHINGTON STATE v. MISSISSIPPI Registration Best Practices Wash Miss All • Online Voter Registration Yes No 80% • Automatic Voter Registration Yes No 36% • Same-Day Registration (M=30 day cutoff) Yes No 38% Jay Inslee Washington • Pre-registration Yes No 49% State Governor

Voting Best Practices Wash Miss All • Early Voting (W=14 days; M=0 days) Yes No 68% • No-excuse Absentee Voting N/A No 56% • Vote from Home Yes No 6% • Rights Restoration Yes No 32% 9:10 PM 36 StateAssault Suppression on Voting Rights Accelerates Mobilized Alabama voter ID law (2011) Freed from oversight the • Eliminated utility bills, bank statements, assault on voting rights and other documentary proof of residence was mobilized..” • Required gov’t-issued photo ID • Would not accept gov’t-issued photo for those living in public housing • Estimated that 250,000 citizens would need to get an ID. Gov’t IDs “available” at DMV • Gov. Bentley then closed the DMV locations in the six counties with the highest % of African-Americans • Result: one-third of voting age population now lived > 10 miles from Carol Anderson – Chair of African-American the nearest license-issuing office open Studies at Emery University more the 2 days a week

• 9:10 PM Source - Brennan Center for Justice 37 StateAssault Suppression on Voting Rights Accelerates Mobilized

Freed from oversight the AlabamaMerrillGov’t IDs purges voter “available” IDvoter law rolls(2011) at DMV (8/’17) assault on voting rights • • Gov. Bentley then closed the DMV • 340,162Eliminated people utility were bills, put bank on thestatements, locations in the six counties with the was mobilized..” “inactiveand other voter documentary status” list proof of highest % of African-Americans residence • Used the “mailed notification” method, • • Required gov’t-issued photo ID andResult: if no response, one-third voter of votingwas removed age . • Wouldpopulation not accept now gov’t lived-issued > 10 photomiles for thosefrom living the nearestin public licensehousing-issuing office open more the 2 days a • Estimated that 250,000 citizens would needweek to get an ID.

• Source - Brennan Center for Justice

Carol Anderson – Chair of African-American Studies at Emery University Alabama Secretary of State 9:10 PM JOHN MERRILL 38 Suppression Tactic Strict Voter I.D.s

Voting-Age Citizens in U.S. without Current Gov’t-Issued Photo ID

Black 25% White 8%

North Dakota Voters Without a Qualifying Voter ID

N. Amer. 19% White 12%

Source: Voter Suppression -Brennan Center for Justice

9:10 PM 39 Election Official’s Tactics

U.S. Supreme Court President GOP State Trump Legislatures

1. Closing of Polling Stations GOP State Foreign (Russian) 2. Purging of Voter Lists Election Officials 3. Burdensome Provisional Voting Interference 4. Closure of DMV’s (source for I.D.) 5. Challenging of Voter Signatures 6. Threatening Bulletins (voter fraud) 7. Confusing Election Instructions

State Election Officials

9:10 PM 40 GOP States“Gutting” Resume the Voting Suppression Rights Act Tactics

ArizonaStates and Districts Requiring Preclearance Maricopa County – 60% of Residents

• Slashed polling places by 70 % (2012-’16)

• Forced people of color to travel much farther than whites to reach their assigned polling place

• Raised the probability that they would mistakenly vote elsewhere in the precinct.

9:10 PM https://www.ourdocuments.gov 41 GOP“Gutting” Resumes the Suppression Voting Rights ActTactics

Polling Station Closures since Shelby Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote,” Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights September 2019

https://www.ourdocuments.gov 42 Purging Tactic

1993

Cleaning up Voter Registration Rolls

Targeted Removal of Democratic Voters Brian Kemp Georgia Sec of State

King of Voter Purging “The current controversy began after an analysis The problem isn’t whether registration rolls last week by The Associated Press found that 70 should be kept up to date….. percent of 53,000 new registrations currently The problem is the method state election suspended were for black Georgians.” – NYT 2018 officials use to identify non-qualified voters. 43 Purging Increases Provisional Ballots

Required Return to Election Office PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

Provisional ballots intended ensure that voters are not excluded from the voting process due to an administrative error.

But creating voter lists that balloon the number of provisional ballots, suppresses the vote by requiring the extra step of traveling to the election office and showing residency and identification documents. North Carolina voters not found on the rolls and given an orange provisional ballot.

9:10 PM 44 Purging Increases Provisional Ballots

Required Return to Election Office PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

Provisional ballots intended ensure that voters are not excluded from the voting process due to an administrative error.

VIDEO on YOU TUBE

9:10 PM 45 Russian Assault Tactics

President U.S. Supreme Court Trump GOP State Legislatures

Foreign (Russian) 1. Hacking Democratic Party GOP State 2. Releasing confidential emails Election Officials Interference 3. Fomenting partisan hatred 4. False Social Media posting 5. Funding Republican Candidates (via shell corps to Super-PACs) 6. Promoting false conspiracy theories 7. Hacking state election systems 8. Undermining trust in U.S. elections

The Russians

9:10 PM 46 Trump’s Authoritarian Mentor?

Citizens United opened the door to Foreign Dollars (Super-PACs)

• Russian cyberattack on 2016 election and infusion of foreign money • Secret back channel effort $$$$$ in Russian Embassy • Trump’s claiming Russian interference is a THE National Security hoax…accepting Putin’s denial Question • Secret 1:1 meetings with Putin - no record • Trump’s repeated efforts to lift Russian sanctions • Undermining of the Senate Mueller Report What is this • Trump’s implementation Republicans of a Putin agenda (NATO, Relationship? EU, Syria, Pacific Fleet, N.R.A Climate Accord, Ukraine) • Secrecy of Trump’s finances / Deutche Bank Suppression Tactic Russians Make Better Burglars

Name Title Crime • George Papadopoulos Campaign Advisor Lying to the FBI • Paul Manafort Campaign Chair 25 counts – 7.5 yrs

• Rick Gates Campaign Aide 45 days – 3 yrs probation • Michael Flynn Nat’l Security Advisor Lying to FBI - ?? • Richard Pinedo Russian cooperator Identity Theft – 6 mos. • Alex Van der Zwaan London Lawyer Lying to FBI – 30 days • Konstantin Kilimnik Russian Oligarch Obstruction of Justice • Michael Cohen Trump Lawyer Bank / Tax violations • Roger Stone Trump Advisor Lying, Tampering - ?? • 13 Russians GRU – IRA Hacking – In Russia

If you are planning to break into your opponent’s headquarters and steal election plans or damaging information, it’s better to: a.) have your burglars living overseas where they can’t be arrested and required to testify and an b.) have an Attorney General doing your bidding 9:10 PM 48 Fascism = Corruption

Indictments (Facebook Post) POLITIFACTS Trump 215 Republicans Obama 0 142 Clinton 2 Reagan 26 Democrats Carter 1 3 Nixon 76 The three recent presidencies with the most and least criminal GOP the Party of Law and Order? indictments

Source: PolitiFact – January 2020 49 Suppression Tactic Russia & Trump

A bipartisan report release Tuesday by the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee concluded:

“Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign sought and maintained close contacts with Russian government officials who were helping him get elected. The Trump campaign accepted their offers of help. The campaign secretly provided Russian officials with key polling data. The campaign coordinated the timing of the release of stolen information to hurt Hilary Clinton’s campaign.”

NY Times – August 20, 2020

50 Suppression Tactic Russian Disinformation

Russian Step-by-Step Guide Available for other nations to follow: Step #1 – Build an Audience • Create online content to attract followers (entertainment, news, etc.) Step #2 - Flip the Switch • Begin publishing more divisive content Step #3 – Make it Real • Urge followers to take action (organize rallies, protests, spread disinformation) The Kremlin’s Plot Against America Alina Polyakova Foreign Affairs – Sept/Oct 2020 51 Trump is Undermining of our Elections

U.S. Supreme Court President GOP State Senate & RNC Legislatures

1. Falsely claiming voter fraud 2. Promoting conspiracy theories GOP State 3. Undermining trust in elections Foreign (Russian) 4. Deploying poll “watchers” Election Officials 5. Encouraging insurrection Interference 6. Threatening election “chaos” 7. Threatening to withhold money from states if they go to vote-by-mail 8. Colluding with foreign gov’ts to undermine opponents 9. Threatening the U.S. Postal Service

9:10 PM 52 Voter Suppression – Trump / Senate / RNC

FALSE CLAIMS OF VOTER FRAUD - "I’m telling you, in California, in the great state of California, they settled, and we could’ve gone a lot further. Judicial Watch settled where they agreed that a million people should not have voted, where they were 115 years old and lots of things, and people were voting in their place.” — President Trump, remarks at a news conference, April 8, 2020

REFUSAL TO PROTECT OUR ELECTION SYSTEM - “America is 266 days away from the 2020 election, and Majority Leader McConnell has yet to take any concrete steps to protect our foreign elections from hacking or foreign interference,” Wyden said. ---- Senate GOP blocks three election security bills THE HILL - BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 02/11/20 01:25 PM EST

50.000 VOLUNTEER POLL MONITORS - The party, backed by President Donald Trump, is spending $20 million on its efforts, which intends to recruit up to 50,000 volunteers in 15 states to “monitor polling places and challenge ballots and voters deemed suspicious,”

--- Source: New York Times – May 2020 53 Suppression Tactic Voter Intimidation is Back

GOP Voter Intimidation Tactics in 1981 led to a Consent Decree In their 1981 lawsuit to stop the RNC from engaging in certain practices at the polls, the Democratic National Committee attested that in a New Jersey gubernatorial election, the RNC participated in:

1. Voter Caging

2. Polling Station Intimidation

National Ballot Security Task Force New Jersey - 1981

9:10 PM 54 Suppression Tactic Voter Intimidation is Back

GOP Voter Intimidation Tactics in 1981 led to a Consent Decree In their 1981 lawsuit to stop the RNC from engaging in certain practices at the polls, the Democratic National Committee attested that in a Kean wins by less than 2000 votes New Jersey gubernatorial election, the RNC participated in: James Florio Thomas Kean (D) Governor (R) -Governor 1. Voter Caging

2. Polling Station Intimidation

National Ballot Security Task Force 1981 - PaulNew Manafort Jersey -and1981 Roger Stone form their Political Consulting and 9:10 PM Lobbying firm – Kean a client55 Trump Floats “Armed Poll Watchers”

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Thursday evening, the president vowed to enlist law enforcement to monitor polling stations, apparently to root out the rampant fraud he insists will occur this fall. “We’re going to have sheriffs, and we’re going to have law enforcement, and we’re going to have, hopefully, U.S. attorneys,” he said. “And we’re going to have everybody and attorney Generals.

9:10 PM 56 Trump Floats “Armed Poll Watchers”

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Thursday evening, the president vowed to enlist law enforcement to monitor polling stations, apparently to root out the rampant fraud he insists will occur this fall. “This is just such an old, dirty voter suppression tactic,” said“We’re Kristen going Clarke, whoto have leads thesheriffs, Lawyers’ and Committee we’re for Civilgoing Rights Underto have Law. law“There enforcement, is no doubt that this and is about instilling fear and depressing participation in communitieswe’re going of color.” to have, hopefully, U.S. attorneys,” he said. “And we’re going to have everybody and attorney Kristen Clarke CommitteeGenerals. for Civil Rights Under the Law

9:10 PM 57 Trump Floats “Armed Poll Watchers”

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Thursday evening, the president vowed to enlist law enforcement to monitor polling stations, apparently to root out the rampant fraud he insists will occur this fall. “This is just such an old, dirty voter suppression tactic,” said“We’re Kristen goingClarke, whoto haveleads the sheriffs, Lawyers’ andCommittee we’re for Civilgoing Rights Under to have Law. “Therelaw enforcement, is no doubt that this and is about instilling fear and depressing participation in communitieswe’re goingof color.” to have, hopefully, U.S. attorneys,” he said. “And we’re going to have everybody and attorney Kristen Clarke CommitteeGenerals. for Civil Rights Under the Law

9:10 PM 58 Voting at Home

Voting Impact of the COVID-10 epidemic

9:10 PM 59 COVID-19 Election Impact

1. Major blow to voter registration drives / voter canvassing

2. Impediment to “in-person” voting at polling stations Dependency of electorate on ProvidesVote-from a -newHome opportunity for their 3. Vote-by-Mail “federalizes” election personal protection, process for the voter-suppression “federalizes”President and the electionParty to process by making it 4. Opportunity for “chaos” scenario and dependentmanipulate on the the U.S. election Postal court intervention results……Service.

MANIPULATE The POST OFFICE

60 Absentee / Vote-by-Mail Rules

9:10 PM 61 Variation in Vote-by-Mail

Voting-by-Mail most common in only 9 States

> 50%

5% or less

6–20% 21-31%

Signed, Sealed and Disenfranchised Mother Jones – July 2020

9:10 PM 62 Why does the GOP attack Vote-from Home?

GOP alarmed by VOTE-FROM-HOME

1. It will expose the GOP lie about rampant voter fraud. Vote-by-Mail should be a Republican Preference 2. TrumpAccordingNot is onlyjust to activatinga Brennan for this Center his election,base analysis withof new votingbut fear inall- mongering.seven presidential battlegrounds, voters 65 or over were roughly twice asfuture likely to voteelections by mail than those under 3. Vote40. -Nationwide,at-Home nullifies in 2018, many just 11 traditionally percent of Black reliable voters GOP votercast ballotssuppression by mail tactics while 23 percent of white voters did.

9:10 PM 63 Vote-at-Home Threatens GOP Tactics

“Vote-by-Mail” negates the GOP polling station closure efforts to suppress unwanted Voters

64 Vote-at-Home Threatens GOP Tactics

“Vote-by-Mail” negates the GOP polling station closure efforts to suppress unwanted Voters

“Vote-by-Mail” negates poll-station intimidation or challenges by partisan “Poll Watchers”

65 Republican Strategies to Prevent Vote-by-Mail

1. Delaying funding for Mail-in Balloting – making implementation impossible. 2. Underfunding states needing dollars to implement a mail-in process. 3. RNC suing states attempting to implement mail-in ballot strategy. 4. Threatening defunding of the Postal Service that will require legislative action to keep it functional in June 2020. 5. Crippling mail delivery – Appointing a new Director with the intent of creating mail delivery dysfunction

6. Misinforming the public about the threat of “fraud” in mail-in elections 7. Republican Courts blocking appeals to ease restrictions

8. Challenging mail-in ballots based on signature, improper completion of the form, etc. (red states). 9:10 PM 66 Republican Strategies to Prevent Vote-by-Mail

1. Delaying funding for Mail-in Balloting – making implementation impossible. Barr is “worried” that foreign actors 2.mightUnderfunding print counterfeitstates ballots….needing dollars to implement a mail-in "We'veprocess. been talking about how, in terms of foreign influence, there 3.areRNC a number suing states of foreign attempting countries to implement mail-in ballot strategy. 4.thatThreatening could easily defunding make counterfeit of the Postal Service that will require ballots,legislative put names action on to them,keep itsend functional in June 2020. them in," Barr said. "And it'd be 5.veryCrippling hard to mailsort outdelivery what's – Appointing a new Director with the intent happening."of creating mail delivery dysfunction

6. Misinforming the public about the threat of “fraud” in mail-in elections 7. Republican Courts blocking appeals to ease restrictions

8. Challenging mail-in ballots based on signature, improper completion of the form, etc. (red states). 9:10 PM SALON.COM - GOR DERYSH 67 JUNE 2, 2020 10:00AM (UTC) RNC Suing States

Pennsylvania CORPORATE RNC has sued to stop state officialsMassive from making remote drop boxes available for voters to TAXsubmit CUTS their ballots andAMERICA from counting ballots that are mailed without being sealed in internal secrecy envelopes. Campaign Financing Iowa Citizen’s United Another swing state, the RNC joined a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Democratic groups that seeks to overturn $$$ a law barring election officials from using voter rolls to look up information missing on mailed ballots. California The RNC filed a lawsuit in partnership with other Republican groups to prevent state election officials from following an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to mail absentee ballots to all voters, but recently conceded after the legislature passed a legislative version of the order.

9:10 PM 68 Billionaires Supporting Voter Suppression

Billionaires contributing to the RNC legal fund to oppose vote- from-home legislation.

TG Ameritrade Stations Casinos ABC Supply Home Depot New Balance Xerox Charles Schwab Cardinal Health

9:10 PM 69 Billionaires Supporting Voter Suppression

Davis donated almost $400,000 to the Trump James Davis Victory Committee in September 2016. In an Chairman interview given to Wall Street Journal reporter Sara Germano on the day New Balance following the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump, a New Balance $213,000 senior executive suggested support for Trump due to his opposition to the Trans- Pacific Partnership.

9:10 PM 70 H.R.1 – For the People Act

“To expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and for other purposes.”

9:10 PM 71 H.R.1 - “For the People Act” of 2019

House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1) Passes Democrats passed House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1) on March 8, 2019, a bill which could be the most sweeping anti-corruption measure passed by the House of Representatives in a generation. YEA NAY

234 193 Nancy Pelosi (D) Speaker of the House

This Act is organized into 3 divisions as follows:

(1) Division A—Voting.

(2) Division B—Campaign Finance.

(3) Division C—Ethics John Sarbanes (D) Maryland 72 HR-1 For The People Act - 2019

T-1 Division A Election Access Election Integrity VOTING T-2 T-3 Election Security

H.R. – 1 Division B T-4 Campaign Fin. Transparency “For the People” T-5 Campaign Fin. Empowerment Act CAMPAIGN FINANCE 2019 T-6 Campaign Finance Oversight

T-7 Ethics Standards Division C ETHICS T-8 Ethical Reforms for Pres & VP

T-9 Congressional Ethics Reforms

T-10 Pres and VP Tax Transparency 73 SUMMARY - Title 1 “Election Access”

❑ Online voter registration Title 1 ❑ Automatic voter registration “For the People” ❑ Same day voter registration Act ❑ Program to preregister minors (16-18 y/o) ❑ Requirements before purging a voter 2019 ❑ Prohibit voter caging ❑ Fine / prison for registration interference ❑ “Election Day” a Federal Holiday ❑ Paper ballot requirement for all elections ❑ Early voting of two weeks minimum ❑ Voting by mail with signature verification ❑ Restoration of felon voting rights on release ❑ Sworn written statement for ID requirement ❑ Capture state voting preference (DMV) ❑ Penalties for voter deception practices ❑ Poll worker training support/ standards ❑ Prohibition of election official campaigning ❑ Sworn Signed Statement for Voter ID

74 SUMMARY - Title 2 “Election Integrity”

❑ Restores the Voting Rights Act. Title 2 ❑ Assures that Native Americans’ right to vote is unhindered. “For the People” ❑ Grants statehood to the District of Act Columbia. ❑ Creates Task Force to study voting rights for 2019 Territorial Citizens. ❑ Requires States to use Nonpartisan Commissions for redistricting ❑ Empowers Courts to create a redistricting plan if States fail to follow rules. ❑ Prohibits State from removing Voters for list without objective evidence of their ineligibility. ❑ Prohibits removing a voter from list due to failure to vote in previous elections. ❑ Requires States to publish notice of any “maintenance” of voter registration list. ❑ Attributes incarcerated Individuals to their last state of residence for census purposes. 75 SUMMARY - Title 3 “Election Security”

❑ Provide federal grants to states to enhance Title 3 their election security ❑ Support states by providing election security “For the People” assessments when asked. Assess US Act election vulnerability to cyberattacks and security risks and report to key federal 2019 committees (reporting schedule) ❑ Create a National Commission on Protecting United States Democratic Institutions, and develop a a National Security Strategy ❑ Test and certify cybersecurity of federal election software and hardware. ❑ Launch the Election Security Bug Bounty Program to reward independent experts who identify security risks. ❑ Require Unites States federal election voting machines are manufactured in the United States by 2022.

76 Bright Line Separates the Parties

A Bright Line between Democracy and Creeping Dystopian Autocracy A STRONGER H.R.1 – “For the People Act” DEMOCRACY “We the People”

A Dystopian The Autocrat’s Playbook AUTOCRACY • Undermine the rule of law • Attack the press and journalists “We the few” • Demonize / scapegoat minorities • Corrupt the election process • Collude with a foreign adversary • Foment armed nationalists • Attack truth and science

9:10 PM 77 Bloomberg News

The Authoritarian Threat

9:10 PM 78 Election Suppression End-Game

TRUMP & GOP END our DEMOCRACY

Democracy DemocracyDemocracy Democracy Democracy Democracy

Disenfranchise Deploy Armed Selectively Create Election Claim Election Target Voters by “Poll Reject Chaos and Fraud and Late Mailings of Watchers” or Absentee Force Nullify Election Ballots Police near Ballots due to Contested – Deploy (Slow the USPS, Polling “Signature Election into Domestic Police discount late Stations Mismatch” the Courts and to Suppress Ballots) Congress Protest

9:10 PM 79 Suppression Tactic Paramilitaries

1. Believe in truth 2. Investigate 3. Be kind to our language 4. Contribute to good causes 5. Take responsibility for the face of the world 7. 6. Learn from peers in other countries 7. Defend institutions 8. Establish a private life 9. Beware the one-party state 10. Stand out 11. Make eye contact / small talk 12. Practice corporeal politics 13. Listen for dangerous words 16. Do not obey in advance 14. Be wary of paramilitaries 17. Remember professional 15. Be calm when the unthinkable ethics arrives 18. Be reflective if you must be armed 19. Be a patriot 20. Be as courageous as you can 9:10 PM 80 Suppression Tactic Paramilitaries

1. Believe in truth 2. Investigate Be Wary of Paramilitaries 3. Be kind to our language 4. Contribute to good causes ❑ When the men with guns who have always 5. Take responsibility for the face of the world 7. claimed to be against the system start wearing 6. Learn from peers in other countries uniforms and marching with torches and 7. Defend institutions pictures of the leader, the end is nigh. 8. Establish a private life 9. Beware the one-party state 10. Stand out ❑ When the pro-leader paramilitary and the 11. Make eye contact / small talk official police and military intermingle, the 12. Practice corporeal politics end has come. 13. Listen for dangerous words 16. Do not obey in advance 14. Be wary of paramilitaries 17. Remember professional 15. Be calm when the unthinkable ethics arrives 18. Be reflective if you must be armed 19. Be a patriot 20. Be as courageous as you can 9:10 PM 81 Suppression Tactic Paramilitaries

Homeland Security was Destined to Become a Masha Gessen Secret Police Force New Yorker – Masha Gessen, July 25, 2020

❑ Bush signed the Homeland Security Act in 2002 creating the Department of Homeland SecurityThese (DHS)“Homeland” in response Security to 9/11 (2001) Police always begin by protecting the border ❑ Purposefrom was“criminals to create aand coordinated aliens” security but agency to protect us from “ruthless killers whoinevitably move and turnplot in and the shadows” target citizen “anarchists” and “protesters” ❑ Putin spoke in a similar manner in 1999 when he rose to power… the former KGB colonel vowed to “hunt down” terrorist and “snuff them out.” Trump’s Secret Police

Homeland Security was Destined to Become a Masha Gessen Secret Police Force New Yorker – Masha Gessen, July 25, 2020

❑ Bush signed the Homeland Security Act in 2002 creating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to 9/11 (2001)

❑ Purpose was to create a coordinated security agency to protect us from “ruthless killers who move and plot in the shadows”

❑ Putin spoke in a similar manner in 1999 when he rose to power… the former KGB colonel vowed to “hunt down” terrorist and “snuff them out.” Homeland Security is Formed

360,000 Secretary Employees Chad F. Wolf

Cybersecurity U.S. U.S Customs U.S. U.S. & Citizenship Transportation & Border Coast Secret Security Infrastructure & F.E.M.A I.C.E Protection Administration Security Immigration Guard Service 45,741 40,922 active 20,000 Sworn Officers and 7,000 reserves Officers and Support Agents 31,000 Auxiliarists Personnel (> 60,000 total) U.S. Customs & Border Police Territory

The legal definition of “the border” is troublingly broad. Some 200 million people — nearly two-thirds of all Americans — live within the “border zone,” which is defined by the Justice Department as the area up to 100 air miles from any U.S. land or coastal boundary. U.S. Customs & Border Police Territory

TheNine legal of the definition country’s of 10 “the largest border” cities is lie within troublinglythe zone. It broad.touches Some 38 states 200 million and encompasses people — nearlyall of Connecticut, two-thirds of Delaware, all Americans Florida, — liveHawaii, within theMaine, “border Massachusetts, zone,” which Michigan, is defined New by the JusticeHampshire, Department New Jersey as the and area Rhode up toIsland. 100 air miles from any U.S. land or coastal boundary. Border Patrol Agent Authority

Within 25 miles of any border, Border Patrol agents have even more expansive powers; they can enter private land without a warrant or the owner’s permission. Warning: Police Aligning with Trump

A New York police union endorses Trump A union representing tens of thousands New York Times [24,000] of New York City police Matt Stevens officers endorsed President Trump for August 16, 2020 re-election on Friday, citing what leaders said was Mr. Trump’s defense of the authorities and concern for public safety at a time they said their members have been “under attack.”

“InAcross a statement this country, released police by officersthe Trump are undercampaign, attack. which Our neighborhoodsechoed rhetoric are often beingespoused ripped by apart Mr. Trump, by violence he said, and “most lawlessness,”politicians have Patrick abandoned J. Lynch, us, the but union we president,still have onesaid. strong voice speaking up in our defense.” NY State Troopers Endorse Trump

New York State Troopers union boss The head of the union representing endorses Trump for re-election 4,000 New York State Police Troopers New York Post – a workforce overseen by By Carl Campanile Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo — is August 23, 2020 | 11:01am backing Republican President Trump’s re-election bid.

“Donald Trump has our back. President Trump has supported us when so many people have turned against us,” NYS Troopers PBA president Thomas Mungeer told the Post on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

“Joe Biden supported cops in the past, but he’s turned his back on us,” said Mungeer, Suppression Tactic End of our Democracy?

Will 2020’s Election Be the End of Our Democracy?

Here is a sentence I never in a million years thought that I would ever write or read: This November, for the first time in our history, the United States of America may not be able to conduct a free and fair election and, should President Trump be defeated by Joe Biden, have a legitimate and peaceful transfer of power.

NY Times – August 19, 2020 Thomas L. Friedman

91 “Don’t Let Them Take Your Power”

Will 2020’s Election Be the End of Our Democracy? “That’s how a democracy withers, until it’s no democracy at all.” Well, here’s the point: this president and those “Wein can’t power let that— those happen. who Dobenefit not let from them keeping take awaythings your power.the way Don’t they letare them — they take are away counting your on democracy.your cynicism. They know they can’t win you over with their policies. So they’re hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote, and President Obama’s Make a plan right now for how you’re going to get to convince you that your vote doesn’t matter. Stark Warning involved and vote. Do it as early as you can and tell your family and friends how they can vote too.

Do what Americans have done for over two centuries when faced with even tougher times than this — all those quiet heroes who found the courage to keep marching, keep pushing in the face of hardship and injustice. 92 A Call to Action – Your Personal Plan

9:10 EightPM Weeks to Save Our Democracy93 Winning the Election is THE Imperative

1. Make a 8-week Tracking Grid for your Election Actions

2. Donate more than you are comfortable with to Party and Candidate

3. Speak out about the threat to our Democracy • Talk about the degradation of the three pillars of democracy • Explain how once lost, a democracy is very difficult to regain • Share this PowerPoint and HR1 Brochure with others

4. Help friends / relatives / neighbors that may need assistance with how to vote during a pandemic 5. Remind (call / text) friends / neighbors/ relatives of key voting dates and requirements 6. Volunteer to work phone banks – remind people to vote

7. Vote by mail to assure the existence of a paper ballot – vote early or drop off

8. Check early with election office to be sure you are registered to vote by mail

9:10 PM 94 Winning the Election is THE Imperative

1. Make a 8-week Tracking GridTAKE for ACTION your Election Actions Made a Sent a Reminded Advised a Worked a Placed a Yard Educated Donated Wrote a Checked on Presented Provided a Joined a DATE Personal Personal Voters of Voter on Phone Sign or B. NOTES Myself Funds Letter My Voters Publicly Ride Protest 2. Donate moreCall Email than you areDates comfortableVBM Bank Stickerwith to Party and Candidate Aug, 26 X Aug. 27 Aug. 28 Aug. 29 3. Speak out about the threat to our Democracy Aug. 30 • Talk about the degradation of the three pillars of democracy Aug. 31 Sept. 1 • Explain how once lost, a democracy is very difficult to regain Sept. 2 • Share this PowerPoint and HR1 Brochure with others Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 4. Help friends / relatives / neighbors that may need assistance with how to vote Sept. 7 Sept. 8 during a pandemic Sept. 9 Sept. 10 5. Remind (call / text) friends / neighbors/ relatives of key voting dates and Sept. 11 Sept. 12 requirements Sept. 13 Sept. 14 6. Volunteer to work phone banks – remind people to vote

7. Vote by mail to assure the existence of a paper ballot – vote early or drop off

8. Check early with election office to be sure you are registered to vote by mail Nov. 3 9:10 PM 95 If Chaos and Secret Police Intervene

1. Organize Massive Peaceful Resistance

2. Be Prepared to Flood the Streets

3. Be Prepared to Go on Strike

4. Be Prepared to Disrupt Commerce

5. Be Prepared to Confront Police

6. Be Prepared to Shame Your Neighbors

7. Be Prepared to Flea the Country Buy this little book

9:10 PM 96 If Chaos and Secret Police Intervene

The Indivisible Network may be the best positioned group1. Organize of concerned Massive citizens Peaceful to organize Resistance the necessary resistance 2. Be Prepared to Flood the Streets • Before Election Day: We must build the 3.infrastructureBe Prepared for to safe Go voting on Strike during the pandemic, then fight for every vote, in key races up and down 4.theBe ballot. Prepared The goal: to Disrupt a victory Commerce so convincing and overwhelming even Trump will struggle to deny it. 5. Be Prepared to Confront Police • On Election Day: We must battle voter suppression, demand that every vote be counted, and fight back 6.againstBe Prepared every phony to Shame challenge Your he raises,Neighbors from the precincts to the courts. 7. Be Prepared to Flea the Country • After Election Day: We must have a network of grassroots patriotic activists already in place, Buy this little book prepared to defend the votes and send Trump packing. 97 Civil Disobedience

WALL OF MOMS

9:10 PM 98 9:10 PM 99 The Stakes

The 2020 Election is the Single Most Important Election for the Future of Our Democracy

AUTOCRACY?

9:10 PM 100 The Stakes

TheA second 2020 win Election for Trump is and the the Single GOP will Most be a Important“green light” Election for further for dismantling the Future of our of democratic institutions and will accelerate unbridledOur Democracy corruption

AUTOCRACY?

9:10 PM 101 Discussion [email protected]

9:10 PM 102