What are the dems up to?
We started the month out with the Super Bowl watch party. We also had a meeting with Represent US to hear more about who they are. Last week, the Dems hosted the College Democrats of Massachusettes Winter Leadership Summit.
- Join us for phone banking TONIGHT to work with Represent US to call Virginia voters about the anti-gerrymandering law.
- We also will be working with Swing Left on March 8th. Stay tuned for more details on that.
In the pioneer valley
Early Voting has started throughout the pioneer valley. Voters who are not able to make it to the polls on election day went to cast their votes. This week, the rest of Massachusetts voters will head to the polls on Super Tuesday.
- Make sure to get your vote in on Tuesday! If your state isn’t voting on Tuesday make sure to find your primary election date [LINK]!
Alex Psilakis spoke at the College Democrats of Massachusetts Winter Leadership Summit about the nonprofit organization MassVOTE. He spoke about the problems of Massachusettes not having Election Day Registration. By not having Election Day registration, it prevents hundreds of voters from being able to vote on election day or update their registration.
Want to learn more about how to get involved in this cause? Click HERE to go to the group’s webpage.
State-wide
Senator Edward Markey and U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy had their first debate for the senate seat. Many policy differences became clear between the two candidates. These issues ranged from Afghanistan to money outside the race. They also disagreed on the approaches to gun laws. The debate made the two candidates more distinct in their beliefs for Massachusettes voters.
Check out the most recent episode of The Horse Race, a weekly podcast covering Massachusetts politics, policy, and elections. This week’s episode found here (or wherever you get your podcasts), covers Bernie Sanders’s plan for Berniepalooza in Wooster, Sanders’s other efforts to campaign in Massachusetts, and how Super Tuesday is coming up. Want updates on Super Tuesday? The following Wednesday, there will be a podcast for this.
National news
After seemingly endless months of hearings, the house impeaching trump, and deliberation by the senate, the Trump Impeachment Case has come to a close. President Trump was acquitted of his charges of impeachment. The vote by the senate brought to a close the democratic hope that Trump would be voted out of office.
With the coronavirus virus spreading, there is panic in the stock market. It has dropped at about 12 percent, to a record low since 2008 during the financial crisis. This trend is not only contained to the U.S. but is also occurring worldwide. People worry that the virus would negatively impact economic growth and corporations’ profits.
Get involved!
HERE [WEBPAGE] is this week’s Americans of Conscience Checklist. It’s filled with clear actions for members to stay engaged and fight for democracy, equality, voting, and respect.
stories we saw this month
From Samantha: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg Versus the Equal Rights Amendment” (The Atlantic)
Have any stories that you found interesting? Send them along to pittm22s@mtholyoke.edu to have them featured in next month’s newsletter!