Our country is going through a profound experience. And we’re not talking about the public health crisis.
Instead, we’re talking about our fractured republic coming together in an outbreak of healthy political engagement.
We realize this sounds nuts, because pundits say nobody plays nice in politics anymore.
But that’s not reality. People around the country are hungry for civil engagement. We’ve seen thousands of friendly interactions with our own eyes: people in Marin (and other places nationwide) joining together, often with the simple goal of ensuring that everyone can vote.
This work is essential to ensure that our democracy thrives, as many states have purged people from voter rolls and are drawing voting districts to favor one party. Marin residents have joined together in grassroots groups like Swing Left Marin, Sister District Marin, Indivisible Marin, Indivisible Sausalito, Indivisible West Marin, DemAction Marin, Sunrise Marin and Mill Valley Community Action Network.
Together, we are writing thousands of postcards and letters, making phone calls and sending texts to remind people to check their registration status, helping voters sign up for mail-in ballots (in states that allow it), and getting out the vote in the general election in November.
Perhaps this explosion of democratic outreach is news to you. It has flown under the radar of big news outlets, as low-key meetings took place at homes and cafes. Now, with no public gatherings, it has become even less visible. Packets of postcards are ending up at kitchen counters and dining room tables where whole families pitch in, helping spread good-natured words of civil engagement.
“We want to make sure you know there’s an election coming up” is a typical opening line for cards, calls and texts, along with a reminder about polling places.
In the last few years, Marin County residents have helped elect candidates in state races beyond our county and in other states beyond California. We helped flip the House of Representatives. Although we didn’t do it alone, the Blue Wave of 2018 was partly the result of Marinites writing, calling and texting.
Getting involved is easy. There are kits for virtual letter-writing parties at swingleft.org, “ideas for making your virtual parties fun” on sisterdistrict.com, and options to phone and text voters at indivisiblemarin.org. Once on the Sister District and Swing Left Marin websites, sign up for newsletters with ways to get involved.
Nobody is doing this alone even in this time of social distancing. There are literally dozens of experienced organizers ready to help via phone, text, and email. And people who have never done anything “political” are finding new community connections at virtual get-togethers where seasoned veterans, occasional helpers and folks new to the work meet “face to face” via Zoom, Google Hangout and other online tools.
Like everyone, we look forward to a time when groups can meet in the same physical space. And we know that many today are necessarily focused on extraordinary challenges. But we’re also hopeful that for households large and small, postcard- and letter-writing can be safe and enjoyable activities. For singles and seniors who feel isolated, as well as overwhelmed parents seeking structured family time, this is an opportunity to make a positive impact on our democracy.
Whatever you can do, whatever your level of experience, we look forward to working with you. Together, even as we are apart, we can make a difference.
Marin residents Barb Miller and Kevin Morrison are members of the leadership team at Sister District Marin and Swing Left Marin.
