At Veterans for All Voters, one of our 5 core values is to "operate above the political fray". This means that even as $10 billion pours into the partisan horserace, we intentionally stay laser-focused on the nonpartisan reforms that ensure future elections don't feel like an existential crisis. We are playing the long game, so we do our best not to get distracted by the short-term news cycles.
That said, the past weeks have offered us an incredible amount of chaos, tragedy, historic events, unexpected twists and, as such, many people are rightfully concerned.
There is a path forward out of the partisan chaos and dysfunction, but it requires a discipline to stay focused on the structural factors that created this current political situation, and the structural reforms that can solve it. Let's go!
Nevada
NBC News' Vicky Nguyen reports on how Yang's proposal can also benefit registered independents. Read the full article here
Veterans for All Voters Nevada leader, Marine Corps Veteran and "face of the successful "Yes on 3 Nevada!" campaign, Mike Escobar continues working hard in support of "second passage" of the "Yes on Ballot Question 3" to bring Final 5 Voting to the Silver State.
Missouri
Eric Bronner's Webster Groves, Missouri Rotary Club Presentation
Our founder shared the Veterans for All Voters presentation with the Webster Groves Rotary Club. It was a great opportunity to discuss our mission and progress nationwide, and to educate these civically-engaged citizens about the Missouri Legislature’s deceptive attempt to ban the use of ranked-choice voting in the “Show Me State.”
Washington D.C.
Veterans for All Voters (VAV) is excited to announce the launch of the new “American’s Creed Coalition” this past week in Washington, DC. Our good friends at the Secure Families Initiative are leading the charge, alongside the new Chamberlin Network and Veterans for All Voters, to train Veterans and military spouses and family members as trusted media messengers. About 30 Veterans and military-connected leaders met in DC for professional media training, and training on methods for preventing political violence.
Veterans for All Voters was represented by VAV Founder Eric Bronner and Virginia Leaders, Isaac Riddle and Carlos “DC” Pretelt, along with Missouri Leader, Emir Hadzic. In addition to some filming opportunities, VAV Leaders met with five Member Offices on Capitol Hill, including: Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK), Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02 / Navy Veteran), Sen. Austin Scott (GA-08), Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01), and Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02).
Our time in DC concluded with an inspirational rooftop happy hour, generously sponsored by T-Mobile, where we announced the launch of our new coalition to help protect our American democracy by mobilizing more trusted messengers to reinforce that our elections are safe and secure. At the happy hour, two more VAV State Leaders joined us, Nancy Springer and Crystal Ellington. Thanks to SFI and the Chamberlin Network for some great work!
Voters in the District could be asked whether they would like to open party primaries to independents and begin ranked choice voting after organizers of a new initiative aiming to do just that submitted thousands of signatures this month. Now, they have to wait for the D.C. Board of Elections to approve or reject the initiative that could appear on ballots come November
Colorado
Pols protect inconsequential elections in noncompetitive Colorado - Colorado Politics | Op-Ed by our Colorado Task Force Leader, Tony Haas
Just when you think a politician can’t stoop any lower, someone ratchets down the limbo pole. In the waning days of the legislative session, a cadre of political insiders slipped an amendment that attempts to undermine our constitutional right to vote on a ballot measure to reform our elections. Yes, they were that brazen. In defending the move, Rep. Emily Sirota offered a tone-deaf defense of a system that benefits politicians like her, saying “I really think this ballot measure is a solution in search of a problem.” How about letting the voters make that determination?
Montana
A Montana judge has ruled in favor of Montanans for Election Reform–blocking an effort by the MT Secretary of State Christi Jacobson who was attempting to disqualify petition signatures from thousands of so-called “inactive” voters in order to prevent the 2024 ballot initiative for top four open primaries from moving forward.
Virginia
Charlottesville is closing in on a new system of electing our local officials. City Councilor Michael Payne said the hope is to do a trial run of using ranked-choice voting in 2025. That means, when you go to vote for city council candidates, you have the option to rank all of them, instead of only voting for one. Payne believes this type of voting better reflects voters’ opinions.
Idaho
Lawsuit challenges ballot initiative to reform Idaho elections, which state elections officials say has enough signatures to be on November general election ballot.
Other Articles
Reflections on the 2024 Braver Angels National Convention - VAV Wisconsin State Leader, Kevin Miller -
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together.” Isaiah 11:6
Some families have stopped having holiday gatherings due to untenable political differences. Others have simply disinvited those whose politics differ too far from the hosts. The heated political rhetoric is being blamed for violence against supporters and candidates, including an assassination attempt on former President and now candidate, Donald Trump.
Even as red-blue friction seems to be nearing white hot, there appears to be another way forward, as demonstrated at the Braver Angels National Convention that took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin at the end of June. Around 750 attendees took a wrecking ball to the usual echo chambers in which liberals and conservatives often immerse themselves.
On opening night, attendees sat together and watched the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. While there were occasional audible reactions, insults were not thrown nor characters assaulted. Rather, rational conversations took place among the mixed political gathering. And mixed it was.
Attendees had to declare their political affiliation or leanings when registering and were given a corresponding colored lanyard to wear throughout the convention - red for conservative, blue for liberal, and gold for independent or undeclared. The intent of the organizers was to have equal representation from across the ideological spectrum and it certainly seemed their goal was met. More importantly, those with the various colored lanyards were intermixed throughout the convention and all of its events.
During one plenary session, a lifelong Republican and his Democrat daughter sat on a stage and discussed politics in front of hundreds of fellow Republicans, Democrats, independents, and various other identities. All sessions demonstrated what is called the Braver Angels Way, which is living our shared values in order to have meaningful dialogues and work toward stronger relationships and communities, regardless of political ideology or affiliation.
As members and representatives of Veterans for All Voters, attendees Eric Bronner, Mike Pech, Mark Pfost, and I discussed with many attendees how Final Five Voting reflected the Braver Angels’ principles by providing a means of ensuring all voters have a real voice in elections while allowing elected officials to act with integrity in the best interests of their constituents. We also met numerous other veterans who we encouraged to become part of our national efforts to implement open primaries and Final Five Voting.
Though most of us were new to Braver Angels, I believe we all see the organization as a strong ally in bridging the divisiveness gripping our nation and helping to ensure we have a strong democracy well into the future. I encourage everyone to learn more about Braver Angels.
Joint Statement and Military Times
Last week, VAV worked with 18 veteran and military family service and engagement organizations to issue a joint statement denouncing political violence and affirming our joint resolve to supporting a peaceful political process.
Opinion: A call for ranked choice voting - CT Minor
In an era of intense polarization, ranked choice voting moves people toward the center. We must empower those who prioritize good policy over partisanship.
Majority Rules: What if changing the way we vote could change everything?
Every American MUST SEE this just released documentary film from director AJ Schnack in partnership with Unite America. Want to see Majority Rules in your community, but don't live in one of the ones above? Not to worry! You can request to screen it in your community with the guide here.
Veterans for All Voters will be announcing upcoming screenings in the near future.
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