Democracy Happy Hour - October 14, 2020

This week: Ballot Initiatives: The Pros & Cons. Fix Democracy First hosts a weekly Democracy Happy Hour on Wednesdays @ 5-6pm PT. Grab a drink and join us and  learn about the latest democracy efforts, challenges, solutions, as well upcoming events and actions.
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Recording from Wednesday, October 14th, 2020:

Article & Report Links:

Long early lines in Texas and Georgia seem more about enthusiasm than suppression - https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/early-voting-texas-georgia

Voters Should Not Be Intimidated - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voters-should-not-be-intimidated

Business gifts to help run the vote expand, along with objections on left and right - https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/private-funding-for-elections

To Avoid an Election Meltdown, Officials Must Stockpile Backup Paper Ballots - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/avoid-election-meltdown-officials-must-stockpile-backup-paper-ballots

Democracy is on the ballot - https://medium.com/@tyefer/democracy-is-on-the-ballot-993d9c3eb3d4

So many voter toolkits, so little time. Here's where to go shopping. - https://thefulcrum.us/voting/voter-guide

Are elected secretaries of state inherently conflicted? - https://thefulcrum.us/election-dissection/secretary-of-state

Proteja las Elecciones del 2020 - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/espanol/proteja-las-elecciones-del-2020

The United States is backsliding into autocracy under Trump, scholars warn - https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/09/18/united-states-is-backsliding-into-autocracy-under-trump-scholars-warn/

Why We Need to Protect the Rule of Law in the Federal Government - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/why-we-need-protect-rule-law-federal-government

The Social Dilemma – Netflix Documentary - https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/

Choose Democracy - How to Beat an Election-Related Power Grab - https://choosedemocracy.us/training/#.X4d7rtVKHbg

Ballot Initiatives: The Pros & Cons Links:

Intervention Profile: Ballot Initiatives - https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/2LdswNsEZAgDfJDzo/intervention-profile-ballot-initiatives

Advantages and disadvantages of the citizens’ initiative instrument - http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/es/ese/ese08/ese08b/ese08b03/mobile_browsing/onePag

Ballot measure signature costs, 2020 - https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_measure_signature_costs,_2020

Citizen initiative activity and petition success rates from 2010 through 2018 - https://news.ballotpedia.org/2020/07/15/citizen-initiative-activity-and-petition-success-rates-from-2010-through-2018/

The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center - https://ballot.org/

How To Evaluate Ballot Propositions - http://cavotes.org./vote/about-elections/how-evaluate-ballot-propositions

Initiatives Are Not the Best Way to Bypass Stalled Officials - https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/18/ballot-initiatives-at-the-local-level/initiatives-are-not-the-best-way-to-bypass-stalled-officials

Citizens’ Initiative Review - https://healthydemocracy.org/cir/

Citizen Initiative Review; Judicial Review and Quality Control Options – October 19th @ 11:45am-1:45 pm - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/government-by-the-people-initiatives-and-referenda-in-washington-state-tickets-115134971800

FDF Actions, Events & Links:

Fix Democracy First Volunteer Meeting - October 15th @ 6 pm PT - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc-yuqT8tH9FJZfSmtYoZdIjjSgqF4Kqc

UnRepresented – Film Screening & Panel Discussion - October 26th @ 6 pm PT – Featuring

• Daniel Falconer, "UnRepresented" Film Director
• Sheila Krumholz, Executive Director of Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org)
• Ellen Weintraub, Commissioner on the Federal Elections Commission
• Carl Parrish, Community & Social Activist

Register @: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TfNJj2umQ5yqFxpdGMBhwg

Democracy Happy Hours – Upcoming Topics:

• 10/21 - Preparing for the Upcoming Election
• 10/28 - Early Voting Updates: How is it going?

Register @: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uJAlc-yppjstDIEL3JGv7m62A9TlapYR6g

Protect the Results & Count Every Vote - Washington State – VIRTUAL RALLY – November 4th @ 5-7 pm – Register @: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-iupj8uHtH_wAl6J0fCyr-ClgumC8Te

Meaningful Movies Project AWARDS CELEBRATION – FDF is being honored as Organization of the Year - Thursday, October 22, 7 PM PT -https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meaningful-movies-2020-annual-awards-celebration-tickets-123197598333

Resisterhood – Film Screening & Panel Discussion - October 27th @ 6 pm PT – Register @: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resisterhood-screening-panel-discussion-meaningful-movies-special-event-tickets-123106012397

Support Fix Democracy First – DONATE @: https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/donate