It’s about getting Congress back to work on fixing our economy and it won’t look like other political ads you’ll see this year.
Since he started this campaign last year, Denny has been talking about the importance of getting Congress focused on working together to help the middle class and those working to get into it. And he’s done so with a clear, positive message. Those same values and attitude – and a bit of humor – went into making this ad.
Your vote on November 6, 2012, will help elect the next President of the United States, as well as other representatives at local, state and federal levels, including mayors, governors, congressional representatives, and senators.
Below you will find five important facts about voting in the United States, including resources to help you register to vote and information on how to vote.
1) Voting Is Voluntary
Voting is the essence of democracy. Unlike other countries, voting in the United States is voluntary. Some people vote in person at the polls, while others vote by mail days or weeks before the actual election date. Regardless of how you do it, it’s important that all U.S. citizens who qualify participate in the democratic process of electing public officials.
2) States Establish Voting Rules
To vote in federal elections you need to be a U.S. citizen and be at least 18 years old, although some states allow 17-year-olds to vote. In fact, the states establish voting rules, including the requirements to register to vote, registration deadlines, and where to send your voting form. You may be able to register at a variety of places, including state and local voter registration offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and public assistance agencies. You might also be able to register by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration Form, but not all states accept it. Check with your state election office to learn how to register in your state.
Voter identification requirements also vary by state. Therefore, it’s important to figure out the documents you might need to show before going to your polling place on November 6, 2012. Some states require voters to show proof of identity before voting, such as driver’s licenses, passports or military papers. Your state election office can tell you what documents are required in your state.
4) You Can Vote If You’re Living Abroad
Federal law allows U.S. citizens to vote if they are living abroad. This includes members of the Armed Forces, federal employees, and other U.S. citizens who reside outside the United States. U.S citizens living abroad can request an absentee ballot by using the Federal Post Card Application (PDF). For more information about voting from abroad, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
5) There Are Several Ways to Participate in the Elections
Voting is not the only way to participate in the electoral process.
Some states have specific requirements such as being a registered voter or meeting certain age requirements. You might have to be affiliated with a political party and reside in the state where you plan to volunteer.
I hope you’re as excited about sharing Jay’s vision as I am. Watch the ad, share it with your friends and neighbors, and help Jay build a working Washington.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Joby
Shimomura
Campaign Manager
Jay Inslee for Washington
One powerful woman is threatening the future of millions of others. But if we all weigh in right now we can rescue the people-powered bank that’s an inspiration to the world.
The Grameen Bank has enabled millions of women to lift themselves out of poverty by giving them tiny loans to buy animals or equipment to start earning money. But Bangladesh‘s jealous Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has fired its Nobel Prize winning founder Muhammad Yunus and now wants to seize control of the bank, all to silence a political rival. This takeover could break the bank and destroy millions of people’s hope.
Hasina has been mired in a series of scandals at home — if we can add a giant global backlash to her list of worries, we can force her to back down. When 1 million of us come together, Avaaz will kickoff a media firestorm in Bangladesh and around the world, shaming her into ending this vengeful attack. Sign the urgent petition now: http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_world_best_bank/?biEWLbb&v=18484 The Grameen Bank is very different from the big giants of Wall Street. They loan money to 8.4 million people, mostly women from the poorest villages in Bangladesh, so they can buy assets like cows or sewing machines and start earning money. These women borrowers also run the bank — they are not only the majority shareholders, 9 out of 12 seats on the board are held by village women in saris. But PM Hasina wants to end Grameen Bank as we know it. She first stripped Dr. Yunus’ position as the bank’s managing director, and now just passed a law that would allow the government to bypass the people-elected board and handpick his successor. And they fear that the government may use its newfound power to manipulate millions of members for votes in next year’s election.
Grameen’s downfall would be a disaster for Bangladesh and the larger microcredit movement that is working to improve lives across the globe. Sign the urgent petition to PM Hasina, and together, let’s save the bank that’s revolutionizing the war on poverty: http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_world_best_bank/?biEWLbb&v=18484
Avaaz members have come together time and time again to fight grave injustice and corruption. Over 2 million people rallied to pass the strongest anti-corruption law in Brazilian history, and half a million members successfully helped freeze Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak’s stolen assets when he tried to flee Egypt. It’s time for people power to shine in Bangladesh…. and win back the world’s best bank.
With hope and determination,
Jamie, Kya, Caroline, Meredith, Emma, Ricken, Maria-Paz, and the rest of the Avaaz team
Sources:
Women Hurting Women (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/opinion/sunday/kristof-women-hurting-women.html?_r=0 George Shultz, Madeleine Albright Join Growing Groundswell of Concern over Possible Government Takeover of Grameen Bank (MoneyLife) http://www.moneylife.in/business-wire-news/george-shultz-madeleine-albright-join-growing-groundswell-of-concern-over-possible-government-takeover-of-grameen-bank/32559.html
Bangladeshi Politics and the Grameen Bank’s Uncertain Future (Council on Foreign Relations) http://blogs.cfr.org/coleman/2012/09/05/bangladeshi-politics-and-the-grameen-banks-uncertain-future/
Microfinance Pioneer Grameen Bank Weakened by Bangladeshi Government Meddling (Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eliot-daley/microfinance-pioneer-grameen-bank_b_1793025.html
US reiterates concern for GB (The Financial Express) http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=142492&date=2012-09-07
An Attack on Grameen Bank, and the Cause of Women (Opinionator — NY Times) http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/an-attack-on-grameen-bank-and-the-cause-of-women/
You must be logged in to post a comment.