Better Ballot Bulletin: January 15, 2023
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC. There was a time when I had trouble finding three articles in the two weeks between Bulletins. This is no longer the case. Now I pour over dozens to find the ones that I think you will find most pertinent. IRV is the fastest growing reform in the country. Thank you for joining us on this wild ride to better our democracy News in Instant Runoff VotingAndrew Yang is coming to SC for our rally (you should too): Post and Courier, The Minority Eye and The Statehouse Report A New Congress and A New Case for Instant Runoff Voting: FairVote Letter on Ranked Choice Voting Wins the Golden Pen for November: Post and Courier Is Ranked Choice Voting Constitutional?: Cato Institute Analysis From Alaska's IRV Elections in November: FairVote 'We're all on the same team': Inside the Alaska model for US politics: Christian Science Monitor
Better Ballot SC Events
IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade! We have a growing slate of speakers including Andrew Yang, Christopher Himsl, Dr Jermaine Johnson, Kasie Whitener, and David Whiteman Canvassing at the Soda City Market: Jan 21, 10am. Join us for canvassing at the Soda City Market in Columbia. We'll bring the clipboard and pens, you bring the enthusiasm and smiles! In addition to talking to future supporters, we will be advertising for the rally. Quarterly Board Meeting: Jan 18. Our board meeting will feature the election of our board. If you would like to participate or are interested in joining the board, please email us at [email protected] 2 Year Anniversary Statewide Call: Jan 25, 7pm. Join us to recap the year and discuss the future. It's been a great year and we'll be continuing that trend with your help. RSVP today.
Future Events to Get Excited AboutLobbying Day with BBSC: March 7. We rallied and now we're going to leverage that support. Join us to speak to our legislators. Training to take place the week before.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: January 2, 2023
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingVirginia and IRVIn 2021, the Virginia GOP used instant runoff voting to select their candidates. With these IRV selected candidates, the VA GOP swept the state's top positions: governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Looks like they've discovered how great IRV is at picking strong candidates. The Arlington Virginia County Board voted to adopt ranked choice voting: Twitter Republican Party of Virginia announces its nominee for 4th Congressional District seat: ABCNews8 Other NewsReducing Voting Fatigue with Ranked Choice Voting: FairVote Reform in 2023: Democracy won in 2022. Now we have to set the bar higher: Fulcrum Why We Need Ranked Choice Voting: Forward Kentucky The 10 Best TV Shows of 2022: Primetimer
Better Ballot SC EventsIRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade! Lobbying Day with BBSC: Jan 24. We rallied and now we're going to leverage that support. Join us to speak to our legislators. Training to take place the week before. 2 Year Anniversary Statewide Call: Jan 25, 7pm. Join us to recap the year and discuss the future. It's been a great year and we'll be continuing that trend with your help. RSVP today.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: December 15, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingGeorgia Runoff RecapGA Candidates and Elected Officials on IRV: Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, Candidate Chase Oliver, Senator Rafael Warnock, Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, State Representative Stacy Evans, and State Senator Michelle Au Georgie Runoff Election Excludes 400,000 voters. There is a better way to select winners: FairVote Other NewsRanked Choice Voting: Some Notes on the Politics: Cato Institute Come from behind victories are party neutral: FairVote In Nevada, IRV passed. Opinion: Is that Good?: The Nevada Independent Listen: Is Ranked Choice Voting a Cure For What Ails Politics?: Politics is Everything Ranking Presidents: How Ranked Choice Voting Can Improve Presidential Primaries: RStreet
Better Ballot SC EventsIRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade! Lobbying Day with BBSC: Jan 24. We rallied and now we're going to leverage that support. Join us to speak to our legislators. Training to take place the week before. 2 Year Anniversary Statewide Call: Jan 25, 7pm. Join us to recap the year and discuss the future. It's been a great year and we'll be continuing that trend with your help. RSVP today.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: December 1, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingRepublicans hold majority in Alaska House after benefiting from instant runoff voting: Alaska public Radio In Alaska, Instant Runoff Voting Worked: Reason Scoppe: Ranked-choice voting just keeps growing. It’s time for SC to expand its use here: Post and Courier AP Makes Important Rule Change to Voting for NFL Awards: NBC Sports Ranked Choice, Letter to the Editor (2nd in list): Post and Courier Election Day 2022 Round Up: FairVote IRV Ballot Measures 2022: FairVote Action
Better Ballot SC EventsCanvassing at the Soda City Market: Dec 10, 10am. Join us for canvassing at the Soda City Market in Columbia. We'll bring the clipboard and pens, you bring the enthusiasm and smiles! Trivia Night with Better Ballot SC: Dec 14. Join us for a low key meeting followed by Republic Biergarten hosted trivia. A great time for new members and seasoned BBSC members alike. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Dec 6 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need to mobilize them. Join us biweekly. Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesday Dec 7 Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. National Pitch Training: Join IRV fans weekly from across the country to learn from the experts how to talk to people about this great policy!
Future Events to get Excited About!IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade! Lobbying Day with BBSC: Jan 24. We rallied and now we're going to leverage that support. Join us to speak to our legislators. Training to take place the week before.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long |
Better Ballot Bulletin: November 15, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingNevada Voters Approve IRV: NPR Look forward to Another Georgia Runoff : AP New Poll Finds IRV Easy: FairVote Many cities and two states used IRV in the Nov 8 Election. Alaska has a long window left to receive ballots, but you can keep up with the most prominent IRV races here: FairVote
Better Ballot SC EventsCharleston Launch: November 15, 2pm. Momentum has been growing in Charleston and it's time to launch our chapter! Join us to celebrate and plan in the Charleston area. Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesdays: Nov 16 and Dec 7 Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Dec 13 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need to mobilize them. Join us biweekly. National Pitch Training: Join IRV fans weekly from across the country to learn from the experts how to talk to people about this great policy!
Future Events to get Excited About!IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade!
Letter to the EditorNewspapers are always looking for the next big story and the recent election is sure to be the talk of the town. Let's talk about the virtues of instant runoff voting. Check out our Letter Writing Guide for details.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: November 1, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingWhat is Ranked Choice Voting and How Does It Work: Marie Claire A Majority of Americans Think US Democracy is Broken. Here are 12 Ideas for Repairing It: CNN Editorial: Give SC Cities the Option of Ranked Choice Voting: Post and Courier Alaska Supreme Court Explains Ruling That Says Ranked Choice Voting, Open Primaries Are Constitutional: Anchorage Daily News GOP Pollster Advocates for Ranked Choice Voting: Fox News
Better Ballot SC EventsCanvassing at the Polls:Early Voting is Underway! If you want to canvass at your early voting location, let us know and we can get you everything that you need. Email us at [email protected] or come to the pitch training. Tues Nov 8. Election Day is one of the best times to talk to our fellow South Carolinians. Join us in the Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville areas. Want to canvass at your local precinct? Just let us know and we can help set you up for success. Email us at [email protected] Pitch Training, Elections Edition: Wed Nov 2. Learn to talk to people about all the great benefits of instant runoff voting Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesdays: Nov 2. and Nov 16. Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Nov 8 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need to mobilize them. Join us biweekly. National Pitch Training: Join IRV fans weekly from across the country to learn from the experts how to talk to people about this great policy!
Future Events to get Excited About!IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade! Charleston Launch: November 15, 2pm. Momentum has been growing in Charleston and it's time to launch our chapter! Join us to celebrate and plan in the Charleston area.
Letter to the EditorNewspapers are always looking for the next big story and the coming election is sure to be the talk of the town. Let's talk about the virtues of instant runoff voting. Start preparing now and submit to your heart's content. Check out our Letter Writing Guide for details.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: October 16, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingNew Redistricting Report Makes the Case for the Fair Representation Act: FairVote Ranked Choice Voting: Legal Challenges and Considerations for Congress: Congressional Research Service Ranked Choice Voting in Local Elections: A Case For Home Rule: Cato Institute Oscar Predictions 2023: How to Predict a Ranked Choice Ballot: Awards Daily
Better Ballot SC EventsCanvassing at the South Carolina Pride Fest: Oct 15. TODAY!!!! Join us to celebrate and talk to a great crowd of people on Main Street in Columbia. Quarterly Statewide Call: Wednesday October 26 @ 7pm. Join us to get the latest updates and discussion on upcoming events and strategy. We'll be meeting via Zoom. Register here. Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesdays: Oct 19 and Nov 2. Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Oct 25 and Nov 8 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need to mobilize them. Join us biweekly. National Pitch Training: Join IRV fans weekly from across the country to learn from the experts how to talk to people about this great policy!
Future Events to get Excited About!Canvassing at the Polls: Tues Nov 8. Election Day is one of the best times to talk to our fellow South Carolinians. Join us in the Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville areas. Want to canvass at your local precinct? Just let us know and we can help set you up for success. Email us at [email protected] Pitch Training, Elections Edition: Wed Nov 2. Learn to talk to people about all the great benefits of instant runoff voting IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade!
Letter to the EditorNewspapers are always looking for the next big story and the coming election is sure to be the talk of the town. Let's talk about the virtues of instant runoff voting. Start preparing now and submit to your heart's content. Check out our Letter Writing Guide for details.
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: October 1, 2022
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Welcome to the Better Ballot Bulletin. Here you will find important updates in the world of instant runoff voting and events to attend that help spread the word of IRV in SC.
News in Instant Runoff VotingDid you know Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is a fan of IRV (aka RCV)? Check it out: Fox Business Adorably explained IRV: Fox5 (Washington DC) Learn more about IRV in Utah: AEI What Alaska uses IRV and what we know about how it affects elections: Alaska Public Media Scholars ask Congress to Scrap Winner-Take-All Political System (behind paywall): New York Times Political Extremism in the Public Square, Fact checking: Poynter
Better Ballot SC EventsCanvassing at the South Carolina Pride Fest: Oct 15.Join us to celebrate and talk to a great crowd of people on Main Street in Columbia. Chilling at the Garten: Oct 15, 6pm. Join us for good food, drinks, and conversation at Republic Biergarten in Columbia. Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesdays: Oct 5 and Oct 19 Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Oct 10 and Oct 25 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need to mobilize them. Join us biweekly. National Pitch Training: Join IRV fans weekly from across the country to learn from the experts how to talk to people about this great policy! Quarterly Statewide Call: Wednesday October 26 @ 7pm. Join us to get the latest updates and discussion on upcoming events and strategy. We'll be meeting via Zoom. Register here.
Future Events to get Excited About!Canvassing at the Polls: Tues Nov 8. Election Day is one of the best times to talk to our fellow South Carolinians. Join us in the Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville areas. Want to canvass at your local precinct? Just let us know and we can help set you up for success. Email us at [email protected] IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade!
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Are you looking for a flyer to hang up at your local community board? Or maybe something to handout to people? Check out our Printables! We have an easy way to get involved! Sign our petition! Show your support of instant runoff voting by signing and sharing. Remember to share it to your social media! Did you know that there are Better Ballot SC Facebook groups for your county? Join yours today to help build the movement in your backyard If you like what you've read here and would like us to continue our efforts, please donate. We're building momentum here in South Carolina. Help us continue to educate our fellow South Carolinians. Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for reading, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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Better Ballot Bulletin: Alaska Special Edition
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Welcome to a Special Edition of the Better Ballot Bulletin. Alaska used instant runoff voting (aka ranked choice voting) for the first time and the results are in.
Alaska's Particular Type of IRVThere are different types of instant runoff voting. Alaska conducts what is referred to as a jungle or blanket primary first. This is a free for all where anyone who qualifies under Alaska law can run. This special election turned out 10 candidates, but only the top 4 voter getters, regardless of party, advanced to the general election. The results: Sarah Palin (R) 27%, Nicholas Begich III (R) 19%, Al Gross (I) 12%, and Mary Peltola (D) 12%. As you can see, Republicans secured the largest vote share. That makes sense when one considers that there are more registered Republicans than Democrats in Alaska. However, there are even more Alaskans that are undeclared or affiliated with a third party. Al Gross dropped out of the race, but not early enough to allow another candidate to take his place on the ballot. This meant that on August 14 Alaskans only had 3 options instead of 4.
The ResultsWhat took so long?Alaska is a huge state with a lot of rural area. They allowed up to two weeks for mail in ballots to be returned (August 31st). When they had all the ballots, they pushed the button and quickly got the instant runoff result. And the winner is...Mary PeltolaKey Takeaways:A Positive Campaign Peltola, the first Alaska native to serve in congress, ran a campaign that focused on her positive vision for Alaska. She served in the legislature and built bridges between Democrats and Republicans. She is all about developing Alaska and utilizing its resources in a way that Alaskans support. Buying into the System Peltola supported the new IRV system from the start and bought into it. She took selfies with her rivals and focused more on her policies than on tearing down her opponents. The Republicans did no such thing. They fought amongst each other instead of lifting each other up. Check out this article from Alaska Public Media. Sarah Palin campaigned against RCV/IRV, which likely caused voters not to rank her as their second choice. Check out this analysis by FairVote Action. Voters Understood the System and Like It According to a new poll conducted by Patinkin Research Strategies, 85% of voters found RCV to be simple and 95% of voters received instructions on how to use the system. High Voter Turn Out Though this was a special case for an open seat (Don Young had held the position for nearly 50 years), voter turnout was higher than in the last three primaries Valid Ballots 99.8% of all ballots cast were valid, confirming that voters did understand the system. What's next? Alaska has joined Maine as the only two states to use IRV statewide, but this is new territory for Alaska and the IRV movement in general because the system they use is different than Maine's. This first case was a singular election. At the same time that Alaskans were ranking their candidates in the special election for their US House Seat, they were also voting in the primary for the regular general election in November. Come November, Alaskans will be voting in over 60 instant runoff contests.
Confused about the difference between instant runoff voting and ranked choice voting? No worries. They're the same thing. It's also called preferential voting and the alternative vote. At Better Ballot South Carolina, we use the term instant runoff voting because voters can easily see the connection between this upgrade to the way we vote and our current runoff system.
Events to Help Further IRV in SCCanvassing at the Irmo Okra Strut Festival: Sept 24. This local favorite is sure to turn out lots of people. Join us to talk to festival goers about the benefits of instant runoff voting. Weekly Work Jam and Welcome: These free form Zoom sessions are all about getting work done. Roll up your sleeves to learn a new skill or contribute with what your best at. Wednesdays: Sept 7 and Sept 21 Curious what we'll be working on? Check out our Slack (click here to join) or Facebook beforehand. Phone Banking with Better Ballot SC: Sept 13 and Sept 27 at 6pm. Time to hit the phones! We have supporters and we need too mobilize them. Join us biweekly.
Future Events to get Excited About!Canvassing at the South Carolina Pride Fest: Oct 15. Join us to celebrate and talk to a great crowd of people on Main Street in Columbia. IRV Day Rally 1/23: Jan 23. We're going to the state house and you should come too! Let's show them how many of us want this simple, common sense upgrade!
Want to be more connected? Join our Slack channel! Easy Ways to Help the CauseHang some flyers: Check out our Printables! Sign and Share the Petition: Petition! Donate to the cause: Donate! Consider making a monthly contribution. It helps us to better strategize our long term goals.
Thank you for your time, Nicole Sanchez President, BetterBallotSC |
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