Action Items  

There’s just 25 days until Election Day!

Early voting kicks off on October 15th. Mail your absentee ballot early so they can be processed before Election Day. You can request one here.

Mark your calendars for November 5th, and make your voice heard at the polls!

Election By The Numbers 

No matter how fickle the polls may be, a blue Georgia is closer than we think! Data from across the state shows that your vote does matter–and it could make or break a race. Here are just a few examples from past elections: 

• In 2018, Lucy McBath defeated Republican Karen Handel to flip the house seat by just 3,264 votes. That’s about the capacity of the average cruise ship.

• In 2020, Biden won Georgia by just 11,779 votes. That’s fewer people than the student section at a UGA football game. 

• In 2022, Farooq Mughal beat Republican Sandy Donatucci by 701 votes to win the race for District 105. That’s just enough people to fill three 737s!

These small margins of victory are bound to happen again this election cycle. Just a 5 percent increase in voter turnout from 18 to 29-year-olds in Georgia would produce almost 50,000 more votes for Kamala Harris. Turnout matters even more in local elections, with just a few hundred people often turning the tide to form a blue wave. So go vote on November 5th! Tell your friends and family that their vote truly matters in this election and that you’ve got the facts to prove it.

What’s Happening in Georgia?

Georgia’s Election Board

The sinister talons of MAGA’s big lie continue to claw their way into the democratic process as the far-right attempts to undermine our free and fair elections. The pro-Trump Georgia Election Board voted 3-2 to approve a rule mandating hand-counting of all ballots on Election Day and the day after, requiring the hand count to match machine totals. Not only is this impossible in all but the smallest counties due to the sheer volume of ballots, but it’s also illegal. This rule, along with another that allows counties to investigate irregularities before certifying results, is designed to cast doubt on Georgia’s election process and enable the far-right to refuse certification in November.

Despite the blatant attempt to delegitimize Georgia’s election system, there are many reasons for hope. First, multiple officials, including the Attorney General and Secretary of State, oppose these rules, with Carr calling it “the precise type of impermissible legislation that agencies cannot do.” Second, lawsuits with strong chances of success are underway, citing the federal 90-day “quiet period” before elections, which prevents new burdens on election administration. Finally, even if the rules stand, we can fight back by voting for pro-democracy candidates and sending a clear message to MAGA and its enablers: WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!

Georgia’s Abortion Ban

On Monday, October 7, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the 6-week abortion ban, overturning a lower court’s decision that had briefly deemed it unconstitutional. As of 5 pm that day, the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act retook effect.

The urgency surrounding abortion access in Georgia has intensified following the recent revelation of the tragic and preventable deaths of two women in 2022, both unable to access timely care due to restrictive laws that took effect after the Dobbs decision.

• Amber Nicole Thurman, a 28-year-old aspiring nurse, died of septic shock after traveling to North Carolina for abortion medication that did not completely expel the fetal tissue. Had she been able to obtain the procedure in Georgia, she could’ve avoided such a tragedy.

• Candi Miller, a 41-year-old mother of three, was advised another pregnancy could be fatal due to her chronic illnesses. Fearful of seeking medical help, she ordered abortion pills online. Unfortunately, the medication failed to expel the fetal tissue, causing her immense pain, and she ultimately took a lethal combination of painkillers.

This Supreme Court decision is just one of a string of attempts to restrict reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy among women. The state of Georgia knows better and can DO better by electing pro-choice Democrats down the ballot this November.

Hurricane Helene’s Impact

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which tragically claimed the lives of 34 Georgians, ongoing relief efforts are crucial as many areas continue to face widespread infrastructure damage. This situation underscores the vital need for a robust federal response to disasters.

However, Project 2025 threatens to dismantle FEMA, leaving local communities stranded during major disasters and undermining the very agency tasked with preparing us for climate-related crises. This would heighten our vulnerability to hurricanes, fires, droughts, and floods. 

From the State Legislature to the White House, we are seeing in real-time how critical it is to elect serious, responsible folks up and down the ballot who will follow the science and put people first. Additionally, as Georgia prepares to shelter Florida evacuees from Hurricane Milton, once again, we’re reminded of the importance of disaster preparedness and response systems.

Candidate News

We are proud to support Debra Shigley for State House 47 and recently had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser on her behalf featuring Senator Jon Ossoff. Debra shared her commitment to restoring reproductive freedom, keeping our communities safe, and making it more affordable to raise a family. As a Harvard graduate, mother of five, and small business owner, she brings the expertise and experience we need under the Gold Dome. Senator Ossoff discussed ongoing relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and stressed the importance of electing strong local leaders like Debra during crises.

District 47 is one of the more flippable seats in the State House, and we’re excited to support Debra down the home stretch! To donate to her campaign, click here.

Targeted Districts: Michelle Kang & Ashwin Ramaswami

Watch Michelle’s interview on Greater Greener Georgia’s latest episode.

Consider signing up for one of Ashwin’s volunteer shifts to help support his campaign!

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