We are part of an inspiring movement—and we’re at a moment of incredible possibility.
That’s part of my message when I ‘m canvassing in support of Initiative 1631. I make sure to tell people I meet some of the hundreds of amazing organizations that have endorsed 1631, including The American Lung Association, Front & Centered, SEIU, the Quinault Nation, Microsoft, WA State Medical Association, the League of Women Voters and many others. I also tell them about the 40,000 jobs 1631 will create in Washington, among myriad other benefits.
Then I show them the other side of this campaign—a handful of massive out-of-state oil companies that have now spent more than $30 million to kill it. In fact, we just presented four of those companies with a “Gusher Award” to underline the extent to which big oil is trying to tip the scales with their deceptive advertising (this is the award we just delivered to oil industry offices in London, San Ramon, CA, Houston and Washington, DC).
To all of you who have been helping spread the word on I-1631, THANK YOU!!!!!!
During this last week before election day, I am imploring everyone to help, or help more if you’ve been helping. We have never seen anything like this with record $$$ being spent opposed to this clean air, clean energy, climate justice initiative.
There are still many ways to help out! Here are a few good ones:
Talk to voters directly in person and one on one: this is the most important thing and really matters. We need to take the time, get uncomfortable and dig back to the roots of what democracy is all about! Many voters are confused and that’s the oil industry’s plan. The one on one conversations from real people matter immensely; they are our best way to overcome the oil industry’s massive, deceptive ad campaign. And the I-1631 volunteer program is simply awesome to be part of..
Sign up to doorknock here. My experience is that people answering their doors don’t usually want a long conversation, rather are interested to find out who is supporting and opposing 1631, as well as the website so they can do more research if they want.
Call voters who might need a nudge to vote – this is a huge priority for the campaign, and we need lots of help. We need to ensure these registered voters turn in their ballots. Here is the link for you to schedule yourself for a phonebanking shift (Human-to-human calls are a very powerful tool!) Here is the link to our dialer toolkit. If you want to call from downtown Seattle, this linkhas all of Washington Environmental Council’s phone banks for 1631, Sunday-Thursday.
Send a text – We are doing texts to help Get Out The Vote. You can sign up for a texting shift here.
Email voters you know via the super-easy Voter Circle system to remind them to vote: If you sent one message, there is a new one on voting!
Share social media content: Sharing #Yeson1631 Facebook posts and Tweets helps counter the oil industry’s spending—they have more money, but we have all the people power! Visit the Climate Solutions Facebook and Twitterpage for many fresh messages and links to share. The Yes on 1631 websitealso has great content, including FAQs and an amazing list of endorsements.
Donate: yeson1631.org/donate
Show off your support! Wear a button, put out a yard sign, put a sign on your car, get your favorite local small businesses to display a supporter sign. Get materials at the campaign office: 4347 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, 206-535-6617
Encourage others to help! Even folks you just met. It creates an immediate sense of all being on the same team. As we are!
Answer the question “how are you?” from friends and neighbors with “I’m working really hard to pass 1631 for more clean energy in just one more week...” Be that person for the next few days!
Write letters to the editor and online comments to counter the oil industry’s BS.
Nag folks to turn in their ballots! It saves the campaign money to not have to do reminders to folks very likely to be with us but less likely to vote!
And, last but not least:
Come to our rally (and volunteer?) Join us this Thursday, November 1st from 11AM - 1PM for a rally: Washington vs. Big Oil! We’ll be gathering together at the Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, to re-energize and re-inspire before we begin the final push (because, yes, we’ll be talking to voters until right through the evening of election day). Following the rally, we’ll be knocking on doors in the surrounding area. We are expecting 200+ people, and we are in huge need of volunteers to help us set up, tear down, and lead canvass shifts. If you are available, please email Ben (ben@yeson1631.org), and we’ll get you all the info you need. Thank you in advance!
This is a historic, precedent-setting opportunity to truly move the needle on climate.
Thank you for all you’ve done. And thank you for your consideration on what else you can do to pitch in this last week.
