Category: Voting - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Iowa Voting Rights Restoration Lobby Day in Des Moines

2/12/2020

Iowa Voting Rights Restoration Lobby Day
Monday, February 17th at 2:00 pm in Des Moines

Civil Rights Forum

Our Forum is part of a statewide coalition that is working to pass HJR14 in Iowa. This House Joint Resolution would amend the Constitution to restore voting rights to people once they are off parole or probation. Iowa is currently the only state that permanently bans voting rights for these individuals. People can presently appeal through the governor, but that option may change with a new governor.

Our coalition is having a Lobby Day at the State Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, February 17th at 2:00 pm. We will provide transportation to and from this event.

Pastor Dwayne Hodges is leading the local efforts to organize people who are directly impacted by this issue. EXPO (Ex-incarcerated People Organizing) is a group being established for this purpose.

It is important that we show up to let our legislators know that we want everyone to have the right to vote.

If you are interested in participating in this fun event, please contact Amber Bordolo.

Alta Price

Next Iowa Nonpartisan Caucus Training - January 15th

1/9/2020

PACG Caucus Training - Wednesday, January 15th 5 - 7 pm

Eastern Avenue Branch of Davenport Library
6000 Eastern AV. Davenport (map)

PACG Nonpartisan Caucus Training

This training is designed for Iowans who'd like to be more familiar with the caucus process. Both Republican and Democratic caucus styles will be presented. Instead of candidate names, we will be demonstrating using food preferences. This is fun and informative and open to everyone.

NOTE: Caucus training is NOT mandatory to participate in the caucuses. This training is for individuals who'd like to understand more about what will happen in Iowa on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

Julie Ross

What You Can Do Now - Attend Caucus Training!

11/1/2019

How Are Caucuses Conducted? - Thursday, November 7th at 6:00 pm

Davenport Public Library, Fairmount Branch
3000 N Fairmount ST
Davenport, IA 52804 (map)

PACG, Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (QCAIR), the AAUW and the Davenport Public Library

PACG, QCAIR, Inc., the American Association of University Women, and the Davenport Public Library are hosting Caucus Training on Thursday, November 7th, at the Fairmount Branch, Davenport Public Library. The training will begin at 6:00 pm and is open to all.

Did you know that the Democratic and Republican caucuses, while similar, are conducted differently? Many people have no idea how the caucuses are conducted or how they should go about supporting their respective candidates. You are invited to come learn about the caucus process and how they operate. After a brief explanation of the rules and process for the Democratic and Republican caucuses, attendees will be participating in a mock caucus; however, real candidates will not be used. Learn how to caucus by participating in our mock caucus!

Susan Leuthauser

The Lane Evans Forum: Putting People First - Saturday October 19th at 1 pm

10/9/2019

Election 2020: Putting People First -
Saturday, October 19th at 1pm

Augustana College
Denkman Building
Wallenberg Hall
3520 7th AV
Rock Island, IL 61201 (map)

The Lane Evans Forum

Celebrating the memory and progressive populist legacy of the late Congressman Lane Evans (D-17 Congressional District of Illinois).

Hear and share ideas, messages and principles that will earn votes and support.

Learn how you can be a catalyst for change.

Join us for a dynamic conversation!

Featuring special guests:

Representative Jan Shakowsky (D-CD 9 IL)
Fred Harris, Former Senator (D-OK) and former Presidential Candidate
Jim Hightower, America's #1 Populist
Thomas Frank, Best-Selling Author of "What's The Matter With Kansas?"

RSVP online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lane-evans-forum-tickets-73484073843

Are You Registered to Vote?

9/4/2019

Are You Registered to Vote?

PACG Message to Our Membership

Are you Registered to Vote?

Check here:

Iowa Residents: sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/
- If you’re not, go to www.scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/voter-registration for Scott County Voter Registration information.

Illinois Residents: ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup
- If you’re not, go to www.rockislandcounty.org/VoterRegistration/ for Rock Island County Voter Registration information

Vote Smart - Educate Yourself on Important Issues and Candidates

5/25/2019

Vote Smart - Educate Yourself on Important Issues and Candidates

Be an informed voter! Make sure your potential candidate represents your values and beliefs. One important way to do this is to use online guides like VoteSmart.org.

Vote Smart is a one-stop website where you can find information on state and national legislation and politicians. This non-partisan site is easy to use. There are links to every candidate's bio and contact information; voting record; ratings and endorsements by national and local organizations; speeches and public statements; and campaign finance and funding.

The website explains the work of their volunteers and staff this way: "Vote Smart is a historic undertaking. Citizens come together, not in selfish interest or to support one candidate over another, but to defend democracy. It is an extraordinary gathering of people committed to one purpose: to strengthen the most essential component of democracy -- access to information -- even as it suffers grave attacks from candidates and political parties, many who are now willing to manipulate information and deceive voters."

Vote Smart has additional information, such as:

VoteEasy -- this powerful, interactive research tool lets you instantly see which candidates are most like you
Publications -- Free to all citizens -- order your Voter's Self-Defense Manual, a 100-page report on your congressional delegation. A video, which describes what the Vote Smart does, how we do it, and how you can use it, is also available.
Voter Registration -- For every state, find out policies and procedures, locate voter registration forms, where to send them, where you can register in person, and where your polling place is.
Ballot Measures -- Descriptions of ballot measures for every state, including complete text, sponsors, and election results.

It is never too early to research issues of concern to you both locally and nationally. Vote Smart! But, most importantly, VOTE!

Call Your Reps - Voter Suppression Bill in Iowa - What You Can Do Now

3/24/2019

Contact Your Iowa State Legislators Regarding Voter Suppression Bill

Iowa Senator Roby Smith has introduced Senate File 575 that impacts Iowans' ability to vote. Read more about it at:

Senate File 575

PACG members kept the focus of the March Scott County Legislative Forum on the voter suppression bill. Read this excellent article in the Quad-City Times for coverage of the reactions of the audience and legislators when questioned about the bill. The article also provides in-depth information about the threat to voting rights included in this legislation.

Call your Iowa State legislators to express your views on NOT restricting the voting rights of Iowans.

Senate Switchboard: 515-281-3371
House Switchboard: 515-281-3221

To find your representative's email information click here.

Iowa Voting Rights! - What You Can Do Now - March 18, 2019

3/18/2019

Contact Your Iowa State Legislator to Stop Voter Suppression

Iowa Senator Roby Smith has introduced Senate File 575 that impacts Iowan's ability to vote. Read more about it at:

Senate File 575

Call your Iowa State Senator to express your views on NOT restricting the voting rights of Iowans

Senate Switchboard: 515-281-3371

Allison Ambrose

What You Can Do Now - VOTE on Tuesday, November 6th

11/5/2018

VOTE!
a message from the PACG Board

If you have not already voted, VOTE! on Tuesday, election day. If you have voted, convince your friends and family to vote.

In Iowa: Polls are open in Iowa from 7 am to 9 pm.

In Illinois: Polls are open in Illinois from 6 am to 7 pm.

Find your polling place: Vote411.org.

Alta Price

Reasons to VOTE! Early

10/28/2018

Reasons to VOTE! Early

You should VOTE! before Election Day (Nov 6). Here are a list of reasons for early voting that may be effective in convincing people to early VOTE!:

It is Iowa/Illinois. The weather may be terrible on Election Day.
People get sick or family members get sick, which might happen on Election Day.
Something could come up at work and you might not be able to get away in time on Election Day.
There may be a large turn out on Election Day. Someone who doesn't have time to wait in line may decide not to vote. Take yourself out of the line so that others have an easier time voting.
It will also save you time to VOTE! early, since lines in the Quad Cities for satellite voting are minimal to nonexistent.
Your party or candidate has to call you or knock on your door in order to convince you to VOTE! Once you VOTE!, you are removed from the list of people they need to turn out on Election Day and they can concentrate on less reliable voters.
Those who procrastinate may have trouble finding their polling place or finding parking or might arrive too late to VOTE! on Election Day.
Can you think of other reasons? Leave a comment below if you have one to add!