BUDDHISTS HELP GET OUT THE VOTE
In
this time of great fear, it is important that we think of the long-term
challenges—and possibilities—of the entire globe. Photographs of our
world from space clearly show that there are no real boundaries on our
blue planet. Therefore, all of us must take care of it and work to
prevent climate change and other destructive forces. This pandemic
serves as a warning that only by coming together with a coordinated,
global response will we meet the unprecedented magnitude of the
challenges we face. - The Dalai Lama
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
This
is a truly critical time in American society. We are in the midst of a
global pandemic, financial collapse, climate change emergency, and
approaching a November election that threatens to exclude many eligible
voters. As Buddhist teachers and leaders, we recognize that every vote
and voice needs to be heard to help guide the next years of our society
wisely.
A
mutual caring community is one of the central teachings of the Buddha.
In these times so marked by divisiveness and a lack of compassionate
leadership, many of you have wondered how you and your whole community
can help move us in this direction. Here are two crucial activities to
encourage for everyone in your community:
❖ Register to vote; and sign up for an absentee ballot: You and your community can do this through Vote.org. Over thirty states now have no-excuse absentee voting, and many others are considering allowing COVID-19 as a valid excuse.
❖ Get your friends and family to register, sign up for an absentee ballot, and vote.
There’s more we all can do, and these actions don’t demand a lot of time.
1. Volunteer to do voter registration, absentee sign-ups, and get out the vote through these organizations.
• State Voices:
A network of nonpartisan state coalitions of hundreds of grassroots
organizations. Reach out and see if there are volunteer opportunities.
• Vote Early Day (Oct 24):
Inspired by National Voter Registration Day and anchored by a number of
large media and tech companies, this organization will also be
providing toolkits and training opportunities for impactful work,
including recruitment of election workers. Will be assisting voters with
both mail and in-person early-voting options. Was in the works
pre-COVID-19, but is likely more critical in a pandemic.
• When We All Vote: The best-resourced, truly nonpartisan voter engagement organization.
2.
Help ensure that eligible voters get to vote in key states, including
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and Wisconsin. Whether non-partisan or
partisan there are many ways to help this.
• Here is an example of how to can get involved in the critical state Wisconsin: https://
3.
Sign up to be a poll worker. Serving as a poll worker offers a
dramatically under-appreciated opportunity to have an impact. Problems
are made markedly worse or are mitigated to a substantial degree based
on the quality of the poll worker. Chronic shortages of election workers
nationwide cause long lines at the polls, especially at polling places
that serve communities of color.
Here is a song/video from Nina Wise on getting out the vote https://youtu.be/
You can sign up to be a poll worker and be connected to your local elections office.
Our
collective involvement leading up to the November elections can really
make a difference. Please forward this to as many teachers and Buddhist
communities as you can throughout the United States. And thanks for
joining us!
With lovingkindness, compassion and blessings,
Yours in the Dharma,
100+ Buddhist Teachers
