Election officials need our legal help against repressive laws and personal threats. – Washington Post
It was Bob Bauer who kept me from full-blown panic in the days shortly after Nov 3, 2021 2020.
We already know this part:
Election officials are coming under unprecedented attack for doing their jobs. Some states are attempting to criminalize the exercise of these officials’ trained professional judgments; some officials have been the target of threats to themselves and their families. Any American — whether Republican, Democrat or independent — must know that systematic efforts to undermine the ability of those overseeing the counting and casting of ballots on an independent, nonpartisan basis are destructive to our democracy.
The two of us have been partisan opponents in the past, representing opposing political parties to the best of our abilities. But at this moment in time, we share a grave concern about attacks on those public servants who successfully oversaw what was arguably the most secure and transparent election in our country’s history, with record turnout, during a global pandemic. If such attacks go unaddressed, our system of self-governance will suffer long-term damage.
Opponents in the past, they are now teaming up.
Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN), which will connect licensed, qualified, pro bono attorneys with election administrators who need advice or assistance. State and local election workers anywhere in the country can go to EOLDN.org, or call the toll-free number (877) 313-5210, at any time, 24/7, to request to be connected with a lawyer who can help them, at no cost.
This service will be available regardless of the officials’ political affiliation or where they work — that is, whether they are in a blue or red state or county. We already have lawyers committed to provide this volunteer support, and we are recruiting more. As co-chairs, we will be supported by a bipartisan advisory board of experienced state and local election officials of both parties, from across the nation. The response from these officials has been extraordinary and gratifying.
The unyielding barrage of threats to election officials — Republicans, Democrats, state level, locals — continues to this day. Many received threats to themselves and their families, regardless of which way their states voted in 2020. Often, these officials lack the legal resources to oppose efforts to intimidate them into violating their duties to voters and the law.
It doesn’t look like they are asking for money at this time, but if you’re an attorney, or you know any attorneys, I hope you will think about joining this effort.
Totally open thread.
WaterGirl
Have you guys all seen this ad?
burnspbesq
They’ll get my money if they need it.
Hope Rick Hasen is involved .
WaterGirl
@burnspbesq: Who is Rick Hasen?
Sure Lurkalot
I’m going to have to hold my breath to see proof of both sides here. For a while it seemed like Georgia’s Raffensperger and Sterling were allies until it turned out they are perfectly copacetic with Georgia’s new voting restrictions and the usurpation of local control. And who threatened these two? Republicans.
WaterGirl
@Sure Lurkalot: Do you have any familiarity with Bob Bauer?
burnspbesq
@WaterGirl:
Professor of Law at UC Irvine. The go-to guy on election law issues.
WaterGirl
@burnspbesq: I think of Bob Bauer as the go-to guy on election law issues. But you’re the attorney, and you’re in CA, aren’t you?
dmsilev
Do you know something we don’t? Also, any advice on lottery numbers or sportsball outcomes you could share?
Sure Lurkalot
@WaterGirl: I’m not questioning the principals or the effort. It is horrific that it’s necessary.
The framing is that “both sides” are being threatened…and both sides are threatening. Maybe Democrats are threatening Republican election officials and I’ve missed the story.
japa21
@Sure Lurkalot:
There is no statement that Democrats are threatening Republican election officials, just that Republican election officials have been threatened, which is true. And it is appropriate that they be willing to support and defend officials no matter what their party or location.
WaterGirl
@dmsilev: oops!
That week kind of felt like a year, didn’t it?
burnspbesq
@WaterGirl:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bauer
WaterGirl
@burnspbesq: I’m not sure why you linked to that. I’m pretty familiar with Bob Bauer. Was there something in particular that you wanted me to see?
burnspbesq
@burnspbesq:
https://www.law.uci.edu/faculty/full-time/hasen/
dmsilev
@WaterGirl: Time has become something of a blur, that’s for sure.
Yutsano
@burnspbesq:& Now for the second question.
OT: At the ER. Again. Separate issue this time
WaterGirl
@burnspbesq: Ah, now this one I want to look at!
WaterGirl
@burnspbesq: I’m glad Hasen is on our side!
WaterGirl
@Yutsano: Oh, no.
zhena gogolia
@Yutsano:
Oh, I’m sorry!
Omnes Omnibus
@Yutsano: Stop doing that. Just because Wifey is there doesn’t mean you need to go too. Seriously, take care of yourself and get well.
Sure Lurkalot
@japa21: From the article:
Which legislatures are passing these laws? Who’s doing the harassing? Radio silence.
Of course officials of either party should be able to their jobs without harassment or threat and good this group is banding together, but there is a truth that’s missing here.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: No kidding!
WaterGirl
I love this story about the Florida doctor who won’t treat unvaccinated people in person.
Washington Post
SiubhanDuinne
@Yutsano:
YUTS!! Don’t do that! We told you before!
(In all sincerity, I hope it’s something easy to diagnose and quick to treat. Sending you the good thoughts left over from the batch I sent to asiangrrrl yesterday.)
Mary G
@Yutsano: Yutsy! Hope they can fix it fast, you’re going to end up spending more days in the hospital than at home this year.
WaterGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: Uh oh, are there 3 Rs in asiangrrl? If so, I got it wrong.
WaterGirl
@Mary G: How have you been since your booster? Did they measure antibodies before so they can compare in a month or so?
Sure Lurkalot
@Yutsano: I hope you get a quick turnaround back home where you belong.
Ken
@WaterGirl: “Tilt the mirror up a little… OK, now pick up the fistula probe — no, not that one, to the left — your left — OK, now hold your breath and insert it into….”
A Good Woman
@Sure Lurkalot:
So now I am confused. What legislatures are doing this? Well the link to the AP article tells us what was going on in May 2021. I don’t see radio silence here. It was GOP legislatures.
May 2021 AP article
NotMax
@WaterGirl
Meanwhile, in the Gem State,
WereBear
@Yutsano: crikey. Sucks.
WaterGirl
@NotMax: I just don’t understand how people can deny reality.
Steeplejack
@WaterGirl:
She used “asiangrrlMN,” but people often threw in an extra r when referring to her.
MomSense
@Yutsano:
NONONONONO
Please check in with us. I’m worrying about you and sending you big hugs.
Roger Moore
@WaterGirl:
It’s surprisingly easy. It’s frustrating how often people do it, but plenty of people find it easier than dealing with reality.
Mai Naem mobile
I first read Bob Bauer as Bob Barr…then made the mistake of going to his Twitter feed. I thought he had become an anti-Trumper but he’s bugfuck crazy as usual. I know I am not supposed to say shit about RWingers who are on ‘our sides’ at this point but fuck Ben Ginsberg. He’s one of the fuckers who started this shit with Bush v Gore.
NotMax
@WaterGirl
Probably best to White-Out “open a chain of psychic parlors” on the bucket list, then.
;)
Steeplejack
@Yutsano:
Yikes! ?
Sure Lurkalot
@A Good Woman: I was talking about the radio silence in the WaPo article WaterGirl linked. There are links in the full article to a couple of incidents but the body of it does not name which party members are doing the harassing.
mrmoshpotato
@NotMax: WaterGirl won’t be giving Miss Cleo a run for her money any time soon.
WaterGirl
@Sure Lurkalot: I suggest that we don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.
This is an important program that will fight for free and fair elections. This is a program that will give election officials somewhere to turn when they are attacked.
The fact that this program is for any and all election officials will give it credibility in some circles. If 99% of the attacks are on Democratic election officials, we will get 99% of the benefit.
We need to not lose focus on what’s important because we are justifiably annoyed with the both sides framing that is everywhere.
This effort will be one more weapon as we defend our democracy from attack.
I see that as a good thing.
Miss Bianca
@Omnes Omnibus:
@Yutsano:
Aaagh! Everyone stop having to go to the hospital!! You, Minna, my sister…my niece just called to say that my sister is in the hospital, after a wellness check. Waiting to hear. Bated breath. For all of you.
Ken
@NotMax: I’m beginning to think it’s not so much Republican projection, but some sort of curse. Surely they didn’t want rationed healthcare and death panels, but somehow — a decade after they were shrieking about them — Idaho of all places has them.
Kay
This is wonderful. Good for them. I’ll send it to the D’s on our county Bd of Elections.
lurker
@WaterGirl: aside from that, there are plenty of attacks on republican election officials by republicans. While the both-sides framing is not great, what little I read (not the entire article) really did not identify the source of the attacks at all. There are moderate and conservative republicans who are uncomfortable with these attacks, and there are right-wing attacks coming from people who would consider the republicans way too mainstream (not unlike some of our bernie-bro types or others in the Green party).
Are the attacks almost all coming from red/conservative areas – sure. Will we alienate potential supporters of fair elections by painting all republicans as against fair elections – potentially. Bauer and Ginsberg had a friendly rivalry as high level election lawyers for a long time. Ginsberg took some positions I found very troubling in Bush v Gore, but he has come around to the idea that Trump and his strain of GOP conspiracy mongering is way over the line. Encouraging more of that on their side is important
ETA: we want Republican election officials in red parts of states like PA or MI to be able to count votes of Democrats in red parts of those states to allow for proper vote counts throughout the state. Just one example where defending everyone is important. Similarly, while Raffensberger is largely a bog-standard R, he did certify the win for Biden in Georgia, and we want to encourage that kind of behavior too. Even if it means someone like a Democratic governor of Kansas or Kentucky having to certify electors in that state for a Republican if the results come out that way.
NotMax
@mrmoshpotato
Just for grins.
“I’ll leave the business like a true Gypsy. Lying like a dog.”
:)
Mike in NC
Found out that a guy in our development has a girlfriend who owns a few restaurants in DC. We took Uber into the District and arrived at a place called Beau Thai. Basically got a complimentary dinner and appetizers. It was outstanding.
Steeplejack
@Miss Bianca:
Sending positive energy to your sister. ?
Mary G
@Miss Bianca: My list is long, but I’ve added your sister, right after Yutsano and Minna.
NotMax
@Ken
The Crisco Oil curse.
Remember “It all comes back except one spoonful?”
//
A Good Woman
@Sure Lurkalot: @Sure Lurkalot:
So you want names? You might try searching local media for that level of detail.
mrmoshpotato
@Yutsano:
Hope everything turns out ok, and that this isn’t a detour off the road back to spicy food. :)
a thousand flouncing lurkers was fidelio
@Yutsano: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you’re home soon, with all things better, and that you can quit having to drop into the krankenhaus for these surprise visits.