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Draper Paper: Vibes are great, but we need to increase our early voting numbers
Plus, great news on saving the Okefenokee Swamp
Saira Draper
October 23, 2024
We are once again the cavalry. No one is coming to save us.
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind)
1:45 AM • Oct 23, 2024
Yes, I know, Georgia voter turnout has been off the charts. And that’s GREAT.
But allow me to bring us all back down to earth. Turnout has been up across all Georgia— not just in Democratic strongholds. And speaking of Democratic strongholds, we’ve actually been underperforming. That includes right here in deep blue DeKalb County. Turning out an additional percentage point or two in DeKalb could absolutely make the difference in this election.
Should you freak out? Is the race is over? HECK NO. It’s not too late to do something.
If you haven’t already, please vote. This is a great week to get it done. This weekend is the LAST WEEKEND OF VOTING. Here are my recommendations on the ballot questions.
8% of Georgia voters are still undecided (🤯, I know). But that means victory is within the margin of EFFORT. What are you doing to help reach these voters? And convince them to go to the polls for VP Harris?
Daisy has been at the HD90 Canvass week after week. This is Daisy. Be like Daisy.
@votesaira This is Daisy. Be like Daisy. Knock doors for @Kamala Harris with us in Dekalb this weekend. Saturday 10 am (Candler Park): https://www.... See more
In this Edition of the Draper Paper
Canvass with us this weekend
We have three wonderful opportunities for door knocking in DeKalb County this weekend.
We have our standing, no fuss canvass launches from Candler Park (Saturday at 10 am and Sunday at 1 pm), and we have an extra opportunity on Saturday at 1 pm with Stacey Abrams from Longdale Park!
Grab a friend (or ten), and join us. Talking to voters is the best way to make a difference. First timers are welcome!
Sign up below!
SEB Update
As you read in the last edition of the Draper Paper, courts threw out the bad eleventh hour rules that the State Election Board passed over the opposition of election officials and bipartisan, pro-democracy coalitions.
Unsurprisingly, the court decision throwing out the rules was appealed by the RNC and an expedited schedule was requested. And the question became might the rules come back before election day?
I’m delighted to say the answer is no, the rules will NOT come back before this election. The Georgia Supreme Court said yesterday they will not consider the appeal on an expedited basis, meaning the lower court’s ruling, deeming the SEB rules “illegal, unconstitutional, and void,” stands for now.
Another sigh of relief from our hardworking election administrators.
Good news about the Okefenokee Swamp
I know many constituents are deeply concerned about the health of the Okefenokee Swamp, and the Georgia legislature’s refusal to consider legislation that would protect this precious gem from nearby mining.
Well, I have some encouraging news from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
From the press release:
The Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a proposal that would expand the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, adding approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the existing refuge.
If adopted, the proposed minor boundary expansion would enable the Service to work with willing landowners to explore voluntary conservation actions, including potential acquisition, that would further protect the refuge’s globally significant freshwater wetland system and wildlife habitat.
The proposed expansion includes lands currently held by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC as well as a one-mile fuel reduction zone adjacent to the refuge. Conservation actions on the lands within the proposed boundary expansion would strengthen protection of the hydrological integrity of the swamp, help provide habitat for the gopher tortoise, mitigate impacts of wildfires and more severe and longer-lasting droughts and provide opportunities for longleaf pine restoration to benefit the red-cockaded woodpecker.
The Service is seeking public input on the proposal through Nov. 18, 2024 via email to [email protected]. Additionally, a public meeting will be held Nov. 12, 2024, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Charlton County Annex Auditorium, 68 Kingsland Drive, Folkston, Georgia.
Did you catch me on Politically Georgia?
ICYMI, I had the opportunity to discuss the State Election Board (SEB) last week on the Politically Georgia podcast. Find the recording here.
In the podcast, I push back on misinformation promoted by one of the SEB members. Over the next two weeks and during the election aftermath, it will be critical to keep voices of knowledge, reason, and facts in the conversation. We cannot cede the narrative to election deniers and conspiracy theorists who will say anything to help their candidate win (or justify his loss!).
One last time for the people in the back. If you haven’t voted early yet, please do so this week. DeKalb voters can make a plan with my Early Voting Planning Tool. Please share.
I gave my recommendations on the ballot questions in last week’s Draper Paper.
Get in Touch
There are several ways you can share your concerns, request assistance, or let me know about activities in our neighborhoods.
The best way to get in touch is through the contact us form on my website. But, you can also reach me by calling the office (404-656-0265), sending an email to [email protected], or visiting the Capitol. My office is 604-D in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building across the street from the Capitol.
Support this Work
The work to turn Georgia blue is not possible without donor support. Your contribution goes toward staff salaries, operations, and communications with voters (like this newsletter!).
If you found value in this newsletter, or if value what I bring to the Georgia legislature, please consider supporting my campaign today.
Contributions to Friends of Saira Draper are not deductible for tax purposes. State law allows individuals, corporations, and Political Action Committees to contribute a maximum of $3,300 for the primary, $1,800 for the runoff, and $3,300 for the general election. |
Yours in service,
