Thread by @ZhiZhuWeb

"But fury is useful only as fuel. We need a Plan B for democracy.

Plan A was to pass H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Neither bill, as of now, has a path to President Biden’s desk."
~@ezraklein

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"Steve Bannon has made it his mission to recruit people who don’t believe in democracy to serve as municipal poll workers."

#DemocracyInDanger
nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"The difference between those organizing at the local level to shape democracy and those raging ineffectually about democratic backsliding... remind me of the old line about war: Amateurs talk strategy; professionals talk logistics. Right now, Trumpists are talking logistics.

Here’s an article from @Reuters that looks at how Trump supporters are threatening election officials & scaring them into leaving office.

And how little (practically NOTHING) law enforcement, including the @FBI, is doing about it.

https://twitter.com/ZhiZhuWeb/status/1458836641351708681

Thread about how GOP operatives are taking over local election offices across the USA so that they can manipulate elections and/or change election results if their favored candidate doesn’t win the most votes.

It's not just #VoterSuppression

https://twitter.com/iarnsdorf/status/1433405386044973063

“Former president Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election are evolving into a movement that may be a more potent threat to democracy: one that places his supporters in elected roles with oversight of elections at the local and state levels.”

https://twitter.com/ZhiZhuWeb/status/1475988864611373063

"The prospect of this democratic collapse is not remote. People with the motive to make it happen are manufacturing the means.

Given the opportunity, they will act.

They are acting already."
~@bartongellman

See 🧵

https://twitter.com/ZhiZhuWeb/status/1468204401609383942

In red states, GOP is taking control of the electors away from the voters.

They're using the Bush v Gore SCOTUS decision as precedent for overturning the will of the people.

They ran out of time to do this in 2020. (#Jan6)

Will they succeed in 2024?

https://twitter.com/ZhiZhuWeb/status/1468245388012494854

"The GOP has been telling us who they are for a long time.

We've reached the phase where they endorse autocrats like Orban and overthrowing American democracy.

If we fail to meet this threat, it could be the end of democracy"
~@brhodes

https://twitter.com/brhodes/status/1478034053035335681

"As NPR dryly noted, “The duties of a state secretary of state vary, but in most cases, they are the state’s top voting official and have a role in carrying out election laws.”"

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"A constant complaint among those working to win these offices is that progressives donate hundreds of millions to presidential campaigns and long-shot bids against top Republicans, even as local candidates across the country are starved for funds."

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"But few local elections are run as referendums on Trump’s big lie. They’re about trash pickup and bond ordinances and traffic management and budgeting and disaster response."

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"These local races that determine the mechanics of American democracy are the ventilation shaft in the Republican death star.

These races get zero national attention. They hardly get local attention. Turnout is often lower than 20 percent."

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…

"Cázares-Kelly learned that much of the authority over voter registration fell to an office neither she nor anyone around her knew much about: the County Recorder’s Office, which has authority over records ranging from deeds to voter registrations."

“One thing I was really struck by when I first started getting involved in politics is how much power there is in just showing up to things,” she said. “... We’re supposed to be participating. If you want to get involved, there’s always a way.”

nytimes.com/2022/01/09/opi…