Stand Firm With Debra Bowen

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Secretary of State Debra Bowen is defending democracy to California by ensuring that every vote counts. Stand Firm with Debra Bowen is a grassroots network that is supporting her work for secure, accurate and transparent elections. Please see our newsletter to find out more.

Be Informed
Follow the media reports of Secretary of State Bowen.  Read:

Secretary of State’s Press Releases
Voters Unite Newsletter Voters Unite puts out Daily Voting News, categorized by state.
Brad Blog Breaking news reports from this popular website are frequently cited by the national media.

Speak Out

Write Letters to Elections Officials and Letters to the Editors - Sample Letters

Send Letters to the Editors
Make your letter short (200 words or less), positive (witty is also good) and polite. If you are responding to an article,reference it. A common theme is how long it will take to count votes.  A great response is that wed rather have accurate elections than quick results.  Learn about great responses to other common themes through our newsletter. To send letters, you may use either:
     Addresses/web sites for sending letters to major California newspapers
or:
    California Democratic Party Letter Writing Tool

Respond to Articles Online
Very often, newspapers will post articles online. Readers can respond through comments.  This is a great way to send a message to the writer as well as other readers. Signing up for a Google Alert and you will receive notices of such articles in your email.

Call in to Talk Radio Shows
When you hear discussions, pro or con on Debra Bowen’s performance, machine decertification or any Election Integrity issues, call in and let the host and guest know what you think.

Blogging
If you have a blog, post a story in support of the SoS and her work.  If you read the blogs, leave comments on Election Integrity posts.

Talk to Local Officials
Make your support known.  It may surprise them to know that you’re following the story. 

Build Relationships
Officials are more likely to work with you if you work with them.  These officials are serving their community and that is YOU.  You have every right to talk to them about your concerns. 

Registrars of Voters – County Clerks
Commend them for actively cooperating with the Secretary of State, for the sake of the integrity of the elections which they run. Find your local elections official here.

Boards of Supervisors
Your county website will have all the information about contacting your county officials.  The Board of Supervisors controls funds spent on elections and they have the power to approve the money spent on conducting elections.

Background Info
Secretary of State’s Website
Counted As Cast

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P.O Box 65,
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From February 5, 2008

Election Protection: We Need Your Rapid Response -
A message from Art Torres, Chair, California Democratic Party.

Debra Bowen needs your help today.

In 2000 and in 2004, we saw what happened when election results are called into question. Citizens across the country reacted with outrage when they realized that their vote might not be counted. That's why, in 2006, California Democrats worked to elect Secretary of State Debra Bowen -- she promised to make sure that in our state, every vote would be protected.

Bowen has fulfilled that campaign promise. Last year she had experts at the University of California conduct a thorough analysis of California's electronic voting machines. When that review showed the machines could be hacked and results could be changed, Bowen promptly decertified the machines to maintain the integrity of California elections.

But now the manufacturers of these electronic voting machines are using today's election to attack Debra Bowen, claiming that California's presidential primary results will be delayed because Bowen has pulled the plug on their unreliable equipment.

That's why Debra Bowen needs your help. She needs voters across California to stand up to Diebold and Sequoia and tell the world: It's more important to count our votes accurately than to count them quickly.

So if you believe that we should take the time to count every vote as cast, you need to Stand up for Debra Bowen.

If you believe that we deserve to have confidence in how our elections are conducted, you need to Stand up for Debra Bowen today.

Here's how you can help. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper explaining why you support Debra Bowen and her commitment to election integrity. The California Democratic Party has set up a web page that makes it easy to write letters to the editor on this topic. Just go to www.cadem.org/standup. We have sample letters, talking points, and some pointers to help you get started.

Debra Bowen has been standing up for us since 2006. Today it's our turn to Stand up for Debra Bowen. Take a minute right now to show your support.

Sincerely,

Senator Art Torres (Ret.)
Chairman