Member Statements may be found below.
IN FAVOR-Ron D.
I’m writing a member statement IN FAVOR of resolution endorsing the “Yes on All 3” Ballot Measure Campaign.
As a member of NOVA Branch DSA, I am strongly in favor of supporting this campaign. The three measures, that the voters are going to see on the ballot, aim to enshrine key rights and protections into the Virginia constitution. Currently, there are no existing federal or state laws in Virginia that would protect same-sex marriage in the state. On the contrary, in 2006, Virginians passed a referendum constitutionally banning same-sex marriage. The only reason that that amendment is not in effect is the precedent that SCOTUS set in its Obergefell decision. If that precedent is overturned, same-sex marriage will automatically become illegal in VA. The current Supreme Court is ideologically captured and has consistently demonstrated to be willing to overturn long-standing precedents. Therefore, it is crucial for VA to pass the upcoming amendment and enshrine right to same-sex marriage in the VA constitution.
Similarly, there is currently no constitutional right to abortion in VA. Right to abortion is protected by VA statutes. Statutes are significantly easier to change than a constitutional amendment. Since Virginia is a purple state with constantly changing party majorities, people cannot rely on the statutes to protect their bodily autonomy. Thus, it is unbelievably important for the amendment to pass that would enshrine rights to reproductive freedom into the Virginia constitution.
The last constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot is a voter enfranchisement amendment. Currently, a convicted felon automatically loses their right to vote. An executive action by the governor is required for the felon to regain that right. This amendment would automatically give people with felony convictions their right to vote at release from incarceration. This is also an important amendment that helps people rehabilitate themselves and integrate easier into society.
Due to the reasons listed above, I know that it is crucial for Metro DSA to endorse the “Yes on all 3” Ballot Measure Campaign.
IN FAVOR-Catherine R.
As a NoVa branch member, I ask the chapter to support this opportunity to grow NoVa’s electoral campaign capacity.
Not only are the causes in question strongly aligned with our values, but also pursuing Yes on All Three offers us the chance to develop skills important to future campaigns. This is particularly crucial if we hope to elect socialists to office, where if memory serves NoVa branch has not succeeded in almost a decade.
The proposed campaign plan involves recruiting and training at least 12 member organizers for campaign roles, including:
At least two (2) Campaign Leads
At least two (2) Fundraisers *will need money for lit and materials*
At least two (2) Field Leads in each NoVA jurisdiction we target
At least two (2) Turf Cutters for producing lists and tracking data
At least two (2) Mobilizers who can manage the turnout operation (weekly list management + phone- and textbanking, Action Network/Slack/social media/weekly update, etc.)
At least two (2) members for a Comms Team for designing graphics, social media, press (op-eds and releases), and translation
This is critical capacity NoVa will need if we hope to put socialists in office here in the coming years and the Yes on All Three Campaign, with worthy goals and a strong chance of success, affords us a great opportunity to develop it. Please vote yes on Resolution EE1, Yes on All Three Campaign.