I am hosting a free Verified Voting Salon that is sponsored by the group New Democratic Majority at Cinema Classics. The address is 332 East 11th St btwn First and Second Ave. Let me know if you need directions or subway info. (its near union square, 8th St., Astor Place, and 1st Ave --L train--stops). (212)677-6309 Special Guest is Teresa Hommel who created the website http://www.wheresthepaper.org She will be speaking about the latest verified voting both developments locally and nationally. Furthermore, she will demonstrate with a special machine-- that you can try yourself-- why the new electronic voting machines are very vulnerable to mistakes and hacking. National and Local Actions You Can Take Today 1.According to an insider I recently talked to, Graham is key to making sure that other Senators co-sponsor S.1980 (which is the best current verified voting bill now and is the senate counterpart to HR2239), since he is the original sponsor. As it is now, another verified voting bill in the Senate, the merger bill (S.2313), is unacceptable to many verified voting activists since it includes a state waiver provision which could be used to exempt the type of electronic voting machines that the bill was designed to cover because the language used is too broad. As a result, either S.1980 must prevail or the language of the state waiver in the merger bill must be narrowed to only apply to lever machines --which is supposed to be the intent of the waiver. If either of these scenarios takes place, we will have verified voting and other voting security measures for all states by this election, otherwise we will not. HR4250 is another House Bill that would give people mistakely designated as felons (and therefore not allowed to vote) notice and thirty days to correct this mistake. Tens of thousands of legal --predominantly black--voters were disenfranchised in Florida for this reason and this may happen nationwide due to the increased computerization of the voting rolls and pressure to take off anyone who "might" be a felon (or shares a similar name and race). Actions: (I know this is a lot to do so please try to do as many of these ASAP and copy flyer attachment to do more actions later--although make sure to sign NY state petition link in this article, which is not in flyer) (a)1.Contact Your Congressperson1-800-839-5276 To Co-Sponsor Both HR2239 and HR4250 For direct phone, fax and email info go to http://congress.org/congressorg/home/ (calls and faxes count more than emails but emails still count) (b) For those who live Outside New York, Call, fax, email BOTH Your Senators 1800-839-5276 http://congress.org/congressorg/home/ and ask them to Co-sponsor S.1980, tell them it is better than the merger bill because it does not allow state exemptions which could gut the bill. Please contact Graham, Hillary, Daschle and Pelosi as well (c)Ask Senator Bob Graham (its OK that your not a constituent because he is a national figure and this is a national issue, but if know people in Florida who could contact him as well that would be great)to encourage other senators to support his original bill S.1980. He should also withdraw support for the merger bill unless he uses his influence to change the merger bill to take out the state waiver provision or make it crystal clear that this waiver only applies to lever machines. (Although since it is a national issue I think everyone should do this, if you know people who can do this in Florida, so much the better.)Phone (202) 224-3041 -- Fax (202) 224-2237 Email form http://graham.senate.gov/email.html (d) Contact Hillary And ask her to Take Out The State Waiver or make it crystal clear that the exception only applies to lever machines From Her Contribution to the Merger Legislation (S.2313). Since the way it is currently written, states with machines that should be covered by this legislation might be granted a waiver, S.1980 remains the best alternative. But if Clinton Changed the merger bill in the above way, then it would become the best alternative and progressives would not be split. Clinton's contact info Hillary Clinton at (202) 224-4451, fax her at 12022280282 , or email her at http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html (e).Thank Senator Schumer for Co-sponsoring S.1980 and ask him if he get others to cosponsor it and withdraw his support for the Merger Bill (S.2313) unless he could influence Clinton to take State Waiveror make it crystal clear that the waiver only applies to lever machines. You could also ask if he could sponsor a Senate counterpart to HR4250 Phone: (202) 224-6542 Fax: (202) 228-3027 http://schumer.senate.gov/webform.html (f) Contact Democratic Senate Leader Senator Daschle and ask him to Provide Leadership To Get Senators Behind S.1980 and influence Clinton to take out the state waiver feature from the merger bill. Call (202) 224-2321 and/or Send Fax 2022246603 email http://daschle.senate.gov/webform.html (g).Contact Democratic Congressional Leader Pelosi and ask her to provide leadership to Get House Members to Co-sponsor Both HR2239 and HR 4250 Phone: (202) 225-4965 Fax: (202) 225-8259 sf.nancy@mail.house.gov 2. Local NY Verified Voting: There is an Alabany rally for NY Verified Voting on the 13th, this is the petition http://action.truemajority.com/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10178&ms=doa1&ref=13799 If you want to do more go to this page for details on how you can help NY make the best Verified Voting decisions http://www.verifiedvoting.org/article.asp?id=2379 3. Leaflet (a new one) --attachment--and leave at appropriate places (bookstores, healthfood stores and restaurants, cafes and performance spaces where there is a place for leaflets, etc.) Distribute at progressive meetups http://www.meetup.com/browse/polactmeetings , forums, and protests. Go to indymedia.org and find your city on the left side and try protest.net and find your city to find what political events are happening in your area to enjoy and leaflet. You can also put them under doors, under windshields, or give out at any busy place (take a friend!). Also print out for yourself to remind yourself to make calls, faxes, emails. http://www.wheresthepaper.org http://www.wheresthepaper.org/whattodo.html