We suspect that like us, you are concerned about the future of our country given the choices presented to us in the 2024 election.

With so much at stake, we want any political donations we make to help to elect people who share our values. Perhaps you feel the same way.

Are you unsure how to support vital elections in swing states? We were, but not anymore thanks to Flip the Vote!

With several friends, we are hosting two opportunities for you to join us, either virtually on Sunday, September 15th at 2 p.m., or in person on Thursday, September 19th at 5:30 p.m. at Hi Wire Brewing. We would LOVE to see you.

This is an event for everyone – NOT just for big dollar donors. Just come and join like minded people, and if you’re inspired to financially support the work of Flip the Vote, all the better.

What is Flip the Vote?

Flip the Vote is a grassroots organization founded in 2018 by a group of concerned S.F. Bay Area folks who wanted to identify the best place to invest our limited financial resources in the states where it matters most.

Flip the Vote does meticulous research to identify the smartest way for Democrats (and unaffiliated progressives as well as disaffected Republicans) to channel our political resources by:

• Investing early in effective grassroots voter-engagement groups in the most critical, must-win states
• Identifying grassroots groups, mainly led and staffed by people of color, that work year-round inspiring voters who can make a difference up and down the ballot 
• Focusing on geographic areas and strategic partners where early investment will make an outsized impact in critical 2023 and 2024 elections

Read more about the rationale behind their strategy here. Details about the impact Flip the Vote had on the 2022 election can be found here. It’s impressive!

JOIN US!

• Sunday, September 15th at 2:00 p.m. Central time on Zoom (you’ll receive a link after you RSVP here)

OR

• Thursday, September 19th at 5:30 p.m. at Hi Wire Brewing (please RSVP here)

There’s no expected donation, but we are confident after hearing their plans for the election cycle you might be interested in contributing! If you’d like to invite a friend, please forward this email to them.  Even if you are unsure whether you can attend, RSVP anyway to be sure you’ll have the link.

We hope you’ll join us in supporting Flip the Vote’s grassroots voter engagement organizations.

If you are unable to attend, please consider donating alongside the rest of us to Flip the Vote’s important work by clicking HERE.

With excitement for our collective impact,
Megan and Kristin

Our Noon Zoom Panel, VOTING & TRUST IN 2024, is set for Tuesday, August 27, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Don’t miss this awesome panel:

• James Naftel, Probate Judge, Jefferson County, election oversight
• Jackie Anderson Smith, Circuit Clerk, Jefferson County, absentee voting
• Scottie Y. McClaney, President, League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham
• Dorthea Crosby, President, Metro Birmingham NAACP, voting rights
• Nicole Watkins, Senior Voting Rights Advocate & Outreach Coordinator, AL Disabilities Advocacy Program at UA, improving accessibility of elections
• Dori Miles, Greater Birmingham Ministries, voting rights restoration

Please register here for this Zoom.

Join us for our monthly postcarding on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (please note slight time shift) at Hi Wire Brewing (2901 4th Ave S, BHM). We will continue our campaign to help the League of Women Voters and the NAACP send postcards to voters in the newly redistricted Alabama CD2. Postcard packets will be available afterwards to do at home. Thank you for your amazing advocacy!

Join us for monthly postcarding this Wednesday, July 17th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Hi Wire Brewing (2901 4th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233) as we fill out get out the vote postcards to voters in Alabama’s Congressional 2nd District. We’d love to see you!

Finally, a Choice for Voters in the 6^th District!!!
Did you know that you have a choice for Congress in Alabama’s 6^th District on November 5th? For the FIRST time in six years, an Alabama Democrat is challenging five-term Congressman Gary Palmer. The challenger is a dynamic, progressive newcomer named Elizabeth Anderson!

HIVE/MAD, in collaboration with our friends the North Jeffco Dems, will host Elizabeth Anderson, who is running for Alabama’s 6^th District House seat, AND other Jefferson County Democratic candidates next Tuesday,July 9th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for an in-person candidate Meet & Greet in the Large Auditorium at the Homewood Public Library at 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209. Other Democratic nominees – from judges and circuit clerks to school board members and constables – have been invited to introduce themselves from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Elizabeth will speak at 6:30 p.m., followed by questions and answers and a social time.

We’re joining forces with friends in Forest Park and Tuscaloosa to send postcards to voters leading up to the November election. This month, we’re writing 100 postcards to voters on Northeast Arizona’s sovereign lands.

Join us on Wednesday, June 26th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Hi Wire Brewing (2901 4th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233). Bring yourself and some postcard stamps if you have them.

Thank you democracy warriors!

It’s been a heck of a legislative session and our amazing and fearless advocates have been hard at work trying to protect Alabamians from harmful, and just plain ridiculous, bills and hot button issues. We’re ready to discuss the wins and losses.

Join HIVE/MAD? Make a Difference for a Legislative Review on Tuesday, May 21st at 12 p.m. via Zoom to hear from:

• Marva Douglas with the Action Coalition for Transit in Alabama 
• Elaine Burdeshaw, Policy Associate and Elliot Spillers, Advocacy Director from Alabama Appleseed
• Jennifer Harris, Senior Health Policy Advocate and Carole Gundlach, Senior Policy Analyst from Alabama Arise
• Cindy Lowry, Executive Director of Alabama Rivers Alliance
• Kathy Jones, President of the League of Women Voters of Alabama
• Paula Wilson of Moms Demand Action
• And advocates from Read Freely Alabama

Please register for this Zoom here!

Making Montgomery Work: January Virtual Alabama Legislative Preview

It’s a presidential election year, and state lawmakers face political headwinds while trying to conduct business. As usual, bad bills will compete with good ones. To stay abreast of key issues, join us and our amazing friends at MAD?Make A Difference for a virtual Legislative Preview: Making Montgomery Work next Tuesday, January 16th from 12 to 1 p.m. We will hear from six amazing policy advocates with these leading not-for-profit organizations:

• Elaine Burdeshaw and Elliot Spillers of Alabama Appleseed
• Akiesha Anderson of Alabama Arise
• Cindy Lowry of Alabama Rivers Alliance
• Kathy Jones of the League of Women Voters of Alabama
• Paula Wilson of Moms Demand Action

Zoom “seating” may be limited, so please register in advance here!

Seven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Alabama House District 55 to replace former representative Fred Plump, who resigned earlier this year. There are no GOP candidates running, so whoever wins the primary is the de facto winner of the general election. The special primary election will be held Tuesday, September 26, 2023; the special primary runoff, if necessary, is Tuesday, October 24, 2023; and the special general election is Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

House District 55 includes parts of Adamsville, Birmingham, Fairfield, Graysville, Maytown, Sylvan Springs, and Forestdale. To see if you live in House District 55, click here (even if you don’t live in House District 55, the race may interest you as whoever wins will help shape policy and leadership for the next four years. Consider supporting a candidate and becoming a small donor.)

Get to know the candidates at two upcoming events:

• House District 55 Debate Wednesday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the UAB Hill Student Center Alumni Theater (1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294) hosted by the UAB College Democrats
• Candidate Forum Tuesday, September 12th at 5:15 p.m. at Fairfield High School Auditorium (610 Valley Road, Fairfield, AL, 35064) sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Upsilon Eta Omega Chapter.

MEET THE CANDIDATES!

Kenneth Coachman A native of Fairfield, Kenneth Coachman is a former two-term mayor of Fairfield and chief of staff at Miles College. Travis Hendrix A native of Ensley, Travis Hendrix is a sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department. Hendrix grew up in public housing in Ensley and went on to earn a master’s degree. Website | Facebook Ves Marable A professional musician, Marable has experience as a co-chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Conference and a councilman for the city of Fairfield. Facebook Cara McClure  McClure calls herself a “passionate mother, Executive Director of a statewide civic engagement collective, and social justice advocate…” Website | Facebook Phyllis E. Oden-Jones Oden-Jones has experience as a Fairfield City Council member and a community/youth leader, plus 30 years as an officer/supervisor with the Birmingham Police Department. Facebook Sylvia Swayne A technology professional running a historic campaign on “opportunity through unity,” Swayne is also a member of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. Website | Facebook Antwon Bernard Womack A seasoned candidate who is active in the state Democratic party and was recently elected vice-president of the Ensley Neighborhood Association. Facebook