I got a phone call last night from FOUR DIRECTIONS.
Remember the original person who was possibly going to match the $25k we raised for Four Directions – GA? Well, that didn’t pan out; the timing wasn’t right. Though someone else did match our $25k at the time.
But original person contacted FOUR DIRECTIONS recently and said she was so impressed with our efforts, our enthusiasm and our accomplishments that she has offered to double-match up to $25k of whatever we can raise for Four Directions – AZ in November.
She didn’t just want them to find someone whose donations she could match. She wanted to match us specifically because she had seen what we are made of.
It’s not November yet, so I can’t put up the new “Four Directions – AZ” thermometer that DougJ is creating for this, but you can be assured that we will have it up first thing on November 1.
I’m excited.
What do you guys think? Are we up for this?
We have a commitment from Four Directions that the match is a sure thing, it’s a double-match, and that all the funds we raise on BJ for Four Directions – AZ in November will be exclusively be used for AZ, and that of the matching funds, at least the single match funds will be exclusively used for AZ.
The other half of the double-match may be used in Arizona, or it may be used in Nevada or Wisconsin. The key states for Four Directions this year are: Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada. They will get in the game in Michigan, too, at #5, if they have the funds to do so.
Fun facts.
According to the 2020 census, there are 308,421 voting age Natives of various tribes in AZ.
25% of voting age Natives in AZ are registered to vote, that’s potentially 235,000 unregistered Natives of voting age.
The margin of victory for Biden/Harris in Arizona in 2020 was 10,457.
Approximately 15,000 native votes for Bide/Harris in Arizona in 2020.
Natives in AZ in 2020 voted 95.7% for the Biden/Harris Democratic ticket.
Four Directions was responsible for an additional 5,000 voter registrations in AZ leading up to the November 2020 election, all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2018, Four Directions increased Native voter turnout on the Standing Rock Indian reservation in North Dakota by nearly 170%.
In 2020, Four Directions was instrumental in turning out the Native vote in Arizona in much greater numbers, including all facets of voter assistance and helping to get previously registered Natives to the polls or to vote by mail.
In 2020, in Minnesota, in less than two weeks in late September and early October, Four Directions registered over 8,000 Native American voters on the White Earth, Red Lake, and Leech Lake Indian reservations near Bemidji, MN – where the Trump campaign held a rally in late September.
It’s never too early to start. We all know this.
There are 16 electoral votes in play in 2024 in GA. There are 11 electoral votes in play in 2024 in AZ.
But first, the midterms! Just one year from now.
Funds we raise now will help register Native voters in Arizona. They will help re-elect Mark Kelly next year. And a close governor’s race! (h/t feebog)
What do you guys think? Are we up for this?
cain
I”m with Team Pelosi – let’s go kick some ass.
ETA: My timing was off, I wanted #2 – curse you red baron!
Fair Economist
I’m definitely up for this.
Elizabelle
Wonderful.
PJ
Hate to be a downer, but if this person jerked Four Directions chain once, it seems likely they would do it again. Not that it’s a bad idea to keep raising money for Four Directions.
Omnes Omnibus
I will be in. Especially if money goes to WI.
WaterGirl
@PJ: This person didn’t “jerk their chain” last time. She said it was a possibility, but the timing turned out not to be right for personal reasons.
I tried to be clear in the post that this is a FIRM COMMITMENT, not a maybe.
So I believe your fears in this case are unwarranted.
VeniceRiley
LET’S DO IT.
PJ
@WaterGirl:
Let’s hope so.
Benw
It will be grueling to click the link and donate, but I’m willing to gut it out!
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus:
I asked for this money to go specifically to AZ this time.
I’m thinking that if we can do this, Four Directions – WI would be on our list for later this year.
Helping Native people have an active voice in our government isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also a really good return on the investment.
I am also working on something for Texas, but as Jen Psaki would say, I don’t have anything more to share about that at this time. Not that I am anything like Jen Psaki, but I do so admire her.
MomSense
I’m in! We may need to reach out to some sympathetic communities. Anyone think LGM or LGF would join forces?
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
Let’s do it! I’m in for sure.
prostratedragon
We are up for this.
feebog
Mid-terms in Arizona include what will be a close Governor’s race. Plus Mark Kelly for a six year term. I’m in.
WaterGirl
@feebog: I did not realize about the governor’s race. I guess I was smarter than I thought when i picked AZ? :-)
Butch
Well, since I got kicked onto the gig economy last year my contribution won’t make anyone’s jaw drop but I’ll do it.
SuzieC
I’m in for sure!!
sixthdoctor
I’m in.
Woodrow/asim
Assuming my house repair goes well, I’m in!
Even if not, I will commit to re-posting the ask on my socials, this time. :)
Mousebumples
I’m in for something. Gotta check the budget between now and November…
JCJ
Totally in. AZ now and hopefully WI in the future.
EmbraceYourInnerCrone
I’m in! I don’t have a lot to kick in but will kick in all i can. I really want to do something.
H.E.Wolf
This is very exciting! Yes, let’s show AZ what the jackals are made of. :)
piratedan
hoping this query isn’t too insidery, do we know if the game plan has specific tribes targeted?
off the top of my head we have:
Apache – with various locational branches
Hopi
Navajo
Havasupai
O’odham – also with distinct branches
Just trying to get an idea of where these unregistered votes might be and which elections could be in play with a successful uptick in more Democratic leaning voters.
TEL
I’ll happily chip in! This effort in AZ is worth every penny.
rikyrah
This sounds great
lifeinthebonusround
I can commit to $250. That’s 1% of the goal. It’ll pinch the wallet, but it’s worth the effort.
skerry
I’m in.
lowtechcyclist
Hell the fuck yes we are!
Redshift
Oh, yeah, let’s do it?
jimmy higgins
Long-time lurker here.
Retired, living on small social security check.
Count me in for a double sawbuck when this rolls.
Wapiti
@piratedan: from the fun facts in the OP: 25% of voting age Natives in AZ are registered to vote, that’s potentially 235,000 unregistered Natives of voting age.
Which to my calculation, means that ~75% of voting age Native Americans are not registered to vote. Heck, it’s not matter of where they target, just that someone is targeting those potential voters.
WaterGirl
@piratedan: Oh, your questions made me realize I left something out. I am going to be talking with the political director at Four Directions sometime next Monday so he can fill me in on how they put our money to work in Georgia.
I’m sure they would happily have another Zoom and/or another Q & A post to talk about what they have planned. If people are interested.
WaterGirl
@lifeinthebonusround: Thank you so much for that!
Gary in Chicago
My wife and I would be interested in getting in on this.
Wolvesvalley
I’m in, too! Maybe, in addition to keeping Mark Kelly in the Senate in 2022 and electing a Democratic governor, we can get out enough Arizona voters to change the composition of their insane Republican state legislature.
peggy
I’m in for the contribution and the conversation.
Jess
Hell yeah!
Joy in FL
I love that we’re thinking big. I will donate gladly, probably multiple small donations over the course of the month.
Madeleine
I’m in.
FelonyGovt
I’m in. Arizona is so important.
WaterGirl
@Wolvesvalley:
That is a wonderful thought!
SiubhanDuinne
Absofuckinglutely!
randal m sexton
Those are pretty fun facts. Ok im down to throw down ! Do I have to wait till November ? Big Bday for me in November, I start getting that sweet medicare healthification!
Reboot
Definitely! Targeted giving FTW.
Quiltingfool
I just sold a quilt today – a Halloween quilt, no less, featuring black cats and pumpkins! It went to a customer in Connecticut (blue state!). This is serendipity, obviously; cats, blue state, Four Directions! I’ll be donating the price of the quilt, and happy to be able to contribute.
Bard the Grim
Hell yeah!
WaterGirl
@randal m sexton: Yes, please wait until November so it counts toward the match.
WaterGirl
@Quiltingfool: You have been so generous about this! thank you.
We’ll have the thermometer on Monday, the 1st!
WaterGirl
Happy to see such positive reactions to this! thanks, everyone.
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
I’ve got $100 for it. I’ll check the virtual couch cushions for more (unfortunately I just treated myself to new glasses & slippers & some other things I didn’t need). I’ll see if I can get my husband to cough up some dough too.
CaseyL
Hell to the yes, I am totally in for this.
Laura Too
For sure, I’m in. Finally working again, so I will give as much as I can. Thanks for all you do WG, you are amazing!
VFX Lurker
I want to donate, too.
Carol Van Natta
Totally up for this. I’ll set money aside for it.
Leslie
Fyeah, let’s do it!
(Side note: autocorrect decided that “fyeah” should be Guwahati.)
StringOnAStick
Definitely!
Ksmiami
I’ll commit once the bills are passed. The Democratic Party has mishandled this from the start.
eachother
100 clams.
Four Directions.
MazeDancer
Yes we can!
Besides DST being over, hitting the BJ 4D thermometer will be another reason to smile 11/1!