V.O.T.E: A progress report

[Jo March]

Now that I have my internet connection back, I wanted to share a progress report on the setting up of V.O.T.E. - Voters for Open and Transparent Elections.

It has been an interesting experience for me to set up a nonprofit. I have figured out that I need help. :) So, I am calling up friends to see if they know of any lawyers who can help me pro bono. I may have a lead or two. I've filled out the paperwork. I just need a little help reviewing it so I can submit it.

I have filed for an EIN - Employee Indentification Number. Even though I have no paid employees, I still need one of those. That won't take too long to get back. It's online now.

I am going to open a bank account as soon as I get some cash.

(For those of you who may not know, my contract ended on Jan. 7th and I haven't worked since. My husband is on disability and does not work either so it's a bit tight for us right now. I am not whining or anything! :) Just wanted to answer the inevitable questions that would follow any statements about finances.)

I am going to register a domain and get a website for VOTE as soon as the cash flow gets a bit better.

Once the paperwork has been submitted and approved, we can start to solicit donations. This will help tremendously.

We have volunteers working on designing our master database, combing the internet for data, designing the logo, and compiling a list of songs for our soundtrack (which we hope to later sell at events to raise some $$). katinmn and mordarlar have been helping me with developing the core organization.

The response to this has been amazing. I have said it before and I'll say it again - I am in awe of DUers.

This organization is something that I feel strongly about, no matter the balance in my bank account. I hate that the financial situation does not allow for me to go all out and get everything done all at once. It will get better, though. Of that I have no doubt.

I want to thank everyone for their help so far. Please do not give up on this project. It will not be an overnight thing but more like a 3 month project.

I want all Progressives to be able to go to the VOTE website and get the tools and data that they need to bring about election reform. If those tools and data help to bring down *, Delay, Blackwell and those kinds of scum, then that is just gravy on the potatoes.

Thanks again to all who have helped with this.

Remember - there is strength in numbers. We will prevail. The truth always does.

Arnheim

[greenmutha]

1. Thanks for the update, arnheim!

Did you get the emails I've sent you the last couple of days?

[Jo March]

3. Why, yes I did! :)

I have just been without the internet.

It has been very, very scary. :scared:

[Beth in VT]

2. Thank you Arnheim! You rock. n/t

[Peace Patriot]

4. Kick! It sounds like a great project! Please post where donations.....

...can be sent, and a list of needs, what people can do to help. Also, please let us know what unique features your web site will have (as opposed to--or, I should say, in coordination--other election reform web sites). I am so in awe of what you are doing! This is what's really needed--the nitty gritty of grass roots election reform organizing!

[Jo March]

8. PP, glad you asked

Here is what the database will have when it has been implemented:

1. A comprehensive list of Progressive groups with contact info. This will be used to coordinate quickly with other groups - strength in numbers, baby!

2. A library of fraud documents and resources for helping small groups get reforms passed. We will offer "fraud packets" and other items on election reform for other groups. These packets will be tailored for:
- the MSM (little words, soundbites - they aren't that bright)
- elected officials
- groups working in city, county, state and at the federal levels

3. A comprehensive list of elected officials with contact info and voting records, committee memberships, voting records.

The elected officials list will have a flag that can be set as yes/no which will add that elected official on our "watch list." We will pay close attention to that particular elected official.

4. A list of legislation about election reform along with who is sponsoring it, the gist of the bill, when it is coming up for a vote

All of this is available out there on the 'net. Some of it is free. Some of it you have to pay for. It is scattered here and there. I want it all in one place.

I want to organize this information. They can't defeat numbers and they can't defeat the truth. If we arm ourselves with the truth and we have the numbers...

Well, we will be able to bring them down.

I want my religion back. I want my country back. I want my damn vote back!!!

[rumpel]

9. you're so right.

[Misskittycat]

5. I can help you with this. It was my specialty when I worked for

the government. I'll e-mail you privately.

[Jo March]

7. Thanks, Misskittycat!

I need some help. :)

[Amaryllis]

6. kick

[rumpel]

10. Just a thought on legal help. If it is just a review of docs, you can pick

some good lawyers, the initial consultation in my experience is free. Eventually, you may need a lawyer for the organization anyway and you will have to interview a few lawyers to chose the one that clicks.
Another thought is to possibly write Arnebeck, if it is just a review he may be able to help?
We supported him all this time...so he may...

just thinking out loud..

[Jo March]

14. Thanks, rumpel.

I am writing several people whom I never thought I'd ever write!

[meganmonkey]

11. We Will Prevail!

Me likey a lot!

[Jo March]

12. Kick for folks who might have missed this! nt

[Amaryllis]

13. kick

[NationalEnquirer]

15. Great!

I see alot of whining on our part, but the best thing to do is to turn it into ACTION!
Great job!

[Jo March]

16. Thanks. :)

A friend of mine said that I have "intestinal fortitude." My mom just says I'm stubborn! :)

[f4tc4t]

17. If I can help, I will...

I got this thread link from frictionlessO. I added her site to my political links page. She suggested your researchers may find use in some of my links. I hope so. If you find use for them you are more than welcome. As I told her, my site has been crawled by google so any of my links add to their database. I am very pleased you are taking a stand and am very impressed with the overview of your new site. If there is anything I can be of help with, please let me know. I too am disabled, suffering from early stages of Alzheimers. I like to tell the guys on JD's bbs, I aint dead yet and I aint giving up.
Best of luck. Let me know when you have a site up and I will gladly add you to my links.

With Respect
fc

political links

u.s. government links

news links

JD s political hardball forum

[Imagevision]

18. Diebols won...they'll still be in place in 2008

Kerry knew 2 years in advance of this and simply said; "your votes will be counted" -- well, we know that this wasn't entirely the case

Iraq was/is too big to change leaders especially since the good ole USA peaked in oil production in 2000.

We have no choice, we need to secure the oil-land -- the election is secondary -- voting- fraud is secondary.

[Jo March]

19. kick for those who may have missed this nt

[bush_is_wacko]

20. You go girl!

Still researching, but have started a new job schedule. I'm exhaysted and have to get up at 4:30 am tomorrow so need some sleep. I'll get more info to you as soon as I can get some rest so my eyes don't bug out everytime I try to do that research! Didn't know your computer was down. Glad you are back with us!
BTW, mine was down for a grand total of two hours this afternoon and I was freaknig out! My nice reapir man searched high and low and found the problem VERY quickly and I was grateful!

I was going to edit this, but I geuss my typing errors make my exhhaustion quite clear!

[Jo March]

23. LOL, your exhaustion shows! :)

Get some rest! :)

I did not like having no internets. They are the only way I can get news these days. MSM is useless and pathetic!!

I am going to make another update on our progress soon. I am pretty pleased at how things are going. They are moving slowly but surely.

[Amaryllis]

21. kick

[merh]

22. May I suggest you pmail this fellow.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=288986&mesg_id=292859&page=

[Jo March]

24. Thanks, merh

I will PM. :)