Jason Says Vote - Republicans Say Don't!

And now, a satirical message from @theyoungturks

Jason Says Vote, Everywhere Else!

Jason's Bottom Line:

When it comes to the 2014 midterms, we can't have a single person sit on the side lines. Our generation cannot afford another 2 years of Republican failure. From the top (Senators and Governors) to the bottom (State Representatives, State Senators, Mayors, and Local Officials), we need to turn out and elect common-sense Democrats to move our country forward. As I didn't have time to detail every race - I wanted to give you a few resources in case you haven't made up your mind yet (or are considering voting for a Republican). 

How to Vote

Are you registered?

• www.canivote.org is a nice service that will connect you to your state's voter registration service. It can be a little slow - so be patient.
• www.longdistrancevoter.org is another service that will let you check your registration status if the first site is taking too long, but this one requires an email address. You can also access this service by typing "How to vote" in the Google.

Do you need an ID?

• www.longdistrancevoter.org also includes a tab with the voter ID requirements in each state. 
• www.ncsl.org also has a handy map to view voter ID laws in effect in each state.

When do polls close?

• www.huffingtonpost.com did a good rundown of poll closing times. Of note - all times are Eastern and the *'s mean that the state spans more than one time-zone.  
• www.usatoday.com did a graphic representation of the closing times - if that's your thing. 

Where is your polling place/ballot return?

• Forget the one below - this one is more fun - yourfuckingpollingplace.com
• pollingplaces.democrats.org did a great job of helping you find your polling location! It's as easy as entering your registration address!

What to do if you have trouble voting? (i.e. harassment, say you aren't registered, or you are in line when the polls close?)

• Harassment or other voting problems: Call the Voter Protection Hotline at 1-844-360-VOTE (8683) - they are there to help ensure that your vote is counted.
• The poll worker says that you aren't registered or that you already voted (but you haven't): fill out a provisional ballot (federally required after the 2000 Presidential election - remember "hanging chads?"). You will need to follow-up and prove that you are registered to vote - the deadline for doing so is typically 3-7 days after the election. If you are forced to use a provisional ballot - contact the Voter Protection Hotline for more information.
• In line when the polls close: STAY IN LINE! Wait, maybe you didn't get that....STAY IN LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are guaranteed the right to vote if you are in line prior to the poll closing time. If you leave the line, for any reason, you will not be able to vote. So, if you see a long line, pee before you get into it!

Who to Vote For

When in doubt, follow President Truman's advice, "If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic." 

Find out where to find more candidate information below the fold...

Jason Says Vote, Michigan!

Candidates: 

• Congressman Gary Peters (D): U.S. Representative (2009-present), Commissioner, MI State Lottery, MI State Senator (1994-2002), Rochester Hills, MI Councilman (1991-1994) Senate campaign site. 
• Fmr. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R): Former Michigan Sec. State (2003-2010). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This is an election for the open Senate seat being vacated by Senator Carl Levin. Peters is the favorite - and has been polling strong. I'm not going to delve into an in depth analysis here - I just want to make sure that my Michigan friends get out there and vote!!
• Gary Peters is a long-time Michigan Congressman - proving himself adept at working with both parties to find commonsense solutions to even the most difficult problems. 
• Terri Lynn Land is a far-right candidate who is absolutely wrong for Michigan families. She is anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, would have voted to keep the government shuttered because the Republican-forced cuts weren't devastating enough, opposed the auto-bailout that saved Detroit, and is generally of the opinion that the federal government has no role in our daily lives (except your uterus and my bedroom...)

Jason Says Vote, Kansas!

Candidates: 

• Senator Pat Roberts (R): U.S. Senate (1996-present). Prior to that he was a U.S. Representative (1980-1996) Senate campaign site. 
• Greg Orman (I): Founder, Environmental Lighting Concepts (1992-present) and Co-Founder, Denali Partners, LLC (2004-present). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Senator Roberts brought this challenge on himself. From failing to manage the optics around his residency to a lackluster campaign - the only reason that Greg Orman has a shot, is because Roberts wasn't giving the campaign any serious effort. The Democratic candidate dropped out of the race to give Orman a real shot at knocking Roberts out this cycle. It's a long-shot, but Roberts isn't making any friends these days. 
• This is going to be a quick report - not delving into the issues - but giving you a flavor.
• Pat Roberts is has been continuously representing Kansas in the Federal Government since 1980 (that's 34 years folks). He is a social conservative - opposing abortion, gay marriage, the ACA, and most federal oversight. 
• Greg Orman is an "independent" business man who was running a self-funded campaign against Roberts. He was elevated to national importance when the Kansas Democratic Party convinced their candidate to drop out - making it a head to head match-up between Orman and Roberts. Orman hasn't taken a lot of policy positions - rather focusing on fixing the gridlock in Washington. However, we do know that he is pro-choice, anti-tax increases, pro-reasonable gun-control and opposed to repealing the ACA (but wants to fix unintended consequences).

Jason Says Vote, Louisiana!

Candidates: 

• Senator Mary Landrieu (D): U.S. Senator (1997-present), LA Treasurer (1987-1995), State Representative (1979-1987) Senate campaign site. 
• Congressman Bill Cassidy (R): U.S. Representative (2008-present), State Senator (2006-2008) Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This is another tough southern race for Democrats. Ever since Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana has been drifting to the right. Large portions of liberal-residents from New Orleans failed to return after the storm. As a result, the state that had consistently elected Democrats to state-wide offices has been reticent to do so in the recent past. This is also a slightly tricky race because the November 4th election isn't the final say if no candidate tops 50% of the vote. In that case, there will be a run-off election on December 6, 2014.  
• Mary Landrieu is a down-home girl. Her dad, Moon Landrieu, was the New Orleans mayor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Carter. Mary's brother, Mitch, is the current Mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu is one of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. Senate. 
• Bill Cassidy is the most likely victor on the Republican side of the ticket on November 4th. He's rated as an average Republican - meaning that he votes with the Republican party the majority of the time.

Jason Says Vote, North Carolina!

Candidates: 

• Senator Kay Hagan (D): First elected to the Senate - 2008. Prior to that, she was a member of the NC State Senate (1999-2009). Senate campaign site. 
• NC House Speaker Thom Tillis: Speaker of the State House (2011-present), NC State Representative (2006-present) Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Kay Hagan is a pragmatic, thoughtful, and thoroughly North Carolina Senator. She is one of the hardest working Members of the Senate, and is running against one of the most partisan Republican challengers this cycle. Speaker Tillis has managed to turn the North Carolina State House into a partisan mess. Under his leadership, the State House passed anti-worker legislation, draconian anti-abortion bills, and even instituted un-democratic voting restrictions. 
• Kay Hagan is a strong advocate for the poor and middle-class. She has fought hard to increase education funding and access to health care for North Carolinians. She is not easily replaced. 
• Tom Tillis is a partisan to the core. His anti-education budgets have become a huge talking point in the state, and a tool to show how extreme he really is.

Jason Says Vote, New Hampshire!

Candidates: 

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D): First elected to the Senate in 2009. Prior to that, NH Governor (1997-2003), NH State Senator (1990-1996) Senate campaign site. 
• Fmr. U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R): U.S. Senator from MA (2010-2012), MA State Senator (2004-2010), MA State Representative (1998-2004). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• Scott Brown, fresh off of his loss to Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts in 2012, moved to New Hampshire to run against Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Brown can't seem to shake the carpetbagger label, but if this turns out to be a low-turnout election, Shaheen may just lose her seat. 
• Jeanne Shaheen is a significant force in New Hampshire politics. She's continuously represented the Granite State in the state or federal government since 1990. But, NH has an independent streak, and the President is not very popular there. He is acting as a drag on Senator Shaheen's approval ratings. This race has another significance - as NH is currently the only state to ever have an entirely female Federal Delegation. If Shaheen falls to Brown - that won't be the case. 
• Scott Brown moved to New Hampshire in search of a friendlier political environment - but has continuously been dogged by the carpetbagger label. He's counting on low-turnout and high disgust at the President to pull him across the finish line. 

Jason Says Vote, Iowa!

Candidates: 

• Congressman Bruce Braley (D): US Congressman (2007-present) Senate campaign site. 
• State Senator Joni Ernst (R): Iowa State Senator (2011-present)  Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This open-Senate seat is the result of the retirement of Senator Harkin (D-IA) - a longtime "Plains Progressive." This is one of the most surprising elections for me, because Joni Ernst is a consummate politician...but is crazy on many issues that Iowans care about. Braley hasn't done himself any favors with some comments - painting him as out of touch with Iowa voters. This remains a retail politics state - and it's going to be turnout that decides who goes to D.C. 
• Bruce Braley is, like Senator Harkin, a plains populist to the core. He's smart, hardworking, and a fighter for the middle class. He supports policies to strengthen the middle class and reign in the out of control spending on elections by shadowy groups.
• Joni Ernst has been relying heavily on her military experience (which deserves our heartfelt thanks) and her folksy charm to win over voters. She won a heated Republican primary, and has been hitting the ground hard in the state. That being said, she is pretty far to the right of Iowans on many issues. 

Jason Says Vote, Georgia!

Candidates: 

• David Perdue (R): Founder of Atlanta-based global trading firm. Prior to that, Perdue was the former CEO of Dollar General (2003-2007) and Pillowtex (2002-2003). Senate campaign site. 
• Michelle Nunn (D): Executive Director of Points of Light. Founder and Executive Director of Hands on Atlanta. Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This open-Senate seat is the result of the retirement of Senator Chambliss (R-GA) - losing us the only Saxby in Congress. After a blistering primary, Perdue emerged as the nominee - arguing that his business acumen was the right recipe to turn around Georgia's economy. Nunn, the daughter of former Georgia U.S. Senator Sam Nunn has staked out a middle of the road campaign capitalizing on the unpopularity of the Republican Governor Nathan Deal (who is being challenged by former-President Jimmy Carter's grandson, Jason Carter. 
• David Perdue was running a textbook Republican campaign in Georgia - highlighting his business background and know how. That was great to win the blistering primary (where Perdue had to stake out pretty conservative positions to compete), but when it comes to the general election - Mr. Perdue has thus far failed to explain his record of outsourcing and cutting American jobs. Particularly harmful was a deposition by Mr. Perdue expressing how proud he is of his record of outsourcing jobs. 
• Michelle Nunn on the other hand, is putting her record of community service and family service as a stark contrast to Mr. Perdue's business record. Nunn has remained in the middle on most policy issues - and is running as a populist in an increasingly purple state. She's working hard to register new voters, especially women and minorities, but the Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp has been heavy handed in allowing these voters to register (launching bogus investigations and trying to disenfranchise voters - especially African Americans). 

Jason Says Vote, Kentucky!

Candidates: 

• Senator Mitch McConnell (R): First elected to the US Senate 1985. Prior to that - Senate Minority Leader (2006-present), Senate Majority Whip (2002-2006), Judge-Executive, Jefferson County (1978-1985). Senate campaign site. 
• Secretary of State Allison Lundergan Grimes (D): Elected KY Secretary of State in 2012. Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• The fact that this race is even close has more to do with Grimes' grit and tenacity and less to do with the optics of the year. By all estimations, McConnell should be well ahead of Grimes at this point - it is a "Republican year" after all - but he is not...and hopefully we can get rid of McConnell and get a real pragmatic legislator for the people of Kentucky. This is probably going to be my second favorite post (Colorado is first) because I think it's the Democrats best chance to knock off an obstructionist in the Senate. 
• Mitch McConnell has been labeled (repeatedly and widely) as the king/proud guardian of gridlock (there are 4 links to different sources there...and I had to stop myself from including more). He's built his almost 30 year Senate career on blocking any and all legislation proposed by Democrats and standing up for the power players who keep him in power - often at the detriment of average Kentuckians. 
• Allison Lundergan Grimes on the other hand, is a pragmatic problem solver who is giving McConnell the race of his political life. She is a smart and dedicated defender of the middle-class, and understands Kentucky better than any Democratic politician (other than perhaps Bill Clinton). 

Jason Says Vote, Arkansas!

Candidates: 

• Senator Mark Pryor (D): first elected to the U.S. Senate - 2003. Prior to that he was Arkansas Attorney General (1999-2003) and a State Representative (1990-1994). Senator's campaign website.
• Congressman Tom Cotton (R): first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. Senate campaign site. 

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This election just goes to show you how rough it is to be a Democratic Senator named Mark this year! This is also one of the toughest races for Democrats in the country. Arkansas has continued to move to the right over the past decade - now tied as the 9th most conservative state - and while Senator Pryor is a moderate Democrat, he's in the race of his life this election cycle.
• Mark Pryor is a moderate Senator who comes from an Arkansas political dynasty. His family has fought for generations to make The Natural State a better place for every Arkansan. He's not my favorite guy on every issue - but he is a good man for Arkansas - and has been a strong advocate for the middle class.
• Tom Cotton is a likable enough guy, but isn't a good choice for the Senate. He's a party-line guy, and is very conservative. There are no major issues where he deviates from a hard-right policy position, and if he were to join the Republicans in the Senate, he would be one more vote for obstruction and gridlock for the next 6 years.

Jason Says Vote, Alaska!

Candidates: 

• Senator Mark Begich (D): first elected to the U.S. Senate - 2008. Prior to that he was the Mayor of Anchorage (2003-2009) Senator's campaign website.
• Dan Sullivan (R): Alaska Commissioner of Natural Resources (2011-2013).  Prior to that he was Alaska's Acting Attorney General (2009-2010) and Assistant U.S. Secretary of State (2006-2009). Senate campaign site. 

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This election is a whole lot tougher to handicap for you - as Mr. Sullivan has never been a Member of the U.S. Congress (or the state legislature), so he does not have a voting record to look at. What I can say is that Senator Begich has been a strong voice for Alaskan interests (even when he had to stand up to the Democratic leadership). He and Senator Murkowski (R-AK) have a great working relationship and have partnered on many issues over the course of this Congress.
• Mark Begich is a bi-partisan Senator who has been a dogged supporter of Alaskans in the U.S. Senate. He's not perfect on every issue - but he fits the people of Alaska well. At least we know where he stands on the issues, even if we don't always agree.
• Dan Sullivan started out as a conservative, but not Tea Party, candidate who was able to best a Tea Party Republican in the primary. Since that victory, he has moved significantly to the right to try to earn the support of the Tea Party - recently securing the endorsement of the Tea Party Express. By in large, it seems that Sullivan is doing his best to ignore the issues and tie Begich to President Obama without revealing any issue positions.

Jason Says Vote, Colorado!

Let me just start by saying that this one is very personal to me. Having campaigned for candidates up and down the ballot in Colorado in 2010, I have a special place in my heart for The Centennial State.

Candidates: 

• Senator Mark Udall (D): first elected to the U.S. Senate - 2008. Prior to that he was a Member of the Colorado State House (1996-1998), and a U.S. Representative (1999-2009). Senator's campaign website.
• Congressman Cory Gardner (R): first elected to the U.S. House - 2010. Prior to that he was a staffer for U.S. Senator Wayne Allard from Colorado (2002-2005), a Member of the Colorado State House (2005-2010), and U.S. Representative (2011-present). Senate campaign site.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This election comes down to whether or not the people of Colorado are going to be fooled by pretty new wrapping paper on Representative Cory Gardner, a far-right fringe candidate. 
• Mark Udall is Colorado. He believes in strengthening the middle class, making college more affordable, protecting our rights, and encouraging responsible solutions to everything from balancing the budget to saving the environment. 
• Gardner, on the other hand, is a "Hard-Core Conservative" who has an 85% approval rating from the Tea Party; voted to privatize Medicare, raise the eligibility age, and gut federal Medicaid safeguards; and voted to shut down the government - while Colorado families suffered from devastating floods - cutting off valuable (and direly needed) disaster relief. 

Jason Says Vote: Introduction

I'm hoping that this will encourage those in my generation to vote in the November 4, 2014 election. 

This is going to be a very important election year - and control of the US Senate hangs in the balance. As such, I will look at important issues to our generation and where the major US Senate candidates stand. I'm not going to do every state, but I'm going to focus on those where youth turn-out WILL determine the election. Just because your state isn't listed, doesn't mean that there aren't important elections. This year 36 states (and 3 Territories) elect their Governors, every US House Seat is on the ballot, as well as seats in state legislatures, and local elections. Voting is a mandatory for every single one of us if our positions on important issues are going to be taken seriously.

If we sit on the sideline this year - then politicians who are hostile to the things we want and need will take over. We can't be a generation that only votes in the Presidential years, we must be a generation that stands up for our values in every single election. It's the only way that we will ensure that our future is bright.

The issues that I'm going to cover are...

• Access to Affordable Health Care

• Education and Student Debt

• Pay Equity, Workplace Protections, and Expanding the Middle Class

• Reproductive Rights and Women's Health Care

• Marriage Equality

• Bipartisanship and Willingness to Work Across Party Lines