Not to get your expectations too um high . . . BUT anecdotally, while holding down the sign depot, an amazing (to us) number of people were picking up signs who are Republicans! Can’t remember THAT ever happening!  If we had made up signs saying REPUBLICANS FOR BIDEN they would all be taken by now.

Excitement is mounting for the UVDems monthly program, Monday, October 26. The plan is for Maggie Hassan to talk about Jeanne and Annie, the executive council, the governor’s role and its importance. Then we will hear from Dan Feltes and Mike Cryans.

Senator Maggie Hassan has now confirmed she will kick off the program at 6:30!

You have to wonder how Kristen Welker will fare at this week’s match with Trump and Biden. Will he make himself into a low level clown again? Will he be a serious wingnut again? From this perspective, the moderator, and how she keeps things on track, may be the must-watch TV. Either way, like any train wreck, it will be hard not to tune in.

And then there were two . . . weeks till V day. Here’s hoping the bulk of us have organized our vote by either voting absentee or by marching to the town clerk, asking for a ballot, filling it out and handing it back to him/her. Volunteers are still needed for the early processing session (observing the AB opening and recording names of baaad ballots). The volunteers will need to do a training, please see below. We also need volunteers to do viz at the polls. Due to covid, the rules have changed a bit. Our distancing will be stricter, talking to voters will be strictly prohibited and in some cases there will be new places to stand. Check below.

Also check out the recorded “debates” between our esteemed and highly-respected national delegation, Jeanne Shaheen and Annie Kuster, and their opponents and see why the Dems are solid and strong. We are so proud of our team!

Click to see full post: 

• Check here to track your absentee ballot
• NHPR Debates this week!
• Small Businesses for Shaheen
• October 19, Congresswoman Annie Kuster & Senator Maggie Hassan
• October 22, SHE VOTES: The 19th Amendment & the Road Ahead with special guest, Hilary Clinton
• October 22, Final Presidential Debate
• October 26, Report from the Front Lines

Sue Prentiss, in an October 7 Valley News forum letter, says what we need to say beautifully, so we’re letting her take the lead today.

We also encourage you to take a look at the Shaheen/Messner “debate” if you are at all confused about who you will be voting for! hmm and to add to your watching pleasure, we’ve added a link to Veto Mania!, last week’s UVDems monthly program. Thank you to our representatives for participating. We certainly learned a lot.

Speaking of reasons to vote for Jeanne Shaheen and Dems up and down the ticket, the UVDems will address these issues at our October 26th Zoom program. Fortunately for us, we have Maggie Hassan to weigh in on working with Jeanne and Annie Kuster. Then Dan Feltes and Mike Cryans will be explaining how the governor’s office works with the executive council.

If you are sick and tired of this election, you are not alone AND it’s almost over. Hang in there. Join lit drops in Lebanon and Hanover; make calls; display a sign; make a donation. We are almost there and let’s just hope the election doesn’t drag on past November 3.

Take it away, Sue!

Here’s what’s at stake for women in this election 

The unfortunate passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was heartbreaking for so many women in New Hampshire and across the country — not only because we lost a steadfast champion for women’s rights, equality and justice, but because her passing puts the future of women’s health care at risk. For Granite Staters, this issue hits especially close to home. Just like President Donald Trump, Gov. Chris Sununu opposes abortion rights and has spent his career attempting to restrict women’s access to reproductive health services.

The Trump administration has attempted to defund Planned Parenthood, whose health clinics provide birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. True to form, when Sununu was on the Executive Council, he did exactly the same thing. When Planned Parenthood’s contract came up for debate, Sununu cast the deciding vote to defund these health care centers, which thousands of Granite State women rely on.

Second, just as Trump wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, Sununu is working to make access to abortion almost impossible — even when medically necessary. He recently vetoed legislation requiring health insurance companies to cover women’s reproductive health care, in effect restricting abortion access for many women and making it clear that he believes he should be the one making medical decisions for Granite State women.

Finally, just like Trump’s attempts to put a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court who opposes abortion rights, Sununu is attempting to do the same thing with New Hampshire’s Supreme Court. Last year, Sununu tried to appoint someone who had never been a judge to the state’s highest court. Thankfully the Executive Council rebuked this dangerous anti-woman move. But if reelected, Sununu has already vowed to try to reshape the court with an abortion-rights opponent. With Roe v. Wade potentially at risk nationally, it’s more important than ever that New Hampshire’s court upholds personal freedom and privacy — and Sununu can’t be trusted to do that.

SUE PRENTISS

Lebanon

The writer is the Democratic candidate for state Senate District 5.

Click here to see details of the items below:

• Top 3 voter mistakes on absentee ballots in NH
• Jeanne Shaheen Debates Corky Messner
• Sununu’s ‘Veto Mania’ on YOUTUBE
• Where Sununu stands on the ACA
• October 15, From the Outskirts to Downtown: Taxes, Land Use & Value in 15 New Hampshire Communities (Hanover and Lebanon among the communities)
• Monday, October 26, Report from the Front Lines

ONGOING

• OrganizeNH Updates
• Signs
• Clerk office hours for dropping off your absentee ballot!
• Black Lives Matter Vigils