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No Stolen Election Action Framework

Vol. 1, No. 3--November, 2004

As the election closes in, there is mounting evidence that the outcome may not be immediately clear. A wide range of voter fraud may emerge that will require intense work on the local level to organize direct actions seeking remedies. Fortunately there are already thousands of people mobilized in election protection efforts to insure that every vote is counted on Nov 2, but they will need more support. That's why we signed the No Stolen Elections pledge. If there is fraud, we committed to take action to help them, and by extension, help our whole nation.

The overarching theme of uncertain and location-specific natures of voter fraud have created a situation in which the following concepts should be stressed:

Decentralization - With the many ways voter fraud can occur in this election, no one central group can possibly cover all that might happen nor effectively craft a response model that works for every situation. Florida differs from Colorado or Ohio or New Jersey, a butterfly ballot problem is different from a touch-screen machine that has crashed, or voter purging or intimidation at the polls, and so on. Each particular situation requires a different type of tactical response. The goal is to support local/regional activity and decision making as much as possible. This helps insure quick and appropriate responses.

Communication - The key to mobilization is effective communication, empowering people with enough information to act on their own. In your community, set up a local communication network of the names, organizations, phone/text numbers, and email addresses of those involved in the effort to stop a stolen election. Exchange information and resources. Regularly check the website of the sponsor groups like www.unitedforpeace.org and www.Nov3.us for necessary central information such as schedules of important conference calls, press conferences, or large central demonstrations. When the polls start coming in, check for discrepancies between your reporting and the reporting done by corporate media, and stay on top of them for corrections. Stay in close contact for flash mobilization points, and be ready to converge on locations where assistance is needed.

Preparedness - The key words in preparedness are flexibility, spontaneity, and adaptability. Anything can happen during the election or in the days after the polls close. You must prepare for any contingency, and local communities should organize now to take action if it is needed. Learn about your state and local election laws. Set up meeting times and places on Election Day for people to watch the returns together. Scout the local offices of the RNC, DNC, and Board of Elections in or near your community. Compile a contact list of relevant media, officials, and other organizers. Again, be prepared for anything.

We need to be ready to:

• Gather the community to decide what to do to reclaim the election under each possible outcome.
• Hold both political parties accountable for their actions.
• Mobilize for escalating actions leading up to and including non-violent civil disobedience and mass non-cooperation.
• Speak out in all forms of media

Framework for No Stolen Election Actions
Phase I: Nov 2- 3

• Nov 2 - Election Day: Be organized in your local community to watch the results together. Some members of the No Stolen Elections "Signal" Committee will be meeting in Washington to watch the election results and gather central information from the Fair Elections Advisory Board. Based on that information they will develop a generalized recommendation for action. At 11:30 pm EST there will be a national conference call with participating "fair election" groups to discuss the present situation and any action recommendations. The decision of whether or not to initiate the Urgent Response Network will be made then. If so tasked, the URN will communicate a "Call to Action" through the following means:
  • Central, essential information on the www.Nov3.us website -including updates, calendar of actions, calls, etc.
  • Email Blast to all Pledge Signers.
  • Text Messages to all Local contacts.
  • Conference calls of the individual organizations and member groups.
  • Press releases
  The Signal Committee will continue to meet each day over the first week to keep appraised of unfolding events in order to get clean and accurate information, specific demands and targeted actions out to the grassroots.
• Nov 3 - The Day After: Well in advance of the election, local communities are encouraged to organize and publicize public gatherings for Nov. 3 to assess the situation. If there is clear indication of fraud or malfeasance, it will be communicated during the early morning hours through the Urgent Response Network. If they have not already done so, communities are requested to post information on their actions and rallies on the No Stolen Elections website www.nov3.us under "Directory of Local Actions". Possible Action Sites to consider:
  • Polling places with problems
  • Local Board of Election offices
  • DNC or RNC Office
  • Kerry or Bush Campaign Offices
  • City Hall or Municipal Buildings
  • State Capitol
  • Federal Buildings (however, be cognizant of both the increased security measures and increased penalties for actions on Federal buildings)
  • Local Media Outlets

Phase II: Nov 4- 13: The Week After:

• Nov. 4: There will be a national conference call to assess what is happening and where people might take action. Communities should be prepared to follow up on specific situations and push for all possible remedies for the problems at hand. There will still be a strong need for citizen activism and volunteered time in the form of lawyers, technology advisors, vote counters and monitors and others needed for the contest and recount process. There will also need to be a concurrent mobilization of other citizens to prepare for escalated public protest.
• In any State where there is a contest of the results, statewide or regional convergences should be organized by local on-the-ground people as soon as possible, and information on that convergence should be publicized immediately. Know the official particulars of that situation and make your demands clear and within the proper context. Keep information and developments current and easily accessible to the outside. Begin immediate planning to sustain the "street heat" protest with new people. You may be there for a while.

Phase III: Nov 14-20: Street Heat Escalation Steps Up

At this point we would begin the process of a national convergence in Washington, D.C. and any key hot spot for massive protests, unless circumstances have already caused this to happen. These nationwide actions should include elements of non-violent civil disobedience and general strike. The point needs to be made loud and clear so that not only does the power establishment hear us, but also the millions still sitting at home who have not gotten involved. Wherever possible, each local satellite action should mirror the national actions.

Phase IV: Nov 20 and on

• After the nationwide demonstrations it will be important to keep up the pressure, but it must be properly paced, and applied appropriately in order to avoid burnout. Here we should return to the basics: Decentralization, Communication, Preparedness.
• The contested State(s) will already be well into the legal process here, so most of the activist work comes in the form of sustaining the activity already in process by having enough people and resources to replenish. Stay connected to the central information sites and look out for major developments that will necessitate further calls to action.

Phase V: Jan 20 -STOP THE INAUGURATION

If it appears that on January 20th, 2005, the US will be swearing in an illegitimate President, a nationwide mobilization to "Stop the Inauguration" should begin to take shape rather quickly. A return to D.C. will be inevitable, but there is more that can be done locally for those who cannot travel. In both cases, profound statements must be made. Our citizen discontent must be rational and clear and precise, with a specific purpose and intent. In other words, the Angry Mob should have a Point. But even so, when mobilizing, be prepared for any number of possible security situations including some that have never been seen before. It stands to reason given recent events that we will be seeing unprecedented measures throughout the entire process.

Be informed, be prepared.

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