{"issues":[{"id":"government","name":"Government","slug":"government","description":"Federal legislation related to the operations of the US Federal Government. Bills can encompass government administration, regulation of political parties, the US postal service, US territories and public contracts.","page_title":"US Government - Federal legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/black_government-1453508811.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/grey_government-1453508811.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/government/white_government-1453508811.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"states","name":"States","slug":"states","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding States. 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","page_title":"US Federal legislation related to Poverty and Social Welfare, including Social Security - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/poverty/black_poverty-1453508993.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/poverty/grey_poverty-1453508993.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/poverty/white_poverty-1453508993.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"wages","name":"Wages","slug":"wages","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Wages. 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","page_title":"Business Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/business/black_business-1429042053.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/business/grey_business-1429042053.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/business/white_business-1429042053.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"families","name":"Families","slug":"families","description":"Congressional legislation related to Families encompassing a wide variety of potential subjects, including: adoption child care, child safety, domestic violence and abuse, marriage, divorce and teenage pregnancy.","page_title":"Federal legislation related to Families - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/families/black_families-1429042038.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/families/grey_families-1429042038.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/families/white_families-1429042038.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"small-business","name":"Small Business","slug":"small-business","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Small Business. 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Although it’s been over a month since Election Day, control of the U.S. Senate remains undetermined. A pair of high-profile, high-stakes races in Georgia are set to determine control of the upper chamber.

Incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue faces off against Democrat Jon Ossoff. And Republican appointee Sen. Kelly Loeffler battles Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock.

Here's all the As to your Georgia Runoff Qs

Why the runoffs?

Under Georgia law, if no candidate reaches 50% in an election, a runoff is triggered. None of the above candidates cleared the 50% threshold needed for an outright victory on Election Day.

Meet the candidates

Perdue (R) vs. Ossoff (D)

Sen. David Perdue is a wealthy 70-year-old businessman. He’s been Georgia’s senior senator since 2015. Prior to his Senate career, he served as CEO of Dollar General and Reebok, and also held senior management positions at Haggar Clothing and Sara Lee.
Jon Ossoff, 33, is the CEO of a media company that produces documentaries on corruption and war crimes in foreign countries. Three years ago, Ossoff was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate in a historically expensive special election for Georgia’s 6th District House seat, which was vacated by Tom Price when he joined the Trump administration as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary.

Loeffler (R) vs. Warnock (D)

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, 49, is a multimillionaire, former CEO of Bakkt (a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Exchange), and co-owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team. She was appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to fill former Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat when he retired in December 2019 due to health concerns.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, 51, has served as senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church — where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached — since 2005.

What’s at stake?

The U.S. Senate.
Republicans have held both of Georgia’s Senate seats since 2005, after former Sen. Johnny Isakson won the seat formerly held by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller after Miller retired.
However, these races have broader implications outside Georgia, as they will determine which party controls the Senate. Republicans, who currently hold 50 seats, need one more seat to secure the majority. But if Ossoff defeats Perdue, and Warnock defeats Loeffler, the Senate would be evenly split 50-50, making Vice President Kamala Harris the tie-breaking majority vote.
An interesting aside: this is the first time that runoff elections for two Senate seats in the same state could dictate political control of the Senate.

What are the key issues?

Both the Republican and Democratic candidates are campaigning as duos, holding joint events and framing their stump speeches around what they could accomplish (or stop) in Washington together.
At a rally in Cumming, Georgia, Sen. Perdue made this strategy clear by stating:

“I win, she wins; she wins, I win. It’s as simple as this. Kelly and I are asking you to stand with us!”

The Republican team of Perdue and Loeffler contend that a Republican-held Senate is the only thing that can constrain the ambitions of a Biden administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). At the Cumming rally, Loeffler said:

“Make no mistake: We are the firewall — not just for the U.S. Senate, but the future of our country.”

In his race, Ossoff is aggressively attacking Perdue on the issue of his stock portfolio. Perdue often traded - and made money - from companies that benefited from legislation he worked on. And in January, senators were briefed - privately - about the coronavirus.
Soon afterwards, Loeffler made a series of stock trades based on this insider information. While Perdue did not attend the briefing, he bought stock in a cache of businesses that stood to benefit from a mass pandemic, including Pfizer.
On the Democratic side, Ossoff and Warnock are seeking to portray Loeffler and Perdue as out of touch, particularly on the issue of enacting a new round of COVID-19 relief. In the final weeks of the election, the Democratic duo are making stimulus checks a central component of their closing arguments.

What national-level political figures have weighed in?

Given the high stakes in the Georgia race, it is unsurprising that national-level party leaders on both sides have gotten involved.
On the Republican side, President Donald Trump held his first post-election rally in Valdosta, Georgia, on December 5 to boost Perdue and Loeffler. Vice President Mike Pence has also made multiple visits to the state, and other administration officials are expected to do the same before January 5. Additionally, President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., has launched a super PAC to ensure that Republicans turn out for the runoff.
Across the aisle, former president Barack Obama held a virtual event for Ossoff and Warnock the day before President Trump’s rally. President-elect Biden is also investing significant time and political capital into boosting Ossoff’s and Warnock’s changes, as he sees a Democratic Senate as key to his agenda once in office.

-Lorelei Yang

","user_id":824038,"cta_prompt":"How do you feel about the GA runoff? ","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/a0922a/VOTE%20IN%20GA%20%281%29.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/a0922a/VOTE%20IN%20GA%20%281%29.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/a0922a/VOTE%20IN%20GA%20%281%29.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/a0922a/VOTE%20IN%20GA%20%281%29.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/a0922a/VOTE%20IN%20GA%20%281%29.png"},"profile_id":26,"action_count":814,"html_content":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 1.4.21

Incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue faces off against Democrat Jon Ossoff. And Republican appointee Sen. Kelly Loeffler battles Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock.

Here's all the As to your Georgia Runoff Qs

Why the runoffs?

Under Georgia law, if no candidate reaches 50% in an election, a runoff is triggered. None of the above candidates cleared the 50% threshold needed for an outright victory on Election Day.

Meet the candidates

Perdue (R) vs. Ossoff (D)

Sen. David Perdue is a wealthy 70-year-old businessman. He’s been Georgia’s senior senator since 2015. Prior to his Senate career, he served as CEO of Dollar General and Reebok, and also held senior management positions at Haggar Clothing and Sara Lee.
Jon Ossoff, 33, is the CEO of a media company that produces documentaries on corruption and war crimes in foreign countries. Three years ago, Ossoff was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate in a historically expensive special election for Georgia’s 6th District House seat, which was vacated by Tom Price when he joined the Trump administration as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary.

Loeffler (R) vs. Warnock (D)

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, 49, is a multimillionaire, former CEO of Bakkt (a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Exchange), and co-owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team. She was appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to fill former Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat when he retired in December 2019 due to health concerns.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, 51, has served as senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church — where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached — since 2005.

What’s at stake?

The U.S. Senate.
Republicans have held both of Georgia’s Senate seats since 2005, after former Sen. Johnny Isakson won the seat formerly held by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller after Miller retired.
However, these races have broader implications outside Georgia, as they will determine which party controls the Senate. Republicans, who currently hold 50 seats, need one more seat to secure the majority. But if Ossoff defeats Perdue, and Warnock defeats Loeffler, the Senate would be evenly split 50-50, making Vice President Kamala Harris the tie-breaking majority vote.
An interesting aside: this is the first time that runoff elections for two Senate seats in the same state could dictate political control of the Senate.

What are the key issues?

Both the Republican and Democratic candidates are campaigning as duos, holding joint events and framing their stump speeches around what they could accomplish (or stop) in Washington together.
At a rally in Cumming, Georgia, Sen. Perdue made this strategy clear by stating:

“I win, she wins; she wins, I win. It’s as simple as this. Kelly and I are asking you to stand with us!”

The Republican team of Perdue and Loeffler contend that a Republican-held Senate is the only thing that can constrain the ambitions of a Biden administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). At the Cumming rally, Loeffler said:

“Make no mistake: We are the firewall — not just for the U.S. Senate, but the future of our country.”

In his race, Ossoff is aggressively attacking Perdue on the issue of his stock portfolio. Perdue often traded - and made money - from companies that benefited from legislation he worked on. And in January, senators were briefed - privately - about the coronavirus.
Soon afterwards, Loeffler made a series of stock trades based on this insider information. While Perdue did not attend the briefing, he bought stock in a cache of businesses that stood to benefit from a mass pandemic, including Pfizer.
On the Democratic side, Ossoff and Warnock are seeking to portray Loeffler and Perdue as out of touch, particularly on the issue of enacting a new round of COVID-19 relief. In the final weeks of the election, the Democratic duo are making stimulus checks a central component of their closing arguments.

What national-level political figures have weighed in?

Given the high stakes in the Georgia race, it is unsurprising that national-level party leaders on both sides have gotten involved.
On the Republican side, President Donald Trump held his first post-election rally in Valdosta, Georgia, on December 5 to boost Perdue and Loeffler. Vice President Mike Pence has also made multiple visits to the state, and other administration officials are expected to do the same before January 5. Additionally, President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., has launched a super PAC to ensure that Republicans turn out for the runoff.
Across the aisle, former president Barack Obama held a virtual event for Ossoff and Warnock the day before President Trump’s rally. President-elect Biden is also investing significant time and political capital into boosting Ossoff’s and Warnock’s changes, as he sees a Democratic Senate as key to his agenda once in office.

-Lorelei Yang

","comment_count":130,"issue_slugs":["government","elections","states","voting-rights","health"],"created_at":"2021-01-04T20:44:24.936Z","status":"published","snippet":"Although it’s been over a month since Election Day, control of the U.S. Senate remains undetermined. A pair of high-profile,","html_byline":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 1.4.21

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Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the upper chamber.

For Peach Staters wondering about the election schedule, or for those interested in donating their money or time to the runoff, we’ve pulled together some key dates.

Now - Register to Vote

If you’re a Georgian, make sure you’re registered to vote:

December 7 - Voter Registration Deadline

Georgia voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

Register online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

December 14 - Early Voting Begins

There are a number of ways to vote in the runoff: early, absentee, or in person. Keep reading for instructions for each option.

Option 1: Vote early starting on December 14

Early voting begins on December 14, 2020
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours

Option 2: Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton

January 5, 2021 - Federal Runoff Election Day

Option 3: Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application

If you're unsure about your voter registration status, need to find your poll location, or want to see a sample ballot for the upcoming election, click over to the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

","user_id":824038,"cta_prompt":"How are you feeling about the Georgia runoff? ","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/1f249a/GA%20VOTE%20%281%29.png","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/1f249a/GA%20VOTE%20%281%29.png","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/1f249a/GA%20VOTE%20%281%29.png","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/1f249a/GA%20VOTE%20%281%29.png","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/gZAMg8wZ/1f249a/GA%20VOTE%20%281%29.png"},"profile_id":26,"action_count":596,"html_content":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 12.6.20

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the upper chamber.

For Peach Staters wondering about the election schedule, or for those interested in donating their money or time to the runoff, we’ve pulled together some key dates.

Now - Register to Vote

If you’re a Georgian, make sure you’re registered to vote:

December 7 - Voter Registration Deadline

Georgia voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

\nRegister online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form\n
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

December 14 - Early Voting Begins

There are a number of ways to vote in the runoff: early, absentee, or in person. Keep reading for instructions for each option.

Option 1: Vote early starting on December 14

\nEarly voting begins on December 14, 2020
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours

Option 2: Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton\n

January 5, 2021 - Federal Runoff Election Day

Option 3: Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID\n
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application

","comment_count":89,"issue_slugs":["states","elections","voting-rights","government","legal-affairs"],"created_at":"2020-12-07T03:52:32.159Z","status":"published","snippet":"Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races","html_byline":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 12.6.20

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Fight for the Senate

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the Senate:

Republican Sen. David Perdue versus Democrat Jon Ossoff
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler versus Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock

How to vote in the runoffs

Register

Peach State voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the January 5 runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

Register online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

Vote

Georgia voters have a number of options to vote in the runoff.

Vote early starting on December 14

Early voting begins on December 14, 2020.
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours.

Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email.

Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays.
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5.
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day (check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton).

Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff.
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID.
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application.

If you're unsure about your voter registration status, need to find your poll location, or want to see a sample ballot for the upcoming election, click on over to the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / diane555)

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by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.23.20

Fight for the Senate

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the Senate:

Republican Sen. David Perdue versus Democrat Jon Ossoff
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler versus Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock

How to vote in the runoffs

Register

Peach State voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the January 5 runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

\nRegister online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form\n
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

Vote

Georgia voters have a number of options to vote in the runoff.

Vote early starting on December 14

\nEarly voting begins on December 14, 2020.
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours.

Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email.

Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays.
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5.
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day (check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton).

Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff.
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID.
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application.

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / diane555)

","comment_count":33,"issue_slugs":["states","elections","voting-rights","congress-shenanigans","civil-rights"],"created_at":"2020-11-23T18:57:18.494Z","status":"published","snippet":"Fight for the SenateGeorgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results","html_byline":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.23.20

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Last week, Mississippi voters approved a new state flag by an overwhelming majority (71.39% voted “yes” while 28.61% voted “no). The new state flag design does away with the Confederate Flag imagery used in the old Mississippi state flag. The new flag features a magnolia blossom; the phrase “In God We Trust”; and 20 stars to symbolize Mississippi’s status as the 20th state to join the Union.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) supported the new state flag design and said:

“This is not a political moment to me, but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together to be reconciled and to move on. We must understand that all who want change are not attempting to erase history and all who want the status quo are not mean spirited or hateful. ... I also understand the need to commit the 1894 flag to history and find a banner that is a better emblem for all Mississippi.\"

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) added:

“This is a historic & long-awaited day for Mississippi. I appreciate our state legislators for having the courage and conviction to make this necessary change to our state flag. As I have maintained since 2015, Mississippians deserve a banner that unites us rather than divides us.\"

The Mississippi Republican Party supported the adoption of a new state flag as an “organic change” from inside the state:

“This was an organic change from inside Mississippi, led by Mississippi elected officials. We should be proud of that, regardless of whether outside voices praise or slander our effort. Governor Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn are to be commended for their leadership. ... We now have a unique opportunity, during a time of unrest in other parts of the country, to do what Mississippians have always done best—come together during times of trial to reach upward and step forward together.\"

After this measure’s passage, State Rep. Jeramey Anderson (D), author of the House bill, called the new flag one that “unites rather than divides” and a step in the right direction for Mississippi:

“This was a bold, bipartisan step that shows the world Mississippi is finally ready to step out from under the cloud of slavery and Jim Crow. But it isn't the final step. Mississippi and the United States remains plagued by systemic racism that keeps people of color from being truly free and equal.\"

State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R), who opposed the process by which the new flag was developed, said:

“I think we owe it to history to push back against a movement like that. And ultimately, in my mind, it is not about a flag at all, this is about the people having a voice. Ultimately we will be pleased with whatever the people decide, it’s just to take the issue away from them causes more harm in the long run then it should.”

Let Mississippi Vote also opposed this ballot measure. It said that it would sponsor a future ballot initiative related to the state flag when it reached 5,000 volunteers. The organization criticized the lack of popular input in the decision to bring the question of adopting a new flag to voters:

“With the historic flag vote in Jackson, our legislators stole our voice from us. If you would like to volunteer to make sure Mississippi has a voice on deciding our state flag, please sign up today.”

Prior to this measure’s approval, a statewide referendum to replace the Mississippi state flag failed 19 years ago in 2001. At that time, 65% of voters voted to keep the existing flag rather than to adopt a new flag with 20 white stars on a blue background.

This measure began as House Bill 1896, which the Mississippi state legislature passed and Gov. Reeves signed into law on June 30, 2020. That bill removed the official status of the previous state flag and established the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag. The commission was tasked with designing a new state flag and reporting the recommended design to Gov. Reeves and the state legislature.

The public was able to submit flag designs to the Mississippi Dept. of Archives and History (MDAH) until August 1, 2020. Ultimately, the flag redesign commission received about 3,000 flags that met the criteria for consideration and narrowed the designs down across four meetings until the final design was selected on September 2, 2020.

A flag design featuring a mosquito was among the 147 designs that made it into the second round of consideration. However, the MDAH withdrew the flag from consideration, citing a typographical error in the list of flag numbers that were supposed to make it into the second round of consideration.

The Mosquito Flag’s creator, 26-year-old dockhand Thomas Rosete, said of his flag’s journey from inclusion in round two to withdrawal from consideration, “It was a very emotional hour. “I went from the highest of highs to, ‘Oh, well, that sucked.’”

What does the State Flag Referendum do?

By passing Ballot Measure 3, the Mississippi State Flag Referendum, Missippians approved adopting a new official Mississippi state flag as designed by the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag. The new flag, which voters voted “yes” or “no” to in the November 2020 election, is:

The new design features a white magnolia blossom (Mississippi is nicknamed “the Magnolia State,” the magnolia is its state flower and the magnolia tree its state tree) on a dark blue backdrop. The 20 stars surrounding the flower signify Mississippi’s status as the 20th state in the union, and the gold five-point star reflects Mississippi’s indigenous Native American tribes.

This new flag replaces the Mississippi state flag that the state legislature adopted in 1894. That flag included the Confederate Battle Flag on its left side:

After Georgia removed the Confederate flag from its flag in 2001, Mississippi became the only state with a state flag containing the Confederate flag. In recent years, Mississippi’s state flag had come under fire as a symbol of oppression and a celebration of the state’s racist past. Criticisms of the flag increased this year against the backdrop of social justice protests and heightened national awareness of the impacts of systemic racism and injustice on Black communities.

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / Gwengoat)

Media:

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by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.12.20

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) supported the new state flag design and said:

“This is not a political moment to me, but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together to be reconciled and to move on. We must understand that all who want change are not attempting to erase history and all who want the status quo are not mean spirited or hateful. ... I also understand the need to commit the 1894 flag to history and find a banner that is a better emblem for all Mississippi.\"

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) added:

“This is a historic & long-awaited day for Mississippi. I appreciate our state legislators for having the courage and conviction to make this necessary change to our state flag. As I have maintained since 2015, Mississippians deserve a banner that unites us rather than divides us.\"

The Mississippi Republican Party supported the adoption of a new state flag as an “organic change” from inside the state:

“This was an organic change from inside Mississippi, led by Mississippi elected officials. We should be proud of that, regardless of whether outside voices praise or slander our effort. Governor Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann and Speaker Gunn are to be commended for their leadership. ... We now have a unique opportunity, during a time of unrest in other parts of the country, to do what Mississippians have always done best—come together during times of trial to reach upward and step forward together.\"

“This was a bold, bipartisan step that shows the world Mississippi is finally ready to step out from under the cloud of slavery and Jim Crow. But it isn't the final step. Mississippi and the United States remains plagued by systemic racism that keeps people of color from being truly free and equal.\"

State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R), who opposed the process by which the new flag was developed, said:

“I think we owe it to history to push back against a movement like that. And ultimately, in my mind, it is not about a flag at all, this is about the people having a voice. Ultimately we will be pleased with whatever the people decide, it’s just to take the issue away from them causes more harm in the long run then it should.”

“With the historic flag vote in Jackson, our legislators stole our voice from us. If you would like to volunteer to make sure Mississippi has a voice on deciding our state flag, please sign up today.”

What does the State Flag Referendum do?

This new flag replaces the Mississippi state flag that the state legislature adopted in 1894. That flag included the Confederate Battle Flag on its left side:

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / Gwengoat)

Media:

","comment_count":118,"issue_slugs":["states","social-justice","history"],"created_at":"2020-11-12T21:24:06.992Z","status":"published","snippet":"Last week, Mississippi voters approved a new state flag by an overwhelming majority (71.39% voted “yes” while 28.61% voted “no).","html_byline":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.12.20

","share_count":11,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":9,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2020-11-12T21:24:07.932Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"11.12.20","issue_ids":["states","social-justice","history"]},{"title":"Florida Voters Approved Gradually Raising the Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour by 2026","id":46495,"slug":"46495-florida-voters-approved-gradually-raising-minimum-wage-15-hour-2026","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/46495-florida-voters-approved-gradually-raising-minimum-wage-15-hour-2026","article_comments":"/api/articles/46495-florida-voters-approved-gradually-raising-minimum-wage-15-hour-2026/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/46495/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Florida voters approved Amendment 2, a mandate to raise the Florida state minimum wage to $15/hour by September 2026, by a 60.82% to 39.18% margin last week. The current minimum wage is $8.56/hour.

Florida for a Fair Wage led the campaign in support of Amendment 2 and argued that raising the minimum wage will give more workers a living wage and reduce their reliance on government aid:

“Florida needs to pass the Fair Wage Amendment to ensure that all hard-working Floridians can receive a living wage. The 'living wage' is the minimum cost that covers the basic needs of an individual and the needs of their family without government assistance.”

Opponents of Amendment 2 contend that it will kill small businesses and raise operating costs for businesses of all types, causing them to lay off workers or cut their hours. The National Restaurant Association and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, who were among the top donors to the Save Florida Jobs, Inc. campaign against this measure, were among the organizations that made this claim. Carol Dover, CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said:

“An increase like this would have disastrous impacts on businesses and individuals alike. Business owners will be forced to find solutions to control costs... the most obvious solutions include reducing the number of employees, reducing the number of hours remaining employees work, and seeking labor alternatives like automation.\"

Before this year, Florida last voted on a minimum wage ballot measure in 2004. That amendment, Florida Amendment 5, was approved by a 71% to 28% vote. It provided for a $6.15/hour minimum wage set to increase each year based on changes in the CPI-W.

Prior to the 2020 election, seven states had passed bills phasing in $15 minimum wages over varying periods.

What does Amendment 2 do?

Amendment 2 will incrementally increase Florida’s state minimum wage from 2020 through 2026. The state minimum wage will increase from its current rate of $8.56 per hour this year to each of the following in 2021 through 2026:

$10/hour beginning on September 30, 2021;
$11/hour beginning on September 30, 2022;
$12/hour beginning on September 30, 2023;
$13/hour beginning on September 30, 2024;
$14/hour beginning on September 30, 2025; and
$15/hour beginning on September 30, 2026.

After 2026, there will be an annual adjustment to the state minimum wage based on increases to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) beginning on September 30, 2027.

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / ABEMOS)

Media:

Florida for a Fair Wage (In Favor)
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (Opposed)
Miami Herald

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by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.12.20

Florida voters approved Amendment 2, a mandate to raise the Florida state minimum wage to $15/hour by September 2026, by a 60.82% to 39.18% margin last week. The current minimum wage is $8.56/hour.

Florida for a Fair Wage led the campaign in support of Amendment 2 and argued that raising the minimum wage will give more workers a living wage and reduce their reliance on government aid:

“Florida needs to pass the Fair Wage Amendment to ensure that all hard-working Floridians can receive a living wage. The 'living wage' is the minimum cost that covers the basic needs of an individual and the needs of their family without government assistance.”

“An increase like this would have disastrous impacts on businesses and individuals alike. Business owners will be forced to find solutions to control costs... the most obvious solutions include reducing the number of employees, reducing the number of hours remaining employees work, and seeking labor alternatives like automation.\"

Prior to the 2020 election, seven states had passed bills phasing in $15 minimum wages over varying periods.

What does Amendment 2 do?

$10/hour beginning on September 30, 2021;
$11/hour beginning on September 30, 2022;
$12/hour beginning on September 30, 2023;
$13/hour beginning on September 30, 2024;
$14/hour beginning on September 30, 2025; and
$15/hour beginning on September 30, 2026.

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / ABEMOS)

Media:

\nFlorida for a Fair Wage (In Favor)
\nFlorida Restaurant & Lodging Association (Opposed)
Miami Herald

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by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.12.20

","share_count":9,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":5,"is_countable_article":true,"published_at":"2020-11-12T21:12:51.281Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"formatted_publish_date":"11.12.20","issue_ids":["states","social-justice","work","poverty","wages"]},{"title":"Colorado Voters Approve Paid Family & Medical Leave Program","id":46479,"slug":"46479-colorado-voters-approve-paid-family-medical-leave-program","links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/46479-colorado-voters-approve-paid-family-medical-leave-program","article_comments":"/api/articles/46479-colorado-voters-approve-paid-family-medical-leave-program/comments","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/46479/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Colorado voters approved Proposition 118, which establishes a paid family and medical leave program in their state, by a 57.32% to 42.68% vote last week.

Proponents of Proposition 118, including nearly every Democrat in the state legislature, argued that it would ensure that Coloradans don’t have to choose between their jobs and taking care of sick family members or having children. Colorado Families First, which led the campaign in support of Proposition 118, said:

“Eighty percent of Coloradans don’t have access to paid family and medical leave. They can’t afford to take time off work to care for a newborn baby or a seriously ill loved one — something that’s needed now, more than ever. ... Currently, 2.6 million Coloradans would benefit from the program. ... Coloradans should not have to choose between paying their bills and taking care of their seriously ill family members or having a baby. Eight states, including Oregon, Washington, and Connecticut, have passed similar paid family and medical leave programs. These programs have had lower than expected costs, increased employee retention and have boosted morale.”

Colorado Families First estimates that 2.6 million Colorado residents could benefit from the establishment of a paid family leave program in the state.

Not Now Colorado, which led the campaign against Proposition 118, contended that it would increase payroll taxes for an uncertain outcome:

“[The initiative] is dishonest. To fund the program, proponents designate a 'payroll premium' as the source. The premium is actually a payroll tax deducted directly for the paychecks of hardworking Coloradans. ... A dual-income family making $110k per year will pay approximately $1,000 per year into this state-run program. This equates to a car payment or a few weeks of groceries for a family. Did anyone ask them if they could afford it? Colorado is in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and an economic recession that has been compared to the Great Depression. Is now the time to ask families who are just getting back to work to pay a payroll tax out of their wages for an unproven, state-run program that they may not ever use? Not Now, Colorado!\"

Attempts to pass paid family leave in Colorado date back to 2014, but they previously failed in the legislature each time. This time, after legislative efforts failed yet again, paid family leave advocates decided to put the measure on the ballot instead. Colorado’s enactment of Proposition 118 marks the first time that voters in any state have been asked to decide on a paid leave law, and means that Colorado is now the ninth U.S. state to enact a paid family leave law.

What does Proposition 118 do?

Proposition 118 will entitle Colorado residents to 12 weeks of paid leave if they need to take care of a sick loved one, recover from an illness, or tend to a new child. Family members of active-duty military personnel and victims of domestic violence or sexual assault are also covered by Proposition 118. People who are pregnant, or who face childbirth complications, will be eligible for an additional four weeks of paid leave.

Colorado’s paid family leave program will be funded by a 0.9% payroll tax split between employers and employees.

Fees to pay for paid family leave in Colorado will take effect in 2023. After that, the paid family leave program will launch in 2024. When Proposition 118 takes full effect in 2024, workers will be eligible to receive up to 90% of their weekly pay (up to $1,100 per week) while on paid family leave.

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / pabst_ell)

Sources:

","user_id":927494,"cta_prompt":"Should states adopt paid family & medical leave programs?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"","cta_url":"","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/NZaEe7vZ/d7984c/iStock-1278508417.jpg","medium":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/NZaEe7vZ/d7984c/iStock-1278508417.jpg","small":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/NZaEe7vZ/d7984c/iStock-1278508417.jpg","thumb":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/NZaEe7vZ/d7984c/iStock-1278508417.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.causes.com/ul/q_auto/uploads/NZaEe7vZ/d7984c/iStock-1278508417.jpg"},"profile_id":26,"action_count":563,"html_content":"

by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.10.20

Colorado voters approved Proposition 118, which establishes a paid family and medical leave program in their state, by a 57.32% to 42.68% vote last week.

“Eighty percent of Coloradans don’t have access to paid family and medical leave. They can’t afford to take time off work to care for a newborn baby or a seriously ill loved one — something that’s needed now, more than ever. ... Currently, 2.6 million Coloradans would benefit from the program. ... Coloradans should not have to choose between paying their bills and taking care of their seriously ill family members or having a baby. Eight states, including Oregon, Washington, and Connecticut, have passed similar paid family and medical leave programs. These programs have had lower than expected costs, increased employee retention and have boosted morale.”

Colorado Families First estimates that 2.6 million Colorado residents could benefit from the establishment of a paid family leave program in the state.

Not Now Colorado, which led the campaign against Proposition 118, contended that it would increase payroll taxes for an uncertain outcome:

“[The initiative] is dishonest. To fund the program, proponents designate a 'payroll premium' as the source. The premium is actually a payroll tax deducted directly for the paychecks of hardworking Coloradans. ... A dual-income family making $110k per year will pay approximately $1,000 per year into this state-run program. This equates to a car payment or a few weeks of groceries for a family. Did anyone ask them if they could afford it? Colorado is in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and an economic recession that has been compared to the Great Depression. Is now the time to ask families who are just getting back to work to pay a payroll tax out of their wages for an unproven, state-run program that they may not ever use? Not Now, Colorado!\"

What does Proposition 118 do?

Colorado’s paid family leave program will be funded by a 0.9% payroll tax split between employers and employees.

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / pabst_ell)

Sources:

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by The 2020 Causes Voter Center | 11.10.20

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