The Workers Circle Responds to 2022 Midterm Election

- With Democracy on the Line, Voters Turned Out; Now We Must Allow Election Workers Time to Count Every Vote -

November 9, 2022

Contact: Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347 361 9983

(New York) — Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, released the statement below following the November 8 midterm elections:

“The freedom of every American to cast their vote and have it counted is the bedrock of our democracy. Millions of Americans made their voices heard by early voting, mail-in ballots, and in-person on Election Day. This election was a victory for voters who demanded democracy by turning out in strong numbers, despite misinformation and voter intimidation by anti-democratic forces and new state laws that erect deliberate barriers to voters of color, young voters, and poor voters.

It is imperative now that we allow election workers the time they need to count every vote. Our election system has procedures and safeguards to ensure accuracy. Certifying the election results is one of them.

As a Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern-European immigrants who fled autocracy and pogroms to the United States seeking the safety and rights afforded by a democracy, we believe that the most important way to strengthen democracy is to practice it. And that is what is happening now, despite the many attempts by anti-democratic forces to stop this process from moving forward. Voters, poll workers, non-partisan poll monitors, and election officials are all doing their part.

We particularly salute poll workers and election officials who are working, in some instances under duress and threats, to guarantee free and fair elections. And we are proud to support Election Protection, whose non-partisan information and poll monitors have helped voters navigate questions or problems for many years.

Workers Circle activists will continue to work on passing federal legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act which would create national standards to protect our freedom to vote, get big money out of politics, combat partisan election subversion, and guarantee that congressional districts are drawn to give fair representation to all.” “We spent months working in partnership with organizations of color calling, texting, and postcarding to equip voters of color in vote-suppressed states with critical information to help them cast their ballots in an uphill voting environment.

We partnered with Black Voters Matter to door-knock in North Philadelphia and provide voters with information on polling places and rides to the polls. We recruited dozens of poll workers for the 2022 midterms for CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, PA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, VT, WA, and Washington, DC.

We know democracy is not about one election. It is about a life-long commitment to strengthening and expanding our democratic processes so that they reflect the multi-racial, multicultural nation we are. That’s why the Workers Circle’s Demand Democracy campaign is ongoing and our Democracy Circles where people gather in small groups to take action for our democracy where they live, are multiplying. Together we are building the America we must become.”

About the Workers Circle

Founded 122 years ago, the Workers Circle (formerly known as the Workmen’s Circle) is a social justice organization that powers progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and social justice activism. For over a century we have provided this 360-degree approach to Jewish identity-building. Through contemporary cultural programs, strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, interactive educational experiences and more, we connect Jewish adults, kids and families of all affiliations with their cultural heritage, working to build a better and more beautiful world for all. Learn more at www.circle.org.