LYNN'S LIST
        A Weekly List of Advocacy Items

LYNN’S LIST FOR OCTOBER 26, 2020

Access to Affordable Healthcare

We have been following and advocating against Governor Kemp’s Medicaid waiver proposals and advocating for Medicaid expansion since our inception as a social welfare organization. On October 15, state and federal leaders announced the approval of proposals which bypass Medicaid expansion and the likely approval of his plan to reshape Georgia's private insurance market eliminating the healthcare.gov. ACA marketplace plans. Opponents responded to the announcement with a reminder that these proposals would leave thousands of Georgians uninsured and underinsured.  Under full Medicaid expansion, an additional 500,000 would be insured while under Kemp’s plan, only 50,000 would be added.  Kemp’s plan, which fails to fully expand Medicaid, includes work requirements lets private companies control Georgia's insurance marketplace and could decrease enrollment because people are used to shopping at Healthcare.gov.

During the state and federal public comment periods, Georgians overwhelmingly said that they prefer a full Medicaid expansion and do not want to separate from the ACA marketplace. Even in the face of steep opposition and compelling evidence that these plans will harm more Georgians than they will help, our leaders continue to move forward. Georgia Women is part of the statewide coalition led by CoverGA who commented on the waivers. They have made it easy to send emails to our state elected officials by clicking on the link and completing the form. Tell state officials that Georgians deserve better!

Fair and Representative Elections

OMG! Only one week until the November election.

Vote By Mail/Absentee Ballot Voting

• You can still complete an on-line absentee ballot request at ballot request.sos.ga.gov.  The site instantly transmits ballot requests to county election officials, avoiding potential delays in mail delivery. Even though you can request an absentee ballot up until October 30, 2020, it is unlikely that you will get it in time to vote in the November 3 election.

•  It may be too late to mail an absentee ballot.  The recommended date for delivery was October 22.  Instead, hand deliver your absentee ballot to the secure drop box outside the Board of Elections or on the Mulberry Street side of the Bibb County Courthouse.

• Once you have voted by absentee ballot, monitor the status of your vote at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/. If you find that your ballot was rejected, you may request another.

In-Person Early Voting

• Early voting runs through Friday, October 30, 2020.  For Macon-Bibb, early in-person voting is at three locations: the Board of Elections 2525 Pio Nono Avenue; Theron Usery Park off Wimbush Road at 815 N. Macon Park Drive; and the Elaine Lucas Senior Center located in Carolyn Crayton (formerly Central City) Park at 132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive. The hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

• Uber is offering free rides to the polls October 24-November 3. To request a ride call (478) 999- VOTE (8683).

• If you are voting in-person, numerous safety measures have been put in place to protect voters from COVID-19, but, by law, masks can not be enforced.

Find the link to your legislators here!

There is one week until the November 3 election.  

Make sure you stay safe!