Monday, November 6, 2017

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Election Day Hotline To Protect Voter Access During November General Election


Voters Experiencing Problems Can Call 800-771-7755 Or Email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov Between 6AM And 9PM On Election Day
Attorney General’s Hotline Troubleshoots A Range Of Election Day Issues
 Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced his office’s Election Day Hotline, which will help troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters at the polls during the general election on Tuesday, November 7. The Attorney General urges voters experiencing problems or issues at the polls to call the office’s hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Tuesday. The hotline will be staffed by attorneys and staff in the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau.
“The right to vote is central to our democracy – and all eligible voters deserve equal access at the polls,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “I urge all New Yorkers to immediately contact my office if they encounter any barriers to voting.”
All registered New Yorkers are eligible to vote in the upcoming General Election, regardless of party affiliation. Voters can check their registration status here. Voters registered in New York City trying to find their poll site, click here. Voters registered outside New York City trying to find their poll site, click here
Every poll site in the state will be open from 6 AM until 9 PM. 
Attorney General Schneiderman has operated the voter access hotline since November 2012. During previous elections, the office fielded hundreds of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to address issues. The Election Day hotline is part of Attorney General Schneiderman's ongoing effort to reduce barriers to voting.
Attorney General Schneiderman also reminds all registered voters that they have the right to accessible elections. In addition, all registered voters have the right to vote free from coercion or intimidation, whether by election officials or any other person.
The office will receive and respond to election-related complaints relating to any of the statutes that the office enforces. The Attorney General’s Election Day Hotline is being coordinated by Assistant Attorneys General Ajay Saini and Diane Lucas of the Civil Rights Bureau, led by Bureau Chief Lourdes Rosado. The Social Justice Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Multistate Settlement Dissolving Deceptive Veterans Charity


VietNow National Headquarters, Inc Used Deceptive Telemarketing Solicitations Falsely Claiming The Charity Funded Services, Medical Facilities, And Treatment For Veterans – But Less Than 5% of Donations Went To Any Charitable Programs 
Settlement Dissolves Shell Charity, Secures Injunctive Relief, Transfers Remaining Funds to Legitimate Veterans Charities
Settlement Is Part Of AG Schneiderman’s Operation Bottomfeeder, Targeting Shell Charities That Exploit Popular Causes To Line Fundraisers’ Pockets
  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a multistate settlement that dissolves VietNow National Headquarters, Inc., an Illinois nonprofit corporation that used deceptive telemarketing solicitations falsely claiming that the charity was funding veterans services, medical facilities, and treatment in donors’ states, including New York. In fact, less than five percent of funds raised went to any charitable programs.
The settlement, joined by 24 states, requires the appointment of a receiver to dissolve VietNow. The settlement also obtains injunctive relief against VietNow’s directors and officers and requires their cooperation in investigations of VietNow’s professional fundraisers. Upon dissolution, VietNow’s remaining funds will be paid to two national and well-respected veterans charities, Fisher House Foundation and Operation Homefront.
“With so many New York veterans in real need, it’s galling that a so-called charity would pretend to help them in an effort to line their own pockets,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Operation Bottomfeeder should serve as a warning to the scammers who seek to exploit veterans, cancer patients, and other causes to make a quick buck: we will stop you. I urge all New Yorkers to give, but give wisely, by following our tips.”
  • VietNow and its officers and directors are permanently removed from controlling VietNow and a receiver is appointed to administer and dissolve VietNow.
  • VietNow is permanently enjoined from soliciting contributions from the public.
  • Defendants are required to cooperate with the receiver, and with all interested states in any present or future investigation of any professional fundraisers for VietNow during the period in question.
  • VietNow’s controlling officers or directors are permanently enjoined from serving as charitable fiduciaries or acting as professional fundraisers.
  • Upon dissolution of VietNow, the receiver will pay remaining funds to two highly-rated national veterans charities, Fisher House Foundation and Operation Homefront. VietNow’s assets as of May 2017 totaled approximately $545,000.
Today’s settlement was filed by a total of 24 states, led by Michigan, Illinois, California, and Ohio, and joined by New York, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnestoa, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
This settlement is part of Attorney General Schneiderman’s Operation Bottomfeeder, an ongoing effort that targets a pervasive business model of shell charities that exploit popular causes, the professional fundraisers who take the lion’s share of donations and make misrepresentations, and other entities who facilitate the abuses. Prior Operation Bottomfeeder investgations and settlements include the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation (whose president and founder was sentenced to jail last month) and the Breast Cancer Survivors Foundation.
Attorney General Schneiderman’s Charities Bureau releases an annual “Pennies for Charities” report, revealing how charitable donations obtained by many professional fundraisers are largely spent on fundraising and administrative expenses, with only a small fraction left for charitable work. The latest Pennies for Charities report may be accessed here.
Attorney General Schneiderman encourages all New Yorkers to follow his Tips for Charitable Giving, available here.

BRONX MAN WHO SET FIRE TO CAFÉ ON MOTHER’S DAY SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON; PLEADS GUILTY TO ARSON


  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to six years in prison for setting fire to a café while multiple customers were inside. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “This senseless crime, spurred by petty anger, had the potential to seriously harm many people. Fortunately, an alert FDNY EMS worker noticed the fire, saving many lives. The defendant will now spend six years in prison for his recklessness.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Robert McCurdy, 49, of Tryon Ave., pleaded guilty today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett to second-degree Arson, a felony. As part of the plea agreement, McCurdy will be sentenced on Dec. 1, 2017 to six years in prison followed by five years post-release supervision. He was remanded.

  According to the investigation, on May 8, 2016, McCurdy was asked to leave a Woodlawn café when an argument ensued. The defendant returned and poured gasoline on the building and the sidewalk and proceeded to light a match while the establishment was occupied by several people. A nearby Fire Department official noticed the blaze and alerted authorities, who were able to douse the flames before anyone was hurt. The fire left scorch marks and caused damage to a window.

District Attorney Clark thanked FDNY Fire Marshal Stephen Bumb for his assistance in the case.

NEW CITY ADS COMING TO SUBWAYS, BUSES TO DISCOURAGE WILDLIFE FEEDING


NYC Parks wants New Yorkers to know that sharing is not caring

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a new phase of WildlifeNYC – a campaign launched last October to teach New Yorkers how to live responsibly alongside the wild animals that inhabit the city. The citywide campaign will now focus on a specific action: “Please don’t feed NYC’s wildlife.” Starting today, new ads will be visible on buses, subways, phone kiosks and street pole banners in all five boroughs. The ads will feature mallards, deer, raccoons, coyotes and red-tailed hawks.

“In order to coexist peacefully and responsibly with our city’s wildlife, it’s important not to feed animals. This new campaign will make sure New Yorkers get the message – and learn more about living alongside our urban wildlife,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Most people think they’re doing a good deed by feeding ducks and other wild animals,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “But if you share your food with them, they’ll lose their natural hunting instincts. Some of these animals have mastered the art of begging, but they are resourceful New Yorkers and have access to plenty of nutritious food in our city and parks.”

The WildlifeNYC website provides guidelines for safely coexisting with raccoons, coyotes, piping plovers, red-tailed hawks, waterfowl and deer, as well as fun facts, information about animal behavior and background on how the City is helping to manage and care for these populations. As part of the campaign, New Yorkers can report their interesting wildlife sightings through a web portal on the WildlifeNYC, to help us learn more about the wildlife that call NYC home.

One of WildlifeNYC’s core initiatives is the City’s deer management program on Staten Island. NYC Parks estimates there are about 2,000 deer on Staten Island, causing vehicle collisions and damaging trees and native plants. The City has developed a multi-pronged plan to address these negative impacts, including traffic safety measures and the humane sterilization of male deer. To date, more than 1,000 males have been sterilized.

To learn more about WildlifeNYC, visit nyc.gov/wildlife.

What You Should Know By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz 32nd Senatorial District



Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends 


You should know that during a Christian worship service located in a small rural town in Texas, the Christian Community tragically lost 26 innocent lives at the hands of an armed violent man (Devin Patrick Kelley).  The victims ranged in ages 5 to 75. 

As a Pastor myself,  I cannot imagine the pain of this pastor had lost his 14-year-old daughter and so many members of his congregation.   I cannot even begin to understand the level of pain of the victim's families.   My heart goes out to them, and I extend my deepest sympathies and prayers to all who were affected by this needless tragedy. 

You should also know that according to news reports many more lives would have been lost if not for an armed Good Samaritan who heard the shots at the church and sprung into action to stop the gunman.   

According to The Daily Mail,  other news outlets, and confirmed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott the good Samaritan, Stephen Willeford, immediately grabbed his rifle and shot at the gunman causing him to drop his weapon.   The gunman jumped into his vehicle and speed off.   

The Good Samaritan, Mr. Willeford gave chase by stopping a passing vehicle.  He told the driver what had just happened and the driver, another Good Samaritan (Johnnie Langendoff) with Mr. Willeford chased the gunman until the gunman lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a ditch.  The gunman was dead on the scene.
According to Governor Abbott the gunman may have died as a result of the actions taken by this Good Samaritan.     

Evil in this world does exist, but our faith in God grows ever stronger when we see the good and selfless actions as demonstrated by these two heroes.   
Both the armed Good Samaritan, Mr. Stephen Willeford and the driver, Mr. Johnnie Langendoff, deserve high praise for their heroic actions.   They risked their own lives to stop this mad man.   

Incidents like this one and good samaritan like Mr. Willeford, make me realize that sometimes it’s good for a decent and an honest person to be allowed to carry firearms. 

This is Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know. 
   

PAID SAFE LEAVE: NEW YORK CITY EXPANDS PAID LEAVE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING AND TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS


  Mayor de Blasio today signed Intro. 1313-A that expands paid leave to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and trafficking survivors. This new law will allow the nearly 3 million New Yorkers eligible for paid leave to attend to immediate safety needs without fear of penalty or loss of income. The bill was introduced by the Mayor, First Lady McCray and Council Member Julissa Ferraras-Copeland in October 2016. 

“No New Yorker should ever have to decide between their safety and a paycheck,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new law will make it easier for survivors to get the care they need without jeopardizing their livelihood. I want to thank the First Lady, Speaker Mark-Viverito and Council Member Ferraras-Copeland for championing this cause, and fighting to bring an end to the pernicious cycle of domestic abuse.”

"Individuals experiencing intimate partner abuse should not be forced to choose between earning a living and keeping themselves and their children safe. They need the time and space to consult police or prosecutors, seek medical attention or relocate to another neighborhood. I'm proud to stand alongside Mayor de Blasio to make Paid Safe Leave a reality in New York City so survivors can access the services they desperately need without fear of losing their job,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, Co-Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity.

“No one should have to choose between their safety or their employment," said Speaker Mark-Viverito."Providing New Yorkers with paid safe leave will help ensure that domestic violence survivors can get the help they need without fear of retribution. I thank Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland for her leadership on this critical issue and the Administration on their continued partnership as we work to make our City safer and more just for all New Yorkers."

  Intro. 1313-A, which takes effect 180 days after signing, expands New York City’s Paid Sick Leave law to allow workers to use paid leave to address safety and access critical services related to specified criminal offenses.  This bill does not add to the total amount of leave, no less than 40 hours per year, that workers can take – instead it adds reasons for using the leave to allow a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking or stalking to take time off of work in order to plan their immediate next steps and focus on safety, without fearing a loss of income.  NYC is the first city to pass paid safe leave legislation that includes survivors of human trafficking in addition to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and stalking.  Workers who have been the victims of these offenses – or family members who need to assist them – can use Paid Sick or Safe Leave to care for their needs, whether physical, psychological, financial or otherwise. Examples of uses that will be allowed under this bill include: meeting with and safety planning with a social worker/advocate, meeting with a civil legal attorney, filing a police report, meeting with the District Attorney’s Office, attending a court appearance, an appointment with a financial counselor, moving into safe housing, and others. The bill also expands the definition of family member for all uses of paid time, Sick or Safe, under the law to recognize chosen families, not just biological ones.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has enforced the Paid Sick Leave Law since it took effect in 2014; now DCA’s Office of Labor Policy & Standards will continue its enforcement work of the amended law that includes the new SAFE leave uses, and the expanded definition of family member. If employers violate the Paid Sick or Safe Leave law, DCA-OLPS can require them to provide restitution to workers and pay civil penalties. DCA-OLPS will collaborate with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, as well as community partners, to conduct outreach and education to inform the public of these amendments. Understanding the complexity of the challenges domestic violence survivors already face, we want to ensure that survivors know their rights under this new law, and are able fully to take advantage of them.

 In 2014, Mayor de Blasio signed legislation expanding Paid Sick Leave to half a million more New Yorkers, ensuring that employees who work in NYC for more than 80 hours a year can earn up to 40 hours of sick leave each year to care for themselves or a family member.

Across the country, cities have struggled to effectively reduce rates of domestic violence. In New York City, where crime is at historic lows, domestic violence persists. The de Blasio Administration is investing $11 million to reduce domestic violence by increasing early intervention, expanding services for survivors and better holding abusers accountable. These recommendations were developed by the Domestic Violence Task Force, which the Mayor and First Lady convened in 2016.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

LOTS OF ACTION IN BROOKLYN THIS PAST WEEK - SEVERAL BAD ONES


Driver who Allegedly Crashed Car in Brooklyn Highway and Left Passenger for Dead Indicted for Murder

Vehicle Exploded, Defendant Fled Scene in a Cab without Calling 911

  Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 23-year-old Brooklyn man has been indicted on depraved indifference murder, vehicular manslaughter and related counts for allegedly causing a car crash on the Gowanus Expressway and fleeing the scene with his passenger stranded inside the burning car, leaving her to die.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged actions before and after crashing his car caused the death of a vibrant young woman who had her entire life ahead of her. He showed complete disregard for human life and for the safety of everyone using our roadways, making the very serious charges he now faces wholly appropriate.”
The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Saeed Ahmad, 23, of Marine Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder (depraved indifference), second degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while intoxicated and related counts. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on January 12, 2018. The defendant faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 13, 2017 at approximately 4 a.m., the defendant was driving an Infinity sedan, returning from a night out in Manhattan with a friend, 25-year-old Harleen Grewal.
The defendant was driving in an excessive rate of speed, attempted to pass other vehicles and crashed his car into a side barrier between the Hamilton Avenue and the Prospect Expressway exits, causing it to explode and burst into flames, the evidence showed. He got out of the burning car, got into a cab and left without calling 911 or alerting anyone that the victim was still in the vehicle. She subsequently died and her remains were recovered from the scene after the fire was put out.
The defendant was arrested later that morning and tests determined that his blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was above the legal limit of .08.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
Woman and Two Men Indicted for Posing as Law Enforcement and Stealing $50,000 from Chat Line Caller in Blackmail Scheme

Allegedly Told “Lavalife” Customer he Chatted with Underage Girl; 
Mastermind Orchestrated Scam while Incarcerated on Similar Charges

  
Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a woman and two men from Brooklyn have been indicted in connection with a scheme to extort money from a caller to a telephone chat line for singles by posing as NYPD detectives and an Assistant District Attorney. The defendants allegedly called the victim shortly after he chatted with a woman, identified themselves as police detectives and told the victim he was in trouble for talking to an underage girl. They allegedly also placed calls from the purported girl’s mother and from a phony prosecutor while demanding payments – which eventually amounted to over $50,000 – in exchange for not arresting him.
Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly scammed an unwitting victim out of his retirement savings by posing as law enforcement officials. We are determined to put an end to these types of disgraceful schemes that prey on people’s potential embarrassment and unfamiliarity with the legal system. There may be more victims out there and so I am asking anyone who believes they have been similarly targeted to come forward by calling the DA’s Action Center at 718-250-2340.”
The Acting District Attorney identified the defendants as Magdalena Nixon, 42, formerly of Crown Heights, Sandy DeWalt, 53, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Randy Jones, 49, of Brownsville. Nixon and DeWalt were arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht on an indictment in which they are charged with two counts of second-degree grand larceny, three counts of second-degree coercion and one count of first-degree criminal impersonation. Jones was arraigned on the same indictment on Monday. The defendants were ordered to return to court on December 13, 2017. They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
The Acting District Attorney said that the scheme involved the telephone chat line “Lavalife Voice.” Callers to that line hear a recorded message the recites terms and conditions of using the service, including a requirement that participants are over 18 years of age. They are then allowed to create a profile before connecting to other singles who are on the line and might want to chat. The defendants allegedly targeted victims by setting up a profile on the chat line, which they used to “meet” male callers and obtain their phone numbers.
It is alleged that the defendants targeted a 65-year-old Queens man who used “Lavalife” on a number of occasions before July 2015, when he talked to a woman and gave her his home phone number. Shortly after the call ended, a man who identified himself as “Detective Flynch,” from the NYPD precinct in Coney Island, called the victim and told him he had been speaking to an underage girl. The supposed “detective” told the victim that he would be arrested unless he paid various ill-defined legal fees, including a settlement to the supposed girl’s mother and the cost of “therapy” for the girl. The victim also spoke to a woman who claimed to be the girl’s mother, and agreed to accept $10,000 in exchange for a release saying she would not press charges, the investigation found.
The victim was instructed to wire payments to the fictional girl’s mother, who identified herself as “Sandy DeWalt,” and on other occasions to send money to “Randy Jones.” The evidence shows that the “mother” was Nixon and the “detectives” were Jones and Nixon’s boyfriend, DeWalt.
It is further alleged that over the following months, the victim sent $10,000, in increments, to DeWalt and Jones via Western Union and MoneyGram. He would hear regularly from “Detective Flynch,” “Detective Fletcher,” or “Detective Fletcher’s partner,” as well as from the “girl’s mother,” who provided various explanations as to why she needed more money, such as her having to miss work due to her daughter’s “therapy.” When the victim balked, the “detectives” threatened in harsh terms to expose and arrest him.
At some point, the investigation found, the phony detective began telling the victim that he had to pay court fees and costs to avoid prosecution. The victim also started getting calls from a purported female prosecutor who identified herself as “ADA Sheryl McKenzie.” That was the same name Nixon used in a previous, similar scheme for which she was convicted in 2015, and received a prison sentence of two to four years. Nixon was incarcerated on that case during the present scheme but allegedly orchestrated it from behind bars, giving detailed instructions to her alleged cohorts on what to say on the calls and how to collect the funds.
The victim continued to receive threatening calls and make payments, sending a total of approximately $50,000, until October 2016, when the fake “detective” happened to say that he worked in the 109th Precinct, in the Bronx. The already-suspicious victim, who knew the 109th Precinct is actually in Queens, then changed his phone number and filed a police report.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Two New York City Police Detectives Indicted for Allegedly Raping Teenager in Coney Island After Placing Her Under Arrest

Victim was Sexually Assaulted While Being Transported in Police Van, Then Released

  Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two New York City Police detectives have been charged in a 50-count indictment for allegedly raping a teenager in a police van in Coney Island last month after handcuffing her and placing her under arrest.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “It is incomprehensible that two veteran NYPD detectives would allegedly commit such an outrageous act. They took an oath to protect and serve, but allegedly violated that oath by raping a young woman who was in their custody. We will now seek to hold them accountable for this flagrant betrayal of public trust.”
Acting District Attorney Gonzalez identified the defendants as, Detective Eddie Martins, 37, and Detective Richard Hall, 32, who were assigned to the NYPD Brooklyn South Narcotics. The defendants were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 50-count indictment in which they are charged with first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, second-degree kidnapping, official misconduct and related counts. Martins was ordered held on $250,000 bail and Hall was ordered held on $150,000 bail. Both were ordered to return to court on January 18, 2018. If convicted, they each face up to 25 years in prison.
The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 15, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the defendants, who were on-duty and riding in a Dodge Caravan, working as part of a team of plainclothes detectives assigned to Brooklyn South Narcotics and conducting a buy and bust operation in the confines of the 60th Precinct, left their post without authorization and drove to Calvert Vaux Park in Gravesend, Brooklyn.
Just after 8 p.m., the officers conducted a car stop of an Infinity Coupe driven by an 18-year-old woman with two male passengers. There was a quantity of marijuana in the front seat cup holder. The officers instructed the three occupants to step out of the car and asked if they had any drugs on them, according to the investigation. The young woman responded she had marijuana and two Klonopin pills. The detectives handcuffed the woman, told her she was under arrest and would be getting a desk appearance ticket. They let her companions go and instructed them to retrieve their friend from the precinct in three hours, the evidence showed.
It is alleged that after leaving the park, the officers instructed the young woman to call her friends and tell them not to follow the minivan. Detective Martins allegedly told the young woman he and his partner are “freaks” and asked her what she wanted to do to get out of the arrest. It is alleged that Detective Martins forced the handcuffed teen to perform a sex act on him while seated in the back seat of the van as Detective Hall drove and watched through the rear view mirror. Detective Martins then allegedly raped the victim.
Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendants then stopped the van in Bay Ridge, about four miles from the park in the opposite direction of where their team was located, and switched places. Detective Martins got behind the wheel and Detective Hall got into the back seat of the van, where he allegedly forced the victim to perform a sex act on him. They then drove back to the vicinity of the 60th Precinct in Coney Island and had the victim call her friends again to tell them she was being let go. They allegedly gave her back the Klonopin pills, told her to keep her mouth shut and released her.
The victim told her friends what happened and, later that evening, was taken to Maimonides Hospital, where a sexual assault evidence collection kit was prepared. DNA recovered from the victim was a match to both of the defendants. Video surveillance shows the victim exiting the police van at approximately 8:42 p.m.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

IS THIS WHERE BRONX ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL BLAKE WILL BE ON ELECTION DAY?












On Tuesday, November 7th, voters in Virginia and New Jersey will go to the polls to cast their votes and Democrats have unique opportunities to win up and down the ticket in both states. The new DNC is focused on organizing 365 days a year and ensuring that our Every ZIP Code Counts program is helping partners all across the country.
Democrats have the opportunity to flip New Jersey’s governor seat from red to blue by electing Phil Murphy and hold Virginia’s governor seat by electing Ralph Northam. With only days left, the DNC is all-in in electing Democrats up and down the ballot.

VIRGINIA
The DNC made a $1.5 million investment, which allowed the Virginia coordinated campaign to immediately hire 40 additional field organizers and includes significant investments in digital, data, and tech infrastructure and the implementation of constituency-specific organizing in African-American, Latino and AAPI communities. The national Out of Commonwealth (OOCW) program is run by DNC staffer Ramsey Reid and as part of the OOCW, organizers have been hired with specific focuses on African-American, Latino, AAPI, millennial and faith outreach.  
In addition, the DNC has invested in mailers to the African-American, Latino and AAPI communities, blanketed the airwaves across the Commonwealth with top diverse surrogates and implemented a strategic and aggressive media plan to reach Latino voters. In the final few days leading up to election day, the majority of the DNC staff has or will be deployed into Virginia to help knock doors across the state. In addition, DNC Chair Tom Perez, Deputy Chair Keith Ellison, Vice-Chair Michael Blake, and Associate Chair Jaime Harrison will also campaign through Virginia.
In total, field staffers and volunteers knocked on 261,835 doors last weekend, a more than 192 percent increase from the same weekend in 2013 and a 66 percent increase from the same weekend in 2016. We have 31,000 door-knocking shifts scheduled for GOTV. In 2013, we had 13,000 door-knocking shifts scheduled for GOTV.

NEW JERSEY
Phil Murphy and Sheila Oliver are positioned to be the next governor and lieutenant governor of New Jersey and make life better for New Jerseyans across the state who suffered under the scandal-plagued Christie administration.
The DNC announced a six-figure investment in New Jersey’s critical November elections to support Murphy, Oliver and Democrats running up and down the ticket with GOTV organizing efforts, digital, data, and tech infrastructure and providing field support and volunteer recruitment through field and surrogate events.
The DNC has also provided the New Jersey Democratic Party with ‘Resistbot’ - a new tool that encourages voters to “make a plan to vote” and figure out where to vote on election day.
Lastly, the DNC has invested in key local elections, including seats that could be flipped from Republican to Democratic.