The stakes of the 2020 election just got significantly higher.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a fierce advocate for justice and equality, died on Friday at age 87, which means her seat on the Supreme Court is now vacant.
Ginsburg — who was nominated for the seat back in 1993 by President Bill Clinton — died from "complications of metastatic pancreas cancer" according to a Supreme Court statement as reported by the New York Times.
Justice Ginsburg was a celebrated feminist icon, and her death is a painfully tragic loss for the country. But with Donald Trump in office, an election approaching, and Senator Mitch McConnell eager to fill a Supreme Court vacancy in 2020, her loss could have drastically negative impacts on the future of the Supreme Court and our nation as a whole. Following her death, McConnell released a statement saying that "President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate," according to Politico reporter Andrew Desiderio.
According to NPR, Ginsburg shared the following final wish with her granddaughter, Clara Spera, shortly before she died: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."
Ginsburg was a champion for women's rights who consistently fought to protect abortion rights and achieve gender equality. So the fact that her seat is now open — and Republicans have voiced a desire to fill it as soon as possible — sent waves of panic through the country.
If you're looking for ways to take action and protect Justice Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat, the first thing you can do is pick up the phone and call the U.S. Capitol switchboard. Connect with your two state Senators, share your fears, and demand that they hold the seat open until after the 2020 presidential election.
Tweet may have been deleted
Since it's a Friday night, Congressional voicemail boxes may fill up fast, so another immediate way you can speak out is by sending an email to both Senators in your state. You can find their contact information here.
You can also reach out to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (via phone or contact form) or the District Offices directly.
Tweet may have been deleted
You can also use Resistbot to contact your Senators. Simply send RBG in a direct message to Resistbot on Twitter or text RBG to 50409 and the chatbot will help you get in touch with your state Senators and urge them hold off on voting until after the election is over.
To learn more about the Senate seats up for grabs (and seats in need of defending) visit flipthesenate.com. The site details actions you can take to help flip the Senate, explains how you can volunteer, and provides information on the Democratic candidates in need of support.
And if you're looking for places to donate money, votesaveamerica.com can point you in the right direction. You can support individual candidate campaigns directly, but there are also funds such as "Get Mitch or Die Trying," which evenly split your donation among candidates in the most crucial Senate races around the country — Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, Montana, Iowa, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, and Kansas.
Voicing your beliefs that Justice Ginsburg's vacant Supreme Court seat should not be filled until after the 2020 election is crucial. And it's important to start mobilizing before a potential nomination is made.
It's a deeply sad, frustrating, and terrifying time, but try to let those emotions fuel you to fight for the causes close to Justice Ginsberg's heart. As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained in a candid and moving Instagram Live video on Friday night, you always have something to offer, and the actions you take can be close to home.
Ocasio-Cortez suggested making a list of five people in your life who you can talk to about the importance of the upcoming election. For example, if you know anyone in a battleground state who might not be planning to vote this year, reach out and have those tough but necessary conversations. Explain why their vote matters and what's at stake.
Election Day is less than two months away, and the actions that take place during the lead up have the power to change America.
UPDATE: Sept. 19, 2020, 8:21 a.m. EDT Updated with additional resources.
UPDATE: Sept. 20, 2020, 1:29 p.m. EDT Updated to include information on Resistbot.
Topics Activism Social Good Politics Supreme Court
