The current government shutdown is obscene and we need moral leaders to come forward to end it. We lost one of those moral voices - Sen. John McCain - and I am asking people to join me in pleading with Sen. McSally to take up the mantle of Sen. McCain.

This month, after a long and hard-fought campaign, New York became the latest state to adopt early voting -- allowing eligible voters to cast their ballot up to 9 days before Election Day. This simple, groundbreaking reform will make an enormous difference for New Yorkers. By expanding the state's voting period beyond a single day, early voting allows for more flexibility in the electoral process and helps people of all backgrounds participate in our democracy. 39 states have already adopted it, but some are lagging behind -- meaning voters across the country are being deprived of this vital accommodation. That's why it's time to take early voting nationwide. For the college student in Alabama who has to choose between going to class or casting a ballot… For the single mother in New Hampshire who can't swing the cost of additional childcare, especially if she expects to wait in line at her polling place for hours... And for any individual who wants a choice of when to make their voice heard in our democracy -- early voting is the solution. There’s no reason to delay this reform any longer. Congress must enact legislation to bring early voting to all 50 states -- and make our democracy more open and accessible to all.

My son is an American Indian employee of the Bureau of Indian in Muskogee Oklahoma.

As many as 800,000 federal workers, many who live paycheck by paycheck, are not allowed to work. Even if both Democrats and Republicans care about border security, they cannot and will not make ends meet. It's time for the people to step in. Should we build a wall or not? It's time for the American people to take things into our own hands BY A REFERENDUM! UPDATE: The shutdown has ended . . . for now. However, the wall referendum has never been more needed than now. If Washington does not reach an agreement, the government will once again go into shutdown. We need a REFERENDUM!

Currently, membership in Charlotte and Mecklenburg boards and commissions are limited to "registered voters". This means that to officially be a member of these commissions, you must have the right to vote. This is an exclusive policy that denies a voice to many in Charlotte and Mecklenburg. When non-voters are left out, they are excluded from the democratic process and their voice are lost. In many cases, these are people who are not allowed to or are ineligible to vote for reasons such as age, national origin, and parole status. This coming week, the Charlotte City Council will be reviewing and possibly voting to change this policy. Please sign the petition and encourage them to change it.

Elected government officials and their appointed aides should not be paid if they are not fulfilling their fundamental duty to guarantee the ongoing operation of government on the federal and/or state level.

The Constitution requires that EVERYONE who lives here be counted every 10 years, regardless of whether they are a citizen or not. But the Department of Commerce has announced a plan to add a question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census -- and experts say this would discourage many legitimate responses. This would dramatically skew the results of the Census -- and with them, the resources and political power our communities can access. Recently, a New York District Court found the addition of a citizenship question to the Census in violation of the law. But this decision will likely be appealed -- so it’s up to Congress to stop this partisan scheme for good. We must tell Congress to stop this effort to politicize this vital tool for democracy -- and instead push for a Census in which everyone counts. Add your name to STOP the Trump Administration from rigging the 2020 Census with an unnecessary citizenship question.

A government shut down is reckless and arbitrary. For national security we must have a fully functioning system within all aspects of government. We cannot pass the cost on to our government workers, contractors or parties reliant upon a stable economy.

The purpose of this petition is to show the GOP controlled Senate and Mitch McConnell that the citizens of this country would support their override of a Presidential veto. In life, no one "gets their way" 100% of the time. This shut down is affecting all of us.

The Senate is not using its Constitutional power to check and balance the Executive branch because of one submissive Senator who happens to be Majority Leader. This is exactly what our founding fathers feared. Now it’s hurting so many Americans as a result, and the Senate is pretending that it couldn’t do something about it.

I believe the President and Congress would use government shutdowns more responsibly if shutdowns affected them financially.

We know of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, because they are familiar, better legislated, and as always - excellently litigated than our right to, “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Federal workers, small businesses, park and border agents are not only feeling the pain of Trump’s shutdown - the longest federal shutdown in American history, our food and drug administration department can no longer inspect domestically produced meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables. And neither can the USDA and the department of health, ensure the safety of foods and drugs coming into American homes because of Trump’s refusal to end this shutdown. We’ve had stories of military families struggling with mortgage, and federal workers not getting paid for now and the nearest future. Now imagine what will happen when food stamps runs out for ordinary Americans. This federal government shutdown by Trump must be brought to an end before it get worse! And the best you can do as an American, at this stage, is to show up in person, or pick up your cell phone and call your congressional representatives. Tell them, “the Congress doesn't need Trump to bring this shutdown to an end.” Tell them, “they, as elected representatives in the house, have the power to override Trump’s presidential veto, open the government, and take control of government spending, budget, expenses and allocations for the military.” My name is Abbey Laurel-Smith, I am in the race for NYC Public Advocate, February 26th, 2019. I am campaigning as the voice and the ears of the people. As an underdog, my chances are slim. But you can help me reach the threshold required for this office by midnight this coming Monday, the 12th of January, and we could all have a good shot at winning. Click here https://rebuildnewyorkcity.com or https://abbeylaurel-smith.com or https://smithiegoeswest.com to support my campaign.