• ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT USE OF ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS FOR CAUCUS CHECK-IN: Strengthening the integrity of the caucuses should be a top priority for both parties.  In the age of Twitter, any perceived impropriety could be tweeted, re-tweeted and become viral in a matter of minutes.  Both parties should utilize 21st Century solutions to ensure only eligible caucus-goers are attending and participating in the process. The days of printing out reams of paper with outdated lists of eligible caucus-goers for volunteers to reference during the cumbersome check-in process must come to an end. Parties should be encouraged to utilize electronic poll book technology that would provide up-to-date lists and allow Iowans to check-in electronically. I believe the next Secretary of State should work with each of the parties to develop and support an affordable, efficient and effective electronic poll book that would allow caucus participants to easily check-in and allow volunteers to immediately confirm eligibility. Utilizing existing technology to develop a caucus poll book will increase the speed of development and cut down on cost for the parties.


• MAINTAIN OPEN DIALOGUE WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE SECRETARY OF STATE: For decades Iowa has had a productive, working relationship with New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner. Maintaining this relationship must be a priority for Iowa's next Secretary of State. As Iowa Republicans and Democrats search for ways to increase participation and strengthen the integrity of the process, we must continue to engage New Hampshire and the national parties to ensure the caucuses remain a true caucus and adhere to the spirit and guidelines of the nomination calendar.

Last week, Bruce Braley took his Protecting Social Security and Medicare Tour to eight cities across Iowa to speak with voters about the clear choice in the US Senate race on retirement security. On one hand, Bruce Braley is fighting for working families to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. On the other hand, Sen. Joni Ernst supports privatizing Social Security, ending guaranteed benefits and putting Iowans retirement in the hands of the Wall Street billionaires supporting her campaign. Read all about it below:


Iowa Public Television
Reporters' Roundtable
July 3, 2014
Reporters Jennifer Jacobs, O. Kay Henderson, James Lynch, and Kathie Obradovich discuss the Senate race, highlighting the important role Social Security has come to play in the race.

Full video: http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/episode.cfm/4142/video


Sioux City Journal
Sioux City Stop: Braley Continues Social Security Defense
July 3, 2014
"It's a promise we made to people that if you work hard and invest your hard-earned money into these programs, they're going to be there for you when you need them," said Braley, a Democrat, during a meeting with local seniors at UFCW Local 222 in Sioux City. The topic has become a major campaign issue between Braley and Ernst, who are seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin.

Full article: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/sioux-city-stop-braley-continues-social-security-defense/article_15c30639-2c12-551a-ae68-9e35c82a181a.html


Omaha World-Herald
Bruce Braley Stops in Council Bluffs, Advocates Minimum Wage Increase
July 3, 3014
Braley also said he is against proposals to privatize Social Security, which he said would put benefits at risk during a recession.  Senior citizens, many of whom have lived through several economic downturns, "have seen why this safety net is so important," Braley said.

Braley's stop in the Bluffs was the last of nine round tables he held recently across the state to discuss the future of Social Security and Medicare.

Full article: http://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/bruce-braley-stops-in-council-bluffs-advocates-minimum-wage-increase/article_61587db1-a385-5d0c-924c-9fa96688265a.html


Telegraph Herald
Braley, Ernst Air Differences on Social Security
July 3, 2014
Bruce Braley, northeast Iowa's U.S. representative and the Democratic candidate for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, has campaigned on Social Security recently, discussing the program with residents in 11 cities. Braley advocates for preserving Social Security, making only minor adjustments.

Full article: http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_15feec46-6f3c-5f8c-aab4-1e16cc2dc4fe.html


Mason City Globe-Gazette
Braley Cites Differences with Ernst
July 2, 2014
Braley said privatizing Social Security would eliminate one of the three legs of the retirement stool -- Social Security, pension and savings. He said scrapping Social Security and setting up individual investment accounts relies too heavily on the stock market.

Full article: http://globegazette.com/news/local/braley-cites-differences-with-ernst-in-talk-with-seniors/article_e43e77c2-ea88-5fa7-8822-7e118b11709c.html


Ottumwa Courier
Braley: 'Stark Choice' in Senate Election
July 2, 2014
Braley said Iowa voters have "a stark choice," in the election. He cast himself as someone capable of defending Social Security and Medicare, while working with Republicans when the two parties have common goals.

"We want someone who can work across the aisles and solve the problems we have," he said. "I have a proven record of doing that."

Full article: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/x1927835986/Braley-stark-choice-in-Senate-election


Burlington Hawk Eye
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security and Medicare
July 2, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat held a roundtable discussion with local seniors to discuss the importance of the programs to their retirement security. He also talked about the importance of honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare to current and future retirees.

"When people think about the economy, retirement security is on a lot of peoples minds," Braley told a group of about 15 people Tuesday. "All you have to do is look at the numbers in Des Moines County. Almost 10,000 people in Des Moines County get Social Security benefits of some kind."

Full article: http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/Braley-070214


Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Braley Holds Roundtable on Social Security
June 27, 2014
The Waterloo Democrat didn't give the usual talking points on those issues sensitive to aging Iowans. Instead, he sought greater understanding of the issues and, barring that, a renaming of those political buzzwords.

"One of the things people are always raising objections to is calling these programs entitlements because it creates this false perception that you're getting something you don't deserve, and maybe we should just adopt the language of the investment community," Braley said.

Full article: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/braley-holds-roundtable-on-social-security/article_bbaf22ee-8dea-5527-89aa-3d2a45491250.html

Streamlines Voting Process to Help Give More Illinois Citizens a Voice

OAK PARK - Governor Pat Quinn today signed landmark legislation to expand voting opportunities in Illinois. The new law is designed to encourage participation in elections and streamlines the registration and early voting processes. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase participation in our democracy and ensure that every voice is heard in Illinois.

"Democracy works best when everyone participates," Governor Quinn said. "By removing unnecessary roadblocks to the ballot box, more residents will be able to exercise their constitutional right and have their voices heard. This new law will help more people across Illinois have a say in how their community, state and nation are run."

"Illinois has made great strides for voting rights in the last few years with the passage of online voter registration and 17-year-olds voting in primaries," Cook County Clerk David Orr said. "Now thanks to this additional expansion of voting opportunities, voters will have more ways to register and cast their ballot before and on Election Day."

House Bill 105, sponsored by State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) and State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), streamlines the registration and early voting process and addresses a number of issues that have made casting a ballot difficult in the past.

The new law will allow same day voter registration. It also extends in-person early voting hours and removes identification requirements for in-person voting by registered voters. The law also allows some public universities to serve as election-day in-person absentee voting centers, increases the window for vote-by-mail applications and expands early and grace period voting throughout the state.

The changes are in effect for the upcoming November general election.

The new law corrects several past voter participation problems in Illinois. Many people's work hours or other commitments do not permit them to take advantage of existing early or regular voting opportunities. Nearly 13 percent of Americans move in an average year, and unless these people remember to update their voter registrations, they may not be able to vote.

"As we approach Independence Day, this legislation reminds us of one of our most precious freedoms - the right to vote," Representative Currie said. "This sweeping new law encourages participation in the democratic process like never before. I was proud to sponsor the measure in the House, and applaud Governor Quinn for signing it into law."

"Voting is a right and a vital part of our country's social and political fabric," Senator Harmon said. "To encourage people to participate, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier to vote without weakening the integrity of the voting system."

Governor Quinn has long been a champion of expanding voting rights and opportunities. Last year, Governor Quinn increased access to democracy across Illinois by giving 17-year-olds the ability to vote in primary elections if they are 18 years old by the general election date. In 2011, Governor Quinn signed the state's first voting rights act. The Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011 protects the voting rights of racial and language minority communities throughout Illinois and encourages public participation in the redistricting process.

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Her proposal would cut benefits in half while adding to program's long-term costs

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