“Every day… We are given fire to see against the dark…
To bank in ourselves against defeat and despair…
We stand in the midst of the burning world,
Primed to burn with compassionate love and justice.”
-Marge Piercy, Nishmat
Read JUFJ Executive Director Jacob Feinspan’s reflections on this year’s election below. After he sent this message to our community, over 200 people joined us for Meet the Moment, JUFJ’s post-election call.
I am still processing all of my emotions about this election. You probably are too. For me, Marge Piercy’s poem drawn from traditional Jewish morning prayers has helped ground me in what I’m feeling and what I want to be doing. I am glad to be part of a community that burns with compassionate love and justice every day, not just on election days, and I’m proud of what we accomplished together across our region even as I am anxious about what lies before us.
Eight years ago, JUFJ consciously reaffirmed our role in our movement — we work locally to win changes that directly improve people’s lives right here in our region. Those wins not only materially improve lives, they also show what is possible across our region and our country. Many of our partners will lead national efforts to block harmful federal policies. As we collectively meet this moment, JUFJ will continue to work toward making our vision of the future a reality.
JUFJ took positions on a number of ballot measures in this year’s state and local elections, and we saw success with nearly every one:
- Baltimore’s Question H defeated. In Baltimore, Question H was defeated by a landslide. This harmful measure would have cut the City Council nearly in half, and beating it was one of our biggest priorities this year — and Baltimore voters resoundingly rejected it. Kol hakavod (well done!) to the Baltimore City Not For Sale coalition, the teams, volunteers, and JUFJers who worked so brilliantly on this victory! This is the first ballot measure to be defeated in Baltimore City in 25 years, and it was a truly people-powered win.
- Baltimore’s Question E approved. With 77% of voters in support, Baltimore overwhelmingly approved Question E to return control of the police to Baltimore city residents. This is something we and our partners have been fighting to change for many years, and it is a huge victory for the people of Baltimore!
- Maryland’s Question 1 approved. Maryland voters enshrined the right to reproductive freedom by approving Question 1. Kol hakavod as well to everyone who worked to pass this measure which will protect the rights and freedoms of millions of Marylanders.
- DC’s Initiative 83 won. In a landslide across all 8 Wards, DC voters passed Initiative 83, for ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries. While this initiative needs funding to be fully implemented, it could result in candidates and elected officials who are more responsive to voters’ opinions, especially in crowded races with multiple candidates.
These state and local successes are critical for protecting the freedoms of everyone in our communities.
Unfortunately, Montgomery County passed Question A, reducing term limits for the County Executive from three terms to two. We opposed this measure, as we have opposed all previous term limit measures, and will work with our Montgomery County allies to ensure residents retain robust democratic representation at the County level.
After every race in this election is decided, we will still have work to do. No election ever results in collective liberation for all peoples, but that remains the struggle of our lifetimes and beyond. The JUFJ community and our coalition partners will keep working, keep fighting, keep building our part of the movement for a more just region, a more just country, and a more just world, no matter who holds office. Thanks for being in this movement with us.
In partnership,
Jacob Feinspan
Executive Director
JUFJ
