One in five women in the U.S. relies on Planned Parenthood for health services that include testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing, and cancer screenings. Last year, over 18,000 women, men and teens received treatment from Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey.

A poll commissioned by NJ11th for Change showed more than 70% of district residents support continued federal funding to Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services. Even the majority of Republicans polled agreed. But Jay Webber has been unyielding in his quest to defund the clinics. Thankfully, NJ legislators have prevailed to keep them open and help families in need.

Imagine being a gay or transgender teenager whose family decides to “fix” you through conversion therapy sessions -- medically unsound, non-scientific interventions purporting to change sexual orientation or gender identity. Since you’re a minor, refusal is not an option. Many LGBT adults who have undergone the process describe it as torturous, traumatic and harmful.

Conversion therapy has been condemned by the American Medical Association. A 2015 New Jersey court case officially ruled it to be fraud. And former U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher, issued a report stating that "there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed."

When NJ legislators voted overwhelmingly to oppose this type of treatment on minors, guess who voted against abolishing the practice? Jay Webber.

Protect LGBTQ teens.

Vote Mikie Sherrill November 6.

Essex County voters – you now have a choice of TWO places in which you can vote early in Election 2016.  An additional center is now open at South Mountain Recreation Complex, Turtle Back Zoo, Education Building, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange. Here is a .pdf from the Essex County Clerk's Office with early-voting center information.

The South Mountain center will be open:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, October 22-24: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 25: Closed; Newark Office is open
Friday, October 26: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, October 29: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 30: Closed; Newark Office is open
Wednesday, October 31: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 1: 11:30 a.m – 7 p.m.
Friday, November 2: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, November 3: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Monday, November 5: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Early voting continues to be available at the Essex County Hall of Records, 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 247, Newark. Hours at Newark are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Monday, November 5, early voting in Newark closes at 3 p.m.

Election day is Tuesday, November 6.

Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate for the 11^th District congressional seat, has picked up two important endorsements from the editorial boards of The New York Times and the Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s largest newspaper.

Vote Mikie Sherrill for Congress: Webber is too fanatical (Star-Ledger)

Highlights: Sherrill’s “sterling background as a Navy veteran, helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor” and “sensible defense of our health care coverage [and] gun safety” are contrasted with “Webber’s bear hug of President Trump and a Republican party that’s careened to the far right.” The Star-Ledger’s editorial board writes that Webber’s state legislature voting record “proves he’s far too extreme for the people of this district.”

Candidates Who Can Help Take Back the House (The New York Times)

Highlights: Sherrill is featured as one of six candidates The Times’ editorial board considers to be strong choices for “representatives in Congress who will act against corruption in the Trump administration and work for legislation to provide health care, public services and jobs to Americans, as opposed to tax breaks for millionaires.” The Times notes Sherrill’s commitment to the Gateway infrastructure project and universal background checks for gun purchases.