Anthony, We are less than one month out from the 2026 midterm elections—the regime is installing their anti-voter agenda, and people are organizing and preparing for noncooperation. *We have upcoming* *trainings* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.RNKlYhK-gnABEpCnH88uwJEELkFPSW08uTKwKLzOd9v8jaa5I3eXtQvbbZ-ZWef2ueAYctiyp4xkzlGzazNZhNtHHL8baJ9LQWk9wB8RAmAKU-rXJFxa10DBJ-cc6YUxK5OEiNu5f5XpampgBp4EtLpup15lTWLSqNDK8LKNa4b68YP8351sAXz7PgYG2PSVvJYNcDttnBSKQ9xXPSekjH6pmW41IGBF35GUy-xY0tp0zKISDeX7UlScW600fMBNjEO-XeWqCE-Fq3eeFlJjlLwuYRLeq95qdO-ywasFYOXPk5pCIGCnoTcb7tKtngx85yJzWXPUbNqGxAlcn1XZp5fh84PZniYM7HMRCYqzcLeQSf5j6UjZTDvIZXH6PwEl/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h0/h001.bfry998wX8_kEUP2_iEes3AAwFqYx17cKRxtxfe-Ots ) *and* *resources* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.RNKlYhK-gnABEpCnH88uwJEELkFPSW08uTKwKLzOd9tLAMGALRKm7SSO3KImQ6NRiYep81mXluDbvCv7iRv67cBOSQKVmDlAM2zxc6zTLrYp8pECtbUZmNnzJSudJBbSy5Z0j-GdrB0weGhdFzFlF9LtMCes8EmLurV25xq8IJy3BfMeORLLxm_nCpH0SPjj35Mhca4jJsKnsnoHSyylLPv300PDHv5xR1t3Vxp0P7aqf_fvHSScjK7Bn5yvPNjqWAGYyLT0vXQHLezuihpjBXtBPzAJ95PZatwvySVXpI8PQu9GxcRe24LISrqbCTx8Md-qE3b2WFu2hC8oyJ2W0b_reRwkiY9bCe_bVAFvcX8ogIb8rTD5ld-_fBesyH5E/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h1/h001.xqkG3QdptBOD7Me-aN6O96Rq-USqB_fn8cRDoC0ofj4 ) *to support your election plans—please bring your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.*
*There are two games*. Game #1 is winning votes through messaging, ads, and canvassing. Game #2 is attacking the rules and process so votes stop mattering. When authoritarians know they can't win Game #1, they switch to Game #2. That's what we see happening now, so we need to take Game #2 seriously. *They know their popularity is at an all-time low*. So their strategy won't rely solely on conventional electoral tactics like targeted ads and GOTV canvasses; it will rely on *injecting enough chaos and confusion to delay the transfer of power in Congress come January 2027*. Expect pressure before Election Day (dropbox sabotage, DOJ "investigations" of election offices), on Election Day (armed civilians or federal agents at polls), and after (refused certification, recount fights, outright denial). A 17-page draft executive order already lays out a plan to use a claimed "national security emergency" to ban mail ballots and voting machines. Our election defense scenario book ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.RNKlYhK-gnABEpCnH88uwJEELkFPSW08uTKwKLzOd9to0SsRelGlC0H5gReD9H1DZloKVPu-UZRRYsjLo68ugu-VhNr6JEgBJaJ3GohN786PWzpOd20nEBLfcHVds1BhQQGUo_F83ZMZBJTjOaDvbWoNljWtAWTpZOG0jlY1PGqwNUnTfQ0NuyfWQjWDATzKAZCHCHAT_B825p5KcRdkHQ-v0ibCPRL-lsVR6o1nrtaFDZKzxFr5B62itim8LYy294NMwEeOWG03JxIIWJm_cvczPwE0AHEYBVV8tZTe_6jTw0AFG7RRimGuUFfeueZp5rZCKGp_QQ8uX1AWr7-s5i0FYs9yj0eLhk0LCCF5Q5ljMykRqiirGiSfhmmENXCx/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h2/h001.G2WhMWWckR_D343aHMRATs4nH_bNevcpO0wKOVmqZd8 ) covers these scenarios and the responses that have worked. Courts are slow, and messages get lost in the noise. *What stops authoritarian power is organized people refusing to cooperate, showing up where disruption is happening and in solidarity with places that need us*. *We are hopeful: from Chile to Hungary, autocratic conditions have produced grassroots coalitions that fought back and won.* But movements didn't appear out of thin air; they are the result of people choosing to take the risk to lead in the face of profound uncertainty. *Here’s where you can start…* * *Attend an upcoming Hold the Line Election Defense Workshop on* *October 13th* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.v2UrIOJHHKkg0Pk-aGvhy_TtrWBBAnh9vPhfXW55SOYJbs4UkOgVYzt8AGOsvCuMIco8hKBPNlcR4r5BvWb7wD4RAgxz2ZwrBFcbaURdZpA99BeDP9QKxW3DAB0Z2CSSqcqdKmHtDEfqSj93i1lzSEx1df98xZ0DMq9ZXYqND19mLipvoC89Xy5MBYMQ2aaOy0JpTHCe-Q96pOinlDx63Ebde4b3ztKSd0OMKIp8bOAvLh6g4sO393VQmfkPc8aKrN-YpdV2lKlkZC6yhCbPLK74554i7jizXVbF15jwjHG7VZCKL5a_rzh_cjWj3pYeS6VuekUj7P7Ej1U8rLaCVxDj4LY408MFWPWX7BGbZ1Rr7dGy60anhtVW35qcD0h7eGweyYYn38k-FABiPzYpj1B_bYDmh48Wwh0oSEGNQYA/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h3/h001.cPYuN5rVXOI3i9QFK9B3o-z5GSrzChsciB5-dZi-eCQ ) *or* *October 19th* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.v2UrIOJHHKkg0Pk-aGvhy_TtrWBBAnh9vPhfXW55SOYJbs4UkOgVYzt8AGOsvCuMDrruoOLXPxSKzdPG9fE5Y8RjIG21MzkqDgw6lH80fo6d2ue3tpqvKxQkfDQPzgBJygrYjU7RLioApzcWJANn4nzd_smfrvZyZP9UHSveQBcrrATef4D7WUdEKocKixItF_SjcwPnQjStHBCCkun9XFoRKKTdbz0Siw5En81bMZEocy0Ih_xvLTBIqRzKJf9PV1Es93ineuM2d3etbX_oaPbZKMdJiRSnGEV1VxcCNwpzE1ZlhUUSFqh2wX05-y6uLTJ8ZX9UDecrUPWRSCzYktgOeSgW2cdWgLUZiDVgYLgtCyqX2xPJoQJ2hjrd345j25DZ6NfmKQbYeZy-XoM-Lhd037xTab-vZdBuT4SMe58/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h4/h001.hJ530zhnLP9YCSPHqA-gcNcAANZ6br9DcXNJCDPC1C8 ) *from 7-830pm ET/4-530pm PT* with others who are worried and looking for things to do starting today, whatever their background, wherever they live, and however much experience they have. If you haven't already, check out the Hold the Line Guide ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.SLdqY4re9NRChJwFnQ0irwqozNoRFdzuZJ-MfMLLpj76lj4KpUT4cvnS6pu2CCK9OxZfKO-MUjE8D6ZIPFXmvs0KTdZjhq8DwieicQJUqqjdQdwRBjnxWnhkA0vMSsPkVqWvE9TW-260BWCGa9kZovv6P7AMR44SA3OIF_4JS9CcQxeHx0ayU88jfLrqYwelTcL0Gc51c9pFUD443qYPrvFLmxVnKx5kEEJpaxBxDe7nndx1gfprH0l6eeAzkm53mwF17y2VRpq2jHV510PRtAklj23YliGLvb08rJ7Nqn32b7IL8VIaxbV1SUD3Qwkeg19qmNB_y7QzmvgkjXvDrotGK7UeI3PXYb1kRxPPAXY/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h5/h001.5lDzfWw-gZVd0AxifsY0k055Ljxw5bx1HaeMRsTNMVk ) for resources you can use to stop election sabotage and protect our vote, e.g., their Democracy First Responder Course and Commitment to Uphold Democracy. * *Check out and use the* *Election Holiday toolkits for individuals, organizations, and businesses* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.yjJN_MEbNx94PLaWzZ6hW1GJm7fH52LAiTq9C8yR9M9UG664t7fWMdiMuSCFUhklkJa_D_c9Gt88uIKIxRQU0_r-PIsuq2IsFU-cE7glavjQIc-1fxcHBJXUBAsQqiNOU2Ex2puD04pI3xSj4tLhQ123igSG6_wFLqTqHFCMRmbrMpyfo4YUH7-dEzf_quDInOl7vm2WxbhQC-e89y6cQegWLtRSk5r_y6sMQuQceZFJU4oDDFbh-YJBi2JIN_2d_Hw6pqcaiOzwqNxIuUVr2b00-jgbcSwQ-CZDEyFlpszaF7_v5i5pOqzaeR-BMLMmtLb7AsZ1jaYEp1gF7vJOyM4wT1gMKlowUbb-fJ6mwMVLYb41IBrh6jHQrhdtNC4sBvQbC4UKTUnzsZtoSCx35rleBive3WAtCbgoV5I9Kho0MbcFW8_DXJAWQo_Hs_cN/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h6/h001.honE6IaDQuGbNpiAPCZUccvELcurP3s4akyVEdmfu5U ) *.* This Election Day is our civic holiday. When millions of us show up to vote, drive neighbors to the polls, staff polling places, and witness the count, we make it much harder to keep people from voting and much harder to manipulate what happens after. Showing up in numbers is a form of protection. It's also a celebration. It's voting as defiance, as joy, and as community—all at once. Find out more at https://election. holiday/ ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.HV-T5b9C6Y6Pisqo-P4Pm3Bj1KS_NCLuNwPa1FCbBcoHiWd5lHgH8aXzWQ51_izhC6IblP-2Frn8oXdaFse1qTozlbn3QhjwdeL96WiULyTTgRL_VJUT0kpVelaB3TIfqLWYZ7W809V-zDmtAQ0BLo_x09X7yod8qPTmwkyzar8GJKkHxzPKFxFQIclNcZF-dfp-aCgxRHWVACzBSKIBFrxk_KVoWxan2ALKsipgdzrOk2Poapa6OMlgFxhwml4sLJIoUl8ZnI1onHpDLUF-XYB25Qm6xT7XaRgo1cGM_70tK7w59a3XPiB2pJZOsIRrxrspx9c2eTQLJj2iR0TcRCuCQKEz2ELdKKGQm814Ruc/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h7/h001.ko2WIs7ouDGd6n85q5_K4avuwfTWRKwGKNrgs9LrwGc ) * *Skill up to train others and organize your community on responding to political repression and violence throughout and after the midterm election season at the* *[Training of Trainers] Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE): Elections Edition* ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMYqPfKrTaFTa5bdcUzAtKZvjnBCPWUYN5InS9qX_PndQ7UwaBmPJTeqT32pDkTj3ZR2JTVxl5jdTe-VK_OkldXDsdhvOD4uQkq7OsdWjSs_69K9EBD6tNpofC6mcI2Xq1K7brPME1fO8brqysFOHnnS6jJn3oqvME_l-p8ekncGbkPGVrzcLVpT-4AQhvP7wOlAjM-9I5EckYQX_96JFdu1JpOsj2Oby4880r_Hrzy3xJKZ1Sf2oYWNfhO_fi6JOh7KRoaivFFcfVUEUmUxwpjH32VCVjMAyzjkjaF_SyBnGxbzDKH5SdhzSLmkx0GvmH0bP-trM9qLugMtTxSGcVYV1LWms9wW47myU5--Qi4YO/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h8/h001.wtKpStsihrA45knZvPI1QT7CYqdrC0Jy3rAGSDS2cec ). You can find the full list of HOPE offerings focusing on preventing, mitigating, and responding to political violence throughout elections here: https://www. endpoliticalviolence.org/ training ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMYqPfKrTaFTa5bdcUzAtKZvjnBCPWUYN5InS9qX_PndQw1ywkODRs4FI5AAVJAVhEuHfW483Sb1s-Ab3NNyAgWvFr7O4FVwS2KTT5QmHLe1luzEr5yEAkQpSwh3ynm7GFI3pXf75Poly8Ruqcd2Fs5JuwR7MUvf3gpkVqGT0nBbAJ_KJ17UKrAU2-KUqWAFXGERgQeEdEiVMmD-_RnZpIc5Qrl9NtuQM2rhzOHDzJd90vxmKnlCiFObZVHx9s1UbpBaVRSlBd-xqHnbcLeCEwN-fMJkRRIpbi1QrB_QOFt2GfYiWEJEulrsBc1W5jB4hmIyybD48ayOSjcK4beH6UfJ85T700uJd4vptvO9WPfV_/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h9/h001.nQ_IshoHxRtUKIYE6pfUaYAYXYgX8WrzpXNkn74afZs ) In solidarity, The Freedom Trainers Team *Curious to better understand this issue?* Here are some more sources and citations. * Act Free to Be Free: A State and Local Pro-Democracy Framework ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.yjJN_MEbNx94PLaWzZ6hW451kB1UHFkGz1cupG1HPlLaxOGgRFSgb9YT_PsCyuc-FAy56hm49DL-SGOGyix782wLHxz_6hbc3J_jb20SS3c3BKp-7UoHb0b3DHgFz-63rv6uSR7Zvco4MCtP2aWfw3fAjiPSSLMKEQGcu4TPLTEBZ5UT22ahWnlbF6BUl60x3tclJhsDE9RVBwpC8RPgRpetKIK-J7QqTxYr_SEZ9CZ5ln3eL6KaAL-6swgGXx1EXZJeOeRArtpZ4qPCp3YzbbJCH8tRbhMyYq52m141T33_2lz0Rjr-Ib3AFYBR5ZnSy6szqHiw1xDvJVoJ7Yng4fd7F1dnS0aoPEJb4mO4P_HvUrbH61G4LD4_J_eRzCn_iAEXPZgHLPRph6T6aN_8inHV9HNxyv03YlGLTvy94dQIAteO0FKPFgQnlmR2W5-Y2PfPx4VXC0m2aCt76L8JXQ/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h10/h001.EG3Zyz-iqzXasgXkE3EgcGPiVjm2MTQqgxL6ON1Jwck ) * Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.yjJN_MEbNx94PLaWzZ6hW451kB1UHFkGz1cupG1HPlJjJwUMYOQ4w9ENU2QDGNFQvdST6tEyxReUOE_diBAgV6MRoZWzDVWiArwGntNxFKjQi1au3VJgfxt-dywAtqIzwuUG4Z8R2u6YnoCLVGQHBOnvvFWPR1tV-RfS9HZIewAEYx7zutO1cGFfrwg7pAxqtlxsGLJzvF8aXilG6KeUgXcnEvSGuP8RPaoIkaFlRYxL-CI0SUPhtFzFJLkL400vr37WvvInU98geKVx7c6zQpeWTy10yP_DRXM9GLGP1ikyoa6FqU8P3abnDIT2YSXZJfG44K_mSYY0NV8GwZUDwtY_4z3uKHHKI0ho49Dh8i08V0eFNJcBaNU8nwvXmBSVXh2iplkIrdV5WCPNakrmiK6T639__fMsSdOpOg2eruo3UWXZkudq7W7lHC1rzTptHVqmBeSKe1zwnRaLKAoQRQ/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h11/h001.kB-KkCtBopRbQWZU_73mgBgILJivbcKOeuZLx4O_Zjc ) Washington Post, February 26, 2026 * How Trump is moving to control U.S. elections, one state at a time ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.yjJN_MEbNx94PLaWzZ6hW1GJm7fH52LAiTq9C8yR9M_vnDWw96hvGEXX6DKopT4yFQlXg7_-lVnFZQ8N_46GG38dumpyqA__fkMo09PQeq9pH_7stIafPnskhngpGeeG6LESYnuKZhewMe9n8kENFh-YQK15WVxP3fvQMBctlgGLGYCtHoaljSKC-OxmwfefaAMqfL6x282DMbDS3pzxeuqCy_jZQnaJq1DfzwWBLpYwKT5XjjJ7FOldyCNYUJv2fiJSmqoACQ7GFTsvpMLAGjUt_E2Zh7czBnLgHLV2AOUPnikYRXYRag8emCqVI_H3JnzYZg97kBES9OGn8knCvA1sOqc7s6xHJRik8kBmGqIv6X4XQEiJBPD0uKDOZ-vhppUX9Pm23tIQpP4uD9A9ZWa1Q7HHNQdDB3dmJLCkDKNJn9SN5QaQC2Q15MQ-3KnU/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h12/h001.Fd1iL5pJ71LJY6S_5sl-o3CqDHEdc-88c74R3CQ_LYA ) , Reuters, April 27, 2026 * The Many Ways Trump Is Trying to Tip the Scales for the Midterms ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.yjJN_MEbNx94PLaWzZ6hW1GJm7fH52LAiTq9C8yR9M8XPeqePfmYN3FJ3uKZSVMQnoOSM-AGp_jb2SintEVtzn-0Ws0jhXICIU8kT-0sYjFqv6-fRiZ-ReUMfMSEqcCCdc0YgChtkr5xIz14ULm0qWi-7ATHBNU3-l7cx-sHWPbjezoQ329Y9_RSi_x4fjmKkc2zJ8KAMEppzJFxlyzq_93V0B9QAKW1dVnJX0R98COW8-hckImCQgYZtXAWBPbnCW0At8lwzST-Ni1A1RXwhEOW2hnXnuxrf-Rtoncm23MVDjOXcjfU6JSMk_ssTerDQrUPYjiLWFx6BFNGHf3QWiLwTn6AyydDBYI6fF3GCxjPyBGWTkq9oze6OHTXXnl50WvR11kg7UL7LpBhU_WspJoeRmZGBkAmFZVbur2QDYTauAfdi-uilAA1IHRLAqO-/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h13/h001.wTgXRVa__GPyRfdS8l0QtlV57WGnjRIeudZpgyQKyIQ ) , NYT, July 2nd 2026 * Trump says he's not mulling a draft executive order to seize control over elections. Here's what we ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.XaF8mXqsA6b2dSPmhsleMf8zAxvkmBbmeYIXQxSgV8pYi9RR_Uj_UFq-7XVAoPLWnMAFDMoZtDXzJPrL6-jPkzufzX2TmCbhQ2rPqmx0YvIB2wyt5kJnoinSkHi5vlzo6Tk3-7mR4tAyDO8vAytReaelMccAgnIREZbYuB0fziOZRov1lo7cG-JKOs5XVZiO-OiZEKsSEsO7mPTad0ja_5nSrzAmmk_9LTHFS4epmHOXV44t6VqSldHYBgDgu_R0hLx95Z24d67GXU9mlHPXWa6PP1NqZauIcGCf1WRlQNCCMJd19Vjq4K87YnogxI3tjGUsVezjoXKVqZlAGT4-U8Yk_jJ47YFLv0Q7HZsUqvmwdBdHen7DaIFQWObQJolGeu8IzENoLCeGH7-WDwR6sIyL-ls0IN5oGATVSrpPx9ubkrgk4UWIx1qIOXVKktYcWElNlZlF5gm-gMfbZpHoF58iHw8Qh5Rn74zj765cb_drItVwWzs8Qva_6bUh1cVs/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h14/h001.yYt8wl5lqhGmLpTaJMqktfIPAmt1hRjGnzOzcLDKygM ) know from PBS NewsHour, Feb 27, 2026 * 2026 Election Risk Heat Map ( https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/u001.fYwBmNOg9T7TSqRCKjNSzYqII98WMn0zSf3UREC8LUQTXOn_7TYdDKyagvLVOhQ2J7aydajKm2VY2k0Pdj4TeRLqyP4slg0nGqUUD5jBuXPE0TRy5C54jbZjmX_v-thOMHOAWkRArxEh4FvngmU0z9sjCPjylaAPVYxbqCFueBPA5N-HYUtLm64lJXE7lKvaN1FOeQZOiQwb9NWzIn-9D8PzeaupOOxqCk0uywtqjUh9P7DuWV_2FCmOZnSQ5en9dBPht9I8qrHFKZaQdPxhpBWub8L9MmByJb4wWTZyOdlqVHzE6c5k7W4AETqo-rOHPgDO0vhksgDVoobBVlQeDlafPBS-FVbL2EXD4QohmyQ-ksVw0v33qNt7yJuRoWFVhaZ7BTvLg4zFWy2dN_fNtQ/4uo/7BsKtLJpTeWL9yUh8xvLbg/h15/h001.HDChZbM9x2bw74z6rsVO9JHptUZlId9dB6Xldg4H0_Y ) Voting Rights Lab -- Tony -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#43650): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/43650 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/121405050/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/13617172/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
