Action 204. Protect the Vote
Background: To quote Thom Hartmann: “Trump has officially begun his corruption of the 2026 election, raiding the warehouse in Georgia where the 2020 election ballots were being stored by the state. He and his lickspittles know they’re facing an overwhelming defeat this November unless they can figure out multiple ways to rig the elections. Orbán and Putin have both used their equivalents of gerrymandering, destroying the free press, and voter purges to stay in power, and Trump has been following their examples (and even hung Putin’s picture in the White House this week). When conspiracy nut, former cult member, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard showed up in Atlanta to participate in the seizure of these materials, election integrity folks from across the country went on high alert. Something really dark is afoot; keep an eye on this.” (1). You may have seen the absolutely nutty rationale that Trump posted a few days ago (2). Asha Rangappa has done a deep dive on it based on her national security and FBI expertise (3).
Expect considerable legal pushback. Responding to a lawsuit by the Democratic Party and others challenging a Trump executive order requiring additional proof of citizenship in order to vote (essentially his effort to implement the SAVE act by executive order), a Washington DC judge ruled that the Constitution’s separation of powers leaves “no role at all to the President” when it comes to establishing the rules that govern federal elections. “Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures.”(4) Expect the DOJ to appeal the ruling, all the way to the Supreme Court. But even if all the rulings go against him, Trump is likely to ignore them because he has immunity, don’t’cha know. “All of this underscores the fact that the fight ahead will be long and hard. The threat to free and fair elections is the challenge of our generation, and no one court decision will solve every problem.”(4)
Action: Are you up to “the challenge of our generation”? Will you be part of the solution, or do you plan to sit on the sidelines? No? Well, here are things you can do, on an ongoing basis, between now and November:
1. Work with your Town Democratic Committee to be an active canvasser before and after the primary election. See recent Action 203 to find out who to contact. If you are new to canvassing, watch for training opportunities. Ask the Hancock County Dems to arrange a training session for new canvassers. https://hancockdems.org/contact-us/ There is no substitute for personal contacts with your neighbors. You will find it both interesting and empowering.
2. Sign up to be an election worker in your town. If your town registrar doesn’t have any need for additional assistance, then volunteer with the League of Women Voters. Here’s the website: https://www.lwvme.org
3. Contact our Senators to voice objections to any form of the SAVE act. You may have thought we had killed it last year (5), but it passed the House and may arise like a zombie in the Senate. Like whatever Gabbard, Patel et al are attempting in Georgia, a dormant bill like this can be very sneaky. Shine a light! Inform yourself and write a letter to the editor.
Extra Credit:
(1) https://hartmannreport.com/p/saturday-report-13126-trumps-new
(2) https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-targets-obama-newsom-alex-113502069.html Scroll down to paragraph labeled “The SCIF” which was posted on X but apparently has been removed. Also see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italygate
(3) https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/if-youve-lost-the-plot-were-on-page
(4) behind a paywall: https://member.democracydocket.com/a-crucial-victory-in-the-fight-for-free-and-fair-elections
(5) https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs See also many past Action Items about the SAVE act.