I would like to start a brainstorming process here to help us prepare for the chaos that is likely to occur this November. If polls are to be believed, the chances of major Democratic gains in November are significant. However, I do not think that the outcome is anywhere near certain as it is almost certain that the regime in power in DC is going to take extraordinary measures to ensure that they retain power after November. In light of that, I want to join with other concerned Kossaks to try to anticipate what Trump’s people might do & take responsible countermeasures.
While gerrymandering is a source of concern, it is quite possible that gerrymandering will backfire on the GOP as it necessarily involves reducing their margins of victory in one district in order to try to “infiltrate” enough Republican inclined voters into blue districts in order to flip them to red. However, by reducing their margins in so called “safe” districts, they risk an enraged electorate where voters who previously selected “red” decide to switch to “blue.” An honest election in ‘26 certainly has the potential to be a blue tsunami. The important caveat being the need to ensure the elections are honest. As Stalin famously stated, it doesn’t matter who votes. The only thing that matters is who counts the votes. We need to ensure that the count is honest & that everyone who is entitled to vote has the opportunity to do so.
One of the great strengths of American democracy is that the system of elections is controlled at the state level, not the federal level. That means that we can focus our attention on the particular states that are most likely to try & corrupt the system.
I live in Massachusetts so I do not predict major issues here. The same is probably true in other predominately “blue” states, s.a. NY, CA, MN, WA, IL etc. A number of the “red” states are also likely to not be worth a lot of concern. WY & WV are (almost certainly) going to vote Republican regardless of what Trump does or doesn’t do. I would suggest that we focus our attention on “red” or “purple” states where the state level government is dominated by Republicans. The obvious culprits for messing with the system is TX & FL. Both states with significant representation & significant urban populations who would tend to favor Democrats. Other states to consider would be NC, VA, GA, IN. Perhaps we should give some attention to places like PA, WI & AZ but they at least have Democrats as governors so that should help.
Some of my thoughts on the likely means of interference.
Things to do this summer
- Purging of voter roles — this one is obvious so we need to remind everyone we know to check their voter registration to ensure that they were not removed. While checking this summer should be sufficient, check again in September just in case.
- Changing poll locations — This could happen on short notice. Perhaps the best approach is to task people with monitoring the various state attorney general offices to look for changes.
- Long lines — we need to enact a level of organizing to prepare voters, particularly in urban areas, for the possibility of long waits to vote. Some states have enacted laws about “sharing” food & drink so brief people to take some water & snacks with them in case they have a long wait to vote.
- Ballot shortages — I suspect that one tactic for interference will be a short supply of ballots for urban areas. Once again, state attorney generals are typically in charge of elections. Contact your AG’s office & learn about their preparations.
- Thugs being allowed to harass voters waiting to vote. — Encourage people to have their cell phones while in line & learn how to stream video in real time. Even consider the possibility of bad actors attempting to block access to polling locations through seemingly innocent acts s.a. traffic congestion or unexpected construction.
- Be a poll watcher — better yet, volunteer to be a poll watcher or otherwise assist with the election process. This is an important job that has become more hazardous in recent elections. We can’t afford to give up our democracy because of trolls & misinformed people behaving badly.
No doubt there are other possibilities that I have yet to consider. Let’s start a conversation on how to protect our democracy this November. Our lives may depend on it.
update 1/11 8:30 EST
Thank-you Whig for reminding me of another source of concern — interference vis-a-vis the USPS. There has been some controversy regarding postmarks — certainly relevant for mail in ballots, a subject much maligned by Trump. Here’s what the USPS says about it. You will note that they seemingly claim that nothing has changed, yet it clearly has changed. Your ballot may be held for a period of time prior to receiving the postmark. Thereby potentially invalidating your vote.
If you vote by mail, you should (MUST!) take it to a USPS employee & have them stamp the postmark by hand, in your view. Otherwise, your vote may be discarded. Make certain that anyone you know who might vote by mail is aware of this risk.
