We're NOT Doomed: Feb 13, 2026

A Republican...Really?

Election Day is Every Tuesday! It’s one of my many mantras for a reason, mostly because, it’s true. There is no week without, at least, a couple elections. It doesn’t matter if it’s an off year or January, there are some kind of elections every single week.

That said, “election season” just started. No matter what state you live in, sometime between now and August 18th, you will have a primary election and every single one of us will have an election on November 3.

Every single election, no matter how small is important, but, it’s conceivable that you live somewhere that doesn’t do off year elections, so, this is the first time in over a year that my election advice applies to everyone.

First things first, find out when your deadline to register to vote is. And, especially if you live in a red state that purges voters maliciously, check your voter registration weekly leading up to that deadline.

Early voting for the midterm primaries has already begun in Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi and that list is going to quickly expand.

Do not wait to vote until election day, unless your state doesn’t have early voting. I say this every single time and I always get snarky comments as to why people won’t listen.

But, here’s the thing, whatever shenanigans Republicans try to pull will happen on Election Day. They will not happen on a random Thursday two weeks before. It’s not like Election Day is a national holiday so I promise you it will not be easier to vote on election day.

The only type of shenanigans that will occur before election day have to do with USPS. So, if you have an absentee ballot, don’t mail it. Take it to a drop box, if you have one, turn it in directly to your county board of election office or hand it directly to a poll worker.

USPS rules have changed. The date marked on your mail is not the date it was received by the local post office, but rather the date it was received at the central processing facilities. AND many states are making it so that it doesn’t matter what date is on the ballot, it won’t count if it arrives after Election Day.

So there is no reason to risk it. DON’T mail your ballot.

And one final thing, if you do use an absentee ballot, you can make mistakes on the outer (and inner, depending on the state) envelope. And unless you correct them your vote will not count. Luckily, most states have what is called “ballot curing” and if you catch it before the deadline (which is different in every state), your vote will still count.

DO NOT assume your ballot will count unless you track your ballot and get a notification it was received. There will be phone banks specifically to make sure you cure your ballot and you’ll get dozens of calls from panicked volunteers, so just do it yourself instead.

Remember, your vote is your voice and that voice is your superpower, so make sure your vote counts!

New Hampshire

Fri, Feb 6 - Republican Governor, Kelly Ayotte vetoed the single sex spaces bill for a second time that the Republican legislature continues to try to pass.

In a statement she said:

I vetoed a nearly identical bill to this one last year. I made it clear this issue needed to be addressed in a thoughtful, narrow way that protects the privacy, safety, and rights of all Granite Staters. Unfortunately, there is minimal difference between Senate Bill 268 and the bill I vetoed last year, which Governor Sununu vetoed the year prior.

It’s an important reminder that the far right is not winning every fight. And the worst bill you encounter will not necessarily become law just because Republicans have control. And that certainly makes me feel less Doomed.

Washington State

Mon Feb 9 - The State House has passed a bill to make it significantly harder to challenge someone’s voter registration. Given that this is Washington State with a Dem trifecta, there is no doubt in my mind this will become law before now. It will now head to the State Senate.

If this bill becomes law — though, as I said, it’s a when, not an if — a voter registration can only be challenged by someone who lives in the same county who has personal knowledge of the voter information being inaccurate. It also can only be done with a form from the Secretary of State office and must be signed in ink not electronically. Finally the county auditors will have greater discretion as to if they even accept a challenge and there can only be a hearing if there has been no way to prove their eligibility any other way.

Hopefully, more blue states follow, cause this is brilliant. And definitely makes me feel less Doomed.

West Virginia

Wed, Feb 11 - Strangely, two reasons We’re NOT Doomed come from Republicans today. Secretary of State, Kris Warner announced that he will not be turning over personal voter information to the federal government.

In a statement he said:

West Virginians entrust me with their sensitive personal information. Turning it over to the federal government, which is contrary to State law, will simply not happen. State law is clear: voter lists are available in a redacted format from my office, but I’ll not be turning over any West Virginian’s protected information

My responsibility is first and foremost to the citizens of West Virginia. We will comply with the law, which does not allow us to release protected data. We have offered to work cooperatively with the federal government to maintain the continuity of elections nationwide, but the DOJ doesn’t have authority to run a state’s elections. I support efforts to strengthen election integrity, but I will not break the law, give up our State’s rights, or compromise the privacy of our citizens.

Of course we all wish he wouldn’t cooperate at all, but he’s a Republican, so I’ll take this as the win it is. They can see what’s public but no more and that’s so huge to hear from a state like West Virginia.

And, I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel significantly less Doomed.

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We can’t give up or stop fighting no matter how much something might feel like a long shot, deal?

Our voices are our superpower, but only when we use them!