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We have 34 days until Election Day!
In many parts of the country people are already casting ballots. Deadlines are approaching quickly and they differ from each state.
Vote.gov will direct you to state election info and can be used to check your registration.
YES: Voting Has Started! In some states
Depending on the state, ballots will be mailed or cast in person weeks earlier while registration, absentee ballot, and early voting deadlines can arrive before the 3rd.
For Virginia, early in-person voting runs from September 18 through October 31.
In Illinois, early voting began September 24 at election-authority offices. Some additional locations and schedules vary locally.
South Dakota began voting September 18 and while Minnesota made ballots available for absentee voting in person and by mail as well.
More states will begin voting periods as we move through October.
The 2026 general election is already in progress.
From Our 50501 Community
If you have something you’d like us to share, please email the50501movement@proton.me
Yesterday in Marin County California, 100+ people packed the Board of Supervisors chamber as the NO ICE in Marin county renewed its push for stronger restrictions on county cooperation with immigration enforcement.
County Executive said an immigration subcommittee has already been drafting board policy dealing with the use of county property for federal immigration enforcement. Organizers are asking supervisors to enact an ordinance instead of relying on policy. Marin’s next scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting is October 13. Stay strong Marin County, we see you!!
After Months of Organizing… Petaluma Acts on ICE Cooperation
And just north of Marin County, in Petaluma, months of organizing around immigration enforcement reached the City Council this week.
The council’s September 28 agenda included resolution directing implementation of policies governing interactions with immigration authorities and federal access to city property, facilities and information, within the requirements of federal and California law.
Residents have been showing up before the council for months pushing for stronger and more formalized non cooperation rules. Huge shout out to Petaluma! 🎉
Utah Rally to Protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante
In Salt Lake City, activists with Utah Overpass Action and supporters of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance have been demonstrating over changes to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments.
Trump’s proclamations reduced Bears Ears National Monument to 121,096 acres and Grand Staircase Escalante to approximately 181,541.
Organizations have been challenging the reductions in federal court saying the president doesn’t have the authority to make reductions of this scale. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance reported new mining claims on lands removed from monument boundaries following these changes.
People elected to Congress influence so much. Politics affects all of us. Legislation, budgets and oversight. Presidents direct executive agencies and make appointments and State and local officials make enormous set of decisions that hit closer to home. Courts decide legal challenges to many of those actions.
Bloomington, Indiana
In Bloomington, Indiana, organizers took voter outreach directly over the roadway with this incredible banner.
Austin Texas: Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez
Garcés Pérez, a 28 year old delivery driver, was recently shot by ICE during a September 20th encounter. His attorney says a bullet STILL remains lodged in his body and that he needs additional medical treatment. The Department of Homeland Security disputed that he was denied the correct care.
Federal prosecutors charged Garcés Pérez on September 29 with assaulting, resisting, interfering and impeding a federal officer. The government says he struck an officer with his vehicle’s side mirror and drove toward an officer. (We haven’t heard this before…) Garcés Pérez disputes important parts of the government’s account and the officer who fired his weapon wasn’t wearing a body camera (of course 🙄), according to reporting by Reuters & AP.
Help Protect Our Elections
Looking for a meaningful way to get involved before the November 3 midterms?
Ground Control is a NONPARTISAN hub connecting volunteers with election protection opportunities across the country. They’ve evaluated hundreds of orgs and identify opportunities to support free & fair elections before, during, and after Election Day!
Get more involved: Ground Control can help you find an opportunity to contribute:
I live in MN. I plan to vote Oct 16 at the beginning of in-person early voting in MN.
I spend time with my mail in ballot at home, where there are no distractions, and I can look up judges who no one ever heard of. Then I drop it in the box on the first day of early voting, which is around the corner from my home.