John, millions of voters turned out to do their civic duty in state and local elections - an exceptional turnout for an off-year election. [1] This comes after Trump's approval ratings hit a new low... [2] and as he announced yet another anti-voter executive order. [3]

Now, even though the polls are closed, we’re hard at work making sure that every vote is counted and guarding against voter suppression.

From New York to Virginia, to New Jersey and California, Common Cause and our partners are protecting YOUR voice, and making sure everyone has a say in our future.

Why? Because Donald Trump’s plan to hold power – right now, and in next year’s midterms – isn’t persuading people who disagree with him but rigging the rules to silence us. [3]

All year, Trump has threatened to retaliate against Americans who don’t vote the way he wants – with selective funding cuts, [4] partisan gerrymanders, [5] and even federal troops on city streets. [6]

So, while many celebrate the election results – Common Cause is already looking ahead to what's next.

You see, MAGA has a year between now and next November to perfect their voter suppression schemes – which is why we’re already building out our Election Protection program for 2026.

Here’s how we’ll get it done: every election year, ordinary folks across the country volunteer their time and energy to serve as a nonpartisan poll monitor.

They tap into our nationwide network of voting rights experts – who train them on the specific voting rules for their community and give them a direct line to our legal team so we can take swift action to solve any problems voters face.

And John, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. This massive volunteer effort – involving thousands of people from coast to coast and helping countless voters make their voices heard – ensures there’s a friendly, nonpartisan face at polling sites across the country.

It brings me so much reassurance to hear from the voters we're helping – people who could have been turned away for not bringing the right documents, or who would have wasted time looking for the right polling place, or even folks who didn't realize they were eligible to vote!

It’s some of the most powerful work we do here at Common Cause – empowering those who otherwise wouldn't have a say in the decisions that affect them and their families. I hope you can agree, John: this is what democracy is all about.

It costs us around $50, start-to-finish, to get one additional volunteer on the ground for early voting and Election Day – and we work directly with our volunteers right up to the last minute to make sure the final number we can field is as high as possible.

I know there's a lot of worthy causes asking for your attention right now – but I hope you'll agree that our nonpartisan effort to protect EVERY voter next year is worth it. Can you sponsor a volunteer today?

If you've saved your info with ActBlue, we'll process your contribution instantly:

By stepping up early to make our Election Protection 2026 effort possible, please know you're a part of something extraordinary.

We're glad to know we can count on you.

-The team at Common Cause

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/nyregion/nyc-mayor-election-turnout.html
[2] https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-hits-new-low-10980503
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-is-working-executive-order-elections-press-secretary-says-2025-11-04/
[4] https://www.eenews.net/articles/white-house-to-slash-8b-in-funding-for-blue-states/
[5] https://indivisible.org/resource/redistricting-coup-underway
[6] https://wtop.com/dc/2025/10/exclusive-national-guard-orders-in-dc-extended-through-february-2026/