John, three news stories this week… tell me if you can see the connection:

Donald Trump says he wants to "nationalize" elections – which even his fellow Republicans are saying should be left up to the states. [1]
Steve Bannon was explicit: ICE will "surround the polls" – which has nothing to do with immigration laws, and everything to do with intimidating voters who don't agree with him and pushing them out of our elections. [2]
Democrats in Congress are asking for some ICE reforms before they'll give the rogue agency another $10 billion in taxpayer money – and their demands are better than nothing, but nowhere near enough to meet the moment we're in. [3]

Here's what it all boils down to: Donald Trump wants an America where armed, masked federal agents are at YOUR polling place, because he knows he can't win a fair fight.

And if we don't act IMMEDIATELY, our leaders in Congress aren't just going to let it happen… they're going to make you pay for it!

Common Cause is tracking this plot – potentially the greatest threat to a free and fair 2026 election – because we refuse to let this country turn into the dictatorship MAGA dreams of.

If you're with us, here’s something you can do right now to help: sponsor an Election Protection volunteer.

These trained, nonpartisan, grassroots volunteers are voters’ first line of defense – and I hope you’ll agree, we’ll need them more than ever this year. That’s why Common Cause is beefing up our Election Protection program earlier than ever for a midterm year.

It’s a big bet to make – especially as our resources are stretched more thinly than ever. But every time I hear the latest news about MAGA’s plot to steal our democracy away from us, I don’t get mad. I don’t get hopeless. I want to take action.

Here’s how: it costs us around $50, start-to-finish, to get one additional volunteer on the ground for early voting through Election Day.

And remember, that one additional volunteer will be the difference between having a voice and going home in frustration for hundreds or even thousands of voters.

If you’re as worried as I am about the direction this country is heading, and want to do something right here and right now to change it, please sponsor a volunteer for $50 – or help sponsor one with whatever you can give today >>

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Thanks for all you do,

The team at Common Cause

[1] https://www.commoncause.org/articles/the-republicans-against-nationalizing-elections-before-trump-said-it-out-loud/

[2] https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/04/steve-bannon-ice-military-polling-sites-00765331

[3] https://www.axios.com/2026/02/05/ice-funding-democrats-republicans-schumer-jeffries-letter