Dear John,

We’ve made it. Last weekend. Have you signed up to volunteer yet?

There’s still time. In fact, we need you more than ever.

Yesterday, the Federal 8th Circuit Court ruled in favor of two Donald J. Trump Electors in the case Carson v. Simon. The court ordered that Minnesota must “identify, segregate, and otherwise maintain and preserve all absentee ballots received after” November 3rd. What does this mean for us? Ballots received after 8 p.m. will be open to legal challenges.

In other words: DO NOT MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT.

• You can drop it in person at your County Election Office between now and 3pm on Tuesday, November 3^rd.
• You can also drop it off at a remote drop-off location.
• You can vote early in person.

Note: You cannot drop off your absentee ballot at your polling place, though you can vote there. If you have requested, but not returned, your absentee ballot you can still vote in-person on early or on Election Day.

• If you’ve already mailed in your ballot and you are nervous, you can track your ballot. If your ballot has not been accepted, you can vote early in-person or on Election Day. The Secretary of State’s system will not permit a voter to vote twice.

And, of course, you can vote on Election Day. Find your polling place.

So, what does all this mean for us?

First, the right-wing knows they’re losing. It’s why they’re using every trick in the book to suppress voters.

Second, we know we’re winning. The polls show it. We hear it in our phonebanks. We see it on social media. It’s clear in the early vote returns. It’s a tsunami in the making.

We are voters. No lawsuits, dog whistles, or disinformation efforts are going to stop us.

In fact, the dirty tricks politics of 2020 make clear that we need major civil and voting rights legislation in 2021.

Minnesotans aren’t going to forget who earned their vote and who suppressed it.

Friends, we’re busy. We get nervous too. But we are fearless about our future. We’re going to create a Minnesota where everyone belongs. That doesn’t end on November 3^rd. It starts on November 3^rd.

See you there.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week: 

1. Disability Visability

This podcast came to us highly recommended by LyLy Vang-Yang. Listen here.

2. La Vanguardia 

A Latinx youth movement is turning out Latino voters in Minnesota. Listen here.

3. Moms

Two important news stories on moms organizing in the suburbs and single moms fallings through the cracks during COVID. Listen to this podcast and story.

4. Working Moms

This is a must read piece by U.S. Rep. Katie Porter: working moms shouldn’t have to clean up after our collective failures. Read it here.

5. THRIVE 

No matter what happens after Election Day, the challenges we must work through are the same. It’s time to pass the THRIVE agenda. Watch it here.

6. #JoytothePolls

Joy is resistance. And read this.

7. Chinatown Pretty

In celebration of Chinatown’s most fashionable seniors. Check it out.

8. GOTV Playlist

Move your body with TakeAction’s 2020 Election Season playlist. Listen on Spotify.

9. Ilhan

Turning out the vote. Turning out on Teen Vogue. Read about Congresswoman Omar’s election turnout operation and checkout the cover story.

10. Super Moon

There’s a rare blue moon on Halloween. See it with your own eyes and read about it here.

That’s a wrap. Vote this weekend if you haven’t already.

--Kenza Hadj-Moussa & Chris Conry