Dear John,

As I write this, now three days after the election, it’s impossible to report on or predict all of the winners and losers. A full picture simply won’t be known by the time this edition of the Ms. Weekly Digest reaches you—though where things stand at this moment, we are feeling hopeful.

But I want you to know: our team here at Ms. isn’t just sitting around waiting for results. Instead, we’ve already begun to prepare for what could be the most challenging and dangerous "lame duck" period for women and equality in our nation’s history. If Joe Biden wins the White House—as appears likely—Ms. must be prepared to be a critical source of information on the ongoing fight to advance equality and rebuild our nation as one that is more equal and just than ever before. 

Reporting on this critical post-election period, and on the early weeks of the new administration, is a herculean task. But I am confident that our team here at Ms. is up to the challenge. In fact, we can do no less because so much is at stake for women and for equality.

Now, I would like to take a moment to ask for your help in this critical time, too. Would you consider chipping in to help us launch the Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund? Frankly, we had no choice but to set up this fund, even before full election results are known. We must get ready right now—we can’t wait for all of the returns and for the post-election analysis. Your support, in whatever amount you are able, will help us take on the Trump administration during this lame-duck session. 

For now, we simply need to remain calm and determined as every vote is counted. Ms. and other trusted news organizations have been reporting for weeks that election night would not be the night we knew final results. With higher numbers of absentee and mail-in ballots this year than ever before, we knew that the counting process was going to take some time. Now, election officials are counting every vote and verifying the results, as they have in every previous election. It’s up to all of us to stay the course and demand that every vote is counted and every voter’s voice is heard. 

For equality,

Kathy Spillar
Executive Editor