You think we can still flip the House. I'm more concerned about the Republicans flipping our voting rights any which way they can, in which case so what we have the House. Do Democrats really know how to fight for us any more? The Repugnants are actively feral while the Dems are Oh Ok... whatever. Maybe I'm wrong. I'd rather be wrong.
Sheila, I have had to remove your posting privileges before, and I am about to do it again. You cannot come on here and freak out, blame Democrats, etc. Your posting this week has been wild, unhelpful. Rein it in or I will have to ban you again.
What race have you watched lately where Dems are not fighting hard? As in, are you writing to vent or are you writing with an evidence-based concern about Dems? (Of course we know the GOP will play dirty.)
Meanwhile, when Colorado wanted to remove Trump from their ballot, when he was running for president, which was a legitimate constitutional request, because he had incited an insurrection, the Supreme Court denied that!!! This demonstrates the corruption in the Supreme Court!!! So much of what is happening is because of them!!!! They need to be impeached!!!
Simon, thank you for the update! Good news on the tariffs!
Today's news from Virginia just shows how important state Supreme Courts are. I'm going to kick in a little bit more to Miracle and Jen. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO money for the ballroom, Dems should not vote a penny for the Defense Department until Hegseth resigns or is fired, and the president is out of his mind (see, e.g., driving his motorcade DOWN THE REFLECTING POOL!) and must be removed from office. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today. A few more than usual because I'm mad.
It's going to frankly come down to turnout, which is what this was always shaping up to be. If Hungary can do it after 16 years of authoritarian lockdown and far less wiggle room than we have, we can do it.
Right on, Faith! As Hungary showed, in an already gerrymandered environment, even more gerrymandering tends to break things, and create a landscape like La Brea after a good cleansing rain (I think I'd rather call it a tar pit than a dummymander). I don't worry when the corporate media is hysterical; I worry when it exudes quiet confidence, in either direction.
This can also be viewed as a ruling based on a procedural error(s) in one state. The error(s) can be corrected and a new vote in VA can occur in the future. We will keep up the fight.
Just trying to get caught up. Really? It can be read as a procedural error? Also, I read the VA Supreme Court leans conversation. Is this true? Sorry. Just trying to get a handle on this shocking news.
News from Richmond, VA. Virginia Supreme Court strikes down redistricting referendum in 4–3 decision. The sharply divided court ruled procedural errors invalidate the vote.
I wrote "I can be read as a procedural error?" I guess that's true but I meant "It"; corrected it and appreciate the edit button. Still reeling from this decision today.
What's laughable is the desperate efforts by MAGA and the Supremes to net yield a seat or two here and there. As if that's how close the November election is going to be. We've been snookering them in double digits in elections since '24 and it's only going to get wider as the crooked administration continues to lie and grift and the Court continues to play politics. The Virginia Supreme Court just did us dirty but they must have no idea what's coming!
Luckily I think I have enough pity for all of you and myself as well, even though I’ve never lived in Virginia! But for me the sadness and rage is a source of motivation.
I will say this, states need to be ready to counter any microscopic technicality because now we see that they can and will overturn completed elections. I'm glad to see state Democratic parties like GA include election bullshit prevention on their agenda.
Watching the people speaking on behalf of adopting their resolutions at their annual town meetings in MA will warm your heart and provide even more hope. If you have the time and interest, here are links to two videos of the resolutions being passed. Congrats Rachel P. et al. !!
Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea MA on April 28, 2026
It includes a reading of the resolution at 3:22:11.
"A Resolution Supporting our U.S. Constitution and the Separation of Powers, and Urging Congress to Exercise Its Legislative Branch Authority and Oversight Powers to Provide a Check on Unlawful or Unconstitutional Actions by the President of the United States." (Article P Non-Binding Citizen Petition).
Thank You for sharing Deborah and Congratulations Rachel!
We are hoping to "commit a democracy" with WE, the People in a rally before the Supervisors in chambers in Salinas, CA in Monterey County during general public comment next Tuesday May 12.
Its inspiring to be in the battle with other community members.
Unimportant but just for the record, Rockport was 84% - 16% (well over a hundred participated), and both of those went straight to Town Meeting via voters' proposals and signatures gathered. (Town Meeting is once or twice per year direct democracy governance in MA towns. Select Boards meet year round, as do City Councils in cities.) Stow's went to the Select Board last fall and goes to Town Meeting next week. Activists in other towns have done a mix.
Marblehead, another coastal town north of Boston, passed their resolution a week or two ago. Here's a letter to the editor from one of the residents behind the effort. Note that when they presented the resolution, they invoked George Washington: "If George Washington were to visit today he would urge a unanimous vote by the citizens of Marblehead for this Resolution of deep commitment to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution which which have sustained American democracy for nearly two and a half centuries."
I love that they invoked GW! No wonder it passed unanimously.
Here's the letter to the editor:
Dear Editor,
The citizens of Marblehead unanimously asserted our unwavering commitment to our nation's founding principles and documents. In doing so at our Town Meeting, we followed in the footsteps of the citizen-led movements that helped ignite the American Revolution — the Committees of Correspondence, the Sons and Daughters of liberty and the other civic alliances that challenged tyranny and demanded self-governance.
It was not distant elites who first resisted oppression. It was the engaged citizens in small towns like Marblehead who organized boycotts, protests, demonstrations, and acts of defiance that ultimately gave rise to armed rebellion and American independence. Their courage illustrated that democracy can be defended by ordinary people willing to speak, organize, and act.
Words matter. Publicly affirming our shared constitutional values strengthens the foundation of our republic on its 250th anniversary and reminds future generations what this country was built upon: liberty, civic responsibility, and resistance to authoritarian power.
Marblehead has always taken pride in its history. This resolution does not merely honor that legacy — it continues it.
First in Revolution. Still defending freedom today.
Marblehead Current reported "This calls for the town to affirm its 'unwavering commitment to founding principles and documents, civil responsibility and the rule of law protecting the rights and welfare of all its people as we celebrate honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.' "
for contrast, Alabama pushed through a new red map during a tornado evacuation - here's what Doug Jones, former senator and present dem senate candidate, wrote, [and after his statement I link a video of the forced vote during tornado siren; this is to say, I wonder if the red maps will increase turnout for statewide office, e. g.,. senators, e.g. Doug Jones
Folks,
On Tuesday, a tornado tore through Montgomery. Families across the city took cover as sirens blared and people rushed to safety.
But while Alabamians were sheltering from the storm, in the state Senate, there was chaos. As tornado sirens blared, Republican lawmakers pushed ahead with a bill to redraw Alabama’s maps. This new map would eliminate Alabama’s two seats currently represented by Black Democrats and lock in complete Republican control of the Senate.
Simon, thank you for the encouragement. I can’t imagine this ruling will stay right? SCOTUS let both TX and CA through and CA, like VA, was a referendum voted on by the voters. You think Marc Elias and others will sue and take this to SCOTUS? Can’t imagine even they’d keep it overturned cuz it seems to contradict even their own ruling.
I think they should DEFINITELY take the Virginia dispute to the US Supreme Court, not because they’ll win—I suspect SCOTUS would just fall back on the same procedural arguments against the new map—but simply to force SCOTUS to go on the record once again for their astounding hypocrisy
They might just not take it up now. But if Roberts has ANY moral sense or political survival sense, maybe they will take it up and be consistent for once. I wish there were a way to undo all the damage that the Roberts court has brought upon us. We are the frogs. Republicans plan long term and are drunk with power now. Time to expand the Supreme Court but first we have to win election on every level and in every election - not just every four years.
In VA redistricting, i kept hearing comments about a technicality and it appears that that was "the legislature was not allowed to do this in the first place"? Is that the technicality? Did Marc Elias opine on whether he thought this would stand up or was it always unlikely? The Florida redistricting violates their state Constitution, too. Do they just get away with it because of a different state Supreme Court? 🤔
I'm glad Jefferies spoke out - some one of these guys has to have the cojones to do so. That said, we are getting screwed in broad daylight. I believe that the outrage of voters might get
us over the hurdle - and maybe a lot of newly minted Independents who have also had it. The more of this malevolent stuff they do, hopefully the more angry voters will be and be more determined to prevail in November.
This paragraph from the NYT injected some hope into me as well:
“The loss in Virginia is likely to only further stoke more redistricting battles. Already, Democrats in New York and Colorado have signaled a desire to try and redraw their maps before the 2028 elections, and Virginia Democrats are likely to be in a similar position, since the court mainly took issue with the process, not with the resulting map.”
Hi Carla - Democracy Docket, Democracy Forward, ACLU, and NAACP are where my donations go monthly in addition to our Hopium campaigns when I can. Marc is the man for us on voting rights suits, I agree!
Nancy Pelosi posted that the President and Rs in Congress know they've failed the American people and that is why they are trying so hard to cheat to win in the fall. She says the VA Supreme Court gave them "a vile assist" this morning, but Dems will keep going and organizing to win.
You think we can still flip the House. I'm more concerned about the Republicans flipping our voting rights any which way they can, in which case so what we have the House. Do Democrats really know how to fight for us any more? The Repugnants are actively feral while the Dems are Oh Ok... whatever. Maybe I'm wrong. I'd rather be wrong.
Sheila, I have had to remove your posting privileges before, and I am about to do it again. You cannot come on here and freak out, blame Democrats, etc. Your posting this week has been wild, unhelpful. Rein it in or I will have to ban you again.
Ok I better not post at all.
An algernative- read other people's posts to get an idea of how wide your chices still are.
What race have you watched lately where Dems are not fighting hard? As in, are you writing to vent or are you writing with an evidence-based concern about Dems? (Of course we know the GOP will play dirty.)
We've had wins and over-performances in a couple hundred races of all sorts all over the country for 16 months at this point. Look at the table in this article: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/18/democrats-special-election-results-analysis-00879021
How can they just dismiss votes??!! Isn’t that illegal??????
They deemed the whole ballot initiative was 'unconstitutional'.
Despite letting it go ahead in the first place under similar challenges.
I don’t get it!!!
Of course you don't. You're a reasonable, sentient, constitutional, moral being.
You got it kid!!! 😬
Meanwhile, when Colorado wanted to remove Trump from their ballot, when he was running for president, which was a legitimate constitutional request, because he had incited an insurrection, the Supreme Court denied that!!! This demonstrates the corruption in the Supreme Court!!! So much of what is happening is because of them!!!! They need to be impeached!!!
Simon, thank you for the update! Good news on the tariffs!
Today's news from Virginia just shows how important state Supreme Courts are. I'm going to kick in a little bit more to Miracle and Jen. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO money for the ballroom, Dems should not vote a penny for the Defense Department until Hegseth resigns or is fired, and the president is out of his mind (see, e.g., driving his motorcade DOWN THE REFLECTING POOL!) and must be removed from office. I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today. A few more than usual because I'm mad.
No time for self-pity here in Virginia. Even with the current map, there's no reason Democrats can't flip two or more Republican seats in 2026.
It's going to frankly come down to turnout, which is what this was always shaping up to be. If Hungary can do it after 16 years of authoritarian lockdown and far less wiggle room than we have, we can do it.
Right on, Faith! As Hungary showed, in an already gerrymandered environment, even more gerrymandering tends to break things, and create a landscape like La Brea after a good cleansing rain (I think I'd rather call it a tar pit than a dummymander). I don't worry when the corporate media is hysterical; I worry when it exudes quiet confidence, in either direction.
This can also be viewed as a ruling based on a procedural error(s) in one state. The error(s) can be corrected and a new vote in VA can occur in the future. We will keep up the fight.
Just trying to get caught up. Really? It can be read as a procedural error? Also, I read the VA Supreme Court leans conversation. Is this true? Sorry. Just trying to get a handle on this shocking news.
News from Richmond, VA. Virginia Supreme Court strikes down redistricting referendum in 4–3 decision. The sharply divided court ruled procedural errors invalidate the vote.
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/05/08/virginia-supreme-court-strikes-down-redistricting-referendum-in-43-decision/
Thank you. There is one set of rules for the Republicans and another set for Democrats.
I wrote "I can be read as a procedural error?" I guess that's true but I meant "It"; corrected it and appreciate the edit button. Still reeling from this decision today.
What's laughable is the desperate efforts by MAGA and the Supremes to net yield a seat or two here and there. As if that's how close the November election is going to be. We've been snookering them in double digits in elections since '24 and it's only going to get wider as the crooked administration continues to lie and grift and the Court continues to play politics. The Virginia Supreme Court just did us dirty but they must have no idea what's coming!
Go Virginia! Love your positive attitude!!
Luckily I think I have enough pity for all of you and myself as well, even though I’ve never lived in Virginia! But for me the sadness and rage is a source of motivation.
Tough day today (well tough 10 days really) and I know a lot of people are going to be reeling - well I know I am anyway.
But we fight on I guess, because what else can you do!!!
I will say this, states need to be ready to counter any microscopic technicality because now we see that they can and will overturn completed elections. I'm glad to see state Democratic parties like GA include election bullshit prevention on their agenda.
This is What Democracy Looks Like!!
Watching the people speaking on behalf of adopting their resolutions at their annual town meetings in MA will warm your heart and provide even more hope. If you have the time and interest, here are links to two videos of the resolutions being passed. Congrats Rachel P. et al. !!
Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea MA on April 28, 2026
💙 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71BBY_eOPeY Article 28 is near the end at 4:44:14.
“Petition and Resolution in Support of the U.S. Constitution.” (Article 28)
—Links to text for Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA petition and Resolution in Support of the U.S. Constitution:
https://manchester.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/9487/Citizens-Petition-Resolution-in-Support-of-the-US-Constitution and https://manchester.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/9549/Annual-Town-Meeting-Warrant-4272026
Town of Rockport, MA on April 11, 2026 Article P
💙 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcmBTetUUJI Article P at 3:17:26.
It includes a reading of the resolution at 3:22:11.
"A Resolution Supporting our U.S. Constitution and the Separation of Powers, and Urging Congress to Exercise Its Legislative Branch Authority and Oversight Powers to Provide a Check on Unlawful or Unconstitutional Actions by the President of the United States." (Article P Non-Binding Citizen Petition).
—Link to text of the resolution: https://www.rockportma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5621/ATM-warrant-4-11-2026
Thank You for sharing Deborah and Congratulations Rachel!
We are hoping to "commit a democracy" with WE, the People in a rally before the Supervisors in chambers in Salinas, CA in Monterey County during general public comment next Tuesday May 12.
Its inspiring to be in the battle with other community members.
Good luck Michael!
Unimportant but just for the record, Rockport was 84% - 16% (well over a hundred participated), and both of those went straight to Town Meeting via voters' proposals and signatures gathered. (Town Meeting is once or twice per year direct democracy governance in MA towns. Select Boards meet year round, as do City Councils in cities.) Stow's went to the Select Board last fall and goes to Town Meeting next week. Activists in other towns have done a mix.
Awesome!!!!! You go!!!!!
Marblehead, another coastal town north of Boston, passed their resolution a week or two ago. Here's a letter to the editor from one of the residents behind the effort. Note that when they presented the resolution, they invoked George Washington: "If George Washington were to visit today he would urge a unanimous vote by the citizens of Marblehead for this Resolution of deep commitment to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution which which have sustained American democracy for nearly two and a half centuries."
I love that they invoked GW! No wonder it passed unanimously.
Here's the letter to the editor:
Dear Editor,
The citizens of Marblehead unanimously asserted our unwavering commitment to our nation's founding principles and documents. In doing so at our Town Meeting, we followed in the footsteps of the citizen-led movements that helped ignite the American Revolution — the Committees of Correspondence, the Sons and Daughters of liberty and the other civic alliances that challenged tyranny and demanded self-governance.
It was not distant elites who first resisted oppression. It was the engaged citizens in small towns like Marblehead who organized boycotts, protests, demonstrations, and acts of defiance that ultimately gave rise to armed rebellion and American independence. Their courage illustrated that democracy can be defended by ordinary people willing to speak, organize, and act.
Words matter. Publicly affirming our shared constitutional values strengthens the foundation of our republic on its 250th anniversary and reminds future generations what this country was built upon: liberty, civic responsibility, and resistance to authoritarian power.
Marblehead has always taken pride in its history. This resolution does not merely honor that legacy — it continues it.
First in Revolution. Still defending freedom today.
thanks so much!
Short and powerful! Yes, words do matter. Grazie!
Text of May 4, 2026 Resolution affirming the Town of Marblehead’s commitment to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is on page 18 and was approved as written. https://marbleheadma.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marblehead-Warrant-2026.pdf
Marblehead Current reported "This calls for the town to affirm its 'unwavering commitment to founding principles and documents, civil responsibility and the rule of law protecting the rights and welfare of all its people as we celebrate honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.' "
Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxprIxbmCxM Article 40 resolution at 3:51:53 costumes and all.
for contrast, Alabama pushed through a new red map during a tornado evacuation - here's what Doug Jones, former senator and present dem senate candidate, wrote, [and after his statement I link a video of the forced vote during tornado siren; this is to say, I wonder if the red maps will increase turnout for statewide office, e. g.,. senators, e.g. Doug Jones
Folks,
On Tuesday, a tornado tore through Montgomery. Families across the city took cover as sirens blared and people rushed to safety.
But while Alabamians were sheltering from the storm, in the state Senate, there was chaos. As tornado sirens blared, Republican lawmakers pushed ahead with a bill to redraw Alabama’s maps. This new map would eliminate Alabama’s two seats currently represented by Black Democrats and lock in complete Republican control of the Senate.
https://nitter.poast.org/HQNewsNow/status/2052781252827045909#m
Simon, thank you for the encouragement. I can’t imagine this ruling will stay right? SCOTUS let both TX and CA through and CA, like VA, was a referendum voted on by the voters. You think Marc Elias and others will sue and take this to SCOTUS? Can’t imagine even they’d keep it overturned cuz it seems to contradict even their own ruling.
All bets are off it seems!!
I would have agreed with you before, but I now I am not so sure, not so sure at all.
I think they should DEFINITELY take the Virginia dispute to the US Supreme Court, not because they’ll win—I suspect SCOTUS would just fall back on the same procedural arguments against the new map—but simply to force SCOTUS to go on the record once again for their astounding hypocrisy
They might just not take it up now. But if Roberts has ANY moral sense or political survival sense, maybe they will take it up and be consistent for once. I wish there were a way to undo all the damage that the Roberts court has brought upon us. We are the frogs. Republicans plan long term and are drunk with power now. Time to expand the Supreme Court but first we have to win election on every level and in every election - not just every four years.
It’s rooted in state law, not federal so I’m not sure they even can appeal it to SCOTUS
In VA redistricting, i kept hearing comments about a technicality and it appears that that was "the legislature was not allowed to do this in the first place"? Is that the technicality? Did Marc Elias opine on whether he thought this would stand up or was it always unlikely? The Florida redistricting violates their state Constitution, too. Do they just get away with it because of a different state Supreme Court? 🤔
Basically yes.
That is what it is coming down to now.
😢
Okay now I am even more confused. I don't understand.
PACK EVERY COURT.
I'm glad Jefferies spoke out - some one of these guys has to have the cojones to do so. That said, we are getting screwed in broad daylight. I believe that the outrage of voters might get
us over the hurdle - and maybe a lot of newly minted Independents who have also had it. The more of this malevolent stuff they do, hopefully the more angry voters will be and be more determined to prevail in November.
We lost the whole southern Army at the siege of Charleston in 1780 and still won the war less than two years later. Next fight is in Georgia.
And I’m here for it ready to vote. 😇😎
This paragraph from the NYT injected some hope into me as well:
“The loss in Virginia is likely to only further stoke more redistricting battles. Already, Democrats in New York and Colorado have signaled a desire to try and redraw their maps before the 2028 elections, and Virginia Democrats are likely to be in a similar position, since the court mainly took issue with the process, not with the resulting map.”
We’ve GOT THIS!
Self report here. In response to this horrible decision by the VA Supreme Court, I have become a monthly donor to
Democracy Docket to help Marc Elias and his team fight for voting rights. Giving up is not an option!
Hi Carla - Democracy Docket, Democracy Forward, ACLU, and NAACP are where my donations go monthly in addition to our Hopium campaigns when I can. Marc is the man for us on voting rights suits, I agree!
Adding to the list: Democracy Defenders (Norm Eisen, Katie Phang, et al), LULAC, Public Citizen
Nancy Pelosi posted that the President and Rs in Congress know they've failed the American people and that is why they are trying so hard to cheat to win in the fall. She says the VA Supreme Court gave them "a vile assist" this morning, but Dems will keep going and organizing to win.
I absolutely love Nancy Pelosi.
She coined the phrase: don’t agonize, organize.
Advice to the GOP: Beware of dummy-mandering.
Simon is right to have us reach out everywhere.
As Trump gets lower and lower, and the cheating gets more and more obvious, all of these shenanigans might just backfire enormously.
Compete everywhere, win anywhere.
Keep pushing compadres !