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ArcticStones's avatar

EVERY VOTE MATTERS – A TIED ELECTION?

If you’ve been following the Canadian election results and its lingering judicial recounts, you may have seen that the result for Terrebonne riding [district] in Quebec was changed. Liberals won it by one vote – a single vote!

But wait! The saga is not over. Here is why, and the story is amazing:

Elections Canada says it is investigating after a voter in a Quebec riding came forward with an envelope that had been returned to sender. Inside was a vote for the Bloc Québécois…

(If this vote is counted, e.g. by court order, Terebonne will have a tied election!)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/elections-canada-investigating-terrebonne-1.7533228

As it stands, incoming Liberal MP Tatiana Auguste was declared the winner by one vote after several recounts. Elections Canada said the return address printed on this elector's return envelope was incorrect — specifically, part of the postal code.

Terrebonne resident Emmanuelle Bossé sent in her vote on time for the April 28 federal election. 

"I wasn't the one who got Elections Canada's address wrong on the envelope. Elections Canada glued this label on the envelope. I had nothing to fill. I just had to put my vote in there."

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Freda's avatar

Oh no! But if that's true for this one return address, it must be true for......all??

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ArcticStones's avatar

No idea why, but that appears not to be the case. Or for some other reason, this is the only vote known to have been impacted by the error.

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Freda's avatar

Odd, but thanks for the response.

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Cindy H's avatar

Well I feel as if I having been living in a cave. I had no idea about this. I was thrilled that Mark Carney won and thought okay that's it!

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ArcticStones's avatar

Mark Carney is PM, that’s for sure, and the big story is probably the composition of his Cabinet, which has lots of new faces. In the bigger picture, the Terrebonne story is a detail at the margins. I happen to think it extremely interesting because it so clearly underscores: every vote matters!

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Cindy H's avatar

I STILL tell people that every vote matters! It is sad how many are still disengaged.

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Janice Fahy's avatar

Happy Tuesday! I just received a bunch of postcards to write for Abigail Spanberger in VA and I will call Rep. Barry Loudermilk again today and deliver this message about the reconciliation bill and tariffs. I'm deeply grateful for the action items Hopium offers every single day. Action is always the best counter to angst and despair.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Yes! "Hope with a plan."

Great with postcards for Spanberger! I’m curious, who is behind them?

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Janice Fahy's avatar

Postcards to Swing States (https://www.facebook.com/postcards2swingstates/) which is who I did it through (though writing for different states then) in the 2024 election!

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ArcticStones's avatar

Same here! Thanks for the info. I don’t do Facebook but have their contact info.

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Barbara Moschner's avatar

I’m expecting postcards from them for VA elections.

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Janice Fahy's avatar

PCtSS is terrific! Sometimes I mix it up a little and buy & use patriotic postcards from Markers for Democracy!

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Deborah Potter's avatar

I just ordered my postcards for VA using the direct link. https://secure.everyaction.com/En7wX4nReEK5r63DQT_AHQ2

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Janice Fahy's avatar

Thanks, Deborah. That's the direct site I use as well....their FB group was the first thing I found this morning!

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Kate's avatar
1dEdited

I'm glad the Spanberger postcards are starting to come out from Postcards to Swing States. I signed up for some but haven't received them yet!

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Colleen's avatar

Me too! I donated, but am eager to do more!

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Alice E's avatar

Where did you get the postcards for Spanberger? I’d like to write.

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C3's avatar

Just saw this amazing idea/approach to campaigning from Kat Abughazaleh who is running for office in Illinois

https://substack.com/@politicsusa46/note/c-116729874?r=eqjc7&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

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Dianne Chrestopoulos's avatar

Gee what a NOVEL idea, giving back to your community. Actually I love it and wish more politicians did it. Got to go make my phone calls now! On and upward!

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Thanks C3! She seems like she would be a terrific successor to Jan Schakowsky (one of my favorite Congresspeople), and not someone who will hire consultants who blow money on TV ads nobody watches and even fewer are convinced by in order to line their own pockets, so I just made a donation and look forward to helping in other ways. In addition to what you shared, I'm particularly impressed by the extent to which she was deeply steeped in traditional Republicanism and had a real life conversion experience that led her to where she is today (someday soon, I'd like to start a website just dedicated to people sharing stories of the actual experiences--not what they saw or read in the media or heard from friends--that shaped their political views; I believe this will be an essential element of bringing us back together again).

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Elizabeth T.'s avatar

This is very inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

Simon, thank you so much for focusing on the Virginia race! (I'd love to see a Democratic woman as governor.) I agree that it's the most important race this year. Virginia Democrats are working hard to run everywhere and to give Virginians in every part of the Commonwealth a choice. Winsome Sears, Ms. Spanberger's opponent, is really completely crazy, even more so than your average MAGAt. She can't be allowed to become governor.

I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and Congressman Raskin about the budget. I also thanked Senator Alsobrooks for her advocacy against Kennedy. She's been a little slow to find her voice (she's a new senator, after all) but I think she's taking this issue of Americans' health very seriously. Might make a good interview on this topic.

I'm continuing to write postcards for Virginia.

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Barbara Moschner's avatar

I’m self reporting: I called Tx Rep Tony Gonzales and urged him to vote NO on the budget bill.

I called Senator Cruz to take back responsibility for Tariffs.

I also wrote a letter to the editor supporting the runoff candidate for Mayor of San Antonio Gina Ortiz Jones against a Republican supported by Governor Abbott.

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Dianne Chrestopoulos's avatar

What part of TX are you? I am in E TX and call at least 2X a week or more, I always actually talk to an aide when I call Morgan Luttrell's office, but never Cruz or Cornyn. But we persist and keep letting them know our thoughts.

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Barbara Moschner's avatar

I’m in San Antonio. I always get voicemail with Cruz and Cornyn. I usually get a staffer with Gonzales.

I’ve asked Gonzales to hold an in person town hall. Our local Democratic Party may plan a town hall like many in surrounding areas did for Chip Roy which was standing room only!

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Veronica's avatar

I also get mostly voicemail when I contact those two. But sometimes, I've reached a staff at Cornyn's Harlingen, TX office. Cruz, too, when I call one of his local offices.

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Dr. Kent Boyer's avatar

She is fantastic, isn't she friends? I was able to donate again to support her run for Governor. I am really looking forward to her joining my Governor Pritzker and the other great Dem Governors who are fighting every day. Messiging today to my electeds is around stopping this horrifying reconciliation bill. Also contacting Governor Pritzer to thank him for his service opposing Trump. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow night.

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Tom Thumb's avatar

A couple of good pieces I've been wanting to share (gift links)

For self-satisfied MAGAs in your orbit, a piece revealing the uncanny similarities between the current version of MAGA and early Maoism (the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution) which didn't end well for anyone:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/05/maga-maoism-trump/682732/?gift=FgeEACUw4iJoER4ZiZvsnOMFfRiTho0A_JjJyf_5zvg&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

David Frum's recent piece on what he calls "the Trump trade war scam" and all the ways it resembles a game of three card Monte and other scams designed ultimately to benefit only the dealer and the house, in this case the billionaire class. Again, great to use with Trump supporters to show them, clear as day, how they're being screwed, but also anyone breathing a sigh of relief after the UK, China "deals."

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/05/trump-trade-war-scam/682780/?gift=FgeEACUw4iJoER4ZiZvsnDm7f1UABZICGjmSOzP-TUw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Self-Report so far: Donated to Spanberger campaign and signed up as a volunteer to help with contacting people online, social media, and creating digital media of various kinds.

I also recently became a recurring donor to the DNC in response to Ken Martin's announcement of the state party plan. I told them that I had largely stopped giving money to candidates (only my time) because I was sick of seeing it wasted by consultants on TV ads that nobody watches and even fewer are convinced by, that one of the few places I regularly give money to is the Wisconsin Democratic Party because I know it will be put to its highest best use, and I therefore have faith that other state parties will do the same, and particularly that they will dedicate more resources to 24/7/365 digital campaigning and making sure we never lose the popular vote again. Also supported the extra bump for red state parties on grounds that we will have to get behind enemy lines a lot to destroy MAGA once and for all, which at this point is the only way we can save our country and its place in the world.

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Andy Borowitz: Laura Loomer has blasted Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar, and I for one think it’s unforgivable that Trump has made me agree with Laura Loomer.

Amen, brother :D

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Kindler's avatar

As one of those federal workers basically forced to end my career due to the Musk/Trump wrecking ball, I greatly appreciate the touching tribute that both of you pay here to all of us who are being pushed out the door in ways that will cost the country tremendously for years to come. The problems we’re seeing now at Newark Airport are only the very beginning…

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Annie Bear's avatar

I'm so sorry!

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Kindler's avatar

Thanks so much; I’m looking now to other venues and opportunities to serve. There will be a tremendous diaspora of well educated, experienced federal workers enriching the rest of the marketplace and when the time comes, we must all work together to rebuild the shattered remnants of our government like Europe and Asia after WWII and come back stronger than ever before.

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Annie Bear's avatar

This made me choke up. My very best to you, and here is to that future.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Well said! In the meantime, lots of European countries are looking to hire the fired American scientists and experts.

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Lisa Iannucci's avatar

Well said. I am so sorry. My parents both began as federal employees, and my mom retired from Dept. of Energy. It's such a loss, but I know you all will remain out there doing good work!

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Chris Dwyer's avatar

Partnership for Public Service

Upcoming Events

https://ourpublicservice.org/events/

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ArcticStones's avatar

Thank you for your service! I sincerely hope the country will soon again have the benefit of your service, your valuable knowledge and experiece.

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Bison Doc's avatar

Ye public servants are paying an extraordinary price for the cultural catastrophe that we're mired in at the present time. As a former federal worker myself (retired during Trump 1.0) I am inspired by your words of confident resilience.

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Ralene's avatar

Good morning Hopers! Simon's interview with Abigail Spanberger was awesome. Very inspirational.

As much fun as it was to troll Lauren Boebert, over the past couple of weeks I've been trying to figure out ways to crack through her extreme MAGA views. And, if not her, to influence her staff who take/listen to my messages. Thus this week, I'm leaving messages about how the budget bill will affect rural communities in her district. Much of her district is in Eastern Colorado (my town got lumped into her district even though we are on the Western side). Eastern Colorado is rural and poor, and the few medical clinics that are open say they will not be able to keep their doors open if Medicaid is cut.

Calls today were basically the same to all three - Congresswoman Boebert (R), Senators Bennet (D) and Hickenlooper (D): fight the budget bill to save rural Colorado.

Senator Bennet is running for Colorado governor, so I am expecting him to try to placate both sides, so I will continue to hold his feet to the fire. He needs to focus on his current job, which is to protect us.

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Great idea re: Boebert!

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Tracey's avatar

Called my two Dem Senators and my Dem Congressman about the budget, especially cuts to Medicaid and the ACA. Donated, again, to Abigail's campaign AND picked up postcards for VA voters for Abigail from my local Indivisible meeting on Saturday!

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Jason's avatar

Self report. Called my 3 Dem reps to demand they speak out about the rampant corruption of the mad king. And put their money where their mouth is and support a ban on stock trading by members of congress.

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fourfreedomsfan's avatar

I saw a what might be an effective slogan against Trump over at DailyKos.

Apparently a new phrase is making the rounds on Wall Street: TACO.

It means “Trump Always Chickens Out.” They are saying it about the tariffs, but it seems accurate across the board.

The phrase reinforces that he is a weak loser and a fuck-up of the first order.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/5/13/2321984/-TACO-Tuesday-Trump-Always-Chickens-Out?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Love it. Sticker soon :)

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Bison Doc's avatar

Just pondering whether backing off a really stupid policy -- making it only stupid policy -- is a bad thing? If Congress decides to take back some of their powers from the Executive Branch, I won't accuse them of chickenhood for changing their minds. I want our elected officials to listen to us and act to lessen the effects of bad policies.

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Pamela Frazier's avatar

My Tuesday congresspersons call script that anyone can riff off of:

- [First: force a vote on the Qatar plane under Art. I Sec. 9]

- Calling re: Stephen Miller stmnts on habeas corpus

- Only Congress has the power to invoke suspension, b/c it’s in Art.I which is about congressional powers.

- Article II is about executive powers & does not include any clause for suspending habeas.

- There’s also no rebellion or invasion that would allow Congress to invoke suspension.

- Framers didn’t create the suspension clause just to be a convenient end-run around the courts.

- Stephen Miller is extremely dangerous. A lot of ppl could end up disappeared or murdered if he tries to invoke suspension of habeas. Including US citizens.

- Need to push Stephen Miller out:

- 1. make fun of him &

- 2. put human faces to his crimes against humanity.

- These are ways to undermine him so that Trump will eventually get rid of him like he does w/ every advisor who becomes a liability.

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Pamela Frazier's avatar

Also, I used DNC’s website message form and called them and left a message at (202) 863-8000 to express my concerns about ousting David Hogg. I may be a die-hard vote blue-er, but a LOT of my progressive friends feel very differently. I think the DNC needs to figure out how to work w/ Hogg instead of ousting, b/c ousting send the message that they don’t care what their younger more progressive voter base wants.

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

I don't believe they "ousted" him. They told all DNC members that they can't both be a member of the DNC and endorse one Democrat over another in primaries. The party needs young leaders like David and I hope he finds a way to work within the party. But it's not fair to have DNC members putting their fingers on the scale for one Democrat over another.

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Pamela Frazier's avatar

Thanks for this. A lot of headlines about it are using wording like, “DNC moves to oust Hogg” and such, and the progressive wing of the voter base is upset.

I suspect that Hogg may be a bit naive and strong-willed with what he’s trying to do.

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

The media is desperate to start writing "Dems in Disarray!" headlines again.

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Tom Thumb's avatar

Exactly. Can anyone name the last time any major media outlet wrote a *positive* story about Democrats, or the last time stories saying positive things about Trump didn't outnumber positive ones about Democrats by at least 10 to 1? This didn't start with bending the knee; it started with corporate greed, more than a decade ago.

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Irene's avatar

Agree- hope they can work it out.

David sounds like he needs to learn the employer/leader sets the policies and goals for the company, not the new hires/ elected.

This is so disappointing and disruptive for all involved.

Simon: Will you be reestablishing donations for DNC on Hopium? I’d prefer to donate thru HC; if you’re planning to so I’ll wait.

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Pamela Frazier's avatar

I'm inclined to agree; I've seen young new lawyers be super know-it-all and hotheaded and just make fools of themselves long before they have the experience to play a lead role. I was that way myself at times, but I figured out that it is important to defer to the higher-ups with more experience.

I feel like this tension between eagerness to lead and lack of appropriate readiness, experience, perspective and wisdom may be part of what's going on with Hogg.

On the other hand, Hogg is right that the party needs younger, more progressive leadership that is responsive to the voter base instead of controlled by corporate mega-donors and outdated ideology.

I haven't dug enough into the details to really have a fully informed opinion on the issue, but I do know that my progressive peers are seeing the news that the DNC is "ousting" Hogg and it is just reinforcing their pre-conceived notion that the party does not care about us. This further demoralizes voter turnout so it is dangerous.

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Irene's avatar

I listened to David Hogg initially and liked what I heard like so many others have. I donated to his group. He’s very bright and passionate however his focus on primary-ing other Democrats with his $20m war chest rather than fighting against the GOP is not something I can support. I researched this point of view with Rep Maxwell Frost of Florida as they are the same age. Maxwell does not share the same opinion or experiences as David. He’s a great role model for youth too.

I have to admit I was kinda shocked David was allowed to apply for the DNC role when he does not plan to follow the policy of the DNC. I did hear David say, when interviewed, he understood he may be asked to leave if he could not adjust to DNC policy. He stated then he would leave if necessary and go forward as he has planned on his own.

I agree completely we need/want the youth vote.

And believe even more that the Democratic Party ( warts and all) is filled with grassroots patriots like the Hopium community members who want to save our democracy for our youth. I’m donating specifically to voter youth groups in AZ and Florida and the tribes and let them know how much their work is appreciated. I believe they understand the benefit of us working together as a team even though we’re on opposite ends of the age spectrum. What I do is for my family, especially my grandkids and youth in general. These groups write notes back saying they understand and appreciate the support from this Abuelita🤣

🇺🇸🇺🇸

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Deborah Potter's avatar

The DNC Credentials Committee (group that certifies election results) passed a resolution recommending the February election of Vice Chairs be voided because of a procedural error. The complaint leading to the resolution was filed by Kalyn Free who lost the election. The problem arose because the last two Vice Chair positions that were filled by Malcolm Kenyatta and David Hogg (in order of votes received) were combined into a single vote, and members were required to vote for at least one male for gender parity. The full DNC will vote on the recommendation for a revote.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/12/dnc-panel-opens-the-door-to-removing-david-hogg-from-his-national-post-00343653 and

https://www.newsweek.com/how-new-dnc-vice-chair-election-works-candidates-dates-2071469 and

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/david-hogg-dnc-democrats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G08.3rJ3.MGDu_gINy_UB&smid=url-share

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Pamela Frazier's avatar

Thanks for this. Very confusing situation!

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