Don’t Let Chaos Have the Last Word

There’s apparently no such thing as a normal news week anymore.

Trump and Putin. Lawsuits over voting. Questions about federal officials at polling places. All while Americans are already casting their ballots and trying to just get through their day.

You’d think the people running the country could spend these final twelve days answering questions and giving voters some confidence that they know what they’re doing.

Apparently, that package costs extra.

It’s exhausting. But being exhausted doesn’t mean we’ve stopped paying attention. And it sure as hell doesn’t mean we’re handing over the country and wishing them luck.

We still have a say. Let’s use it.

Voting Shouldn’t Come With a Side of Intimidation

On Wednesday, Democratic groups sued the Trump administration, accusing it of trying to wrongly remove eligible voters from state lists and pressure election officials. The DOJ says it’s acting legally to protect elections. (apnews.com)

Reuters also reports that the DOJ plans to send out roughly 1,000 election monitors on Election Day. Minnesota is among the states preparing to oversee this federal involvement. The DOJ says it’s “protecting” voting rights; state officials have raised serious concerns about intimidation and overreach.

Federal election monitoring is supposed to serve a real purpose: protecting people’s right to vote.

Because “we’re here to protect your rights” ought to mean you feel safer exercising them.

People should be able to vote without wondering whether they’ll be hassled. Election workers should be able to do their jobs without politicians breathing down their necks, afraid for their own safety.

The bar is practically on the floor, and somehow we’re still arguing about clearing it.

Don’t Let the Noise Scare You Out of Voting

There’s a growing pile of headlines and online chatter telling people they should be nervous about voting. Doug had a pretty clear response on Facebook this week:

“No. Just no.”

And he’s speaking from experience. Doug has spent decades working with state and local election officials, poll workers, and election judges. As he put it, they’re “FANATICALLY dedicated to getting it right.”

These are the people who show up early, stay late, answer questions, and work through problems so eligible voters can cast their ballots. They take that responsibility seriously, even when the internet has decided everyone’s suddenly an election expert.

Apparently, all it takes is a Facebook account and a healthy disregard for checking anything.

That doesn’t mean nothing ever goes wrong. Equipment can malfunction. People can make mistakes. When something happens, voters deserve clear answers and a fix. But a broken printer doesn’t magically become evidence of a conspiracy because somebody typed “WAKE UP” above the video.

We can demand accountability from politicians while respecting the people doing the actual work of running our elections. Those things go together.

If you have a question about your ballot, ask your local election office. If you see a problem, report it. Give yourself time to get an answer.

But don’t let the noise convince you your vote won’t matter. These workers believe in your right to vote, and they’re working hard to protect it.

Doug said it best:

“Vote like your future depends on it. Because it does.”

Putin Gets a Meeting. Americans Deserve Answers.

This week, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin, Russia released American prisoner Stephen Hubbard, and officials discussed restarting peace talks over Ukraine. (reuters.com)

An American coming home is good news. A serious effort to end the war would be welcome, too.

Neither means Congress should put away its questions and applaud on cue.

What commitments are being made? What’s being offered? What would a deal mean for Ukraine, our allies, and the United States? Also, no real peace talks can happen without Ukraine having a seat at the table.

Congress has a responsibility to demand answers. That responsibility doesn’t disappear when the president belongs to your party.

We checked. There’s no “unless this makes the fundraiser awkward” exception.

Tom Emmer Doesn’t Get a Hall Pass

Which brings us to Tom Emmer.

The person asking us to send him back to Washington owes us clear answers about presidential power, fair elections, and what Congress should do when an administration pushes the limits.

Would he challenge his own party to protect eligible voters? What answers does he expect from the administration about its dealings with Russia? Where does he draw the line?

These shouldn’t be difficult questions for someone who wants the job.

Voters shouldn’t have to hire a search party to find out what their representative believes, or to find out where they are. And “the Democrats are worse” isn’t an answer to every question, no matter how many times someone tries it.

If Emmer supports an administration decision, he should explain why. If he opposes it, he should say what he’s doing about it.

That’s the job. The title and the television appearances are supposed to come with some responsibility.

Doug should face that same standard. Ask him hard questions. Expect straight answers. Hold him to what he says.

Accountability shouldn’t depend on which letter comes after someone’s name.

Your Ballot Deserves More Attention Than Your News Feed

Here’s something useful we can do with all that frustration.

Minnesotans can vote early in person through Monday, November 2. If you’ve returned an absentee ballot, check its status through the Secretary of State’s website. Eligible voters can also register on Election Day. (sos.mn.gov, sos.mn.gov)

Find voting information here.
Track your absentee ballot here.

Pick your day. Check your location. Ask a friend whether they’ve made their plan!

If something looks wrong, contact your local election office and get an answer.

And yes, that’s probably a better use of your time than arguing with an account named PatriotEagle1776 about a video neither of you can verify.

Town Hall Tuesday: St. Cloud

A week before Election Day, Doug is doing something apparently considered bold in politics: showing up and taking questions.

Join Doug and Attorney General Keith Ellison in St. Cloud for an open conversation about government, the decisions affecting our daily lives, and how we can make our voices heard.

Bring your questions, your concerns, and a friend. You don’t need to be a political expert, and you don’t have to agree on everything. That’s sort of the point of having a conversation.

Tuesday, October 27 | 6–8 p.m. CDT
Kalsan Event Center
3333 W Division St, Suite 124
St. Cloud, MN 56301

One week out, and we’re still showing up. Voters deserve nothing less.

RSVP and find event details here.

Now We Finish the Job

Doug put out a call this week to anyone who’s ever told him they can’t stand Tom Emmer, can’t get a response from his office, or desperately wants to see him replaced.

Profanity optional. Apparently, enthusiasm hasn’t been a problem.

Maybe you’ve told Doug you love his social media. Maybe you’ve said he gives you hope. Maybe you’ve grabbed him by the shoulders and said, “YOU HAVE TO WIN.”

First, let’s give the man his shoulders back. He needs those for knocking doors.

But his answer to all of it is the same:

“We need your help.”

We’re in the final push, and there’s plenty to do: knocking doors, making calls, dropping literature, or helping at campaign headquarters in Monticello.

Don’t live in the district? You can still help. Can’t get here in person? You can call voters from your own home. There’s a job for you, and the campaign will help you find it.

Being fed up with Emmer is understandable. Unfortunately, muttering at the television doesn’t count as a volunteer shift. We checked.

So let’s put that frustration, and that hope, to work. Pick a shift. Bring a friend. Help us reach the people who’ll decide this race.

Find an opportunity and sign up HERE.

Find Minnesota DFL GOTV opportunities here.

If you’ve been saying, “I’ll help when we get closer,” we’ve officially arrived at closer.

The calendar is getting pretty blunt about it.

Let’s Get This Show on the Road

And yes, we mean that literally.

Join Doug and the campaign for our Get Out the Vote Rally and CD6 Bus Tour Launch!

Six days before Election Day seems like a pretty good time to get together, get loud, and get to work. Doomscrolling will still be there when you get home. We promise.

Bring a friend, bring your enthusiasm, and help us send Doug into the final stretch with a crowd behind him.

Wednesday, October 28 | 4:30–6 p.m. CDT
CD6 Victory HQ
1330 Edmonson Ave NE
Monticello, MN 55362

We’ve spent months saying we’re ready for better. Let’s show up like we mean it.

Find rally details and join us here.

Don’t Give Them the Last Word

We’ve spent months talking about what people deserve from their government: honest answers, a fair shot, and leaders who remember who they work for.

Now we’ve got twelve days to turn those conversations into votes.

Another door. Another call. Another person who knows when and where they’re voting.

None of it comes with the drama of a breaking-news banner. But it’s work that matters, and it’s work we can actually do.

Washington can keep producing excuses. We’ve got ballots to cast and people to reach.

Don’t let the chaos have the last word.

12 days until Election Day.

#FlipThe6th #LFG #ReadyForBetter

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