The 50501 Movement

Kimberley Howlett Phillips

If generations in the future looked back at these, what would you want them to know about this moment in time?

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You Turned a Call to Vote Early Into Thousands of Acts of Courage and Determination.

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:22:58 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro-democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

San Francisco (Mission Dolores Park to Federal Building)

We asked for your sign photos, and you delivered!

We’ll be featuring many of them in an upcoming No Kings sign article.
If you have more to share, share them in the 50501 subscriber chat here:

This past weekend, more than 3,000 No Kings Vote Early events took place across the country.

You showed up and made this the largest early-voting event in U.S. history. This is part of how we stop Trump, his administration, and their billionaire allies from consolidating power. And you didn’t just vote early: we saw massive No Kings marches which is a clear sign our community is strong and fighting back.

Yamhill County OR 10/17

Many of you told us you didn’t know there was a No Kings event. Many of you have also heard that Meta took down a No Kings Instagram account the day of the event. This is just more evidence that they’re using algorithms to suppress us.

Vote Early wasn’t originally meant to be a march. Its goal was to encourage everyone, everywhere, to VOTE EARLY. It was a call to action to vote, not necessarily to march but many organizers took it upon themselves to turn it into rallies and marches to energize their communities and get more people to the polls.

The fact that they tried to silence a No Kings Instagram account on a national day of action tells us they’re nervous of our collective power. They know there are more of us than them, and we’re fired up and ready to VOTE THEM OUT!

Finish this sentence: “I voted early because.….”

Warren, Ohio, Courthouse | No Kings 10/17

On Saturday, October 17, we received countless videos and photos to our inbox of events and people sending us messages letting us know that they voted and encouraged friends and family to vote as well. Sure, not everyone was happy with the choice of action but with midterms only 2 weeks away, this felt like the most appropriate way to mobilize in an effective way to help limit election fraud. Election fraud is rare, but it does happen, and the best way to prevent it is to VOTE EARLY.

Sacramento, California: The weekly anti-ICE protest at Howe and Arden

Video Credit to : Judy Schloss | No Kings demonstration crossing over Memorial Bridge from Arlington to the Lincoln Memorial: October 17, 2026: Follow for more from today’s event

NKIV SLT | Vote Early

No Kings | In Norristown Pa.

Video Credit: Heather J B
Balboa Park, San Diego: No Kings Vote Early, Oct.17, 2026

Video Credit: Eric Thurber Photography: AMERICA let's make a Blue WAVE this Midterms November 3 2026 Follow Eric for more incredible videos!

Describe this weekend in three words…

TODAY IS NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY!

The 50501 Movement — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:30:37 GMT

Across the country there’s over 3,000 events to say: NO KINGS MEANS NO ELECTION SABOTAGE.

We’ve spent over a year proving what we all can accomplish when we organize together. Now with the midterms only 17 days away, it’s time to turn people power to voter power.

Today’s mobilization is making sure our elections belong to us, the people, not politicians or billionaires trying to control the outcome. If early voting is available where you live, make today the day you cast your ballot and if voting hasn’t started in your community yet, attend a No Kings: Vote Early event and help others make a plan. Every conversation is incredibly important especially when it reaches someone who might sit the election out.

Find your event at NoKings.org, make your voting plan, and help spread the word

You can also help us by sharing your protest sign photos for an upcoming protest sign article in our Substack Community Group Chat:

And we can’t forget our weekly recap:

Monday, October 12

Federal Agents Raid Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Home: Homeland Security searched her Washington, D.C. residence as part of a criminal investigation reportedly involving immigration paperwork.
“For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation,” Ilhan Omar said. “I will not be silenced.”
Assault at a Trump Rally: A video showed a woman wearing “Release the Epstein Files” shirt being hit at trump’s, Ohio, rally. Trump even made fun of the protester’s appearance after.
Leave a comment

Tuesday, October 13

Supreme Court Takes Up DOGE-Secrecy Case: Justices agreed to hear a dispute over if records from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency should be disclosed under federal public-records law.
A Judge Protects White House Press Access: A trump appointed judge ordered the administration to maintain access for reporters: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico while the lawsuit challenging the White House’s press restrictions continue.
Leave a comment

Wednesday, October 14

Ukraine Reports Disruptions to Military Satellite Communications: Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions involving SpaceX’s satellite systems disrupted military drone operations. The restrictions reportedly affected high speed military communications, questions remain about who granted the changes.
More Than 100 Senate Staffers Trained as Election Observers: Senate Democrats announced plans to deploy trained congressional observers across 9 states to document potential election interference, voter-intimidation, and threats to election workers during the upcoming midterms.

Thursday, October 15

Nine Fired FBI Employees Sue Trump Administration: Former agents and analysts who worked on the classified-documents investigation filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful political retaliation.
Elon Musk Settles $1 Million Giveaway Lawsuits: Musk and America PAC agreed to settle two civil lawsuits alleging voters were misled about the selection process for the PAC’s 2024 election sweepstakes.
Justice Department Sues California Over 20,000 Voters: The Trump administration asked a federal court to prevent California from counting certain mail ballots, alleging approximately 20,000 registered voters may be noncitizens. California dispute this by saying the federal government failed to provide evidence.
Trump Cancels Plan to Broadcast Military Execution: After viral criticism, trump reversed the plan to livestream the scheduled firing squad execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan.

Friday, October 16

Katie Zacharia Is Out After Only 5 Days: The newly appointed White House press secretary was removed from her position following criticism of her performance and questions about her credentials.
California Election Officials Face Federal Prosecution Warnings: The Justice Department warned election officials about potential criminal consequences for knowingly counting ballots from ineligible voters, escalating its dispute with California over the trump administration’s contested list of suspected noncitizens.
Leave a comment

Will you vote today?

Could You Explain How an Election Is Protected? Here Are Four Things to Know.

The 50501 Movement — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:20:45 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro-democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Read No Kings Guide to Fight

4 Ways to Defend an Election

FIGHT for an election where every voice is heard (Click here to read)

Closed polling places, purged voter rolls, and false texts with the wrong date all shut eligible people out before a single ballot is tallied. A count can be accurate and still be unfair. No Kings Portland’s guide to FIGHT shows how to spot barriers and help your get past them. It’s the right place to start if you want to protect the vote in your own community.

Have you ever Encountered a Barrier when Trying to Vote?

Read No Kings Guide to Win

WIN with a candidate who will defend our democracy (Click here to read)

Most people who skip an election, did so for a reason. Usually something gets in their way. For example: they didn’t have a ride, plan, or someone to go with. No Kings Portland’s guide to WIN covers how to close these gaps, one person at a time. If you want to make a measurable difference in a close race these last few weeks, read this one.

Do you Think Most of us Underestimate how much the Midterms Affect our Lives?

Read No Kings Guide to Prove

PROVE the pro-democracy candidate won (Click here to read)

The winner announced on election night is a projection and the result isn’t official until local officials reconcile ballots and certify. The days and weeks leading up to that are when bad faith challenges and fraud-attempts usually surface. This guide to PROVE explains the process, how trained observers and careful documentation catch fraud and answer false claims or misinformation with a paper trail. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes, start here:

ENFORCE the will of the people (Click here to read)

In 2000, when Slobodan Milošević wouldn’t accept that he lost Yugoslavia’s presidential election, coal miners walked off the job and a general strike spread across the country. Within a week he conceded. Widespread noncooperation can undermine a government’s ability to function but that kind of response has to be organized before it’s needed. No Kings Portland’s guide to ENFORCE goes over peaceful mass non cooperation and escalating tactics help protect the will of the people.

Read No Kings Guide to Enforce

What Peaceful Action do you think has been the Most Effective Historically?

No Kings Portland’s series is worth the time to read before November 3. You can help by subscribing to No Kings Portland to read all 4 guides and get the next steps as they come.

A simple restack or share can help us educate more people.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

No Kings Portland, FIGHT

No Kings Portland, WIN

No Kings Portland, PROVE

No Kings Portland, ENFORCE

VOTE EARLY! We Are Six Days Out: Your No Kings Questions, Answered Here!

The 50501 Movement — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 01:32:43 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Check your voter registration

Do we vote at the event itself?

Where early voting is open, YES! Organizers are encouraging people to cast ballots that day, and many communities are planning group walks to the polls. Check your early voting hours first so the plan holds.

Our state has no early voting. What Can I do on Saturday?

The coalition’s guidance is that early preparation is universal. Saturday becomes the day to request an absentee ballot, confirm registration, or set up an Election Day carpool with neighbors.

What should we do before Saturday?

Confirm your registration is active, and look up exactly what ID our state requires. Both are linked below.

There’s no event near us…

Host one! New events are being added to the map daily, and a cookout or a walk to the polls with neighbors, counts.

We already voted. Now what?

Bring someone who hasn’t.
Turnout in numbers is how the community shows strength and most people vote because someone they trust asks.

What if we run into intimidation?

Read the ACLU’s guidance on federal agents at polling places before going, and save the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE.

After the 17th?

We stay ready to act together… peacefully, until every vote is counted.

In America, voters pick our leaders so we decide our future.

HANDS OFF OUR VOTE!

Find an event

Host an event

Look up your state’s voter rules

Know your voting rights

What to do if federal agents are at the polls

Recognize and respond to voter intimidation

Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE

Have you shared a post about No Kings Vote Early yet? It’s not too late to help shape our future.

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | OCTOBER 9, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:57:58 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Monday

Trump Said Iran Could “Take Out” Los Angeles & San Diego

Trump sparked major criticism after suggesting that Iran could “take out” LA or San Diego while defending the economic costs of the war. He then ‘clarified’ that his administration intends to prevent attacks.

Taxpayers Are Out $11 Million

Trump announced that his allied super PAC (MAGA Inc.) would start financing ads instead of continuing using taxpayer funds.

The government spent at least $11 million broadcasting ads through a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House does not plan to reimburse taxpayers.

If you learned that $11 million of your tax dollars were spent on advertisements promoting a president, what would you want Congress to do about it?

Tuesday

Disney Takes the Trump Administration to Court Over a Unusually Early Review of ABCs Broadcast Licenses

On Tuesday, Disney and ABC appeared in federal court to challenge the Federal Comms Commission’s decision to start an early review of broadcast licenses for 8, ABC owned television stations despite the licenses not even being due for renewal until between 2028 & 2031.

Disney argued the review is retaliation for programming and editorial decisions disliked by the Trump administration. The FCC says that it was conducting regulatory oversight linked to investigations of their company’s practices.

Trump endorsed a proposal to develop a Camp David style presidential retreat at his Golf Club in West Palm Beach saying that it would help serve future presidents.

Wednesday

Trump's Golf Club Could Become a Presidential Retreat

The proposal involves county owned land leased to the Trump Organization with the company offering to finance construction and make presidential facilities available without charging the government for use.

A Naked Trump Statue in the European Parliament

The Orange Plague, a 2.6 meter sculpture of a naked Trump seated on the shoulders of a small man and holding a oversized golf club with scales, Displayed by artist Jens Galschiøt.

The sculpture is covered in 23 karat gold leaf. Galschiøt says the work is political satire criticizing the concentration of power of Trump’s presidency.

With the midterms approaching, what's a practical thing you've done to prepare that other readers might find useful? Share with us in the comments:

The execution would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961, further legal proceedings might have it delayed.

Thursday

The Pentagon Wants to Broadcast a Military Execution LIVE

Pete Hegseth recently said that the Pentagon plans to livestream the December 3 execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during the ‘09 Fort Hood shooting.

Trump Tells Residents to “Fight Back”: Minnesota’s Somali Community

Trump’s accusing Somali immigrants of taking over Minnesota and associating them with crime and violence. He repeatedly urged residents to “fight back.” , he also mentioned the federal government can intervene if requested by Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey.

Trump’s statement followed reports of specific criminal investigations involving Somali American individuals including an alleged plot against the Mall of America.

The White House Wants to Keep 3 News Organizations Away.

The Trump administration continues to defend their decision on journalistic conduct grounds as a judge asked for clarification. Previously, The judge ordered temporary relief and is also expected to rule on long term protections soon. CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge to continue blocking Trump’s efforts to revoke their reporters access saying that the restrictions are imposed in retaliation for unfavorable coverage.

Anyone who uses the term “Artificial Intelligence” instead of “Super Intelligence” will now be considered “THE ENEMY”, which comes after a recent executive order directing federal agencies to replace “AI” with “SI” in communications. Trump is publicly labeling those of us who refuse to adopt his preferred terminology as enemies of the White House.

Find or Host a No Kings Event

OCTOBER 17 NO KINGS VOTE EARLY

On October 17 communities everywhere will be showing up for No Kings: Vote Early.

No Kings Vote Early is here to help people make a voting plan, find local resources, understanding state voting rules and helping people participate.

One Year In, We Have a Lot to Thank You For

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:55:12 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Dr. King wrote that she, “perhaps more than any other person, was active on every level of the protest.”

One year ago this week, we began publishing regularly. There’s now over 250 posts in our archive and today we measure this community’s year against what scholars know about nonviolent movement work and how to succeed. Together, we have done so much and continue to do it the way research says it should be done.

The Woman with the Mimeograph

In December of 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery Alabama. That night, Jo Ann Robinson (an English professor) along with a few associates, copied tens of thousands of leaflets calling for a day of boycott of the city’s buses. That 1 day boycott turned into 381 days and during that time, Robinson wrote the weekly newsletter of the Montgomery Improvement Association.

We remember the boycott for walking but it also ran through consistent communication channels such as a newsletter. People needed to know what happened and what was coming.

Research Says:

Political scientist Gene Sharp published and shared a catalog of 198 methods of nonviolent action and sorted them into 3 groups:

1) Protest & persuasion (marches, letters, songs, and symbols)

2) Noncooperation (boycotts, strikes, and walkouts)

3) Intervention (building institutions we need when the ones we have in place begin to fail)

Harvard’s Erica Chenoweth, who spent decades studying why and how movements win, finds that success depends on “a diverse group of participants sustained over time” and “a creative range of protest tactics.”

Measured Against a List

We went back through the archive and stats with Sharp’s list in mind.

We marched: 7 million people across over 2,700 communities last October, 8 million people turned out across 3,300 events in March. We sang and listened to music using chants that started in our comment section which led to a full post built from our community.

We walked out: 2PM January 20 at over 900 events. We lobbied with , carrying a guide into district offices in February and we wrote and called week after week. We boycotted Black Friday and on May Day, 100,000 students went on a strike.

Mutual Aid: When SNAP was threatened for 42 million, we all joined in mutual aid and helped stock food pantries, which Sharp would have called building an alternative institution. (Collectively, 10 of Sharp’s methods drawn from all 3 groups)

Researchers found that demonstrations from this past year reached a wider share of the USA than any point they measured before. You’re part of that finding and you’re helping to shape history.

The post liked more than any other from the past year is one of our earliest promotional videos: “NEXT PROTEST ANNOUNCEMENT” from April 2025, with 8,484 likes. Another one of this year’s favorite was “Tomorrow, America Rises,” sent the night before No Kings.

Tomorrow, America Rises

The post read the most was ICE Vehicles Don’t Look Like ICE Vehicles Anymore, opened more than 107,000 times and passed on over 2,400 times. People don’t usually share safety guides for entertainment, you sent it to someone who needed it to keep them safe, thank you. 💙

ICE Vehicles Don’t Look Like ICE Vehicles Anymore

The post that brought the most new-readers this year was our guide to walking out safely. And on just our second day of daily publishing, we shared the story of Norwegians who resisted occupation with a paperclip. It was shared more than 2,300 times and some of you pinned a paperclip to your shirt, method 19 on Sharp’s list.

Another Substack Favorite: It’s Even Worse Than You Think, But There’s Hope which remains the most shared post thanks to for the collab! (Give them a follow if you can!) After a year, we can say where the hope comes from: You and collective, peaceful, resistance.

Sharp listed 198 methods. Which one will you try?

Thank you for reading, sharing, and for helping us make a difference.

The next event is coming up fast: No Kings: Vote Early is October 17.

Thank you for standing up for democracy.

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | OCTOBER 2, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 20:55:38 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Monday

The ICE agent who fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado in Houston has finally been identified

3 months after ICE agents killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, The Texas Tribune identified the ICE agent who fired the shots as Gregory Feathers.

Salgado, a 52-year old in Houston was killed July 7 during an ICE operation. The Department of Homeland Security says the shooting was an act of self defense, alleging that Salgado Araujo attempted to run over officers. His family and witnesses have disputed that account.

Feathers hasn’t been charged with a crime and local prosecutors are investigating the shooting.

Federal fuel economy standards to be reduced for 2031

The Trump administration finalized a rollback of federal vehicle fuel economy requirements on Monday.

The Transportation Department’s new requirements are projected to produce a fleetwide average of approximately 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031, compared with approximately 49.3 miles per gallon under the previous regulatory requirements using the agency’s updated calculations.

The administration says that these changes should reduce automakers compliance costs by nearly $1,289 per vehicle. However, federal projections indicate that drivers could spend more than $1,600 in additional fuel expenses over a vehicle’s lifetime, while gasoline consumption and emissions would increase.

Tuesday

California signs new restrictions on ICE

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of immigration related legislation Tuesday, establishing additional restrictions and oversight for law enforcement and immigration detention.

The legislation includes a prohibition on electric-shock gloves used by law enforcement and expanded detention-facility oversight, with a new 25% tax on private detention facilities.

Another measure known as the No Kings Act, creates a state law avenue for civil lawsuits against federal officers accused of violating constitutional rights. Federal officers are more difficult to sue for constitutional violations than state and local officers.

Some of the California measures could face legal challenges over federal supremacy and the extent of states authority to regulate federal operations.

Within hours of the governor signing the legislation, three California residents amended lawsuits against federal immigration officers to invoke the new law. The plaintiffs allege unconstitutional detention and excessive force and those allegations haven’t been resolved by the courts.

Supreme Court temporarily allowing third-country deportations to continue

The Supreme Court approved the Trump administration’s request to suspend a lower court ruling that restricted deportations to countries other than immigrants countries of origin.

A federal district judge ruled against the administration’s procedures for carrying out these removals including treatment of notice and opportunities to raise fears of persecution or torture.

However, the Trump administration says that its policy is needed to carry out lawful removal orders when deportation to someone’s home country is difficult or unavailable.

The Supreme Court hasn’t issued a decision establishing if the policy is lawful. Its order temporarily permits the contested procedures to continue while the case proceeds, arguments are scheduled for December.

Wednesday

Federal judge rejects another attempt to obtain Georgia voters private information

Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth is some of the information the Justice Department is trying to obtain from Georgia’s voter-registration records since 2025.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Victoria Calvert dismissed the department’s lawsuit marking its second unsuccessful attempt to obtain the state’s unredacted voter list through the courts.

Federal officials argued they needed the records to investigate if Georgia was complying with election law but Calvert found neither of the federal laws cited by the Justice Department required the state to surrender the confidential information.

Colorado sheriff’s office leaves Flock cameras

Flock Safety is losing another law enforcement partner. 🎉

On Wednesday, Sheriff Joseph Roybal announced the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will stop using Flock’s automated plate readers immediately. The department plans to end its agreement and asks that the company collects its equipment.

He made it clear that his department wasn’t dependent on the cameras to investigate crimes. Roybal cited uncertainty about the program’s future and expected changes to Colorado law.

Other Colorado communities have reconsidered their Flock agreements as lawmakers debate tighter limits on plate surveillance.

Thursday

“I Am Jane Doe”

A Cornell sexual assault case sparks a nationwide movement

“I Am Jane Doe”, these words are spreading across social media: TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, etc.. as hundreds of thousands of people rally around a former Cornell University student who says she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members in 2024.

The woman identified as Jane Doe to protect her identity, filed a lawsuit against Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity and 7 men she says participated in the assault.

She was pressured into consuming ketamine and became so intoxicated that she couldn’t consent to what happened. She described being surrounded by men and feeling trapped, and at one point, eventually losing consciousness.

Another disturbing detail involves their fraternity group chat containing approximately 50 members. CBS News obtained Snapchat messages sent during the assault. One of the fraternity members announced that a woman was available for sex upstairs with a photograph of Jane Doe shared to that group chat.

Someone asked in the group chat, “Shop still open?” and another responded, “Yea.”

Investigative records show that at least one recipient was concerned but initially interpreted the message as crude humor. The messages became central evidence in the case that initially ended without criminal charges.

So what consequences did they face?

CBS News reported that Cornell’s investigation resulted in 2 students being expelled and 2 suspended for at least 2 semesters. Another student already graduated before disciplinary action could be imposed, while 2 were found not responsible for sexual misconduct at all.

None of the seven men were criminally charged and some denied the allegations, which remain the subject of the investigation.

And Jane Doe, left Cornell without graduating, according to her attorney.

Why thousands are declaring “I Am Jane Doe”

As this gained national attention, some social media users attempted to uncover Jane Doe’s identity. Others responded by identifying themselves as Jane Doe, flooding social platforms with symbolic declarations to protect her anonymity.

Protecting Jane Doe’s identity means respecting her privacy while demanding a thorough investigation, an accurate accounting of the evidence, and appropriate accountability.

*Readers should also be cautious to misinformation being shared around. PolitiFact identified viral videos as false footage of the Cornell assault. Those clips came from unrelated incidents.

We stand with Jane Doe’s right to be heard, to retain her privacy, and to receive a thorough and impartial investigation.

Friday

A new bill in Congress could strictly limit how police and ICE use automated license-plate cameras.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, introduced the Ban Flock Act.

If passed the legislation will prevent federal agencies from using automated license-plate readers. State and local governments that continue using the technology could also lose federal grant funding and the bill would allow individuals to sue the federal government over violations.

There have been many documented cases of officers misusing license-plate databases, including searches involving former romantic partners.

On Wednesday, even Republican Senator Josh Hawley announced his own proposal, the Stop Flock Abuse Act. Instead of banning federal use of the cameras, Hawley’s plan would require stricter search records and additional security protections.

WE ARE ONLY 32 DAYS AWAY FROM THE MIDTERMS

Registration deadlines, early voting options, identification requirements, and ballot-return procedures vary by state, you can check official state election information through Vote.gov.

Help Protect Our Elections:

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved before the November 3 midterms?

Ground Control is a NONPARTISAN hub connecting volunteers with election protection opportunities across the country. They’ve evaluated hundreds of orgs and identify opportunities to support free & fair elections before, during, and after Election Day!

Register or find an event or group near you at 50501.CO

The Final Five Weeks Before the 2026 Election Have Begun

The 50501 Movement — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:23:37 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

We have 34 days until Election Day!

In many parts of the country people are already casting ballots. Deadlines are approaching quickly and they differ from each state.
Vote.gov will direct you to state election info and can be used to check your registration.

Check Your State's Voting Information

YES: Voting Has Started! In some states

Depending on the state, ballots will be mailed or cast in person weeks earlier while registration, absentee ballot, and early voting deadlines can arrive before the 3rd.

For Virginia, early in-person voting runs from September 18 through October 31.
In Illinois, early voting began September 24 at election-authority offices. Some additional locations and schedules vary locally.
South Dakota began voting September 18 and while Minnesota made ballots available for absentee voting in person and by mail as well.

More states will begin voting periods as we move through October.

The 2026 general election is already in progress.

From Our 50501 Community

If you have something you’d like us to share, please email the50501movement@proton.me

Yesterday in Marin County California, 100+ people packed the Board of Supervisors chamber as the NO ICE in Marin county renewed its push for stronger restrictions on county cooperation with immigration enforcement.

County Executive said an immigration subcommittee has already been drafting board policy dealing with the use of county property for federal immigration enforcement. Organizers are asking supervisors to enact an ordinance instead of relying on policy. Marin’s next scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting is October 13. Stay strong Marin County, we see you!!

Indiana’s voter registration deadline for the Midterm is October 5, and early in person voting begins on October 6.

After Months of Organizing… Petaluma Acts on ICE Cooperation

And just north of Marin County, in Petaluma, months of organizing around immigration enforcement reached the City Council this week.

The council’s September 28 agenda included resolution directing implementation of policies governing interactions with immigration authorities and federal access to city property, facilities and information, within the requirements of federal and California law.

Residents have been showing up before the council for months pushing for stronger and more formalized non cooperation rules. Huge shout out to Petaluma! 🎉

Utah Rally to Protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante

In Salt Lake City, activists with Utah Overpass Action and supporters of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance have been demonstrating over changes to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments.

Trump’s proclamations reduced Bears Ears National Monument to 121,096 acres and Grand Staircase Escalante to approximately 181,541.

Organizations have been challenging the reductions in federal court saying the president doesn’t have the authority to make reductions of this scale. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance reported new mining claims on lands removed from monument boundaries following these changes.

People elected to Congress influence so much. Politics affects all of us. Legislation, budgets and oversight. Presidents direct executive agencies and make appointments and State and local officials make enormous set of decisions that hit closer to home. Courts decide legal challenges to many of those actions.

Bloomington, Indiana

In Bloomington, Indiana, organizers took voter outreach directly over the roadway with this incredible banner.

Austin Texas: Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez

Garcés Pérez, a 28 year old delivery driver, was recently shot by ICE during a September 20th encounter. His attorney says a bullet STILL remains lodged in his body and that he needs additional medical treatment. The Department of Homeland Security disputed that he was denied the correct care.

Federal prosecutors charged Garcés Pérez on September 29 with assaulting, resisting, interfering and impeding a federal officer. The government says he struck an officer with his vehicle’s side mirror and drove toward an officer. (We haven’t heard this before…) Garcés Pérez disputes important parts of the government’s account and the officer who fired his weapon wasn’t wearing a body camera (of course 🙄), according to reporting by Reuters & AP.

Help Protect Our Elections

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved before the November 3 midterms?

Get more involved: Ground Control can help you find an opportunity to contribute:

Visit 50501.CO By Clicking Here

10 Reasons to VOTE EARLY

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:30:13 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Early voting is available to most of us in some form.

Nearly every state gives us a way to cast our ballots before Election Day, but it looks different depending on where you are.

Some states offer traditional early in person voting, and others like Oregon, conduct elections primarily by mail. Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire are the only three states that don’t offer universal early in person voting.

1. YOU’RE NOT BETTING EVERYTHING ON ONE DAY

A schedule change at work, sick family member, transportation problem, bad weather, or a unexpectedly long line can turn your plans into a stressful one quickly. Most of the time, people aren’t missing elections because they stopped caring, they’re dealing with life happening on the exact day they planned to vote.

Early voting reduces how much your participation depends on that single day going smoothly.

In many states, voters have a window of several days or weeks to cast a ballot before Election Day, and some states also provide a weekend of voting. These windows range from 3 to 46 days, according to NCSLs current early voter guide.

2. IF THERE’S A PROBLEM WITH YOUR REGISTRATION, YOU MAY HAVE MORE TIME TO FIX IT

Another big advantage of voting early is that it can expose problems while there may still be time to address them.

A voter might show up and learn that their address was never fully updated, a name change wasn’t reflected correctly in the system or some other part of the registration record doesn’t match what they expect. Registration rules and remedies differ from state to state so the amount of time available to fix an issue can make a big difference.

Early voting creates more time. Research from Brennan Center for Justice points to the earlier identification of registration and voting system problems as one of the reasons early voting can make elections run more smoothly. It’s better to discover an issue with days left to respond than to find out about it at the end of Election Day.

3. MAIL VOTERS GET MORE TIME TO CATCH BALLOT PROBLEMS

Putting a ballot in an envelope isn’t usually the end of the process.

Election officials have to receive it, review the info that accompanies it, and make sure it meets each state’s requirements.

A missing signature or a signature that doesn’t match, incomplete information on the return envelope, or another state-specific requirement can create problems that need to be resolved before the ballot can be counted.

Ballot curing comes in here, in states that offer it, election officials notify voters about certain problems and give them an opportunity to make any last minute corrections. For the November 2026 election, 35 states and Washington, D.C. have statewide processes requiring voters to be notified about missing or mismatched signatures and given a chance to fix them. Cure deadlines can be short and rules vary by state. Sending your ballot back early gives you a better chance of having enough time to respond if something goes wrong.

4. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRACK YOUR MAIL BALLOT

One of the most practical benefits of voting by mail is that, depending on your state, you may be able to follow your ballot through the process instead of sending it off and hoping for the best. Many states provide online tracking systems that allow voters to see whether a ballot has been received and, in some cases, whether there is an issue that needs attention. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission directs voters to their state or territory for the tracking tools available where they live.

Returning your ballot early makes that tracking much more useful because it gives you time to act on what you learn. You can send it, check the status, make sure it arrived, and respond if there is a problem before the deadline becomes the problem itself.

5. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF MAIL DELAYS

States don’t all use the same regulations… in some places, a ballot can count if it’s postmarked by Election Day, and others might require it to arrive by a specific deadline. The Election Assistance Commission advises voters to check the rule in their state.

The Postal Service recommends that domestic voters return completed ballots at least one week before the applicable receipt deadline, giving the mail system time to deliver them. Waiting until the last minute leaves little room for a delay, sending your ballot back early gives you a buffer.

6. EARLY VOTING HELPS REDUCE ELECTION DAY LINES

Every person who casts a ballot before Election Day is one fewer person who still needs to be checked in, assisted, and processed at a polling place that Tuesday. When millions of voters are spread across several days or weeks, election offices have more room to manage demand instead of handling nearly everything at once.

Research reviewed by Brennan Center for Justice found that early voting helps reduce Election Day congestion and lines, ease pressure on poll workers, and give election officials more opportunities to catch equipment or registration problems before the final day of voting. Distributing voters across a longer period can reduce how many people have to rely on the same limited Election Day window.

7. IT GIVES ELECTION WORKERS MORE BREATHING ROOM

Running an election requires a huge amount of coordination. Election workers are responsible for answering questions, operating voting equipment, assisting voters who need help, handling provisional ballots, keeping records, and dealing with whatever unexpected issue comes up.

Early voting helps by distributing some of the demand over a longer period. Brennan Center for Justice found, based in part on interviews with election officials, that early voting helps reduce Election Day pressure and improve poll-worker performance. It also makes the election easier to administer.

8. IT MAKES VOTING EASIER FOR THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

Election Day always falls on a Tuesday which means voting has to compete with everything else people are expected to do that day like work, school pickups, medical appointments, caregiving, second jobs, classes, and transportation problems.

Early voting provides more chances to fit voting into their daily lives instead of forcing everything into one day.

According to NCSL’s 2026 state by state review, 27 states offer Saturday voting and 13 offer Sunday voting, some other states allow local election officials to add weekend hours.

9. ONCE YOU VOTED, YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE ELSE

Voting early can also change what Election Day looks like for you.

Once your ballot is handled you’re no longer trying to squeeze your vote into the same few hours that day. Instead you can use that time to help someone else get to the polls, watch someone’s children while they vote, help a friend find the correct location, or make sure someone knows what identification or other requirements to bring.

10. VOTING EARLY GIVES YOU A BACKUP PLAN

The biggest advantage of early voting may be that it gives your voting plan some room to fail. If your first attempt does not work out, you may still have another day, another location, or another opportunity before Election Day. That means one bad day does not automatically become your only chance lost.

Waiting until Tuesday evening after work creates a much narrower margin for error. Most of the time, everything will probably go as planned, but voting early means your participation does not depend on one specific hour, one specific day, and everything around it going exactly right.

1. Confirm your registration. Check your name, address, and other information are current and correct. Do it early enough to meet your state’s deadline if something needs to be updated. Registration deadlines differ with some states offering Election Day registration and others closing registration well before the election.

2. Look up your early voting time frame. Early voting doesn’t begin on the same day everywhere. You’ll need to find the schedule for your state instead of relying on what voters elsewhere are doing. Vote.gov will direct you to your state or territory’s official election information.

3. Confirm your voting location. The place where you vote early might be different from your normal Election Day polling site and some jurisdictions only use certain locations during the early voting period.

4. Review your state’s ID requirements. Requirements are different across the country, so check the guidance for where you’re registered.

5. If you’re voting by mail... Check if your state offers ballot tracking, return your ballot with time to spare, and verify it was received. The Election Assistance Commission’s voter portal will point you toward information on absentee voting, tracking options, polling locations, and other state-specific requirements.

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 02:56:54 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Help Protect Our Elections

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved before the November 3 midterms?

Get more involved: Ground Control can help you find an opportunity to contribute:

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Monday

Searched by name, found NOWHERE

The Associated Press reported Monday that ICE removed detainees with final deportation orders from its online locator on September 15.

They never announced the change and in a statement to the AP, wouldn’t confirm or deny it. A legal aid group stated every each of its clients with a order, 17 people disapeared from the system.

People still ask to reopen cases or file habeas petitions and federal judges have ordered thousands of detainees released or given bond hearings but a lawyer can’t file for a client she can’t find.

When a family types a loved ones name and gets nothing back, they can’t tell if that person is in a cell, on a plane, or gone.

If someone you know drops out of the locator, a blank result doesn’t mean they were released.

Contact their attorney or a local immigration legal aid group right away.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT!: Saturday Sept 20, we can feel the tide changing, more honks supporting our weekly protest in Studio City, Ca. 11-1pm every

Tuesday

A Walmart parking lot… 1 false report

During a two day federal hearing, an ICE officer testified that he wrote false information in an arrest report. He and his partner have been running license plates in a Southern Oregon Walmart parking lot. His report said he knew the passenger’s name and immigration status before the stop. He admitted he knew neither... Judge Mustafa Kasubhai said the discrepancies raise concerns about the accuracy of other ICE reports and is expected to rule next week on if ICE violated his February order limiting warrantless arrests.

Immigration officers can make warrantless arrests under, only, certain legal conditions, and the paperwork is how court checks decide if those conditions were met. If the paperwork is written after the fact to fit the outcome, that check stops working. The same officer described arresting a McDonald’s worker after a plate scan, only to learn the man was driving a relative’s car.

Wednesday

13 days in jail over a black Durango

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing on Flock Safety’s nationwide camera network and the concern came from both sides. Chair Josh Hawley (a Missouri Republican) warned about risks to privacy and the presumption of innocence.

Ranking member Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said Congress needs to lead. Flock’s CEO declined to testify. Lindsey Isaacs of Florida did, and told senators she spent 13 days in jail after investigators tied her black Dodge Durango to a fatal crash she had nothing to do with, and the charges were later dropped.

At least 4 House bills from both parties are pending, ranging from a warrant requirement for federal use of local camera data to an outright ban on federal agencies buying these systems. None has passed. Until one does, the real rules are written by city councils and county commissions, one contract at a time. Every community with plate readers should be able to answer three questions in public.

Thursday

3 newsrooms: back through the gate

Six days after Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, a federal judge ordered their access restored.

Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, found the outlets were likely to succeed in showing their passes were pulled without due process. His order lasts 14 days. Reporters were still turned away Thursday morning before their badges were reactivated, and the ruling did not address CNN’s removal from the White House video pool.

Friday

2,724 flagged: about one in five of them are citizens..

The Supreme Court: over the dissent of its three liberal justices, paused a lower court order and let the administration resume using its overhauled SAVE database while the lawsuit continues.

DHS rebuilt SAVE last year to link it with Social Security data and let states upload entire voter rolls for citizenship checks. In June, a federal judge found the overhaul violated the Privacy Act and other federal laws. When Texas ran all 18 million of its voters through SAVE, the system flagged 2,724 people. Nearly 20 percent were confirmed as citizens and reinstated.

Federal law bars states from systematically purging voters within 90 days of a federal election and the Court’s majority acknowledged that limit…

It also said citizenship checks are still allowed in that window and each state decides to use SAVE at all.

The risk this fall lands on individual voters, especially naturalized citizens, who might be asked to prove again what they’ve already proved to become citizens.

Check your registration at Vote.gov today, then help someone naturalized friend or neighbor check theirs.

AP via KWTX: ICE hides locations of thousands of detainees with final removal orders

39 days remain before November 3.

DANCING TODD!:
FLASHBACK to last December’s atmospheric river to help start your day.

Sources

OPB: Federal judge to decide if ICE violated court order over warrantless arrests in Oregon

Roll Call: Flock cameras draw bipartisan concerns at Senate hearing

21Alive/InvestigateTV: Flock scrutiny reaches Capitol Hill as wrongfully jailed driver testifies

PBS NewsHour: Judge orders White House to restore access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico

NPR via OPB: The Supreme Court revives a controversial data system for citizenship checks

Vote.gov

Trump TV Is Live as Three Newsrooms Challenge the White House's Restrictions on Press Access.

The 50501 Movement — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:59:52 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Last Friday, September 18, Trump banned a handful of news organizations from the White House.

By Saturday morning, Secret Service officers were turning reporters away from entering and even confiscating some press passes and disabling others.

By Monday the five major TV networks that operate the White House TV, Fox News included, stopped supplying shared footage of presidential events.

And by Monday night, the White House launched their own Trump TV.

Judge Timothy Kelly (-Trump appointee) is scheduled to hear the emergency request today at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. (09/23/26)

What happened: Why Five Networks Suspended White House Coverage

Five networks ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC take turns recording presidential events and sharing footage with other news organizations. When the White House removed CNN from its regular scheduled assignment on September 21, the other networks banned together and refused to replace it and suspended their shared coverage of presidential events, even Fox…

Fox News joined the decision. Its Washington bureau chief, Bryan Boughton, who chairs the television pool this quarter announced the suspension.

During a White House helicopter pad ribbon cutting ceremony, the absence of pool microphones left Trump’s remarks largely inaudible. C-SPAN couldn’t carry the event without its usual feed, while Newsmax aired the government’s video without usable audio.

Trump TV Launched but Independent Reporting Continues

Trump TV Launches as the Press Access Dispute Escalates:

Hours after the September 21 lawsuit was filed the White House launched Trump TV , a 24/hour YouTube stream featuring presidential speeches and administration highlights.

Official government footage can be a valuable primary source. But Trump TV’s programming is selected by the Trump administration, unlike independent journalism, who can investigate official claims, question officials, and report info absent from official communications.

The limits of the White House ban became clear on Tuesday when Trump objected to CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins covering his arrival at the United Nations:

“The United Nations allowed us in, sir,” Collins replied before continuing her question. The UN issues its media credentials, allowing the affected news organizations to continue reporting from its events.

Can the White House Ban Journalists Over Their Reporting?

What the Law Says About Banning Journalists

The Trump administration is saying that the White House access is a privilege, not a constitutional right, and the president can restrict access for national security reasons. CNN, MS NOW, and Politico argue that they’re excluded because of their reporting, violating First Amendment rights.

In 2018, federal Judge Timothy Kelly (a Trump appointee) ordered the White House to temporarily restore CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credentials, citing due process concerns. Kelly is also overseeing the current lawsuit.

The judge is scheduled to hear the news organizations emergency request on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. This ruling could temporarily restore access.

Five Tools to Fact-Check Your Government, No Press Pass Required

The 1917 Information Campaign: A Lesson From American History

When the U.S. Government Produced Its Own News in the past

In April 1917, President Woodrow Wilson created the Committee on Public Information to build public support for World War I.

Led by former journalist George Creel, the agency provided government produced stories to newspapers and published a daily newspaper, the Official Bulletin.

By Creel’s estimate, its news division placed material in 20,000 newspaper columns weekly. The government restricted journalists access to various wartime information, making official accounts an important source of coverage.

The committee demonstrated how government produced news shapes public understanding when access to independent information is limited.

Five Tools to Fact-Check Your Government

Public records, recordings, and independent reporting can help you separate official statements from verified facts.

We’ve created a free guide with five tools to help you find full recordings, read White House pool reports, examine executive orders, verify claims, and request government documents that you can find on our community network site: 50501.co

Useful Links:

Election Protection Wallet Cards You Can Print

Check if you can vote early NOW (Don’t miss your registration cut-off!)

Save the Date: No Kings Is Back October 17

50501 LinkTree

Sources

ABC News, Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House

CNBC Trump snaps at CNN at United Nations

Variety Major TV Networks Suspend White House Pool Coverage of Trump

CNN Major TV networks stand with CNN, decline to replace its White House pool crew

MS NOW White House pool suspends TV coverage of Trump after CNN ban

NPR White House launches Trump TV after ban on major news outlets

WUSA9 What is Trump TV?

5 Things to Know About the Money Behind the 2026 Midterms

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:56:19 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro-democracy and civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to support our publication and to never miss a post.

On September 1, two new political groups were formed.

One called No Going Back PAC and the other called Safety and Affordability PAC… Neither with a previous history of political spending under those names.

Fifteen days later the Associated Press reported that Trump aligned groups reserved more than $130 million in midterm advertising.

No Going Back accounted for $98.5 million of that.

Safety and Affordability accounted for $27 million.

Both share a treasurer with MAGA Inc, which held more than $400 million as of late July.

Where Does Election Money Go?

Here’s a quick recap of the four main types of organizations involved in funding elections. Each has different rules about who can give them money, how much they can accept, and what they can spend it on. Understanding these differences will make the rest of this article much easier to follow.

A campaign committee is the candidate’s own account. When you donate to a Senate candidate through their website, this is usually where it lands. The candidate controls it, spends it, and answers for it. Unlike an independent super PAC, it can coordinate directly with the candidate.

A PAC, or political action committee, is a group that pools money from many people to spend on politics. Think of it as a shared account with rules attached. A traditional PAC can give money directly to candidates, but only in limited amounts.

A super PAC is the one that changes things quite a bit... It can raise unlimited money from eligible individuals, corporations, and unions. In exchange, it’s barred from giving money directly to candidates or coordinating its independent spending with their campaigns. It spends on its own, usually on advertising. Those two new groups from September 1 are super PACs.

A politically active nonprofit is a tax exempt organization that does advocacy or voter work. Depending on what section of the tax code it falls under, it may or may not have to tell the public who funds it. This is where the phrase “dark money” usually comes from.

1. How Political Donors Give Millions Despite Contribution Limits

When we donate to another person’s campaign, the law caps it.

For the 2025-2026 cycle the Federal Election Commission set that cap at $3,500 per candidate per election.

Primaries and general elections count separately, so someone who gives the max in both has given $7,000 to one candidate across the cycle.

And candidates can spend unlimited amounts of their own personal funds on their own campaigns.

The FEC reported that between January 2025 and March 2026, congressional candidates raised $2.127 billion combined. Over the course of fifteen months, PACs raised $6.3 billion. This is roughly 3 times what all congressional candidates raised.

Imagine two people who both want the same Senate candidate to win:

The first is a nurse who can spare $100. Her money goes into the candidate’s campaign account. If that’s her only contribution during the election cycle, her name generally doesn’t have to appear in a public filing. The candidate decides how to spend it.

The second owns a company and wants to put $10 million behind that same candidate. She legally can’t give that amount directly to the candidate’s campaign. So instead she writes the $10 million to a super PAC, which faces no limit on the amount it can receive from an eligible donor.

2. How Super PACs Secured Power to Raise Unlimited Money

Most of us have heard of Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court decision that lets corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money independently to support and oppose candidates. A few months later, an appeals court decided SpeechNow.org v. FEC . The court ruled that groups making independent expenditures only, couldn’t be subject to contribution limits.

Together these decisions helped establish the modern super PAC: An organization that can raise unlimited money from donors and spend it independently to support & oppose political candidates. However, super PACs can’t contribute directly to candidates or coordinate their independent spending with candidates campaigns.

For perspective, the $5.4 million gap represents about 5.5% of the $98.5 million in advertising reservations reported for the newly formed No Going Back PAC.

3. What Is Dark Money and How Does It Work?

Not every organization involved in an election is a political campaign: many are nonprofits. The tax status determines what political activities they’re able to conduct and if they have to publicly disclose their donors.

Two types of nonprofits are important to understand:

A 501(c)(3) is a charitable or educational organization like a food bank or museum. The IRS prohibits these groups from supporting or opposing political candidates. They can still register voters, explain how to vote, and run get-out-the-vote drives, but those actions/events have to be genuinely nonpartisan. Donations are generally tax deductible.

A 501(c)(4) is a social welfare organization. The IRS allows these groups to engage in some political campaign activity, provided it’s not the primary activity. Unlike super PACs, they don’t usually have to disclose their donors. Donations are not tax deductible as charitable contributions.

Now return to the business owner with $10 million: Instead of donating directly to a super PAC, where her name would appear, imagine she donates to a 501(c)(4), the nonprofit independently decides to contribute money to the super PAC, without the donor directing that transaction.

The super PAC’s filing identify the nonprofit as its donor but the nonprofit doesn’t have to publicly identify the people who fund it (the transfer is visible but the original donor might not be.)

This is one way dark money works. The public can see which organization provided money without knowing who funded the organization.

Making a contribution in someone else’s name is also prohibited and a nonprofit can legally make certain political contributions but can’t serve as a front for a donor seeking to evade campaign finance disclosure requirements.

This is why some advocacy organizations maintain separate 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, each handling activities permitted under different legal structures.

4. Political Ads Are Getting Millions While Voter Outreach Faces Funding Shortfalls

According to September 19 reporting by the Associated Press, progressive voter organizations are experiencing funding shortages ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Voter outreach organizations fund events/activities like registration drives, voter education and transportation assistance. These programs depend on nonprofit funding, grants, and donations.

America Votes , who coordinates more than 400 progressive organizations, reported funding levels below those of the 2022 midterms. A July fundraising memo cited by the AP found that voter mobilization groups it examined raised nearly 40% less than at comparable points in the 2018 and 2022 election cycles.

Vamos a Votar, a Latino voter engagement initiative operating across 10 states and 17 House districts, reported $5.4 million shortfall against its $27.5 million fundraising goal.

In response, some organizations have reduced staffing and adjusted their outreach strategies, incorporating AI-assisted voter information, social media partnerships, and ride sharing programs to maintain services with smaller budgets.

5. How to Find Out Who Pays for Political Ads

Political ads and campaign finance records are publicly accessible, although disclosure requirements vary by organization.

Here are 3 ways to look into who’s funding political activity:

1. Check the advertisement

Federal law requires political ads to identify who paid for them and if a candidate authorized the message. An ad stating that it was “not authorized by any candidate” identifies spending outside a candidate’s campaign. Click here to read more about this.

2. Search the FEC database

At fec.gov/data you can search federal candidates to check out reported contributions, expenditures, and disclosed donors.

Candidate committees must publicly identify individuals whose contributions exceed $200 during an election cycle . For PACs and party committees, this threshold applies to contributions exceeding $200 during a calendar year.

Newly formed committees might not have filed their first financial reports. The next regular quarterly filing deadline is October 15, 2026 , however some committees have additional reporting-obligations.

3. Research nonprofit funding

The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you view available nonprofit financial filings including information about revenue, expenditures, and grants.

Most tax exempt organizations aren’t required to identify their donors. If a super PAC receives funding from a nonprofit, the financial records might identify the organization without revealing the individuals who originally provided the money.

Put What You've Learned Into Practice

The next time you see a political ad… check its disclaimer.

Who paid for it and was it authorized by a candidate?

Use the FEC database to find the organization behind the ad, including its reported contributions, expenditures, and disclosed donors.

For official voting information, visit Vote.gov to find your state’s registration requirements, deadlines, and election resources, or for a state by state guide, click here.

You can help by checking your voter registration and sharing these resources with your communities.

Election Protection Wallet Cards You Can Print

Useful Links:

Check if you can vote early NOW (Don’t miss your registration cut-off!)

Save the Date: No Kings Is Back October 17

50501 LinkTree

Help us update our Linktree, comment resources or links for us to add here:

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:32:30 GMT

SUMMARY

Who controls the systems we use to vote, speak, and to be counted? The Court declined to let the Postal Service impose new mail ballot rules as states were beginning to send ballots, Reuters found election officials in both parties preparing for possible federal intervention, and Disney asked a judge to stop the FCC from reviewing eight broadcast licenses more than two years early.

More than 30% of voters used mail ballots in 2024, and the Court left the existing system in place

In an unsigned order on Monday night, the Supreme Court refused to let the Postal Service enforce new mail ballot requirements for the November election. The rule would have required states to submit lists of eligible mail voters through a federal portal and use USPS approved ballot envelopes with identifying barcodes, and letting USPS decline to deliver ballots that didn’t comply.

The Court said the government was “unlikely to succeed on the merits.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed separately, writing that if the Postal Service ultimately has statutory authority to issue such a rule, state and local election officials didn’t have enough time to reasonably implement it before November.

Two lower courts already blocked the rule, including a second preliminary injunction issued late Sunday by Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee.

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, about 30 percent of ballots in the 2024 election were cast by mail, with more than 47 million mail ballots counted.

The Supreme Court’s ruling leaves the new USPS requirements blocked for the 2026 election.

Follow Sly Comics for More Editorial Cartoons

More than 650 boxes of election files, seized

Reuters published an investigation Tuesday from interviews with more than 50 state and local election officials from both parties, including a dozen secretaries of state. Nearly all described adopting new strategies to prepare for political interference, cyberattacks, misinformation and threats of violence.

California officials have gamed out federal agents appearing at polling places, and Michigan is advising clerks on how to respond to federal demands for voting machines. More than a dozen officials told Reuters they hired outside attorneys or sought legal training for possible demands involving sensitive voting records or equipment.

On January 28, FBI agents seized more than 650 boxes of ballots and other records from the 2020 election from Fulton County, Georgia as part of a federal investigation into alleged election irregularities. Reuters reported that the allegations underlying the investigation included claims that had previously been rejected by courts and audits.

Georgia’s 2020 presidential results were counted 3 times, including once by-hand, with each count affirming Joe Biden’s victory.

Fulton County sued to recover the records but lost that effort in May, when District Judge J.P. Boulee ruled the federal government could keep materials while its investigation continued.

The controversy had started as a fight over one performer’s comments. (Read by clicking here.)

A shoutout to Compassion Corner Chronicles for documenting what they witnessed outside the Burlington, Massachusetts ICE office on Wednesday. Their account included families searching for detained relatives, a seven-year-old whose grandmother is facing deportation, and a DoorDash driver who said he had just been released after 67 days in detention.

These firsthand accounts put faces and families behind immigration enforcement stories that can otherwise become statistics. Compassion Corner is continuing to show up and help people navigate frightening situations. 💛

Up to $177 billion in federal grants have been cut, frozen, or delayed

On Wednesday, a new database attempted to put a number on the federal funding disruptions that have been happening across the country.

The Trump administration has cut, frozen, or delayed as much as $177 billion in federal grants, according to an analysis reported by the Associated Press.

The funding reached all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with some of the largest disruptions involving health care, nutrition, environmental programs, and disaster relief.

Among the affected programs were maternal-health funding in Michigan, education research in Mississippi, and assistance for minority farmers in Iowa. California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and North Carolina had the highest dollar amounts of interrupted funding.

The figure comes from Lost Funds, a database created by the States United Democracy Center and Grant Witness using federal spending data. The organizations estimate the disrupted grants represent nearly 10 percent of federal discretionary spending.

Some funding decisions remain tied up in court, meaning the final amount could change as lawsuits and administrative actions continue.

Macklemore turned the tour controversy into a $1 million donation

After being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour, Macklemore announced he would donate the entire $1 million in net earnings he received from the tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians and humanitarian relief.

He also challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the contribution.

The Guardian reported Wednesday that Macklemore said he wanted to redirect attention away from himself and toward Palestinians affected by the conflict.

By then, all 4 of Ed Sheeran’s opening acts had withdrawn from the tour following Macklemore’s removal.

The Guardian

Thursday

34.8 million, now in a different congressional district

A new report from Protect Democracy found 34.8 million people, (roughly one in ten), now live in a different congressional district than they did in the 2024 election cycle. About a fifth of the country lives in a district where more than a quarter of the voters are new.

The current redistricting fight began when Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional map to benefit the party. California responded with a voter approved map designed to benefit Democrats, and other states followed.

The Associated Press described the result as an unprecedented wave of mid-decade redistricting and reported that the new maps create a partisan advantage for Republicans but the actual effect on House seats will depend on election results.

The Constitution requires national census every ten years but it doesn’t restrict states to redrawing congressional districts only once per decade.

Eight licenses, pulled forward from 2028

Disney and ABC told a federal judge Thursday that the FCC should be blocked from early review of eight ABC station licenses, arguing that Chair Brendan Carr is carrying out presidential directives aimed at curbing speech critical of the administration.

Those licenses were not due for consideration until October 2028. Carr ordered the reviews in April, the first time the FCC had ordered this kind of early review in more than 50 years, one day after the president called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel.

A hearing is currently set for October 6. Broadcasters need FCC licenses to use public airwaves. License revocations are extremely rare, but critics argue that even the threat of losing a license can put pressure on broadcasters and raise First Amendment concerns about government interference in editorial decisions.

Disney says the early reviews are retaliatory and intended to punish broadcasters for speech the administration dislikes. The FCC disputes Disney’s case and has asked the court to dismiss it, arguing in part that the agency is entitled to investigate allegations involving the stations.

Friday

Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico are banned from the White House

Trump just announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico are banned from the White House “effective immediately,” accusing them of reporting what he calls “fake news.” Reuters reported that Trump also said the ban could extend to additional news organizations.

“I don’t want them here,” Trump told reporters, adding that he would take the ban “as far as you can.” The administration hasn’t explained how the restriction would work yet, and the Associated Press reported that journalists from the affected outlets remained on White House grounds Friday afternoon.

When Can You Register and Vote Early? A State-by-State Guide

The 50501 Movement — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:04:34 GMT

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

In person voting opens this Friday in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia, and 50501’s No Kings: Vote Early day of action is Saturday, Oct. 17. Registration cutoffs start as early as Oct. 2.

Many states let you register the same day you vote and several states changed their rules this year, and the Supreme Court kept new mail-ballot restrictions from taking effect this fall.

Check your registration ASAP, even if you’ve voted at the same address for decades. Scroll to your state below.

Ballotpedia, Voter registration deadlines, 2026

Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day 🗳️

On Friday, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia become the first states to open in-person voting for the 2026 midterms.

According to 2020 Census data, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote or are not sure if they’re even registered. Most registration deadlines land in the first three weeks of October.

So here’s a full list we wish every voter had. It covers every state plus D.C., with the registration cutoff, the early voting window, and anything that changed this year.

Screenshot your state because you might need it in a few weeks.

Before you find your state below:

Check your registration today. Look yourself up at vote.org, even if nothing has changed for you. Some states are now running their voter rolls through a federal citizenship database that flagged people who turned out to be citizens.

Update it if something in your life changed like a new address, new last name, or moving to a new state.

If you vote by mail, send it back early! In 2024, over 100,000 ballots were rejected for arriving too late. Many states only count ballots that arrive by Election Day, so a postmark won’t save a late ballot. California’s Secretary of State recommends mailing at least seven days ahead. If your state counts postmarks and you have to mail on Election Day, ask for a hand postmark at the post office counter.

Know what ID to bring. Vote.org keeps a state by state voter ID guide you can view here.

How to read your state from this guide

📝= Registration

🗳️= Early voting

✅= Same-day registration

⚠️= Heads up

💡= Did you know (fun fact)

All dates are for the Nov. 3 general election. We started with vote.org, then checked dates against Ballotpedia, the Center for Election Innovation & Research, VOTE411, and state election offices. Hours and locations will vary by county, so please confirm yours at vote.gov before you go. Each state name links to its vote.org page.

Thanks for reading! This guide is public so feel free to share!

Alabama

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 19 online, in person, or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ No early voting. If you have an approved excuse, you can cast an absentee ballot in person with your county’s absentee election manager through Thursday, Oct. 29.

💡 When the voting rights campaign came to Selma, only 335 of the city’s 15,000 Black residents of voting age were registered to vote. After state troopers attacked peaceful protesters on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act that August.

Alaska

📝 Register by Sunday, Oct. 4 online, in person, or by mail (postmarked). Since the deadline falls on a Sunday, online is the easiest.

🗳️ Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Election Day. Hours vary by location, and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

Arizona

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5 (11:59 p.m.) online, in person, or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 7 through Oct. 30. Some counties offer emergency voting through Nov. 2. Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

⚠️ Arizona runs a two tier system. Voters whose citizenship can’t be verified and who haven’t provided documentary proof of citizenship can vote in federal races only.

💡 Native Americans in Arizona couldn’t vote until July 15, 1948, when the state Supreme Court ruled for Frank Harrison and Harry Austin of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Harrison was a World War II veteran.

Arkansas

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5 in person or by mail (postmarked). Arkansas has no online registration.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 19 through 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

California

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 19.

✅ If you miss it, you can still register and vote at your county elections office or a voting location through Election Day.

🗳️ Every active voter gets a mail ballot, sent by Oct. 5. Drop boxes open Oct. 6, and vote centers open Oct. 24 in Voter’s Choice Act counties.

Colorado

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 26.

✅ You can register in person at a voter service and polling center through Election Day.

🗳️ Every active voter gets a mail ballot. In-person voting centers open Oct. 19 and run through Election Day.

Connecticut

📝 Register by Friday, Oct. 16.

✅ After that, use same day registration at your town’s designated location during early voting or on Election Day.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1.

Delaware

📝 Register by Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m. State election offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that day.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 22 through Nov. 1, with no voting on Sunday, Oct. 25.

⚠️ Absentee voting requires an eligible reason, and ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

District of Columbia

📝 Register online or by mail by Tuesday, Oct. 13 (must be received).

✅ Same day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day with proof of residence.

🗳️ Every active voter gets a mail ballot. Early vote centers are open Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

💡 D.C. residents couldn’t vote for president until the 23rd Amendment in 1961. They cast their first presidential ballots under it on Nov. 3, 1964. Sixty-two years later to the day, they still have no voting member of Congress.

Florida

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Every county holds early voting Oct. 24 through Oct. 31. Counties can add days, starting as early as Oct. 19 and running as late as Nov. 1.

⚠️ Florida’s new proof-of-citizenship law does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2027, so it does not apply to this election.

Georgia

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Early voting runs Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 30. Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

⚠️ If the state can’t confirm your citizenship through driver’s license data, you might be asked for documents. Check your status early.

Hawaii

📝 Paper registration forms are due by Monday, Oct. 26.

✅ You can register online any time or at a voter service center through Election Day.

🗳️ Hawaii votes by mail, and ballots should arrive by Oct. 16. Voter service centers are open Oct. 20 through Election Day, closed Sundays. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Idaho

📝 Register online or by mail by Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. (must be received).

✅ After that, you can register at an early voting site or at your polling place on Election Day with proof of identity and residence.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 13 through Oct. 30 in counties that offer it. Some counties start later, so check yours.

⚠️ Mail ballots must reach your county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks don’t count.

Illinois

📝 Register by mail (postmarked) by Tuesday, Oct. 6, or online by Sunday, Oct. 18.

✅ After that, grace period registration lets you register and vote in person through Election Day, usually at your local election office.

🗳️ Early voting runs Sept. 24 through Nov. 2, with more locations opening closer to Election Day.

Indiana

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 6 through noon on Monday, Nov. 2.

⚠️ Indiana flags voters who registered with a temporary ID for citizenship checks. If you get a notice, you have 30 days to respond.

Iowa

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 19.

✅ Same day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day. Bring a photo ID and, if it lacks your current address, proof of residence.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 14 through Nov. 2.

Kansas

📝 Register by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

🗳️ Advance voting can start as early as Oct. 14, depending on your county, and runs through noon on Monday, Nov. 2.

⚠️ A new Kansas law requires periodic citizenship checks against a federal database. If you are flagged, you’ll need to prove citizenship to stay registered.

Kentucky

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Early voting for everyone runs Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31. Voters with an eligible excuse can vote early in the days before that.

⚠️ Kentucky’s 2026 election law creates a process that requires voters flagged by federal citizenship checks to prove citizenship, but that process doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2028.

Louisiana

📝 Register in person, by mail, or at the OMV by Monday, Oct. 5, or online by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 20 through Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday, Oct. 25. Voting by mail requires an eligible reason.

⚠️ Louisiana has another election on Saturday, Dec. 12. It includes a runoff for any U.S. House race where no candidate tops 50% on Nov. 3, plus other races that may be on your ballot. Register for it by Nov. 12 (online by Nov. 21). Early voting for that election runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 5, closed Sunday, Nov. 29.

Maine

📝 Mail and online registrations must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 13 (online closes at 5 p.m.).

✅ You can register in person at your town or city office through Election Day. Bring proof of identity and residence.

🗳️ In person absentee voting at your town or city clerk’s office runs Oct. 4 through close of business Thursday, Oct. 29.

💡 On June 12, 2018, Maine became the first state to use ranked choice voting statewide. That November, it became the first place in the nation to decide a congressional race that way.

Maryland

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

✅ Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day with proof of address.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 22 through Oct. 29, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Massachusetts

📝 Register by Saturday, Oct. 24 online, in person, or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 17 through Oct. 30.

Michigan

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 19.

✅ After that, register in person at your city or township clerk’s office through 8 p.m. on Election Day with proof of residency.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1. You can also vote an absentee ballot in person at your clerk’s office.

Minnesota

📝 Register online or by mail by Tuesday, Oct. 13 (must be received).

✅ Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.

🗳️ In-person absentee voting starts this Friday, Sept. 18, at select election offices. Every county adds early voting sites on Oct. 16, and early voting runs through Nov. 2.

Mississippi

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5 in person or by mail (postmarked). Mississippi has no online registration.

🗳️ Mississippi has no early voting open to everyone. Voters with an approved excuse can vote absentee in person at the circuit clerk’s office through noon on Saturday, Oct. 31.

⚠️ A new law requires yearly citizenship checks against a federal database. If you get a notice, you have 30 days to send proof.

💡 On Aug. 31, 1962, Fannie Lou Hamer rode with her neighbors to the courthouse in Indianola to try to register. She was fired from her plantation job for it. She kept going and became one of the most powerful voices of the voting rights movement.

Missouri

📝 Register by Wednesday, Oct. 7.

🗳️ No-excuse early voting runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 2. Bring a photo ID.

⚠️ Missouri has run its rolls through a federal citizenship database that flagged hundreds of people who turned out to be citizens. Check your status now.

Montana

📝 Register by mail (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 5. Montana has no online registration.

✅ After that, late registration is available in person at your county election office through Election Day. Check your county’s cutoff time.

🗳️ Early absentee voting runs Oct. 5 through Nov. 2.

💡 In November 1916, four years before the 19th Amendment, Montana voters made Jeannette Rankin the first woman elected to Congress. She told the country she would not be the last.

Nebraska

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Friday, Oct. 16, or in person by Friday, Oct. 23.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 5 through Nov. 2.

Nevada

📝 Register by mail or in person by Tuesday, Oct. 6. Register online by Wednesday, Oct. 21 to get a mail ballot.

✅ Same-day registration is available at voting sites during early voting and on Election Day.

🗳️ Every active voter gets a mail ballot. Early voting runs Oct. 17 through Oct. 30. The state recommends mailing your ballot back at least a week before Election Day.

💡 Since 1975, Nevada’s statewide races have included a “None of These Candidates” option, a post-Watergate idea to give fed-up voters a reason to show up. The option can’t take office, so the top vote-getter still wins.

New Hampshire

📝 Register at your town or city clerk’s office before Election Day. The last pre-election session falls 6 to 13 days before Nov. 3, depending on your town.

✅ You can also register at your polling place on Election Day.

🗳️ No early voting. Absentee voting requires an eligible reason.

⚠️ A federal judge blocked the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirement in May, so new voters can sign a sworn citizenship affidavit. You still need proof of identity, age, and where you live. The state is appealing, so confirm current rules with your town clerk.

New Jersey

📝 Register by Tuesday, Oct. 13 online, in person, or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1. Mail ballots go out by Sept. 19 to voters signed up for one.

💡 New Jersey’s 1776 constitution let property-owning “inhabitants” vote, which included some unmarried women. In 1807, lawmakers limited the vote to white male taxpayers, partly because women often backed the rival party.

New Mexico

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Tuesday, Oct. 6.

✅ Same-day registration is available at your county clerk’s office, participating early voting sites, and polling places on Election Day.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 6 through Oct. 31.

New York

📝 Register by Saturday, Oct. 24 (must be received).

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1. On Oct. 24, the first day, you can register and vote in the same trip.

⚠️ Mail ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and reach your county board by Nov. 10.

North Carolina

📝 Register by Friday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

✅ Same day registration works during early voting. It is unavailable on Election Day.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 15 through 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Request a mail ballot by Oct. 20 and return it by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

North Dakota

📝 No registration required. Bring a valid ID showing your name, current North Dakota address, and date of birth.

🗳️ Early voting varies by county, opening as early as Oct. 19 where it is offered. Any voter can vote absentee.

💡 North Dakota dropped voter registration in 1951 and remains the only state without it.

Ohio

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 6 through 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Regular absentee mail ballots must arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

⚠️ A federal judge put Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship rule for BMV registrations on hold in August, and the state is appealing. Registering online never required it.

Oklahoma

📝 Register by Friday, Oct. 9.

🗳️ Early voting runs Wednesday, Oct. 28, through 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Oregon

📝 Register by Tuesday, Oct. 13 online (until 11:59 p.m.) or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ All voting is by mail, and ballots go out starting Oct. 14. Return yours by 8 p.m. on Election Day, or mail it so it is postmarked by Nov. 3 and arrives within seven days.

💡 In 1998, Oregon voters made theirs the first state to vote entirely by mail.

Pennsylvania

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 19 (must be received).

🗳️ No traditional early voting. Once ballots are ready, and no later than Oct. 20, you can request, fill out, and return a mail ballot in one visit to your county election office, through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

⚠️ Completed mail ballots must reach your county by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Rhode Island

📝 Register by Sunday, Oct. 4 online, in person, or by mail (postmarked).

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 14 through 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

⚠️ Rhode Island’s Election Day registration only applies to presidential races, so it will not help this year.

South Carolina

📝 Register in person by Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m., online by Sunday, Oct. 4, or by mail (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 5. That in-person cutoff is the earliest on this list.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday, Oct. 25. Voting by mail requires a qualifying reason.

South Dakota

📝 Register in person or by mail by Monday, Oct. 19 (must be received). South Dakota has no online registration.

🗳️ In-person absentee voting starts this Friday, Sept. 18, at your county auditor’s office and runs through Nov. 2.

⚠️ New registrants must show proof of citizenship or they get a ballot for federal races only. Photocopies work for most documents, but people using a driver’s license or a state or tribal ID are being told to register in person. A lawsuit filed in August challenges the rollout.

Tennessee

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 14 through Oct. 29. Voting by mail requires an eligible reason.

⚠️ Tennessee checks voter citizenship against state and federal data. If you get a notice, you have 30 days to send proof, and photocopies are accepted.

💡 In August 1920, the 19th Amendment needed one more state. Tennessee’s youngest lawmaker, Harry Burn, carried a letter from his mother urging him to “be a good boy” and vote yes. He did, and Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify.

Texas

📝 Register by Monday, Oct. 5 in person or by mail (postmarked). Texas has no online registration.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Voting by mail requires an eligible reason, such as being 65 or older.

⚠️ Texas has been checking its rolls against a federal citizenship database. This week, state officials referred 117 people for investigation and confirmed that nearly 600 other flagged voters are citizens. Check your status now.

Utah

📝 Register online or by mail by Friday, Oct. 23 (received by 5 p.m.).

✅ You can register at an early voting site or on Election Day and vote a provisional ballot. Bring two forms of ID.

🗳️ Every active voter gets a mail ballot. Early voting starts Oct. 20, and end dates vary by county.

⚠️ Under a new law, voters without documentary proof of citizenship get a federal-only ballot. If you don’t have a valid Utah driver license or ID, bring proof when you register.

⚠️ Mail ballots must reach your county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks no longer count.

Vermont

📝 You can register through Election Day. If you register online or by mail, leave a few days for processing.

✅ Election Day registration is available at the polls with proof of residence.

🗳️ Ballots are mailed to every active voter by Oct. 1. You can vote early in person at your town or city clerk’s office once ballots are available, through Nov. 2.

💡 Vermont is one of four places in the U.S., along with Maine, D.C., and Puerto Rico, where people in prison keep the right to vote.

Virginia

📝 Register by Friday, Oct. 23 (5 p.m. in person, 11:59 p.m. online, or postmarked by mail).

✅ After that, you can register in person and vote a provisional ballot through Election Day.

🗳️ Early voting starts this Friday, Sept. 18, and runs through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Washington

📝 Register online or by mail by Monday, Oct. 26 (must be received).

✅ You can register in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

🗳️ All voting is by mail. Ballots go out by Oct. 16, and voting centers are open from then through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

West Virginia

📝 Register by Tuesday, Oct. 13.

🗳️ Early voting runs Oct. 21 through Oct. 31.

Wisconsin

📝 Register online or by mail (postmarked) by Wednesday, Oct. 14.

✅ After that, register in person at your clerk’s office until Friday, Oct. 30, or at your polling place on Election Day. Bring proof of residence.

🗳️ In-person absentee voting runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 1. Dates and hours vary by town.

Wyoming

📝 Register by mail or at your county clerk’s office by Monday, Oct. 19.

✅ After that, register and vote absentee in person Oct. 20 through Nov. 2, or register at your polling place on Election Day.

🗳️ Early absentee voting runs Oct. 6 through Nov. 2. Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

⚠️ New for 2026, you must show proof of U.S. citizenship and 30 days of Wyoming residency to register. A Wyoming driver’s license or ID, U.S. passport, original or certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or Tribal ID all count.

💡 On Dec. 10, 1869, Wyoming’s territorial government became the first in the world to give women full voting rights, a half century before the 19th Amendment.

Send this to someone you know who moved this year: New address = new deadline, and they might not know it yet.

In 1962, trying to register cost Fannie Lou Hamer her job (Read it here!).

Today, most states let you do it online in just a few minutes.

Who in your life hasn’t taken those few minutes yet?

We have 48 days. Find your deadline, then help someone find theirs:

Sources & Additional Reading

Vote.org, Voter Registration Deadlines & Calendar

Ballotpedia, Early voting dates, 2026

Center for Election Innovation & Research, Dates for 2026 Early In-Person and Mail Voting

VOTE411, League of Women Voters state voting guides

50501, Events

National Voter Registration Day

Nonprofit VOTE, National Voter Registration Day

Votebeat, Supreme Court blocks mail ballot restrictions for November

SCOTUSblog, the Watson v. Republican National Committee ruling

Bipartisan Policy Center, Watson v. RNC and late mail ballots

Bipartisan Policy Center, the SAVE America Act

National Association of Counties, House advances SAVE America Act

Democracy Docket, House budget framework with election grants

Fox News, Senate recess without passing the SAVE America Act

Center for American Progress, state proof of citizenship laws

Vote.gov

Election Protection Wallet Cards You Can Print, Cut, and Share in Your Community

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:29:29 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

We’re keeping this post short today to help get these to as many people as possible. Save, print, share! Leave them with businesses that will take them, hand them out at your next rally, share them to your own social media accounts, anything to get these out helps.

This post is public, feel free to share so more people will print and hand out the Free Election Protection wallet cards

The cards include 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), the national nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline. You can call or text the hotline with voting questions or if you run into problems trying to vote.

Print and Share Widely.

ENGLISH

ESPAÑOL

No Kings: Vote Early is set for October 17

The next No Kings national day of action is planned for Saturday, October 17. These events will be focused around checking registrations, learning voting rules for your state, finding polling locations, requesting ballots, making plans to vote, and helping others do the same. What October 17 looks like will vary depending on where you live.

No Kings October 17

Get connected with 50501.co

If you haven’t yet, sign up at 50501.co for action alerts by email or Signal. You can find chapters, discover upcoming events, and access organizing resources as they’re added.

This post is public, feel free to share so more people will print and hand out the Free Election Protection wallet cards

Already have some of your own?

Let us know or share in the comments:

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:56:18 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

Monday

The midterms enter the final stretch

With 8 weeks remaining before the November 3 election, Republicans entered the final campaign stretch trying to protect their congressional majorities while facing voter concerns about the economy and Trump’s low approval ratings.

Reuters reported Monday that Democrats held an enthusiasm advantage and were favored by analysts to compete strongly for control of the House, while the Senate remained much less certain. Competitive Senate races stretch from Georgia and Michigan to traditionally Republican states including Texas.

Tuesday

No Kings: Vote Early

The No Kings coalition officially announced October 17 as No Kings: Vote Early, a nationwide day of coordinated, nonpartisan action centered on early voting and voter participation.

Local events could include block parties, rallies and walks to polling locations, depending on voting rules.

Wednesday

Trump promises $5,000 payments if Republicans win Congress (Which is why you NEED to vote)

Trump made one of the biggest talking points of the week during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas: a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans hold control of both the House and Senate.

Reuters estimates that sending $5,000 to roughly 240 million adult citizens would cost about $1.2 trillion. Congress would have to authorize the spending before the checks could happen.

Trump and JD Vance have suggested tariff revenue could help pay for the plan but numbers don’t currently come close. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the government has collected about $167 billion in tariff revenue during the current fiscal year, compared with the estimated $1.2 trillion cost of the proposed checks.

The Associated Press reported that the information sought in those cases can include addresses, dates of birth, driver’s-license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.

Indivisible the 915 Page Shared

Lawsuits challenge armed ICE enforcement at polling areas

LULAC, Common Cause, UnidosUS and the City and County of Denver filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration policy that they say allow armed ICE officers to enter polling places to conduct immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit followed comments from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin saying ICE officers could enter polling locations to serve warrants or conduct other immigration and customs enforcement activity. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Washington, D.C..

The plaintiffs point to an 1865 federal law that generally prohibits federal officials from ordering armed personnel to places where elections are being held, except to repel armed enemies of the United States. They argue that armed immigration enforcement at polling places could also intimidate voters and interfere with local election administration.

Appeals court keeps new mail ballot restrictions blocked

The First Circuit Court of Appeals declined Thursday to allow a new Postal Service rule tightening requirements for election mail to take effect while litigation continues.

The rules include requirements involving voter lists, approved ballot-envelope designs and unique barcodes. The appeals court left the lower court’s injunction in place after citing the risk of voter disenfranchisement.

The Justice Department has already asked the Supreme Court to intervene, so the rule’s ultimate fate remains unresolved.

DOJ tells 29 states to preserve 2024 election records

The Justice Department directed election officials in 29 states and Washington, D.C., to preserve records from the 2024 election as it continues litigation seeking access to detailed voter-registration information.

DOJ says preservation notices are standard during litigation. State officials have questioned the scope of the administration’s requests and raised privacy concerns, while federal judges have repeatedly dismissed some of the department’s lawsuits seeking detailed voter information.

Indivisible the 915 Page

Flock keeps facing public skepticism

1,000 Americans found significant skepticism toward Flock Safety’s automated license-plate cameras. according to a recent Reuters poll.

When respondents were divided by age, party, gender and education, adults 55 and older and Republicans were the only groups in which a majority supported Flock technology in their communities. Among adults ages 18 to 34, support was just 21%.

Flock now operates about 120,000 license plate readers across every state except Alaska, but government scrutiny is growing.

Florida stopped new Flock installations on state highways on September 3, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott paused state funding for the technology on August 28.

Shared to us by Elaine S

Election Protection Wallet Cards
Print one and keep it with you. The national nonpartisan Election Protection coalition provides voting assistance at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Spanish-language assistance is available at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682). Asian-language assistance is available at 888-API-VOTE, and Arabic assistance at 844-YALLA-US.

Printable Election Protection Card Sheet: Please print, cut and share as a reference resource for your community members!

Save the Date: No Kings Is Back October 17!

The 50501 Movement — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:45:38 GMT

📌 NOTE FOR NEW READERS: This is an independent Newsletter covering 50501, No Kings, and the pro democracy & civic action ecosystem. Subscribe to never miss a post.

50501.Co (Our New Community Network)

The next No Kings day has officially been announced, but October 17 will look a little different.

Save the date: Saturday, October 17, 2026.

This isn’t meant to be another march:

We’re taking protest energy and putting it toward voter turnout.

If you’re expecting a day of marches and rallies, there will still be plenty of events to choose from: 50501.co has a map of events being added so check it regularly (Save 50501.co in your favorites or a bookmark tab if you can)

Printable wallet cards: Share and take them with you!

Free printable voter wallet cards in both English and Spanish: You can download them from 50501.co, print a stack, and share them anywhere and everywhere, online or in person. Leave some with businesses that are willing to share them, bring them to community events, hand them out to friends and family or post the digital versions in your local groups. They’re completely free to download, print, and share widely!

Printable Wallet Cards

October 17 will be used to make sure every eligible voter has a plan to vote!

We need to make sure everyone understands their voting options and is prepared to make their ballot count.

This could be a march for your community but could also be a block party, cookout, voter registration event, walk to the polls with a small group, human chain, community gathering or another locally organized action. This is all up to your local organizers, if you have an idea or want to organize: you can also visit 50501.co to start a group.

A quick shoutout to the people building 50501.co

You’ve put an incredible amount of work into making this site safe, useful, accessible, and valuable, not just for 50501 groups, but for organizers and communities across this movement.

I especially appreciate the philosophy behind it: no gatekeeping. If a tool can help people organize safely, connect locally, and strengthen this movement, it should be useful to everyone doing it. We are stronger, together.

Thank you for the hours, the problem solving, the safety work, and everything happening behind the scenes to make 50501.co better every day.

You all know who you are, thank you!

- Blue

October 17 is 17 days before Election Day

After more than a year of showing how many people are willing to stand up for democracy, No Kings and coalition partners like 50501, are asking communities to turn that energy into participation at the ballot box because voting really can make a difference if enough of us show up. Knowledgeable action is power.

But I can’t vote early on October 17…

Not every person will be able to vote early on the 17th.

Early voting works different in each state. October 17 can be a day to help make sure you have a voting plan when the time comes, or your community might be planning a big march.

Depending on where you live, your event might look like one of the following:

Checking that your voter registration is correct
Finding out when early voting begins in your state
Locating your early voting or Election Day polling place
Requesting an absentee or mail ballot
Checking your state’s voter ID requirements
Making transportation plans
Helping others to make voting plans

Don’t wait until November 3 to figure out how you’re voting.

Sources + Get Involved

50501.co

Share the date: The more people who know about it, the more people will vote this November!

May Day Strong currently has an interactive map of trainings and actions happening around the country through September 14.

This Labor Day, May Day Strong Wants People to Learn How to Organize

The 50501 Movement — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 20:45:07 GMT

This Labor Day May Day Strong is focused on training

More than 500 labor and community organizations participated in the May 1 mobilization this year. For Labor Day, the coalition focused on training.

From August 28 through September 14, May Day Strong is encouraging everyone to attend or host trainings, actions and “Solidarity Schools” designed to build organizing skills and prepare communities to coordinate during future campaigns and crises. The coalition is committed to lawful, nonviolent action and de-escalation.

Visit May Day Strong to find an event from Aug 28 - September 14

May Day Strong Website

What is “Solidarity School”?

People who want to participate in pro-democracy movements need opportunities to learn how to organize.

Depending on the event, Solidarity School means: trainings, workshops or discussions focused on building strong communities.

May Day Strong is encouraging local groups to host trainings and they also provide Labor Day host toolkit, communications materials and event directory for those who want to participate.

What some of you might not know about May Day

The May Day labor tradition is closely tied to the American campaign for an 8 hour workday.

In 1886, workers across the US organized strikes and protests demanding shortened work hours, with Chicago being of the center of the movement.

That helped make May 1 a international day associated with workers and labor organizing. May Day is sometimes treated in the United States as foreign, a big part of its history grew from American workers organizing for rights that many of us take for granted.

Mayday Strong Art

How to participate

Find a May Day Strong action near you

Click here to see the Labor Day host toolkit and organizing resources

What would you want to learn?

If there were a Solidarity School near you, what would be useful: how to organize, how to get more people involved, protest safety and de-escalation trainings, workplace organizing?

50501 FRIDAY BRIEFING | SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

The 50501 Movement — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:13:30 GMT

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There are many, many Americans, who are not going to let the Epstein files fade away. I’m one of them. -Diane

We are 60 days from the midterms!

Monday

Flock backlash is spreading in Michigan

Metro Detroit is another example of the growing battle over Flock plate readers, Westland is letting its contract for 10 Flock cameras to expire and bipartisan legislation pending in Michigan that would regulate how license plate reader data is used and disclosed. Ferndale already ended its Flock contract, while the ACLU of Michigan told Axios that grassroots opposition to the cameras has been “exploding” in recent months.

Shoutout to Cedar Springs, Michigan for showing up weekend after weekend and using their signs to get people talking about issues. Check out this heartfelt post by Diane💙

Tuesday

HSI began its election fraud surge

Homeland Security Investigations began a coordinated voter fraud initiative this week across 9 states. Agents have been directed to investigate leads, conduct interviews and help develop cases for federal prosecutors. Additional reporting has shown that USCIS investigators are also assisting with election related work, which is why our Wednesday article focused on how several parts of the federal immigration system are now being pulled into election enforcement less than two months before the midterms.

A Florida police department has been sharing plate data nationwide

Records obtained by the Miami News Times showed that the Hollywood Police Department in Florida shares license plate reader data with 365 law enforcement agencies across the country, as well as federal agencies. Hollywood Police use a combo of license plate reader technology from Flock and other companies. Records show the city bought 60 Flock cameras in 2024, making it another example of how locally collected vehicle data can become accessible beyond the community where the cameras are being installed.

DOJ expanded immigration reporting requirements across state governments

The Justice Department announced a new legal interpretation saying that states participating in TANF and SSI require all parts of state government to report people they know are unlawfully present in the United States to DHS, not just agencies administering these programs. The new opinion withdraws a 1998 Justice Department opinion that interpreted the reporting requirement more narrowly, applying it to only specific state agencies administering TANF or SSI.

Under DOJ’s new interpretation, the requirement in Section 404 of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act applies across the entire state government, which could include agencies like state universities and motor vehicle departments. DOJ says failure to comply could lead to consequences including loss of program funding. This applies going forward and states will not be penalized for relying on the old interpretation.

Danbury Connecticut responded to ICE

After more than 100 immigration arrests were reported across Connecticut, with more than half occurring in Danbury, more than 60 businesses closed on Wednesday for a Day Without an Immigrant and over 1,000 people marched through the city that evening. Local community members of Danbury have been helping families find detained relatives and documenting encounters.

For people in the Greater Danbury area, the Unites for Immigrants has local legal resources, family preparedness information and a rapid response line: 475-237-7351.

Honoring you Gloria. Your work lives on in all of us.

Thursday

The White House Launched an Arcade About Trump’s Agenda

This looks like satire at first glace. The White House launched a game arcade Thursday, including “Build the Wall,” which tells players to “Protect the border from the coming horde,” and “Rio Run,” a Snake style game in which a Trump like character moves through the Rio Grande gathering people representing border crossers. Other games promote administration policies involving legislation, school food standards and Trump Accounts.

See for Yourself: White House Arcade

Do you feel like people you are paying attention to what’s happening right now, or are you having trouble getting friends and family to take it seriously?

EmpowHERed’s “Rally and Rise”

Flock is teaching police how its technology could monitor No Kings protests

404 Media published footage Thursday from a Flock training webinar held last year in which company personnel showed law enforcement how FlockOS and real time crime centers could be used to monitor planned events including parades, bike races and protests, using a No Kings peaceful protest as an example. The webinar isn’t new, the disclosure is. It adds evidence that protest surveillance was a capability Flock actively demonstrated to police instead of than merely an unintended use discovered by individual departments.

The mail-ballot battle reached the Supreme Court again

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court Thursday to revive new Postal Service requirements for mail ballots after a federal judge temporarily blocked them, including requirements involving voter lists, ballot envelope designs and unique barcodes. The Supreme Court has not approved the rules. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson requested responses by September 8, while AP reported that the online portal states would need to use was still not operational Thursday.

Shoutout to EmpowHERed in Olney, Maryland for showing up week after week! This is sustained local action, neighbors getting organized, being visible, and getting loud! 💙

Friday

Today is the deadline Trump set for federal State Citizenship Lists

Trump’s March 31 election executive order requires DHS, working with USCIS and the Social Security Administration, to compile State Citizenship Lists from federal citizenship, naturalization, Social Security, SAVE and other government records and transmit updated versions to state election officials at least 60 days before a regularly scheduled federal election, for the November 3 midterms, that deadline is today.

Shoutout to Dancing Todd for bringing heart to the sidewalk with “Show love like Dolly.” Let us stay rooted in compassion.

Is your group plugged into our new 50501 network yet?

Local groups have been doing incredible work, but too many of us have been operating in separate corners. We’re building a new 50501 network so local groups have a clearer way to connect nationally, share information, find support, and coordinate.

For those of you who have been voting for decades, does this election season feel different to you? If so, what feels different?