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Where Your (Presumptive) Congressional Leadership Stands
Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer are expected to be the next speaker of the House and Senate majority leader. Here is what Americans can expect from them if they take up these positions.
Reflections of a Poll Worker
The 2026 midterms showed there is no power like the power of the people, and voters in Massachusetts were no exception in demanding our voices be heard. But what does it take to make sure every ballot is counted? I served as a poll worker on Tuesday, and more than anything else, I saw how our democracy only works if we do. After a long day at the polls, these are my key takeaways.
Another Chance to Save Our Democracy
This week’s election results have given us a golden opportunity to save our democracy. We must hold this administration accountable and halt the tools that it uses to harm us, from ICE funding to a permitting bill that will make it easier for the administration to build what it wants in our backyards.
All My Rage
At No Kings III in Boston, a seven-year-old girl wearing monarch butterfly wings wrote a pledge for democracy on our We the Powerful mural. Her protest sign, featuring a brilliantly orange butterfly and the words the only monarch we need, leaned against her leg as she carefully wrote out in blocky, rainbow letters: I promise to always believe women. We the People of the United States are unequivocally failing that little girl.
The Stupid Things I’ve Learned About Social Media This Week
You may have heard that on the No Kings: Vote Early national day of action on October 17, 2026, META shut down the Instagram account for @nokingscoalition. META, who own Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, took the account down at 1:30pm—just as actions were heating up across the country. It took several hours for the account to be reactivated and several more before admins regained access and were able to post. META has given two conflicting excuses as to why this happened, but the reality is that these tech behemoths have far too much control over the narrative and are actively trying to silence our voices.
A New Kind of No Kings Day
On October 17th, people across the country came together to defend democracy by encouraging voter education and participation. The fourth No Kings Day marked a shift in strategy and priorities, both in Massachusetts and nationwide. But that shift didn’t mean abandoning the spirit of the original No Kings events. Instead, we aimed to transition that power to each individual person as we once again affirmed that America has no kings!
Heartbeat of America
Elections are the beating heart of a republic. Every two years a brief window into the operations of the democratic system are left exposed to be tinkered with and updated by the people. The first votes have already been cast in this grand contest. The lumbering and wonderful machine of American Democracy is stirring to life again.
Vote Informed: Ballot Question 5
Ballot Question #5 “Change State Tax Revenue Limit” is one of the more confusing ballot questions. It is hard to read “method of calculating” and “Section 2BBBBBB of Chapter 29” and understand what this ballot question is fundamentally: an attempt to cut taxes. A no vote makes no changes to state taxes or revenue. A yes vote will cause more frequent occurrences of collected state revenue being given directly to taxpayers. I will break down the meaning of the question, the history behind it, and the likely effects.
We Cannot Let This Democracy Die
If raising our voices was futile, they wouldn’t try so hard to silence us. The midterms are less than a month away, and protecting our right to vote, both in Massachusetts and nationwide, is vitally important. With people like Elon Musk working to undermine voters and concerns over ICE at the polls, make sure you understand your rights, have a plan to vote, and know what to do if your ballot is challenged.
Protect Our Vote: Voting Rights Heroes
Mass 50501 is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and uplifting the voices of the people. Check out our Protect our Vote campaign to get involved, find voting resources, and learn about actionable steps you can take to protect our vote. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. We must be informed and prepared. Today, we hear from members of Chelmsford Connected, a local chapter of Indivisible.
To Jungle or Not to Jungle: A Tale of Two Primary Systems
This November, Question #3 will offer voters the option to eliminate party primaries in Massachusetts. Here is where members of the Mass 50501 Newsletter Team fall on the issue.
Vote Informed: An Explainer on Ballot Question 9
This November, Massachusetts voters will be asked to weigh in on whether Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024—An Act Modernizing Firearms Law—should remain on the books. I will be up-front: this piece is going to read as an argument for repeal—in this case, a “no” vote on ballot question 9. However, my point in writing this piece is less to make an argument why you should vote a particular way, and more that in order to vote on whether to keep or repeal a law, we should make sure we read and understand what is actually contained within the text of the legislation.
Reasons Why Early Voting Matters
October 17th, the next No Kings day of action, officially named No Kings: Vote Early, will focus on nonpartisan voter participation to turn people power into voter power. Twenty-two states will already have early voting underway by October 17th, two states will open early voting that day (Nevada and Massachusetts!), and twenty more (plus D.C.) will open early voting within fourteen days of the 17th. So, what are the benefits to early voting?
Background Resistance: Impacts of Dissent Beyond the Front Lines
Last spring, when the second Trump administration was still new, I shuffled nervously into a friend’s home late at night. My arms were full of snacks intended to share with strangers, and I was unsure what to expect. People from the neighborhood showed up one by one, all bearing copious amounts of food, none seemingly hungry. As the trays and boxes loaded with a variety of treats became ever more precariously placed on shrinking table space, we sat in a circle and, one by one, explained who we were and why we were there. Our neighborhood at the time was plastered with Trump’s name, Trump’s face, and the paranoia-fueled hatred of the “Other.”
Citizen’s Resistance
Just as a great loaf of bread requires the right ingredients to rise, a winning civil resistance campaign needs three essentials to rise up: a compelling vision, broad community engagement, and a spark for action.The De-ICE Citizens Bank campaign had all these ingredients, which is why it succeeded in forcing Citizens Bank to stop financing prison company giants, CoreCivic and GEO Group, operating dozens of detention centers for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
We pledge to Protect Our Vote!
Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. Attempts to undermine free and democratic midterm elections are well underway. In order to reverse democratic backsliding, we must take a stand to protect free and democratic elections in the United States proactively. That’s why Mass 50501 launched our Protect Our Vote campaign.
Ever wonder about being a poll worker?
When you voted in the primaries, you may have noticed the many workers who made it possible for you to cast your vote in a safe, efficient environment. So who are these mysterious facilitators of democracy? They are local poll volunteers and workers! We asked one of our own Mass 50501 volunteers who has been a poll worker a few questions that may shine a light on the election process, and encourage you to reach out to your City or Town Clerk to find out how you can get involved in your own community.
Protect Our Vote: Voting Rights Heroes
Mass 50501 is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and uplifting the voices of the people. Check out our Protect our Vote campaign to get involved, find voting resources, and learn about actionable steps you can take to protect our vote. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. We must be informed and prepared. Today, we hear from Carlos Ramirez, member of Ballot Integrity Alliance - Cincinnati, a small pro-democracy grassroots organization based in Ohio.
A Reluctant Activist
In recent weeks, you have heard from conservatives explaining why they became involved in our movement. Another author has chronicled their history with left-wing activism. This week, I want to tell you my story of becoming politically active, coming from the 91% of Americans whose political engagement stops at reading the news and voting once a year.
Get to Know Your Candidates: Massachusetts 5th Congressional District
At Mass 50501, we believe that empowered citizens power a stronger democracy. We reached out to all four candidates for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat to hear their thoughts on impeachment, ICE, Flock, AI, and more.