Across the country, we saw unprecedented voter turnout across the country. Florida didn’t vote for Andrew Gillum but they did pass Amendment 4 which automatically restores voting rights to those convicted of a felony as long as they have completed their sentences. (Anyone convicted of murder or felony sex offenses would be excluded.) We are also saddened by the losses of candidates who caught the national spotlight like Iron Stache, Randy Bryce who was fighting in Paul Ryan’s district in Wisconsin and Beto O’Rourke who fought the good fight against Ted Cruz.
Candidates we featured liked Veterans Elaine Luria (VA-2), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6) flipped their seats blue! So did Abby Finkenauer (IA-1). Colorado elected the first openly gay Governor in Jared Polis. And out of nowhere? Oklahoma 5th was flipped blue by Kendra Horn. We told you about Rashida Tlaib who will be one of the first Muslim women in Congress. Deb Haaland (NM-01) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) will join her making history as the first Native American Women in Congress. It might not have been perfect but I have hope!
And while we spent this election cycle working tirelessly to bring you information about the issues, the candidates and GOTV ideas we also Got Out To Vote!
Mail-in/Absentee Ballot
Bea
Washington State has universal vote by mail, no postage required. Bug your local reps for it, it’s awesome, despite the tragic lack of “I Voted!” stickers. I sent mine off last Monday with some postcards from Moms Rising reminding other ladies to vote. Now I’m spending the time I’d be in line to vote in another state texting people through Open Progress to get out the vote. Here’s to democracy!
Emily A.
I spent a Saturday afternoon doing some research and filling out the new mail-in ballot for California. 11 propositions and all the candidates. Luckily they still give you a sticker which I saved to wear today!
Waited In Line
Emily L
I braved the (almost non-existent) lines and politicians watching expectantly as you walk in the building and VOTED! I won’t lie, I teared up just a tiny bit while I tried my hardest to fill in those circles perfectly. Plus, it gave me an excuse to be a half hour late to work. It was really a win-win.
Jamie
This pic is blurry and my hair is frizzy, but it was pouring rain. I always walk to my polling place because it’s close by and there’s never any parking. I like to leave the spots open for old people, parents who bring young kids, disabled people, or anyone else who really needs one. And God knows that people have been through far worse to vote than getting a little wet. #worthit
Amy
I wore my platform Stan Smiths and my favorite socks to vote. I live in Blue Rhode Island (SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, I LOVE YOU!), and I worked on two local campaigns (one for school committee and one for city council). Both campaigns were for bad ass FEMINIST WOMEN who don’t have time for your bullshit.
No Line
Nikki L.
I was very disappointed when I moved from Tennessee to Virginia and discovered they don’t do early voting here. WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?! I let my office know I planned to come in late to give myself plenty of time. As a handed my daughter off to my mom and grandmother this morning, they reminded me my Grandad (who I loved dearly despite his politics) used to call rain on election day “republican voting weather.” That comment alone made me set my jaw in determination to get to the polls! I’m concerned for voter turn out in the area since there was no line at all when I arrived. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. I hope it picked up later in the day. Maybe more people would vote around here if they had EARLY VOTING!!!
Lorena
Waited for the rain to be more of a sprinkle than a deluge, then headed down to the polls. No line! Woohoo! Working from home definitely has its advantages. Unlike Nikki L., I am not worried about voter turnout here because during “rush hour” time when my husband voted, it was an hour long wait.
Julie
Julie voted before work!
Voted Early
Danelle
Know how to vote electronically? Check! Know how to flip a photo on my phone so my “I Voted” sticker looks right? NOPE!
Laura
I early voted today with my little buddy. If I can drag my post-surgery butt out and vote you literally have no excuse not to!
Beth
Dragged my husband down the street to the early voting place – shout out to the State of Tennessee which has historically low voter turnout, but to combat that makes it pretty easy to cast a vote – and then I made a cluttered insta story. #BLUE
Up in the Air
Nikki & Bekah
Nikki & Bekah didn’t actually vote in the air but voted before they rushed to the airport and boarded flights for Texas where they are speaking at a conference!
