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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 9h

And I'm also hoping that these #NoKings protests this Saturday will turn anger into action - especially in some states where elections and deadlines to register to vote are getting closer and closer each day.

In other cases, this will prepare for the next one in 2026, and the next one, etc.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 9h

And I think we also need to contest every seat, let alone the funds needed to run a real campaign especially in the rural areas.

I just hope precinct chairs can be filled and that they can help recruit, train, fund, and support the candidates to reach out to potential voters in that district.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 10h

I would also add contact your state legislatures and tell them NO to efforts to require citizenship through legislation, constitutional amendment, ballot measures, etc. - and if states already have it, it's time for veto referendum signatures if allowed to overturn that requirement.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 10h

Hopefully the plaintiffs will challenge it in state and federal court with the hope that the map violates the VRA.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 10h

They can challenge it in court, but... no guarantees that a favorable ruling will happen given the composition of the state courts in North Carolina. And, litigation can take a long time meaning it could be unresolved in time for the 2026 midterm elections.

Every race down ballot matters big time.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 12h

I may not agree with some of his recruitment choices, but for certain states like North Carolina, Ohio, Alaska, etc., you want the best candidate to win.

In other states though, there are better choices to be honest - like Maine and Texas, to name a few.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 12h

That is true for the most part, but you also have to consider how many people did not vote in the previous elections including statewide. And turnout went down, so that in part needs to be taken into consideration.

Some states voter turnout was low, and non-voters could be persuaded into voting.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 12h

I just hope the Texas voters don't fall for deceiving ballot measures/constitutional amendments... sometimes the GOP likes to do it as an effort to mislead the voters by adding ballot candy or other things that aren't relevant and making that as a legislative ballot measure/constitutional amendment.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 12h

And then there's the flip side... what if you request a mail-in ballot and it doesn't arrive? What now? Maybe you might have to vote in person as a backup, and vote via provisional ballot, which you can't guarantee it will count.

We should have those conversations/preparations on this as well.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 12h

Time to vote Abbott out of office... once and for all. He's served for way too long and I hope the Democratic candidate that can emerge victorious in the primary will be able to beat him in the general come November next year.

I just hope it's a good one that we can rally upon to make it happen.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

And I would also check to see if your state allows ballot curing... most states do but some don't. So it's best to check and if any errors arise, please correct them ASAP so that the vote can be counted. Many people aren't aware of it and forget to correct the errors. ballotpedia.org/Cure_period_...

Cure period for absentee and mail-in ballots

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

And a good time to run for public office/fill the precinct chairs... the deadline to run for office in North Carolina for the 2026 midterm elections is December 19, 2025 at noon ET. Filing window opens on December 1, 2025 at noon ET.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

I expect lawyers in NC are ready to file a lawsuit in court if this new GOP gerrymandered map is passed. And Josh Stein can't veto this either.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

Term limits in Congress needs to be something that has to be taken into consideration - not having term limits means people can run for re-election again and again, while having them can allow more open and competitive primaries to occur. And I think age limits should be looked at as well...

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

That means recruiting in Louisiana's house races, local races in Louisiana... hundreds or even thousands of votes could be added - and the funds/resources needed to run an actual campaign.

So while disappointment ensues, I hope they can find someone good as John Bel Edwards to run for the seat.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 13h

At the same time I think those on the left would like to prefer liberal/progressive candidates to run rather than centrist candidates that are like a Joe Manchin/Kyrsten Sinema type of Senator who vote against certain key issues.

But even with the best candidate, you need to recruit everywhere.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

How is that helpful? The blame is on the GOP, especially the House who are on vacation and won't come back into session to release the Epstein files and swear her (#AZ07) in.

Meanwhile the Dems have been doing live streams, interviews, town halls, posting, etc.

Why not amplify the messaging?

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

Speaking of Speaker Johnson, it's time for someone to challenge him in the 2026 midterm elections. Conrad Cable has so far declared a run, and he might show up at the local No Kings rally in Louisiana. Hopefully more will step up and run not just in that district, but across Louisiana.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

Please New Yorkers - this would be a good time to vote for Zohran Mamdani after this protest below. I can only imagine what it will be like come October 18 when the protests will be huge.

Also, the deadline to register to vote in New York is October 20 (mail-in), October 25 (online/in person).

Indivisible Brooklyn @bkindivisible.bsky.social · 3d

Bring it @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
🔥🔥!!

@indivisible.org @riseandresist.bsky.social @nywfp.bsky.social @50501movement.bsky.social @50501newyork.bsky.social

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Reposted by Graig Mellon

Indivisible Brooklyn @bkindivisible.bsky.social · 3d

Bring it @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
🔥🔥!!

@indivisible.org @riseandresist.bsky.social @nywfp.bsky.social @50501movement.bsky.social @50501newyork.bsky.social

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

That rule needs to be changed... either it can be done by legislation, by a constitutional amendment, or states request a constitutional convention.

Oregon has a rule that if you have 10 unexcused absences, you are not eligible for re-election. I think maybe that model should be used in Congress.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

And I would say for those of you in Missouri who are going to protest on October 18th - please sign the veto referendum petition and get the protesters to sign it as well so that the groups can reach their goal to block the new GOP map until the referendum vote is held. bsky.app/profile/trum...

TrumpsTaxes @trumpstaxes.com · 2d

Seems like a no-brainer for signature-gathering efforts at any and all No Kings rallies in Missouri on October 18th.

I’m sure @peoplenotpolsmo.bsky.social are all over it!

bsky.app/profile/mell...

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 2d

Let's hope they show up at a local No Kings rally in Missouri, or more next Saturday so that protesters can sign the referendum vote and also encourage other folks to do the same thing.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

I would say to the DCCC, the DSCC, the DLCC, as well as state and local Democratic party chairs and leadership... please recruit, train, fund, and support the Democratic candidates, or in the alternative, we need to reach out to people you know to run for office or become a precinct chair locally.

Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 1d

We do still need to make sure that down ballot, there's a Democratic candidate to run everywhere. Even if you get the best candidates up top, it won't mean anything unless you contest every seat and provide the funds needed to run a real campaign - especially if close races could be decided by it.

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Graig Mellon @mellongraig.bsky.social · 2d

Let's hope they show up at a local No Kings rally in Missouri, or more next Saturday so that protesters can sign the referendum vote and also encourage other folks to do the same thing.