Dear Indivisible Kensington,

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the middle of September and we’re only 6 weeks away from the midterm election. Read on to learn some of what’s going on and how you can be involved.NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY – Save the Date: October 17
After more than a year of millions of people coming together to declare No Kings in America, we now have the opportunity to make our voices heard at the ballot box. No Kings: Vote Early is the next step to reclaiming our power from the corrupt billionaires and politicians who try to control our lives.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, people across the country will come together in a nationwide day of  nonpartisan voter participation to ensure that all eligible voters know how and where to vote in the upcoming November midterms, and that all votes are counted. Here in Kensington, we will gather on the Arlington and also at Colusa Circle from 12 noon until 2:00 pm to distribute flyers with voting information and to talk with community members about the importance of early voting. Watch out for the arrival of your ballot after October 5. And don’t be dismayed by the large number of propositions. Reliable help is widely available from sources such as Swing Left, Cal Matters and KQED.  

Why is early voting important? Since 2013 with the Supreme Court decision, Shelby County V Holder, that effectively gutted the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, there has been a concerted campaign of voter suppression, from gerrymandering to vote ID laws to restrictions on mail-in ballots to outright voter intimidation and attacks on elections workers. These efforts have intensified during the second Trump administration, with the result being a significant erosion of voting rights and growing mistrust of election results. Along with efforts to expose dis- and mis-information and to build rapid response networks to respond to election interference, early voting is one strategy for locking in your choice and demonstrating your determination to make your voice heard no matter what obstacles are placed in your way. It also gives you time to fix anything that goes wrong, such as a signature mismatch.

So please join us on October 17. Remember: power belongs to the people but only if we use it.Other Ways to Fight Voter Suppression:
Vote NO on Proposition 39, a voter suppression initiative framed as an innocent voter ID requirement. The proponents of this proposition have far outspent the opponents ($15.7M vs. $525K!), which in itself is telling about its backers. For more information, go to Cal Matters or this news report 

Volunteer with VoPro Pros (Voter Protection Pros):

VoPro Pros, whose tagline is “No Vote Left Behind”, is an all volunteer, all virtual organization whose goal is to ensure that every eligible voter can easily register to vote and cast a ballot, and where every election is conducted fairly. The organization staffs hotlines that respond to voters’ questions and problems about voter registration, voting concerns, ID requirements and more.  

A new hotline has just been established in Michigan, a state where the race for the Senate is a critical win for the Democrats. AIPAC and other big money PACs are doing everything in their power to defeat the Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and public health professional, former Rhodes scholar, and recipient of “Public Official of the Year”, who believes in getting money out of politics and Medicare for all. Voter turn-out is crucial in this race, and every vote matters. If you would like to help ensure that all Michigan voters have the opportunity to vote, please consider volunteering for a shift on the hotline. Training will be provided.

Finally, Fundraisers:

We know you’re getting inundated with requests for money and invitations to fundraisers in this election season but donations are one good way to contribute to the efforts to defeat Trump and Trumpism. Here are two great opportunities for spending your funds where they can have real impact.

Help Flip Iowa Blue:  Donate for Billboards 

As you’ve heard before, we have an active Indivisible Kensington team partnering with progressive groups and campaigns in Iowa where there is a good probability of flipping the Governor’s office (Rob Sand), the Senate seat (Josh Turek – check out the Obama endorsement video), and two House seats (Christina Bohannan and  Lindsay James) as well as down-ballot races.  Six of us will be in Iowa from September 24-30, canvassing with our partners, registering voters, and generally learning about the needs and hopes of Iowa voters.  We’ll report back in our next newsletter.

In the meantime, please consider contributing for three billboards across Davenport, Iowa (the hometown of Becky Stephens, one of our dedicated members of the IK leadership team).  Our goal is $2,730. The message on the billboards is GOTV and vote Democratic for change. 

Contribute what you can – every dollar helps. Together, we can reach our goal, amplify our message and help flip Iowa Blue. Please use this link. All funds will be earmarked for this billboard project.

Benefit for Flip the Vote

Our dear friends at Commit to Democracy, the group we get most of our postcards and names/addresses from, are holding a benefit for Flip the Vote, a non-profit that supports grassroots groups in swing states. The groups that receive support work year round to education and mobilize low-propensity Democratic voters. This work has been shown to increase voter turnout. Check out Flip the Vote here.   

The evening will include a short presentation by a Flip the Vote volunteer followed by discussion. This is a chance to connect with friends and fellow activist postcard writers.

When:  Saturday, September 27, 2026  
Time:  5:00-6:30
Where: Arlington Park Clubhouse (1120 Arlington Blvd, El Cerrito, CA 94530)
RSVP here

For more information, call 510-401-0095

There are many other ways you can make a difference this fall and help to reverse our slide into fascism. Check out the national Indivisible website for weekly to do’s and the Indivisible East Bay website for local actions, but this is enough for one newsletter.

Thanks for hanging in there and being part of the resistance.

In Solidarity,

Barbara and Robin for the IK Leadership Team