Episode 3 - Power at the Ballot Box

Six months. That's what stands between us and the most consequential midterm election in a generation. On November 3rd, 2026, every House seat and 35 Senate seats will be decided. In Episode 3, host Keith breaks down exactly what's at stake, how the playing field has already been tilted — through redistricting, voter roll purges, and the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling — and where the progressive wave is rising to fight back. Democracy doesn't defend itself. This episode is about what you can do right now.Join our Substack to help support us: https://substack.com/@theprogressiverecordTopics covered:The math: Democrats need 3 House seats and 4 Senate seats — what that means and what's in playHow the VRA ruling is already reshaping congressional maps ahead of NovemberTrump floating canceling the elections — what was said and why it matters even as a "joke"The progressive candidates fighting back — Justice Democrats, Graham Platner in Maine, and the Workers Over Billionaires movementVoter roll purges and what's being done to suppress turnout before Election DayWhat you can do right now, six months outResearch & Sources:2026 Election Overview — Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_elections2026 Senate Races — Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Congress_elections,_2026Senate Races to Watch — NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/02/nx-s1-5806271/2026-midterm-elections-control-senate-raceHouse Race Analysis — 270toWin: https://www.270towin.com/2026-house-election/Senate Race Analysis — 270toWin: https://www.270towin.com/2026-senate-election/Trump Approval Ratings Crater — CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/30/election-2026-congress-scalise-republicans-house.htmlVRA Ruling Redistricting Impact — Stateline: https://stateline.org/2026/05/04/supreme-court-voting-rights-ruling-set-to-reshape-local-power-from-statehouses-to-school-boards/VRA Ruling & Minority Voters — Campaign Legal Center: https://campaignlegal.org/update/us-supreme-court-has-eviscerated-voting-rights-act-whats-nextTrump DOJ Targeting Minority Districts — Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-confirms-it-will-target-minority-voters-nationwide-after-supreme-court-ruling/Democrats' 2028 Redistricting Plans — Axios: https://www.axios.com/2026/05/01/supreme-court-voting-rights-2028-maps-democratsJustice Democrats 2026 Slate — ABC News: https://abcnews.com/Politics/progressive-group-rolls-2026-candidates-pitching-working-class/story?id=130285755Graham Platner & Maine Senate Race — NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/02/nx-s1-5806271/2026-midterm-elections-control-senate-raceMay Day Workers Over Billionaires Protests: https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/politics/2026/04/30/may-day-2026Voting Rights Advocates Fighting Back — TIME: https://time.com/article/2026/05/02/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-ruling-impact-south-advocates-fight/Voter Roll Purge Push — CNN Elections: https://www.cnn.com/election/2026Take Action:Check & register to vote: https://vote.govLook up your full ballot — Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.orgFight voter suppression — Campaign Legal Center: https://campaignlegal.orgFair Fight Action: https://fairfight.comNAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://www.naacpldf.org