The 2026 Firewall: What Democrats Are Doing, What They're Not, and What You Must Do About It

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #369

What Democrats Are Doing Right Now

You’ve got to give credit where it’s due: the Democrats aren’t just sitting around making speeches. They’re funding election oversight races like lives depend on it—because they do.

They’re throwing money into the trenches, not just into media buys and corporate consultants. That’s called targeting the real power levers.

But it won’t be enough unless they’re backed by people like you who don’t wait for permission to defend democracy—they demand it.

Because let’s be clear—funding oversight races isn’t just politics, it’s preemptive defense.

It’s how you block the next batch of fake electors before they ever touch a ledger. It’s how you stop voter roll purges…ballot sabotage…and certification showdowns before they happen.

If we don’t rally behind this effort like our rights depend on it—because they do—then we’re handing the steering wheel to the same operatives who tried to drive democracy off a cliff in 2020.

The fight isn’t in 2026. It’s now. And it’s yours.

1. Funding Key Election Oversight Races

• Democratic Association of Secretaries of State is investing $40 million into 2026 races in battlegrounds like Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, and Ohiovanityfair.com+9democracydocket.com+9nymag.com+9theguardian.com.

• The goal: ensure offices handling certification, voting rules, audits, and logistics remain in Democratic hands to resist future hardline Republican shifts.

2. Defending Against Harmful Federal Legislation

• Senate Democrats (Schumer, Padilla, Klobuchar, Reed) delivered a “dead on arrival” blow to the SAVE Act, which would have required passports or birth certificates to register, a direct attack on voter access glamour.com.

• Their stand not only stopped suppressive mandates but also sent a signal: Democrats will block legislation that targets marginalized voters.

3. Legal Pushback on Trump‑Era Tactics

• Biden DOJ, despite pressures, under prior admin, pivoted to defend voter access and civil rights—neutralizing Republican lawsuits over minor technicalities fairvote.org+15apnews.com+15reddit.com+15.

• Democratic attorneys and groups like Democracy Docket continue to file survivable lawsuits to overturn or blunt damaging voting law changes vanityfair.com.

4. Selective Bipartisan Gains

• Across the country, Democrats are making common-ground agreements. Notably in Nevada:

  • Legislature passed a compromise voter‑ID + expanded drop‑box bill.

  • Provides free digital IDs before the 2026 midterms vanityfair.com+12apnews.com+12blogs.lse.ac.uk+12.

• These deals signal a willingness to protect access while meeting observers halfway.

5. Midterm Candidate Strategy

• DCCC is strategically targeting 35 vulnerable Republican-held House seats—including Florida special contests—as Democrats expand their bench and gain ground apnews.com+1vanityfair.com+1washingtonpost.com.

• This proactive campaigning builds both momentum and accountability ahead of 2026.

This is what it looks like when a party starts to remember how to fight. Not perfectly. Not fast enough. But finally with clarity.

They're investing in gatekeepers…blocking bad legislation…and lawyering up where it counts. But this is only the beginning.

Because $40 million and a few good lawsuits won’t mean a damn thing if we don’t match it with pressure, turnout, and relentless public demand.

They’ve opened the door. Now it’s on you—the citizen, the operator, the backbone of this democracy—to blow it off the hinges and walk through with purpose.

The fight isn’t over. It’s just getting coordinated.

Where Democrats Are Falling Short—And Why It’s a Risk

Here’s what drives me nuts: Democrats are out here winning battles and losing wars.

They’ve got the legal firepower…the data…the donors—but not the damn spine to force national protections across the finish line.

They keep waiting for “momentum.”

Let me clue you in: momentum is built, not waited on. Every day they delay, authoritarians dig deeper trenches.

We don’t need more analysis—we need action. We need loud…unapologetic…can’t-ignore pressure from the bottom up.

1. Not Moving John Lewis‑level Voting Rights Legislation

• The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other Voting Rights Act updates are stalled in the Senate, well short of the 60-vote threshold en.wikipedia.org.

• Without federal protections (e.g. pre-clearance, private lawsuits), states may enact restrictive laws unchecked—it’s leaving the foundation of democracy dangerously thin.

2. Limited Enforcement of Election Audits & Security Protocols

• There's no federal mandate pushing all battleground states to implement risk-limiting audits (RLAs) or uniformly update election systems en.wikipedia.org.

• While groups like Verified Voting are advising, formal legislative structures haven’t followed. This weakens confidence in certification.

3. Weak Messaging on State Voting Rights Acts

• Many states have passed robust Voting Rights legislation—e.g. New York, Connecticut, Minnesota—which go beyond federal law protectthevote.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12en.wikipedia.org+12.

• Republicans are advancing ultra-restrictive bills (e.g. SAVE Act, Georgia-type laws), but the Dem position lacks national clarity and cohesion.

4. Slow to Counter GOP Federal Orders

• Trump’s executive orders (EOs) are already causing confusion (e.g. new ID rules, decertification, cybersecurity strain) .

• Democrats are reacting—but not proactively shaping policy or funding responses at scale.

5. Lagging Voter Support Infrastructure

• NGOs like VoteRiders are filling the gap—helping voters get IDs through transportation, info, document fee coverage—but this remains largely outside government support en.wikipedia.org.

• There’s no coordinated federal or state campaign to ensure all voters can meet ID requirements promptly.

“But Jack, is there really anything Democrats can do right now with things like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act?”

Bottom Line:

As of June 2025, Democrats cannot pass the John R. Lewis Act under current Senate rules—they are short of 60 votes. However, they can pursue several strategic paths:

• Push for filibuster reform or carve-outs specific to voting rights.

• Use procedural norms like the “nuclear option” at the start of a new Congress.

• Pack public pressure and advocacy to compel wavering Senators.

• Embed reforms in budget processes requiring only a simple majority.

Whether these tactics succeed depends on intra-party unity…strategic timing…and public mobilization—all variables unfolding in the lead-up to 2026.

In other words, they need to roll up their damn sleeves and get more assertive.

Stop acting like the rules are carved in stone and start bending political steel like it’s rebar.

You don’t get to whine about obstruction when you’ve got tools like filibuster reform…budget riders…and procedural leverage just sitting in the toolbox.

If Republicans can shove tax cuts through reconciliation and stack courts with ruthless efficiency…then Democrats can damn well find the courage to protect the vote.

This isn’t about being polite—it’s about being effective. And if they’re not willing to fight smart…fight hard…and fight now…then they don’t deserve to lead a damn thing.

What Must Be Done—And It Has to Start Now

1. Pass National Voting Rights Legislation ASAP

• Mount an aggressive campaign for the John R. Lewis Act or other Voting Rights Act protections.

• Use public pressure and campaign framing to break the Senate blockade.

• Pressure Democratic senators in swing states—highlight potential shame if voter suppression scores a win.

2. Fund and Legislate Mandatory Audits

• Push for federal grants tied to states adopting risk-limiting audits (RLAs) and strengthening post‑election auditsen.wikipedia.org.

• Leverage the House majority to attach election‑security riders to major appropriations…tying funding to transparency metrics.

3. Launch a Voter Assistance Corps

• Organize a program to help eligible citizens get IDs: free transportation, DMV expedites, documentation support.

• Direct thousands of volunteers to key voter‑ID states—Arizona…Georgia… Wisconsin…Nevada—to ensure no legal voter is left out .

4. Oppose and Reverse Trump’s EO Disruptions

• Use House and Senate hearings to expose the chaos from Trump’s executive orders .

• Pass bills blocking these EOs or defunding unwanted mandates…enabling continued access to election support like cybersecurity assistance.

5. Amplify the Narrative—National Campaign

• Frame 2026 as a referendum on democracy: contrasting bipartisan threats with solutions.

• Run national ad buys, social campaigns, podcasts, and mailers showing how Republicans threaten voting rights—and how Democrats are taking action.

• Use swing‑state micro‑targeting and test “freedom to vote” messaging.

6. Protect & Win Secretary of State Seats

• Use the $40M funding to recruit, train, and defend candidates with integrity in battleground state SoS races fairvote.orgtheguardian.com.

• Host early‑primary forums, build coalitions (voting‑rights orgs + labor groups + activists), and make SoS races a top-tier national narrative.

This is not a wishlist. It’s a battle plan. You don’t wait until the fire’s at your doorstep to install the alarm—you move now, while there’s still time to fight on ground of your choosing.

Passing national voting protections. Funding forensic-level audits. Mobilizing voter assistance in every ZIP code where suppression thrives. That’s how you win.

Not with tweets. Not with vibes. With logistics…law…and relentless political warfare.

And if the other side is willing to rig the rules to stay in power…we sure as hell better be willing to enforce the rules to protect it.

You want a functioning democracy in 2026? Then start acting like it’s already under siege—because it is.

What You Must Do—Right Now

Waiting for someone else to fix this is how democracies die. We don’t need heroes—we need operators. You don’t have to organize a march or run for office.

You need to do the small things that multiply: call your senator, send ten emails, donate $20 to a local voter protection effort, help one person get a voter ID.

Don’t just talk about democracy. Prove you care. If you can click “Like” on a meme, you can click “Submit” on a petition or “Donate” to a fight worth funding.

1. Call and Email Your Senators & Representatives

   • Demand they reintroduce and vote yes on the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

   • Tell them you’ll hold them accountable if they let democracy slide for political convenience.

2. Volunteer with Election Assistance Efforts

   • Help organizations like VoteRiders, Verified Voting, and local civic outfits staff ID clinics.

   • Minimum commitment: one hour/week or one voter ID assisted monthly.

3. Donate to Donor‑Protected Election Integrity Funds

   • Contribute to nonpartisan groups empowering election security training or legal defense—e.g., Verified Voting Foundation, Democracy Docket, local cohort organizations.

4. Support Secretary of State Dems in Battleground States

   • Volunteer, donate, or help recruit credible candidates for AZ, MI, WI, NV, OH, PA.

   • Share content explaining the outsized impact these races have on future voting protections.

5. Spread the Word—Run #FreedomToVote Digital Campaigns

   • Repost stories on national voting‑rights developments with local calls to action.

   • Encourage friends to take “Call your senator” pledges or share local voter ID challenges.

If you’re tired of hand-wringing headlines and performative concern, good. Now do something.

Call your rep. Drag them across the finish line if you have to. They work for you…not the other way around. Demand legislation. Demand voter ID support programs.

Demand consequences for any Democrat who decides "keeping their seat" matters more than earning it.

This isn’t about “civic duty.” This is about operational readiness. Because if we don’t build the machine…the other side will drive right over us.

Why This Matters—Now

I don’t care how politically savvy you think you are—if you think we’ve got time, you’re already behind. The machinery of suppression is running. The gears are grinding.

The authoritarian right has spent decades gaming the system…and we’re over here debating talking points.

The 2026 midterms are not an election. They’re a firewall.

Lose it, and we lose the architecture of electoral reality itself. You can’t afford to be tired. You can’t afford to be silent. This isn’t political. It’s existential.

• 2026 midterms will decide control of House, Senate, and future federal protections.

• Republicans are already implementing structural suppression tactics—which they’ll escalate unless stopped vanityfair.com.

• With no preclearance, audit mandates, or legal defense in place, one bad GOP legislature or Trump action could shift thousands of votes, erode confidence, and distort outcomes.

• Your vote and your push—starting today—are democratic triage. This isn’t optional; it’s immediate.

Quick Reference Action Plan

Want to win? Then schedule the damn win.

I recently told a Navy shipmate of mine who asked…again…(he asked a year ago…but then “got too busy” to follow through,) what he could do to help, “I don’t want to hear about being overwhelmed. If you had time to binge-watch another Netflix documentary on ‘how democracy falls,’ you have time to follow this action plan. Two weeks from now..you should be able to say you called, donated…and recruited two more people who did the same. By fall…your local SoS candidate should have your name on a clipboard and your number on speed dial. Commit. Calendar it. Move!”

Date RangeAction:

Next 2 weeks:

Call-Senators@example: Voting Rights Adv Act vote; start donation.

Next month:

Volunteer at ID clinics; spread #FreedomToVote on social daily.

By Fall 2025:

GOTV events, SoS candidate support, midterm strategy town halls.

2026 Primary:

Post-primary assessments; fund/defend GOTV infrastructure.

Nov 2026:

Ensure robust turnout, legal oversight in real-time.

This is not just another election cycle. This is the election. Every single one from here on out must be treated like the only one that matters—for one simple reason: it is.

Authoritarians don’t need to win every time—they only need to win once with enough power to rig the game forever.

That’s the stakes. There’s no reset button. No second chances. You can’t wait for a “bigger moment” or a “more ideal” fight.

This is the fight. Right now.

And how you show up—for yourself, for your community, for democracy—will echo for the rest of your life. Mark the calendar. Burn the excuses. Go all in. Because if we lose this firewall, we don’t get to build another.

You made it this far. That means you’re not just a reader—you’re a fighter. But here’s the deal:

The real work starts behind the paywall. That’s where we’re going even deeper—tactics…briefings…survival blueprints…and no-BS playbooks for the battles ahead.

If this hit a nerve…if it lit a fire…and you want to be part of it…level up. Become a paid subscriber and join the front lines of this operation. Because reading about the fight is one thing. Backing it is another.

If you think this article mattered, wait until you see what I don’t post publicly.

The sharpest insights, the real strategy maps, the redacted pages the media won’t print—all of it begins going to my paid subscribers…starting tomorrow.

At least once a week…in an issue of the paid edition of the Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter, I will be bringing you what the mainstream media skipped..softened…or outright buried…or a court document that hasn’t been presented by the mainstream media.

I am digging up the redacted documents…the scrubbed exhibits…and the inconvenient facts…and other things like that…hiding in plain sight.

It could be any of the following:

• FOIA-based documents

• Ignored or soft-buried facts

• Screenshots or excerpts from documents the public can’t easily find

• Deconstruction of redacted material in real time

These are the pages they don't headline—but we do.

This isn’t just content. It’s weaponized information for people who plan to outlast… outwork…and outfight the chaos.

If that’s you—if you’re ready to be more than just informed—then hit the button and let’s get to work.

I’ll be back soon…with even more.

Warmly,

Jack