Vote in Every Race on Your Ballot

October 27, 2026

There are people who are calling for voters to not vote for four Democratic candidates who have made odious statements against transsexual and transgender people during their campaigns. The purpose of this is to teach Democrats that taking an antitrans stance could cost them their election. If we were in a normal, non‑Trump, non‑MAGA election cycle, I would say, “You make a good argument—go for it!”

But we’re not in a normal election cycle. So to those people I say this: I beg you to reconsider. Every race is crucial to Democrats taking control of Congress. If you want Democrats to win “in a wave,” then you must vote in every race, even if the Democratic candidate has an abhorrent position on the issue of basic rights for transsexual and transgender people. We can’t count on Democrats winning without these candidates, no matter what the polls might be showing.

The most cruel statements these candidates made are clearly born of ignorance, which means that the candidates need to be educated. They can be persuaded by their colleagues—or by you—to rethink their positions and change their views, before or after they are in office. (Yes, I am making that argument. If, as you say, they took their antitrans turn after the primaries, then they are malleable. Work on them!) But you must vote for them. Some of these races will be close, and leaving a race blank in a red state or district is a vote for MAGA. If too may people leave these races blank, the MAGA candidates will win. How does that help anyone? The Trump administration is too dangerous to run the risk of the MAGA party retaining control of Congress.

We cannot afford to be one‑issue voters in this election. No candidate is perfect. Some are deeply flawed on one issue—whether it’s trans rights, Israel/Palestine, or something else—but acceptable on others. Do hold your nose if you have to and vote for the Democrat. Then write to them and tell them that you voted for them with great reluctance. Tell them why: why you disagree with their position, why they should change it, and why this is so important. Tell them about your life and how their position affects you and others. Remind them: the Democratic party is supposed to be the party of the big tent. Hold them to that. Insist that the party protect the rights of every American. We the People means ALL the People. Be specific, be passionate (but be courteous so they pay attention). Or make an appointment to meet them at their local office to discuss your concerns. Take a list of discussion points and stay focused so the representative won’t feel that their time is being wasted. Again, be courteous and respectful—teach by example.

If you want the Democrats to win the biggest majority they can, then you must vote for every Democratic candidate on your ballot. Remember: three House representatives and one Senator cannot pass laws alone, and they will be outnumbered (and with your help, persuaded) by their more enlightened colleagues.

I do not accept the “I find this candidate repugnant, so I’m going to leave that race blank” argument. One of the reasons we have Trump II is that too many people couldn’t bring themselves to vote for a woman of color (or maybe any woman) for president. Or maybe they got their undies in a bunch because Biden pulled out of the race so late. That made me angry, but I voted for Kamala because leaving that race blank was not an option as far as I was concerned. The danger of Trump winning again was too great. But too may people took the “I’m not voting” attitude, and here we are.

And we will continue to live under the MAGA reign of terror if Democrats don’t win in big numbers. Your rights are not the only ones at stake. There are immigrants—and native‑born citizens—who are being arrested, detained, abused, and deported (not forgetting those who have died) because of what they look like, not because of any crime they committed. There are millions of people who have lost SNAP benefits and health insurance. They have the right to eat and to receive medical care when they need it, don’t they? It’s not just you. It’s a whole lot of people who are being denied their constitutional and human rights under this regime. And their rights could be a matter of life and death, as could yours. If you want your rights protected, you must vote on behalf of everyone else, too.

When you skip a race, you waste your vote, and your vote is too valuable to waste. Our right to vote is itself under threat. The Trump administration (and its judicial allies) is trying to disenfranchise voters and impugn election results while voting is still going on. Even if their attempts are thwarted, they will continue to interfere in any way they can. And we know from experience that Trump won’t accept defeat without a fight.

I cannot emphasize this enough: the Trump administration is too dangerous for anyone to skip any race on their ballot for any reason. To put any kind of restraints on Trump, Miller, Vought, Hegseth, RFK Jr., et al., Democrats must win the largest majorities possible in the House and the Senate. And, yes, that means voting for repugnant Democrats if we have to. You must vote in every race on your ballot.


Essay: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/dont-vote-for-the-worst-anti-trans