One Week Ago, Today 

Hello Indivisible Citizens of Catawba Valley,

It’s another Take Action Tuesday from the ICCV Legislative Committee. One week ago today, voters overwhelmingly rejected the oligarchy, the corruption, and the grift occurring across the country at the state and national levels. While counting is still ongoing, and some races are still too close to call, voters turned out in record numbers to say “no” to the administration’s agenda. Exit polls pointed to corruption and affordability as voters’ primary concerns. Nationally, with Democratic majorities in both the House and the Senate, we can and should expect our legislators to launch investigations and to hold individuals and institutions accountable for their actions. https://www.insidepoliticallaw.com/2026/11/05/what-the-2026-exit-polls-signal-for-democratic-investigations-in-congress/

In the North Carolina General Assembly, Democrats took the majority in the State House of Representatives and broke the Republican supermajority in the Senate. There are still races to watch, so the final outcome may be a Republican simple majority or an even 25-25 split. In any event, it will be much more difficult for the incoming General Assembly to override Governor Stein’s vetoes. https://www.wardandsmith.com/article/a-new-balance-of-power-in-the-nc-general-assembly-ward-and-smiths-2026-midterm-elections-report

While some wins are so decisive as to be almost certain, some races are too close to call. There are still outstanding provisional ballots to be cured and counted. State law requires ballots to be cured by 12 noon on the 5th business day after the election, which is noon today.https://ballotpedia.org/Cure_period_for_absentee_and_mail-in_ballots#statebystate-northcarolina-33

The Catawba County Board of Elections is scheduled to meet today, November 10 at 4:00 PM, to approve provisional ballots and other business. The county canvass, during which results are finalized, is scheduled for November 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Once the canvass is complete, it is sent to the North Carolina State Board of Elections for statewide canvassing and certification.

Catawba County Board of Elections meetings are held at the Board office at 145 Government Drive, Newton, and are open to the public.

The statewide canvass is scheduled for November 24, 2026. Plans are underway for a demonstration at Halifax Mall in Raleigh to hold the state Board accountable for counting every vote and certifying the results. We are still investigating the possibility of chartering a bus or van to attend this rally. If you would be interested in going, please reply to iccvlegislation@gmail.com

The United States House and Senate are scheduled to be sworn in on January 3, 2027.

The North Carolina General Assembly swearing-in will be on January 13, 2027.

In the meantime, it is important that we:

·      Rest. It’s been a long and difficult 2 years as we have collectively resisted the authoritarian push. Take some time and do something you enjoy, that you haven’t had time to do in a while. I’m going to take naps and spend time in nature.

·      Stay Alert. It is still 2 months until the newly elected Congress and General Assembly are sworn in. During that time, the same representatives that we have been calling, emailing, and begging to listen are still in office. It’s likely that they will “push the envelope” with restrictive legislation during this time. ICCV Legislative Committee will keep you informed as action is required. Let us know if you have concerns that you would like us to consider.

·      Get ready. Even after the new legislators are sworn in, it is our job as citizens to make sure that they are representing “we the people,” not corporations and billionaires. We will remain vigilant and loud. It will be important to support good legislation and make our priorities clear. Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.

WHAT TO DO and HOW TO DO IT

If you voted early in-person, check to be sure your vote was accepted. You do this the same way you check your voter registration. Go to https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/, enter your information and scroll down to make sure your ballot was accepted.  If you voted on election day, this information may not show up for a week or so.

The General Assembly is scheduled to return to Raleigh on November 16, although it is unclear whether they will do so, or what their agenda will be. In a speech on Wednesday, Governor Stein told the outgoing legislature that the voters have spoken, and legislators do not need to return to Raleigh. https://www.carolinajournal.com/stein-touts-democratic-gains-lays-out-nc-priorities/  If they do return to Raleigh, we will be closely following their actions.

National Indivisible has specific asks of incoming Democratic legislators in Washington. The time has come for new leadership, so please reach out to Senator-Elect Roy Cooper * and tell him:

·      Do not give Senator Schumer a coronation. Which Senator will fight for what the voters have said they want? Call for a public discussion and a leader who will focus on the issues.  

·      End the war in Iran. Not one more penny to the war machine.

·      Restore Medicaid funding and the ACA subsidies.

·      End the filibuster.

·      Stop funding ICE and make drastic changes to the agency, its policies, and its illegal  practices.

*Senator-Elect Cooper does not have an office in Washington yet. You can email info@roycooper.com or call 919-200-0768 to voice your concerns.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Annual ICCV Friendsgiving – Thursday, November 19, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Green Park Dentistry.https://www.indivisibleccv.org/calendar

It’s time to celebrate the relationships we have developed over these past 2 years and all that we have accomplished together! We hope to see you there!

Our mutual aid for this event will be collecting supplies for gift bags for seniors in the Catawba County Meals on Wheels program.

Suggested items for Meals on Wheels goody bags:
Easy-to-eat snacks (pudding, applesauce, cookies, etc.)
Toilet paper
Tissues Unscented lotion or soap
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Non-slip gripper socks
Fleece Lap blankets or Small Throws
Large print word search or activity books
Adult coloring books with colored pencils

Important guidelines:
All food must be store-bought, individually wrapped, and easy to chew and swallow.
Please, no homemade food or re-wrapped store-bought food.
Please avoid hard or sticky candy.
Please avoid candles or any other potential fire hazards.

Please contribute what you can. It is not necessary to bring filled bags. Mutual Aid will arrange to pack the goody bags and deliver to the Meals on Wheels office.

Vote counting and ballot curing is ongoing. As of now, we are not aware of any significant shenanigans or efforts to interfere with election certification in our area. National Indivisible recommended that we have a plan for rapid response mass mobilization if needed. Please make sure we have your current contact information, including phone number.

This week’s quote:

“We're still a nation comprised of good and decent people whose fundamental values of tolerance, compassion, and fair-play guide and direct the decisions of our government.”

~ Ronald Reagan

I think we have demonstrated the truth of that statement, but there is more work to be done.

Thank you for everything you do to protect our democracy! 

ICCV Legislative Committee        

“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”