WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Our movement for justice and freedom has endured through many moments of defeat and marched forward to victory after victory. Now is the time to do the same, Progressive Maryland's executive director counsels. Our movement’s strength is not dictated by the electoral success of any single candidate -- it is determined by all of us as we work every day to make our state and our country a closer reflection of the values we share. In going forward a powerful lesson from this cycle must be: Never again to trust the Maryland corporate-Democrat machine -- instead we must build our own independent political structure outside of the Democratic Party.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO THINK YOU WILL LET RAINY WEATHER SENTENCE YOU TO FOUR MORE YEARS OF LARRY HOGAN. THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE COUNTING ON IT.

Rain is forecast tomorrow-- on Tuesday, Election Day.

Are Republicans counting on Maryland’s rainy Election Day weather to benefit their candidates? Or is that just a rumor?

Check out what a 2007 study found, after surveying the election outcomes and local weather at the level of county by county for presidential elections from 1948 to 2000.

And how much do you need to know about Larry Hogan before you move from “Not so bad” to “get OUT of here”? Here are a few reminders about why "not so bad" is wrong. He's bad -- for everyone except his rich corporate friends.

No matter the phase in the election cycle, says Prince George's activist John Mitchell, canvassing can seem like drudgery. "Most doors you knock on will not be opened. Many people who answer will be unimpressed with your presence. But in my experience, the wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded citizens is very rewarding."

TODAY is the next-to-biggest enchilada – the last day of Early Voting.  Cast your ballot tomorrow or cast your fate to the winds next Tuesday. Sure, you can vote on Election Day – and more people still do it that day. If that’s your plan, be extra good at planning.

"We have an amazingly well qualified, energetic person like Ben Jealous challenging [Larry] Hogan’s don’t-rock-the-boat principles -- which are not helping this state," says Linda Neuman. Hogan "went into hiding after Trump's inauguration, refusing to say a word about Trump."

EARLY VOTING IS STILL UNDERWAY -- UNTIL THURSDAY --check out our posts at the foot of this newsbreak for detailed (and oft-repeated) advice on why Early Voting is the gift that keeps on giving (until Thursday at 8 p.m.) and why we can build power and win this important election if we make the Blue Wave happen.

European voters, grateful for the power they get from weekend voting, would be really grateful for our extra-long weekend for building power. Don’t waste it.

Voters in many other counties (Brazil, many European nations, even Afghanistan) have voting in national elections spread over a weekend.

WE HAVE AN EXTRA-LONG WEEKEND FOR VOTING – not only Saturday and today, Sunday (until 8 p.m.) but also Monday-- AND Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, all Early Voting days. Let's make every day matter.

Early voting in Maryland began yesterday (Thursday, October 25). It continues till next Thursday, Nov. 1 INCLUDING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, Oct. 27 and 28. Check the messages about Early Voting and its advantages from candidates and advocates, and Plan to Vote -- then help your friends, neighbors and community to make their voices heard too.

After a year of briefings, community meetings, and forums, the Prince George’s County Council voted Tuesday night [Oct 23] to establish a Fair Elections program for County Executive and County Council races. The Fair Elections Bill now heads for the County Executive's desk. Prince George's has joined Montgomery and Howard counties, the District of Columbia and (soon) Baltimore City in taking steps to get big money and its influence out of local elections. Progressive Maryland and Progressive Prince George's have worked hard as a part of the Fair Elections Maryland Coalition to see this democratizing bill passed.