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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T190000
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UID:62274-1773169200-1773172800@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Hands Off Our Ballots: Safeguarding The 2026 Midterms
DESCRIPTION:Democracy doesn’t defend itself—and the road to the 2026 midterms is already a battlefield. \nIn this BigTentUSA spotlight event\, legal experts Joyce Vance and Marc Elias\, moderated by Reed Galen\, broke down the growing threats to free and fair elections and what citizens can do right now to push back. The speakers warned that MAGA-aligned forces are laying the groundwork to challenge election results long before ballots are cast—through lawsuits\, state-level rule changes\, and coordinated efforts to undermine trust in the system. Elias highlighted how the courts remain a critical front line in protecting voting rights\, while Vance emphasized the broader rule-of-law stakes if election subversion tactics succeed. Both stressed that vigilance\, legal accountability\, and civic engagement are essential in the months ahead. \nThe takeaway was clear: safeguarding democracy in 2026 won’t happen automatically—it will require informed citizens\, organized communities\, and relentless defense of the rules that keep elections free and fair. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nMarc Elias is the Firm Chair of Elias Law Group.  Marc has successfully argued and won four cases in the U.S. Supreme Court\, as well as dozens of cases in state supreme courts and U.S. courts of appeal. In 2020\, Marc led the historic legal effort to protect voting rights\, winning over 60 lawsuits against MAGA’s efforts to suppress the vote. Marc is the founder of Democracy Docket\, the leading platform for advocacy and information about voting rights\, elections\, redistricting and democracy. \nJoyce White Vance is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Alabama\, a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC\, and the author of the Civil Discourse newsletter. She co-hosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and Insider with Preet Bharara. A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama under President Obama. Joyce lives in Alabama with her husband\, retired Judge Robert Vance Jr.\, their four kids\, a collection of pets—and she knits\, a lot. \nReed Galen is an independent political strategist\, co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, and currently serves as the President of The Union\, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers\, organizers\, and local leaders to support decent\, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership\, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/hands-off-our-ballots/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Recap_Marc-Elias_Joyce-Vance.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T220747
CREATED:20260309T200933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T192003Z
UID:62452-1773921600-1773925200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Cornhuskers Countdown: Nebraska and the 2026 Midterms
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, March 19\, BigTentUSA convened a TentTalk discussion highlighting the political stakes in Nebraska ahead of the 2026 midterms. \nWith Aaron Parnas as moderator\, independent candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Osborn pointed to rising living costs and a worsening economic outlook for farmers—driven by flawed economic policies and tariffs—as the defining pressures shaping voter sentiment. He made clear that these challenges are fueling a growing demand for change—and that voters have the power to demand better. \nOsborn called for meaningful campaign finance reform\, arguing that local races should not require massive sums of money and that elected officials must remain accountable to constituents\, not special interests. As a longtime registered Independent\, he also urged participants to think beyond party lines and actively support candidates based on their ideas\, integrity\, and experience. The conversation positioned Nebraska as a critical proving ground for a broader movement toward accountability and reform. \nOsborn closed with a powerful call to action\, encouraging immediate support for Nebraskans affected by the largest wildfire in the state’s history—and reminding everyone that showing up for one another is where real change begins. \nSupport Nebraskans affected by the wildfires: \n\nNebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund\nNebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief Fund\nUnited Way of Western Nebraska\nAmerican Red Cross Nebraska Region\nThe Salvation Army\nNebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund\n\n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nDan Osborn is a steamfitter and former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg’s strike in Omaha in 2021. As president of the Bakery\, Confectionery\, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G\, he successfully negotiated wage increases and prevented implementation of a two-tier wage system for over 1\,400 workers. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three\, Osborn has spent the last 20 years punching a clock as a steamfitter and industrial engineer\, work that he continues to do while campaigning for Senate. He is running as an independent candidate focused on economic issues affecting working families. \nAaron Parnas is one of the leading Gen Z voices shaping how news is consumed today. An independent journalist\, political commentator\, strategist\, and attorney\, Aaron has quickly become a key figure in the national political conversation\, offering sharp insights at the intersection of law\, media\, and policy. \nHe first gained widespread attention through viral\, educational content that breaks down complex political issues in a fast\, accessible way—particularly resonating with younger\, highly engaged audiences. His rapid-response analysis of major court decisions\, legislative battles\, and election narratives has made him a trusted voice for millions across platforms.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/cornhuskers-countdown/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Recap_Dan-Osborn_Aaron-Parnas.webp
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