Who Writes The Rules
Overview: Episode 9
L. Joy is back on the porch thinking about the constant political chaos with court rulings dropping daily, government shutdown threats, manipulated maps, and state legislatures advancing restrictive laws. She reminds us that the chaos is designed, not inevitable. With thirty-six governors, forty-six state legislatures, and countless local offices on the ballot in the 2026 midterms, and we have to power to design a better future for us all by engaging with who writes the rules around how we vote. L. Joy brings CEO and Executive Director of VoteRiders, Lauren Kunis, to the front of the class for this conversation.
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Lessons from the Porch
The people who write the rules shape our democracy.
State and local elections determine how voting and government work.Voting barriers are policy choices.
Many obstacles to voting are created by laws—not by voters themselves.Coalitions build lasting power.
Real change happens when communities organize and work together.Democracy grows when more people participate.
Expanding access to voting strengthens our democracy for everyone.
Begin to shape your vote plan for 2026 midterms:
Identify the races on your 2026 ballot—governor, state legislature, county positions, judges, DAs, and more. Use Ballotpedia or the Get Vote Ready Journal to map it out.
List the candidates, coalitions, and organizations in your community who share your values on democracy, access, and participation. Write it down—don’t just store it in your phone.
Use your Get Vote Ready Journal and other #SundayCivics tools to organize all this information—your values, the coalitions you’ll join, and the races you’re preparing for—so you can take strategic, informed action throughout the year.