Hi friends,
In recent midterms, turnout has ranged from about 42% to 53% so your vote can have double the impact. And get 10 friends and family to vote and look at the impact!
“It’s only one vote.”
That thought is understandable. We’ve all voted in elections decided by thousands, or tens of thousands, of ballots. It can be hard to feel that MY vote is important.
Then consider Maine’s 2024 election for state House District 141. The official results recorded 2,478 votes for Lucas Lanigan and 2,477 for Patricia Kidder. The difference was one vote.
Of course not every election will come down to one ballot. It does show why “my vote matters.”
Races that close are not common, but they are real. Ballotpedia identified 64 state legislative races decided by fewer than 100 votes in 2024. In 2022, it counted 103.
Individual participation contributes to the total, and sometimes the final totals are extraordinarily close.
The Maine example also offers a reminder about assumptions. A big national lead, an encouraging headline, or a discouraging poll cannot tell us the outcome of every district. Each race has its own candidates and voters. Until ballots are cast and counted, a forecast remains a forecast.
For Texans: Monday, October 5, is the last day to register to vote in the November 3 election. In-person early voting begins Monday, October 19. If you have moved or are unsure what your registration record says, this is a sensible time to check your registration.
Check it yourself
The close race: Maine’s official legislative record lists the District 141 vote totals: Maine House election record.
The broader numbers: Ballotpedia’s 2024 close-race analysis.
Your registration: Scan. Check. Protect. offers a registration-record check. For an official Texas status check, use the Texas Secretary of State’s voter information page. If the records disagree, contact your county voter registrar.
Texas dates: Secretary of State’s 2026 election calendar.
One vote does matter. The Maine result is a good reason to take that one seriously.
As always, do your own research and make up your own mind.
White paper on land and water rights: Property Rights and Freedom: A White Paper on America’s Disappearing Land (8/13/2025)
United we stand. Divided we fall. We must not let America fall.
VoteTexas.gov, https://www.votetexas.gov/get-involved/index.html
Disclaimer:
As always, do your own research and make up your own mind. This Substack is provided for informational and commentary purposes only. All claims or statements are based on publicly available sources and are presented as analysis and opinion, not legal conclusions.
No assertion is made of unlawful conduct by any individual, company, or government entity unless such claims are supported by formal public records or verified legal documents. The views expressed here reflect my personal perspective on property rights and land use issues.
While I strive for accuracy and transparency, readers are encouraged to verify all details using the official sources and references provided. Any references to third-party material are included solely for your consideration and do not necessarily reflect my views or imply endorsement.
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