LITA 28: Trump's Attack on Mail Ballots and How Voter Suppression Wins Elections with Ethics Watchdog Aly Belknap from Common Cause
Ana and Deep sit down with Colorado Common Cause executive director Aly Belknap to break down the biggest threats facing Colorado’s 2026 election from federal pressure on mail voting and voter data to ICE at polling places and proposed ID changes. Aly explains why voter suppression, not voter fraud, is the bigger concern, how Common Cause is preparing through the Just Vote Colorado election protection coalition, and what voters should know about poll monitoring, community defense, and the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. They also touch on Common Cause’s recent ethics and voting-rights work before closing with Tea Time on Mike Johnston, Shontel Lewis, and the crowded race for Sarah Parady’s seat.
Introducing the LITA Newsletter on Substack: We're expanding. Deep and Ana are launching a Left in the Attic Substack with newsletters, hot takes we can't fit in the show, ballot guides, and a new column from Harshy Kaur Badhesha called "Harsh Takes." Subscribe to be the first to know at leftintheattic.substack.com/
LinksColorado Common Cause: commoncause.org/coloradoElection Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)Just Vote Colorado Coalition: https://www.justvotecolorado.org/ Democracy Defense Fundraiser Ace Eat Serve, Denver, September 23: https://www.commoncause.org/colorado/events/democracy-defense-fundraiser-for-colorado-common-cause/ Drag Out The Vote at Hamburger Mary's — October 8Save the date: Ballot Guide Event — September 30
Chapters
00:00 Voter Suppression Wins Elections
00:29 Show Intro And Housekeeping
01:48 Pumpkin Spice Debate
03:36 Meet Aly Belknap
04:08 From Twitter To Voter Engagement
07:11 What Common Cause Does
08:48 The Opportunity Caucus Complaint
17:21 Colorado's Secure Election System
21:07 Suing Colorado Springs
25:26 Trump's Attack On Mail Ballots
31:07 The Chaos Coming To Colorado
37:21 ICE At Polling Places
45:23 The Just Vote Colorado Coalition
49:30 How Community Defense Wins
50:34 866-OUR-VOTE Hotline
52:43 How To Sign Up As A Poll Monitor
54:19 Watch Out For Prop 362
57:28 Save The Date: Fundraisers
59:23 T-Time Begins
59:53 Introducing Harsh Takes
01:02:00 The 2027 Mayor Race Kicks Off
01:07:49 Mike Johnston's Launch Video
01:14:21 Shontel's Word Cloud Disaster
01:19:22 Ten Candidates For The Vacancy
01:21:28 Wrap And Subscribe
Meet Your Hosts
Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit (see civicallyfit.org) to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action.
Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.
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