What Now? Disability Advocacy After the Election

Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter on November 3, before the election results are known. With so much uncertainty, it can be a scary place to be. I find comfort in the history of the disability community. We have deep roots in solidarity and standing together to get things done, even in dark and unpredictable times.

The people who came before us fought their way out of institutions, into schools and workplaces, and demanded the right to live meaningful lives. They drew a map that can help guide us today. Their example reminds us that regardless of the election results, our work together continues and our community remains our greatest source of strength. We know that we keep us safe.

By the time you read this, the votes will have been cast, the ballots counted and the winners declared. I suspect there will be many mixed emotions, including joyful victories and difficult losses. Those moments are worth celebrating or mourning, but we must also keep our focus on what comes next.

We are in a political era where voting alone is not enough to sustain our community. Choosing who represents us is only the beginning of the work required to protect our rights and maintain home- and community-based services. Regardless of who each of us voted for, we share a goal of building a vibrant and abundant world for people with disabilities. No matter who won, we will need to work together to protect what matters and create meaningful change.

What Now?

So, what now?

Saving the future of disability rights and services can feel overwhelming, especially as the holiday season approaches. Let’s start with three steps that can help us prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

Build relationships

Who was newly elected in your community? A new senator or representative? A new city council member?

Reach out and get to know them before they take office. Tell them your story. Share the issues that matter to you and how their decisions may affect the disability community.

At the same time, take time to get to know them. Ask why they ran, which issues matter most to them and what they hope to accomplish in their first year. These conversations can help build relationships and identify common ground.

Get Involved

Reach out to disability organizations you trust. Many are already planning their legislative agendas for 2027, and they want community input.

Find out what issues they are working on and ask how you can help. Passing legislation requires many different skills, including public speaking, community organizing, scheduling meetings and conducting research. There is a place for everyone.

Find Joy

One of the strongest arguments for supporting the disability community is the example of people living full and joyful lives.

We can find joy by gathering in community, practicing self-care, creating art or simply living the lives we choose. Joy is not separate from advocacy. It helps sustain the world we are working to create.

Remember that any political outcome, no matter how you feel about it, is temporary. The heart of this work has always been our community and the people around us.

So, friends, let’s get to work.

In solidarity,

Jillian Nelson
Legislative Affairs Director

Election Results at a Glance

Minnesota voters elected candidates to statewide offices, the Legislature and local offices across the state during the November. 3, 2026, general election. The following statewide results were available when this post was published.

• Governor: Amy Klobuchar was elected governor.
• Attorney General: Keith Ellison was reelected attorney general.
• Secretary of State: Steve Simon was reelected secretary of state.
• State Auditor: Zack Filipovich was elected state auditor.

Voters also elected members of the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House of Representatives. Following the election, Democrats held a majority in both chambers, with 39 seats in the Senate and 77 seats in the House.

At the federal level, Minnesota voters elected Peggy Flanagan to the U.S. Senate. Minnesota’s eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives were split between five Democrats and three Republicans.

For complete election results, visit:

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