This is the Nov. 3 edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered straight to your inbox Monday through Friday.

Hello, “Morning Joe” Family!

We love hearing from you. Here’s what was on your mind this week. As always, you can write to us any time.

MAILBAG

How well prepared do you think the Democrats and other organizations are to ensure they are able to respond to any shenanigans at the polls on Tuesday?

—  Deborah T., Flossmoor, Ill.

Democrats and third-party groups have been effective over the past year preparing for Election Day.

Donald Trump has done everything possible in trying to rig the election, cancel mail-in balloting, disenfranchise millions of voters at the polls, and disrupt the peaceful process of electing members of Congress.

Fortunately, attorneys like Marc Elias and Skye Perryman have spent the better part of two years ensuring that all of Trump’s efforts would fail. They keep getting support from federal courts, which consistently rule against Donald Trump and the Justice Department’s attempts to federalize these elections.

The next challenge comes after the last polls close. We will see if the president predictably blames losses on stolen elections. If so, Democrats must be fierce and aggressive in pushing back on those claims. Trump’s lies cannot be allowed to fester as they did after Jan. 6.

Democracy remains on the line.

In the beginning of Trump’s second term we saw people and institutions “obey in advance.” Trump’s firewall is starting to fail and now many people are starting to feel more courageous. When and where did this change start and who do you think is responsible for the shift?

— Joe G., Frankenthal, Germany

Historians will likely look back to what unfolded on the streets of Minneapolis, where tough patriots braved freezing temperatures, to go out and protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s seizure of their city streets. Tragically, two Americans were gunned down in their hometown, and many others were beaten and brutalized.

Their bravery and those sacrifices turned the tide in Minneapolis and sent a message across the country that this president could be stopped.

We have now seen universities and law firms starting to fight back. Members of the media have remained strong and steadfast in telling the truth about the Trump administration. Even some Senate Republicans have refused to go along with the president’s worst policies.

Much work is left to be done before we fully restore the rightful balance of Madisonian democracy that Americans enjoyed before Donald Trump entered the White House. Here’s hoping that today’s elections help revive checks on presidential power, bringing to office leaders from all parties whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the United States rather than an 80-year-old politician.

Please explain the mindset of people who always, no matter who or what, vote a straight party ticket without even thoughtfully considering other viewpoints. Considering the current state of our country, why are MAGA types still blindly following Trump? I don’t get it.

— Karen L., Cleveland, Ohio

Karen, I do not understand how a movement built on taking care of workers, keeping prices lower, and staying out of foreign wars could still be aligned with a politician like Donald Trump.

He promised to release the Epstein files. He lied.

He promised to stay out of foreign entanglements. He lied.

He promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day in office. He lied.

He promised to bring the cost of living down. He lied.

He promised to drain the swamp. He lied to the tune of billions, enriching himself and his family.

I don’t understand their thinking because my loyalty is not to politicians and political parties. It is to making America a better place to live. I wish all Americans would put country over party when exercising their sacred right to vote.

What was your favorite Election Day surprise?

— Megan H., Boston

This one is personal.

In 1994, I ran as a young outsider trying to make my way to Congress. I was the underdog in our primary and expected to finish fifth. I won.

In the general election, I faced a member of Pensacola’s most established political family. As an unknown, no one gave me a chance. On the Friday before the election, our final poll had me losing by a few points.

When I began watching the returns come in on election night, the local channel had me winning by more than 30 percentage points. I called a friend at the station and said they had the numbers reversed. I had to be the one losing by 30.

My friend’s response: “No, Congressman. Our numbers are right. It looks like you need to pack your bags and get ready for your move to Washington.”

Now that was an Election Day to remember. Let’s hope today’s results bring good news as well.

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