Daily Skimm Weekend: Voter Intimidation, Cookbooks, and Daylight Saving Time

Voter Intimidation 

The Final Countdown: On Tuesday, Nov 8, millions of Americans will cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm elections. It’s the first national election since the Jan 6 insurrection. And false claims of election fraud still run rampant — causing concerns about organized voter intimidation and threats of political violence before (and after) the midterms.

The Story

In recent weeks, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have sounded the alarm about intimidation and violence at the polls. With just three days to go until Election Day, states are already reporting incidents (see: Arizona, Pennsylvania, California). Not easing concerns: The far-right’s open embrace of violence as a tactic (see: Paul Pelosi, Jan 6) which has gotten worse in the last two years. So it’s no surprise that as many as 43% of registered voters are worried about intimidation or violence when they cast their ballot in the midterms, according to one poll.

What’s being done about it?

Election officials are bracing for potential issues. Think: In Georgia, there’s a new text service for poll workers to report threats and safety concerns. In Akron, OH, the city council just approved jail time for anyone who intimidates election workers. And across the country, extra security measures — including cameras, plexiglass, and panic buttons — have been set up at polling places and election offices. Though, officials say fear shouldn’t keep Americans from going to the polls. And there are steps you can take to feel prepped and ready...

• Knowing what voter intimidation looks like. Think: Someone aggressively questioning your citizenship, criminal record, and your voting eligibility. Or harassment of non-English speakers and BIPOC voters. Important to note: In most states, if someone challenges your right to vote, but you know you’re eligible, you can give a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. 

• Making a voting plan. Every state has different rules for voter ID, absentee ballots, and more. So be sure to double-check that you have everything you need to vote and the correct info about your voting location and hours. Reminder: If you’re in line ​​when polls close, don’t leave — you can still cast a ballot. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the potential for long lines, see if early voting in your state is still an option.

• Keeping these phone numbers handy. If you see something, say something. You can report an issue by calling: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español), 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance), or 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic). 

theSkimm

The stakes of the 2022 midterms are high. Rising voter intimidation and threats are just one illustration of how divided the country’s become. But it’s more important than ever to get out and vote on issues that matter to you. And to stay safe while making your voice heard.

PS: The results of these elections are up to the voters. Click here to learn more about how to make your vote count.

Bookmark'd

Here’s a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

Home Is Where Your Best Friend Is…warning: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll call your best friend.

America Has a Black Sperm Donor Shortage…more than a dozen Black women opened up about how that can complicate their pregnancy journey.

Pack Your Bags, We’re Moving to ‘Roku City’...it’s not real life, it’s not the metaverse, it’s a TV screen saver. 

50 States, 50 Abortions…how the changing abortion landscape impacted people across America.

Downtime

Downtime doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Here’s one idea for making the most of your weekend.

Earlier this week, the world learned that food writer Julie Powell passed away at 49. She rose to fame while chronicling her year-long project to cook every recipe in Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” — think, 524 recipes in 365 days — in a beloved blog. That led to a bestselling book, then a hit movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Now, people all over the world are mourning her loss.

One way to honor Powell’s legacy this weekend: By starting your own “cook-through” project — aka making your way through a whole cookbook. Of course, there’s always Julia’s classic. But here are a few others to consider… 

• “Go-To Dinners” by Ina Garten…this is the culinary — and cultural — icon’s 13th cookbook. And it’s inspired by the meals she relied on during the pandemic, when even she was exhausted from having to cook night after night. So there’s lots of recipes you can freeze ahead, make ahead, prep ahead, and enjoy as leftovers. 

• “California Soul” by Tanya Holland…the acclaimed chef of Brown Sugar Kitchen serves up more than 80 modern soul food recipes (think: Collard Green Tabbouleh, ​​Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake) with a bit of history as she highlights the ingredients, traditions, and techniques African American families brought with them during the Great Migration.

• “Korean American” by Eric Kim…this debut cookbook from the New York Times staff writer includes a variety of easy-to-follow recipes, both sweet (see: Milk Bread with Maple Syrup) and savory (see: Gochugaru Shrimp and Grits). Along with a side of personal, poignant stories.

• “Mi Cocina” by Rick Martínez…a 20,000-mile journey throughout Mexico inspired the more than 100 recipes in this book. Your cooking will never be the same. 

• “Savory Baking” by Erin Jeanne McDowell…perfect for the person who prefers biscuits to bundt cakes, this cookbook has you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and yes, the rare “sweet tooth breaks.”

• “Smitten Kitchen Keepers” by Deb Perelman…for her third cookbook, food blogging extraordinaire Deb Perelman gathered her most tried-and-true dishes, as well as a few new faves. All of which you’ll want to have on your menu again and again. 

• “Rambutan” by Cynthia Shanmugalingam…homemade Sri Lankan food? Based on the chef’s family recipes? Don’t mind if we do. 

Eyes On: Daylight Saving Time

Every year, on the first Sunday of November (hey, that’s this weekend) clocks across most of the country turn back one hour — marking the end of daylight saving time. That means millions of Americans may get an extra hour of sleep. The sun will start to set even earlier. And, like clockwork, the long-standing debate about the change will be renewed. More than half of Americans would like to eliminate DST, according to one survey. And many experts agree it’s not the best for our health (see: disrupted circadian rhythms, increased health risks, upticks in depression). Until the movement to end the twice-annual changing of the clocks comes to fruition, here are tips to help with the transition:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule. It can be tempting to use the extra hour of sleep as an excuse to stay up later, but it may be best to try to stick to your usual routine. Plus, you might also want to invest in blackout shades (or at least a solid sleep mask) since the sun will rise an hour earlier.

• Soak up the sunlight. Going for a walk early in the day (think: before starting work, during your lunch break) is the easiest way to make sure you get a dose of natural sunlight. Which will help regulate the body’s internal clock.

• Make time for exercise. In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”