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The last three weeks have been intense. In New York City, we’re dealing with problems coming from three different groups—and at the heart of it all is the Democratic Party.

So, how do you tell everyone they’re ignorant without offending them?

Short answer: you can’t.

Everyone thinks they know how the Democratic Party—or even the Republican Party—really works. But in truth, it’s a hall of smoke and mirrors tied to one thing: ballot access.

Ballot access is the set of rules that decides who even makes it onto the ballot. Signing up for this mailing list won’t make AOC the President of the United States. If you believe AOC would be a kick-ass president, you need to fight for that belief—and that starts by learning how ballot access works in your community.

That’s why I use the word ignorant, even if nobody wants to hear it. I was ignorant in 2017. And now? I’ve learned. So how do you tell your idols they’re wrong? Carefully. But truthfully.

Here’s a one-minute glimpse into how the Board of Elections removes candidates:

They didn’t follow the rules? They’re off the ballot. That’s it. It’s not personal. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s a cold, bureaucratic process going through thousands of petitions.

Did they follow the rules? Yes or no. Next.

It hurts, but it’s not nefarious. And yet, everything is written right there on the wall.

Barbara pointed it out—clear instructions, visible to everyone.

But almost no one reads them. Or they think they don’t apply to them.

I’ve personally butted heads with every ballot access “expert” in New York City.

Anyone who wants to make the ballot eventually knows who I am. And I take pride in being hated by those who spread bad information—whether it’s my idols like AOC and Bernie, or fascists like Trump.

AOC gets part of the problem, but not all of it. The WhiteHeads are partially right—but not completely.

Many activists do not understand how ballot access trully works, and without Ballot Access, there is not AOC president.

It’s not just me saying it—everyone who’s been in the trenches of ballot access knows the truth. Even Alan Minsky learned it the hard way in 2016 when he worked to get Bernie on the ballot.

You can read his opinion piece here: https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/progressives-save-dems.

“If we take appropriate action now, not only can we limit the damage, but we can set the table for a new progressive era and the redemption of democracy.”
— Alan Minsky

Alan says it diplomatically. I don’t.

I don’t have the patience for excuses from activists who don’t understand how the system works—no matter how good their intentions may be.

We need change! And that change isn’t going to happen on Facebook or through emails.

Change happens the way AOC made it happen: by standing on the street, collecting signatures, and learning the ins and outs of ballot access.

Petitioning is just one part of it. It’s the visible step.

But the rest happens behind closed doors—and unlike what Paperboy says, the door is open. You just have to know how to open it.

And it starts with something simple: Answering my emails. Visiting your local Board of Elections. Learning how the system works.

Outside New York City, I admit—I’m still learning. I’m ignorant about some of it. But we can learn together. We can map it out and figure out how to present our vision to the voters—fairly, legally, and powerfully.

So let’s get started. Send me a note at theo@draftaoc.us — and let’s begin!

Theo