🤔 Brainteaser of the day: Three friends, A, B and C, want to find out what their average salary is without disclosing their own salaries to the others. How can they do it using only verbal communication?
Click here to see the answer.
✅ Today’s Checklist:
📚 Find your next read in this 100 bestsellers in 2025 list.
🗣 The next time someone says “Tell me about yourself,” try this answer.
👀 Attention management is the key to focusing.
💪 Learn how to optimize your workouts and nutrition for results that actually stick.
I grew up in California, one of the bluest states in the country, and I’ve also lived in Idaho’s most red, pro-Trump district. Having my toes in both types of places has given me a deep appreciation for different perspectives and political views. But here’s what I believe is truly bipartisan: voting matters.
At The Assist, we want to encourage you to show up at the polls—whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. This isn’t about telling you how to vote. It’s about making sure you have what you need to make informed decisions. So please, no negative comments. We’re all in this together.
Election Day is this Tuesday, November 4, just three days away. If you haven’t thought much about this off-year election, plenty of our friends are in the same boat. But there are significant races and ballot measures happening across the country that could directly impact your daily life, from who runs your state to how your local schools are funded. Here’s your quick guide to what’s on the ballot and how to make sure you’re ready to vote.
Major Gubernatorial Races
Two states are electing new governors this year, and both races are highly competitive.
In New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill is facing Republican Jack Ciattarelli to replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy. The race centers on taxes, education funding, and criminal justice reform. Ballotpedia has a full overview of the race. All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly are also up for election, which could shift the balance of power in the state legislature.
Virginia is choosing between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger. See the full race profile on Ballotpedia. Virginia also has races for Attorney General—Jason Miyares (R) vs. Jay Jones (D)—and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. The state allows same-day voter registration and early voting, so check your options if you haven’t registered yet.
Key Municipal Elections
Several major cities are selecting new leadership. In New York City, candidates including progressive Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo (running as an independent), and Curtis Sliwa are competing for mayor. NYC voters will also decide on Proposal 6, which would move city elections to even-numbered years to align with state and federal races. Find more info at the NYC Board of Elections.
Detroit voters are choosing between Mary Sheffield and former police chief James Craig for mayor, while Philadelphia will decide whether to re-elect District Attorney Larry Krasner or replace him with Republican Pat Dugan.
In Jersey City, former Gov. Jim McGreevey is among several candidates running to succeed Mayor Steven Fulop.
Important Ballot Measures
Texas has 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot—the highest number for a single election since 2003. See the full list at Ballotpedia. Key measures include:
These amendments require careful reading as they’ll permanently change the state constitution.
California’s Proposition 50 would allow for mid-decade congressional redistricting, which could reshape political representation in the state.
Maine voters will decide on Question 1, which addresses voter ID and absentee ballot changes, and Question 2, concerning the state’s “yellow flag” gun law.
Colorado has propositions on school meal funding, while Washington state is voting on whether to allow long-term care funds to be invested in stocks. Seattle is also electing a mayor: incumbent Bruce Harrell vs. Katie Wilson.
Pennsylvania has three State Supreme Court justices facing retention votes: Christine Donohue, David Wecht, and Kevin Dougherty. While retention elections often fly under the radar, they determine who interprets state law for years to come.
How to Prepare
Check your voter registration status and polling location at Vote.org or your state’s election website. Most states offer early voting, which can save you time on Election Day. Review sample ballots ahead of time. Many ballot measures use complex legal language that’s easier to understand when you’re not rushed.
For nonpartisan information on candidates and measures, visit Ballotpedia.org, which provides comprehensive coverage without endorsing candidates. Your local League of Women Voters chapter also typically publishes voter guides. To see how different news sources are covering election issues and spot media bias, check out Ground News, which compares coverage across the political spectrum.
If you’re unsure about any race or measure, it’s okay to skip it. Voting on the issues you understand and care about is better than guessing. And remember: local elections often have the most direct impact on your daily life, from school funding to public safety to infrastructure.
Your vote matters, especially in off-year elections where turnout is typically lower. Take time this week to research what’s on your ballot, make a plan to vote, and show up.
If your “project management system” is a Google Doc, a Slack thread, and your brain at 2am, it might be time for an upgrade.
That’s where ClickUp comes in.
It’s one workspace that brings together tasks, docs, timelines, and team updates—so you’re not hopping between five apps just to check one deadline. Whether you’re managing a campaign, juggling cross-functional feedback, or just trying to keep the moving parts… moving, ClickUp gives you the structure and flexibility to do it without the chaos.
You can customize workflows, automate repetitive steps, assign tasks with real visibility, and actually see progress. It’s like a control center for your team—cleaner, calmer, and way more productive than whatever you’re doing now.
📚 Read: The City of Mist: Stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A clever, haunting collection that pulls you deep into Zafón’s gothic world. Each short story twists and turns in all the right ways and you’ll forget you’re not living inside them.
📺 Watch: What We Do in the Shadows
Vampires meet deadpan comedy in this mockumentary gem that’ll have you laughing while questioning how much of your roommate drama counts as eternal.
🎧 Listen: Sometimes by Renee Rapp
Playful and dreamy with a voice that floats. This standout from her BITE ME album is equal parts chill and emotional release.
If you’re spending way too much time wrestling with spreadsheets, it’s time to check in on your process.
Miss Excel’s free 60-minute class will teach you how to:
You’ll walk away with practical skills and time-saving shortcuts you can use immediately (plus a taste of what 1M+ Miss Excel fans already love).
Pebbles was given the perfect name! She loves to eat little rocks and there’s not a leaf in the neighborhood that’s safe. Just 11 pounds, she thinks she’s as big as her fur siblings and nothing (everything) can scare her.
🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.
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