Well, hello, and welcome back to Maine Justice. It is Tuesday morning, November 4th, and this somewhat, what did you say, very smoky, dreamy voice that you're hearing, nightclub voice

that you're hearing is Andrew Weissman with a cold. And I'm here with Mary McCord. So Mary,

you don't have to ask how I am because you have a cold. Basically, fully medicated this is when I'm glad we're not

in the same room so glad we're just exactly we just see each other exactly what you neglected to

mention about November 4th is it is election day now I know and as an inveterate New Yorker, there is a really big, exciting vote with respect to the mayor. It is a fascinating, fascinating history that brought us here. I could go on and on because I love to say I'm an inveterate New Yorker as often as I can. Yes, you do. We have also important governor races in New Jersey and Virginia and an important ballot initiative in California about whether the redistricting can move forward.

So most important, we hope that everyone who is entitled to vote and registered to vote is either already

voted or will get out today in vote and that it will be free of any types of intimidation or

threats or political violence and fair and that we will all come out of this election with a renewed

feeling of hope for the next election and our

ability in this country to have free and fair elections. Yes, that is a great. And also, you know,

one thing that's really interesting is there's just so much more early voting that is happening

everywhere. It's nice to see that, you know, being more and more part of the American

system of encouraging voting, no matter who you're voting for. That's right. Mary, having said that,

we're going to talk first about New York and then we're going to talk about a piece that you and I

wrote for the New York Times opinion page. And it really relates to one of the topics for today.

So what's on our dance card?

Before I get to topics, to the extent that you are hearing a buzzing noise that sounds like a chainsaw,

you are not mistaken.

That's not my cold.

No, that's right.

And no, it is not, you know, still Halloween with Texas Chansaw Massacre themes.

This is a tree trimming in the trees across the street, and I hope it won't be too disruptive.

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