Sure, the midterm elections have never shared the every-four-years sheen of a presidential election. But this year, the stakes are unquestionably higher than usual. The last two years have seen the continuation of a pandemic, the escalation of climate disasters, and a surge in very real threats to the health and safety of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities, just to name a few things we’ve been doom-scrolling lately.

You may be asking what all that has to do with travel, food, and drink. In our mind, it has everything to do with the people and communities we write for and about. It’s not about politics. It’s about protecting our planet, our neighborhoods, and each other—both today and especially as we look toward our future. With that in mind, we’ve curated this collection of stories we hope will help you feel more informed and empowered to participate in this election—and, yes, have some fun along the way, too.