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RandySF's JournalDemocracy Forward Sues Election Assistance Commission for Withholding Records on Efforts to Restrict Voting Access
Washington, D.C. — Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today to compel the release of records related to the agency’s communications and activities concerning election administration, including potential efforts to restrict voting access and reported coordination with individuals and groups associated with election denial. This lawsuit comes as the Trump-Vance administration has continued efforts to threaten states, intimidate election officials, and call into question the integrity of voting systems ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges the EAC’s failure to comply with multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking records about communications between EAC commissioners, outside organizations that have promoted false claims about election integrity, and other actors regarding elections.
Democracy Forward also sought records to better understand the role of outside influence on the agency’s decision-making, particularly amid concerns that individuals associated with election denial efforts may be shaping federal election policy. Despite acknowledging the requests, the agency has failed to produce records or make timely determinations as required by law.
“The commission tasked with supporting our elections cannot operate in secrecy, especially in light of the Trump-Vance administration’s efforts to undermine elections and restrict voting rights,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “But that is what it is doing. It has suggested that it may only produce records of its activities until after the 2026 elections. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s failure to release these records before the 2026 elections raises urgent questions about who is influencing decisions that impact Americans’ fundamental right to vote. The public deserves transparency now, and we will continue going to court to ensure accountability.”
https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/democracy-forward-sues-election-assistance-commission-for-withholding-records-on-efforts-to-restrict-voting-access/
TX-23: When will Gov. Abbott call a special election for Texas' 23rd Congressional District?
The timing of when Abbott sets the special election matters. He could set the date as early as May 2, the next uniform election day, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. Or Abbott could delay the election to Nov. 3, which is the date of the midterm general election. Abbott could also declare an emergency and set another date.
The later the special election, the longer the 23rd District remains without representation in Congress, and the longer the Republican majority is without a vote from a GOP-leaning district.
However, the Democratic nominee for the 23rd district, Katy Padilla Stout, has other ideas.
“We are demanding the Governor Abbott immediately call a special election,” she told Texas Public Radio.
https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2026-04-15/when-will-gov-abbott-call-a-special-election-for-texas-23rd-congressional-district
Top federal election official says her conspiratorial rant against Democrats is being investigated
Chicago — Christy McCormick, the Republican vice-chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), told Democracy Docket Tuesday that her inflammatory comments against Democrats last year are under “investigation.”
During a panel discussion in October with the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute (AFPI), McCormick falsely claimed that Democrats actively promote and rely on voting by “illegal citizens” to win elections.
They need the votes. They’re losing ground,” McCormick said when asked why she thinks the “left” opposes measures to tighten voting rules. “Everybody is seeing how people are going toward the right.”
“They need open borders, they need illegal citizens to increase their votes,” she continued. “And this is why they’re fighting so adamantly against us.”
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/christy-mccormick-election-assistance-commission-investigation-conspiratorial-rant/
Recount confirms Scott Soik's (R) election in Portage County District 19
STEVENS POINT – An April 15 recount of over 900 votes cast in Portage County District 19 found challenger Scott Soik to be the certified winner of the election for supervisor.
The certified number of votes for each candidate was found to be 445 for challenger and former District 19 supervisor Scott Soik and 442 for incumbent Amberle Schwartz, matching the unofficial results of the April 7 election previously posted by Portage County Clerk Maria Davis.
“This recount is a testament to the dedication of our local Municipal Clerks and poll workers throughout Portage County,” Davis said in a April 15 news release. The county previously conducted recounts in each of the last two county-wide elections in 2022 and 2024 for both Portage County executive and supervisor seats.
“This recount also affirms the accuracy and efficiency of the electronic equipment used within Portage County,” Davis added.
https://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/04/15/wisconsin-election-recount-confirms-scott-soik-wins-portage-county-board-district-19/89625597007/
NJ-11: New Jersey's special congressional election will fill Gov. Sherrill's House seat
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- On Thursday, voters will pick Governor Mikie Sherrill's replacement in Congress.
Progressive Analilia Mejia is the Democratic nominee, and Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway is the Republican nominee.
Alan Bond is running as an Independent.
Sherrill had to relinquish the 11th District seat after being elected Governor.
https://abc7ny.com/post/special-election-new-jerseys-11th-congressional-district-thursday-fill-house-seat-held-gov-mikie-sherrill/18893871/
Early voting for the June 2 election will be delayed, election officials say
Early and absentee voting for the June 2 primary election will be delayed, several election officials in South Dakota said Wednesday.
Early voting is supposed to begin on Friday, but some county auditors across the state alerted the public this week of the delay. No one knew how long the delay will be, but said they hope it will not last longer than April 24.
The delay is due to a shortened window this year between the deadline for candidates to file their nominating petitions and the beginning of early voting.
To earn a place on the ballot, prospective statewide candidates from political parties had to gather the required number of petition signatures from registered voters and file them by the last Tuesday in March. Through a quirk of the calendar, that fell on March 31 this year, leaving 17 days before the beginning of early voting for the review and certification of petitions and the printing of ballots.
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/04/15/early-voting-for-the-june-2-election-will-be-delayed-across-south-dakota-election-officials-say/
Voters must sign off on new application-for-ballot language during primary elections in Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Early voting began April 15 in the primary election across much of East Tennessee.
While Tennessee does not register voters by party, state law dating back to 1972 states that if you vote in a party primary election, you should be a bona fide member of that party or declare allegiance to it, saying you intend to affiliate with that party.
During the 2026 primary election, voters are seeing the new language in the application for the ballot before they vote.
"When you go in to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary, you'll be asked to sign a piece of paper that says I affiliate with the candidates in this primary," Don Bosch, 10News political analyst, said. "It is simply on the day that you vote in the primary, you are affiliating with that primary and those candidates."
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/knoxville/voters-sign-off-on-new-application-for-ballot-language-during-primary-elections/51-54a3bae7-0114-4a54-923a-058b3157827e
South Carolina's full primary ballot has election officials looking for extra poll workers ahead of a potential runoff
AIKEN, S.C. (WFXG) – South Carolina’s primary election is on the horizon, and with one of the fullest ballots in recent memory the Aiken County Elections Office is already in preparation mode. With a large number of Republican candidates on the 2026 ticket, officials are seeking out residents who would like to help work the polls.
Aiken County Elections Precinct Coordinator Nathan Garner says that they need to be fully staffed for election day on June 9th, and some areas need staffing more than others.
“We are looking for poll workers, we need about 60 more in order to be fully staffed for June 9th,” Garner said. “In particular we’re asking folks in the North Augusta Midland Valley area for their help because we have a little bit of staffing shortage in those areas.”
The size of this year’s ballot has officials prepared for the possibility of a runoff election on June 23rd if no candidate receives over 50 percent of the total vote. Aiken County Elections Deputy Director Rob Sims says that the likelihood is high, and it could make the timeline more difficult for his department as they have already had to begin reprogramming databases.
https://www.wfxg.com/community/south-carolinas-full-primary-ballot-has-election-officials-looking-for-extra-poll-workers-ahead-of/article_e9ac2076-b9c7-4eba-b02b-da6610f7830a.html
Election officials work to reduce voter confusion before Louisiana's closed party primaries
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - With the May 16 statewide election approaching, elections officials are working to clear up confusion, particularly about closed political party primaries.
“There’s been some confusion as to how a political party primary race is going to be run and who can vote,” said Darren Lombard, New Orleans clerk of Criminal Court and the city’s chief election official.
For the first time in a long time, Louisiana is holding closed Democratic and Republican Party primaries for this year’s U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education races.
“If you’re affiliated with the Democratic Party, you vote only for your Democratic candidate. If you’re Republican, you vote for your Republican candidate. Those who have No Party affiliation as the registered voters, they can vote for either one,” Lombard said.
https://www.fox8live.com/2026/04/16/election-officials-work-reduce-voter-confusion-before-louisianas-closed-party-primaries/
Infrastructure, politics influence election for north Fort Worth council seat
The two candidates for a north Fort Worth City Council district agree that their political endorsements, fiscal prudence and approach to managing growth will be key to winning the seat in May.
Chris Jamieson and Alicia Ortiz are seeking the District 10 seat left open by City Council member Alan Blaylock, who is stepping down to run for a seat in the Texas House. Early voting is April 20-28 for the May 2 election.
Both candidates shared their reasons for running and approach to public office during a virtual forum hosted by the Fort Worth Report on April 15.
Jamieson, 47, described himself as a career businessman, saying he’s started, built, bought and sold about a dozen companies over three decades. Ortiz, 50, is a small business owner who worked at City Hall for seven years as the district director for former north Fort Worth council member Cary Moon.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/04/15/infrastructure-politics-influence-election-for-north-fort-worth-council-seat/
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