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RandySF's JournalCommittee advances one-word tweak to Nebraska Constitution on citizen voting
LINCOLN — A legislative committee advanced a proposed amendment Wednesday that would change one word to two in the Nebraska Constitution about only citizens voting in elections.
Citizens are the only voters allowed already under the state constitution and state law.
The Nebraska Constitution gives voting rights to “every” eligible U.S. citizen at least 18 years old in accordance with other sections of law. Legislative Resolution 283CA, from State Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, would change the word “every” in Article VI, Section 1 to “only a” citizen could vote.
Part of the push is around some localities in other states that allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections, such as Washington, D.C. and some municipalities in Vermont, Maryland and California.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/04/committee-advances-proposed-one-word-tweak-to-nebraska-constitution-on-citizen-voting/
Incumbent Democrats hold huge cash advantage in Ohio's competitive congressional seats
Incumbent Democrats in Ohio’s three most competitive congressional districts are swamping their opponents in fundraising ahead of a pivotal midterm election.
In the final quarter of 2025, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo raised more than $537,000. The three Republicans running against her brought in about $545,000 combined. Kaptur also holds a massive advantage in cash-on-hand.
In Cincinnati, U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman raised more than double what the Republican field running against him was able to collect.
In Akron, the margin for U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes is more like 9-to-1 after GOP frontrunner Kevin Coughlin abandoned the race.
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/05/incumbent-democrats-hold-huge-cash-advantage-in-ohios-competitive-congressional-seats/
3 new City Councilors named in city of Naples election
NAPLES, Fla. — The 2026 city of Naples election results are in, and three new city councilors have been elected.
The Collier County Supervisor of Elections reported a 38.1% voter turnout in Tuesday's election, with 6,262 ballots cast.
Ted Blankenship was the top vote-getter, with 16.9% of the vote, followed by John Krol with 13.6% of the vote and Scott Schultz with 13.5% of the vote.
Incumbent Ray Christman finished fourth in voting, with 12.9% of the votes.
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/city-council-naples-election-results/70244694
Santa Barbara Voters to Decide on City Charter Update in Special Election
A new ballot measure will give Santa Barbara voters a chance to decide on an update to the city’s charter giving the city much more flexibility with contracts for city-owned property. The proposed measure will be on the ballot in the June 2 special election, and if approved, would allow the city to negotiate contracts longer than the current term limit of 50 years.
The City Council unanimously approved the plan to add the measure to the ballot for the June election, including the allocation of $195,000 from the city’s general fund reserve to cover associated costs of consolidating the measure with the statewide primary election.
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo outlined the details of the plan during Tuesday’s council hearing. McAdoo explained that the change would allow the city to streamline contract approval and prevent costly delays. The ballot measure, while not explicitly tied to negotiations regarding Paseo Nuevo, would also give the city the ability to negotiate longer contracts — a major sticking point in the plan to revive the downtown mall.
“Particularly as negotiations with Paseo Nuevo are ongoing, we believe it provides maximum flexibility with that, as well as other issues that may be coming up,” said City Administrator Kelly McAdoo. “I recognize the challenge of adding additional funding there, but we do believe that it is an important enough issue that we should move forward in June.”
https://www.independent.com/2026/02/04/santa-barbara-voters-to-decide-on-city-charter-update-in-special-election/
Oklahoma State Election Board releases yearly voter registration report
The Oklahoma State Election Board released its official annual report on voter registration Monday. Here is how the state electorate breaks down ahead of this year's midterms.
There are about 2.4 million registered voters in Oklahoma, according to the report, which includes data from Jan. 15, 2026.
About 53% of those voters are Republicans, 25% are Democrats and another 20% are Independents. Libertarians make up almost 1%.
This year, those voters will choose a new governor, attorney general and state superintendent of public education. They'll also decide who will fill a handful of other state and local seats.
https://www.kgou.org/politics-and-government/2026-02-04/oklahoma-state-election-board-releases-yearly-voter-registration-report
Lee County prepares for Captiva election without supervisor
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County is preparing for the Captiva Fire Control District election without a supervisor of elections following the retirement of Tommy Doyle, as officials work to ensure voting machines are ready and secure.
The Lee County Supervisor of Elections Canvassing Board conducted a thorough review of the voting machines to ensure their accuracy and security.
Judge Javier Pacheco, chairman of the Lee County Canvassing Board, said, "The machines that are going to be used in this election are accurate, safe, they're secure."
Lee County Commissioner and Canvassing Board member Brian Hamman expressed confidence in the team handling the election. "What I observed is they haven't missed a beat. We have a very experienced team here at the supervisor of elections office who wants to make sure this election goes off without a hitch," Hamman said.
https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/election-vote-supervisor-captiva-island-lee-county/70248337
FL-27: Fresh off re-election, Laura Dominguez backs Richard Lamondin (D) in pivotal race
A Miami Beach policymaker just picked a side in one of Florida’s tightest congressional races.
City Commissioner Laura Dominguez, fresh off a decisive re-election in November, is backing fellow Democrat Richard Lamondin, calling him the best-positioned candidate to flip Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
Though Miami Beach was carved out of CD 27 during redistricting, Dominguez said the issues confronting her city mirror those families across Miami-Dade County face, from rising costs and stressed infrastructure to accelerating climate impacts.
“Those challenges don’t stop at district lines,” she said in a statement.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/778144-fresh-off-re-election-laura-dominguez-backs-richard-lamondin-in-pivotal-cd-27-race/
Sioux Falls election season arrives
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls voters will head to the polls on June 2nd for the municipal election. Residents will elect a new mayor, and four council seats will be up for grabs in June. City Clerk Jermery Washington encourages people thinking about running for office to begin the process.
The window for nominating petitions opened on Monday.
“Anyone who’s interested in running you are more than welcome to come talk to us at the city clerks office, which is something we actually recommend people do, or you can print the nominating petitions online yourself and start circulating on your own like that,” said Washington.
Those running for mayor need 200 signatures from registered voters, council hopefuls need 50 signatures by March 24th. Absentee voting will begin on April 17th and the deadline to register to vote in the municipal election is May 18th. Washington recommends people check their voters registration by going to VIP.sdsos.gov
https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/sioux-falls-election-season-arrives/
Minnesota caucuses draw big crowds as voters discuss priorities ahead of November elections
MINNEAPOLIS — Precinct caucuses across Minnesota on Tuesday drew historic crowds of people, according to Minnesota DFL officials. Minnesotans gathered at various locations across the state to discuss issues, show support for candidates and begin the process of determining party nominees ahead of the November general election.
The Minnesota DFL reported at least 30,000 attendees. The party's former chair Mike Erlandson said many were voicing concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
"I think the number one issue is people have had enough of Donald Trump," he said. "I think the second issue is people are very nervous about what's happening on the streets of Minneapolis. You cannot have people gunned down and think that people are going to skip participating in the political process."
He noted that Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who faces little opposition from other Democrats in the race for governor, was a popular name at caucuses. Other contests, including the U.S. Senate race and Hennepin County Attorney, received less attention, Erlandson said. Still, he anticipates that voters will maintain their momentum through the midterm elections.
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesota-caucuses-big-crowds-as-voters-discuss-key-issues/89-e0704714-6cfb-4326-bad1-a35cb41edc6d
Local politician fights disqualification ruling in Pulaski County election
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After being removed from her Pulaski County Justice of the Peace seat in 2023, Kristina Gulley is attempting to keep her name on the ballot and represent District 10.
But a lawsuit claims that Gulley has been ruled ineligible due to two hot check convictions from the late 90s and early 2000s
The lawsuit alleges that Gulley has been found ineligible to run or hold public office, something that the plaintiffs say has been established in three other complaints. But Gulley says that the lawsuit is a waste of time and a political attack.
Another complaint filed against Gulley seeks to keep her ineligible to run and hold office.
https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/north-little-rock/local-politician-disqualification-ruling-pulaski-county/91-0110a00d-4789-4977-ba33-60de69ef9589
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Gender: MaleHometown: Detroit Area, MI
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Current location: San Francisco, CA
Member since: Wed Oct 29, 2008, 01:53 PM
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