RandySF
RandySF's JournalSanders tells Oz it's not 'cool' that robots performing ultrasounds in Alabama
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday told Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz that it is not “cool” that robots are performing ultrasounds in Alabama, after Oz brought up the subject at the White House earlier in the day.
Oz joined President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to tout rural health in the U.S. Oz said there are no OB-GYNs in most Alabama counties, “so they’re doing something pretty cool. They’re actually having robots do ultrasounds on these pregnant moms.”
“No, Dr. Oz. It is not ‘cool’ that we don’t have OBGYN’s in many rural counties in America. It is an international embarrassment,” Sanders wrote in a post on the social platform X. “In the richest country on earth, we need more doctors, nurses, dentists and mental health counselors, not more robots.”
Oz’s remarks are based on the CMS’s “rural health transformation program,” which contains project abstracts for all 50 states. States were required to provide summaries of their proposed projects with a projected funding amount awarded by the federal government.
PERSONAL NOTE: Doug Jones, the DGA and the Alabama Democratic Party should run with this.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5693814-sanders-oz-robots-ultrasounds-alabama/
Federal judges allow California to use new US House map ahead of 2026 election
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A federal three-judge panel on Wednesday allowed California to use a new voter-approved U.S. House map that is designed to boost Democrats in the 2026 midterms.
In a 2-1 ruling, a three-judge panel in Los Angeles denied requests from state Republicans and the U.S. Justice Department to block the map from being used in future elections. The complaint accused California of violating the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters when drawing the new district lines.
The map, aimed at giving Democrats a shot at flipping as many as five House seats next year, was decisively approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November. The effort was pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is eying a 2028 presidential run, to counter a similar effort in Texas backed by President Donald Trump to help Republicans win five House seats. California Republicans currently hold nine of the state's 52 congressional seats.
The ruling is a victory for Democrats in the state-by-state mid-decade redistricting battle that could help determine which party wins controls of the U.S. House in 2026. Following the tit-for-tat showdown between the nation's two most populous states, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have adopted new district lines that could provide a partisan advantage. The Justice Department has only sued California.
https://abc7.com/post/federal-judges-allow-california-use-new-us-house-map-ahead-2026-election/18403705/
TX-SD09: A 'bellwether' election: Tarrant's Texas Senate runoff draws national attention
The runoff election to fill a Texas Senate seat representing much of Tarrant County is drawing national attention as Republicans and Democrats hope for wins that foreshadow November midterms.
On Jan. 31, voters weigh candidates Taylor Rehmet, a Fort Worth Democrat and mechanist union leader, and Leigh Wambsganss, a Southlake Republican and chief communications officer at Patriot Mobile, a conservative wireless service provider.
While Republicans have poured millions into seeking the seat, the runoff is largely ceremonial. The Legislature doesn’t return to session until 2027, and candidates must immediately seek reelection in November. Political analysts believe the winner could gauge a nationwide political temperature that will affect midterm results in November.
Early voting for the runoff opens next week on Jan. 21 and runs six days.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/a-bellwether-election-tarrants-texas-senate-runoff-draws-national-
TX-SD09: A 'bellwether' election: Tarrant's Texas Senate runoff draws national attention
The runoff election to fill a Texas Senate seat representing much of Tarrant County is drawing national attention as Republicans and Democrats hope for wins that foreshadow November midterms.
On Jan. 31, voters weigh candidates Taylor Rehmet, a Fort Worth Democrat and mechanist union leader, and Leigh Wambsganss, a Southlake Republican and chief communications officer at Patriot Mobile, a conservative wireless service provider.
While Republicans have poured millions into seeking the seat, the runoff is largely ceremonial. The Legislature doesn’t return to session until 2027, and candidates must immediately seek reelection in November. Political analysts believe the winner could gauge a nationwide political temperature that will affect midterm results in November.
Early voting for the runoff opens next week on Jan. 21 and runs six days.
https://fortworthreport.org/2026/01/14/a-bellwether-election-tarrants-texas-senate-runoff-draws-national-attention/
Florida elections offices audited over marijuana amendment petitions
TALLAHASSEE — As Florida’s recreational marijuana campaign again tries to get in front of voters, the state has levied pressure on local elections supervisors — putting them, one official said, “in the middle of a political war.”
That scrutiny intensified this week, when the state Office of Election Crimes and Security told elections supervisors in Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties that it would be conducting audits of certain verified petitions. It’s unclear if other counties will also be audited.
Gov. Ron DeSantis fiercely opposes recreational marijuana. In 2024, his administration used state power and millions of taxpayer dollars to fight a legalization proposal sponsored by the group Smart & Safe Florida.
That committee is again trying to get a recreational initiative through and in lawsuits has accused the DeSantis administration of delays and issuing directives aimed at stopping them.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/elections/2026/01/15/recreational-marijuana-elections-supervisors-ballot-petitions-signatures/
Arizona Dems say election transparency bills will jeopardize security
Arizona’s Senate Elections Committee moved to support a handful of bills that would increase public access to voter records, though Democrats say the measures would lead to safety concerns by publishing personal voter information.
The elections committee, chaired by Flagstaff Republican Wendy Rogers, voted 4-2 to pass two bills that Republicans say will increase transparency. Senate Bill 1038 would require a county recorder to make publicly available the full, unredacted vote cast record after an election. Senate Bill 1040 would require the full, unredacted voter registration roll to be made downloadable via an internet portal.
In July, a state judge ruled that full vote cast records are not public records according to current law.
“This just adds to the opportunity for transparency,” bill sponsor Mark Finchem of Phoenix said while voting in favor of SB1038. “It offers the opportunity for people to check their own ballot.”
https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/011626_az_election_bills/arizona-dems-say-election-transparency-bills-will-jeopardize-security/
Bias allegations lead to termination of Clay County Election Administrator
CLAY COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — Former Clay County Election Administrator Val McClain has been terminated following multiple allegations of bias toward certain local candidates during election periods.
“Ultimately, it all comes down to what is best for Clay County and what is best for the people’s trust in the election process,” stated Clay County Judge Mike Campbell.
McClain served as the county’s election administrator for nearly a decade, overseeing all elections conducted within Clay County.
Concerns about her neutrality first surfaced in 2020, when allegations emerged claiming McClain favored one political party over another while handling local election matters.
https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/bias-allegations-lead-to-termination-of-clay-county-election-administrator/
Trump Says 2026 Midterm Elections Should Be Canceled
President Trump has once again said that the 2026 midterm elections should be canceled because he expects his party to lose. Trump made the remark in a closed-door interview with Reuters, telling the news agency, “It’s some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms.” Trump continued, “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.” It’s at least the second time this month that Trump has floated the idea.
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/16/headlines/trump_says_2026_midterm_elections_should_be_canceled
Reality TV Star Ends Mayoral Bid After TMZ Tells Her on Air That Election Isn't for Another 2 Years
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Reality TV to politics isn’t an uncommon route these days, and one former star announced Wednesday that she’s ready to run.
Farrah Abraham, who appeared on “Teen Mom” and “16 & Pregnant” in 2009, submitted her candidate paperwork to run in the Austin Mayoral Race on Wednesday. However, she learned during a Thursday interview with TMZ that that race isn’t until 2028.
In an interview with KXAN Thursday afternoon, Abraham said her team refiled the paperwork earlier in the day to enter her in the race for District 5’s city council seat.
“I reached out to the city and I just was like, ‘hey, I’m very serious about this … I love this city and I want to get involved in and help where I live and breathe, and I know I can help because I’m making it, others seem to be struggling, and I want to jump in the mix,'” she said. “If I could be a district seat and I could be mayor at the same time, I probably would do it.”
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/former-reality-tv-star-farrah-abraham-ends-early-austin-mayoral-bid-will-run-for-district-5-seat/
Beyond Turnout: The Election Administrators' Institutional Capacity Question and Developing Voter Education Programs
Michael McDonald, a political scientist, compiled data showing that voter turnout in the U.S. averages 59 percent in presidential elections and 42 percent in midterms. In some local jurisdictions, turnout can be as low as 10 to 25 percent. These figures signal a call to action for policymakers and, especially, election administrators, who play a critical frontline role in fostering voter participation. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 provides a foundation by requiring states to establish voter education and outreach programs and to measure their effectiveness. These efforts are designed to strengthen civil society and protect the integrity of representative democracy.
Educating voters is complex, requiring administrators to plan carefully, engage stakeholders and design performance metrics. But the real challenge goes beyond planning and implementation. At the outset, administrators must ask a critical question: Do we have the institutional capacity to create voter education programs that meaningfully increase voter awareness and participation?
To maximize the chances of success, election administrators should focus on four essential institutional capabilities:
- Adaptive Skills: Prepare teams and the organization to embrace new responsibilities and challenges.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Compile voter turnout and demographic data to understand voter behavior and tailor education programs.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Build networks and partnerships with nonprofits, civic organizations and private-sector actors to strengthen program reach and efficiency.
- Performance Measurement: Establish clear metrics to assess program outcomes and inform future planning.
https://patimes.org/beyond-turnout-the-election-administrators-institutional-capacity-question-and-developing-voter-education-programs/
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