RandySF
RandySF's JournalGOP lawmakers override governor veto to pass voter suppression SAVE Kansas Act
A Kansas law banning online voter registration through any non-government website and expanding voter purging practices was enacted last week after lawmakers overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s (D) veto of the bill.
The SAVE Kansas Act mimics parts of the anti-voting SAVE America Act by burdening the voter registration process and easing voter purging procedures. Voters can no longer get registered online via community organizations, civic associations and other Get Out The Vote (GOTV) groups. Under the new law, only websites with a .gov domain can be used for online registration, unless the state secretary grants exceptions.
The law also allows the state secretary to cross check its voter rolls against the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, and to obtain personal information from other state agencies in efforts to broaden the net for purging voters.
The law’s enactment makes Kansas just the latest state to pass its own version of President Donald Trump’s agenda of restricting ballot access and suppressing voter turnout.
This legislation would impose restrictions on online voter registration that could suppress civic engagement and make it harder for Kansans to vote,” said Gov. Kelly when she vetoed the bill on April 8. “Furthermore, this legislation directs certain state agencies to provide the personal information—including name, date of birth, residential address, and the last four digits of the social security number—of public assistance benefit recipients to the Secretary of State’s Office, even though disclosure of this information may be prohibited under federal law.”
The state legislature overrode her veto the next day.
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/gop-lawmakers-override-governor-veto-to-pass-voter-suppression-save-kansas-act/
I found a live election map of Hungary if you want to follow along.
We are rooting for the Tisza Party.
https://europeelects.eu/2026/04/04/national-parliament-election-in-hungary-2026/
Manhattan DA launches investigation into sexual assault allegation against Eric Swalwell
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Saturday it is investigating an allegation of sexual assault against Rep. Eric Swalwell, a day after CNN reported that a former staffer for the California Democrat accused him of having sex with her when she was unable to consent.
“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” the DA’s office said in a statement to CNN. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”
CNN has reached out to Swalwell’s attorney for comment.
The former staffer told CNN that she was heavily intoxicated after a night of drinking with Swalwell in New York City in April 2024, when she woke up to him having sex with her in his hotel bed.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/11/politics/manhattan-da-investigation-eric-swalwell
Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leaders rally in Charlottesville ahead of redistricting referendum
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Mark Warner, made a stop in Charlottesville on Saturday for a “Vote Yes” rally ahead of Virginia’s upcoming redistricting referendum.
Speaking to supporters, Jeffries criticized recent Republican-backed policies, focusing heavily on health care and social programs.
“They've ripped health care away from millions of Americans in that one big ugly bill, including hundreds of thousands here in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Jeffries said. “Stolen food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans right here in Virginia.”
Former congressman and 5th District Democratic candidate Tom Perriello framed the referendum as a chance to reshape the political landscape ahead of future elections.
https://www.cbs19news.com/news/hakeem-jeffries-democratic-leaders-rally-in-charlottesville-ahead-of-redistricting-referendum/article_a4ee1d1f-bc8e-4879-a831-2b8ef3a6e61a.html
Ashland alderman seats decided in write-in only election
In Ashland's write-in only elections for First Ward and Second Ward alderman, Steve Dean and Michael Frese were elected to each serve two-year terms.
Steve Dean will serve as First Ward alderman after receiving 14 votes. 78 total votes were cast in the election.
Michael Frese was elected Second Ward alderman, receiving 42 votes out of 130 casted.
The election was write-in only after no candidates filed for either position.
https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/ashland-alderman-seats-decided-in-write-in-only-election/article_f1f3b2e1-486e-4ec1-ba8a-f419c7060275.html
Election notification cards should arrive soon in mailboxes of Big Island voters
Hawaiʻi County Elections Division at the end of this week mailed election notification cards to voters on Hawaiʻi Island.
The cards — sent out Friday, April 10 — are sent to confirm voter registration information and help election officials prepare for the 2026 primary and general elections.
Verifying accurate and current voter registration information is necessary to ensure voters receive a ballot in the mail.
If the information on your card is correct, no action is required.
https://bigislandnow.com/2026/04/11/election-notification-cards-should-arrive-soon-in-mailboxes-of-big-island-voters/
Scaife (R) wins election to Washington County Circuit Court in Branch 2
WASHINGTON COUNTY — With all voting precincts reporting, Washington County Assistant District Attorney Grant Scaife has won election to Branch 2 of the Washington County Circuit Court over Judge Gordon Leech in the 2026 spring general election, Tuesday night.
Scaife received 22,211 votes (60.53%) in the election to lead the way over Leech, who received 14,351 votes (39.11%). There were also 131 write-in votes cast in the race for Branch 2.
According to Scaife, as judge the Washington County community can expect that he will use cash bail tools and sentencing to deter crime in the community and help promote “pro-social behavior.”
“You can expect a judge who decides each case fairly and impartially, without fear or favor, and who will follow the law as written,” said Scaife, in a previous interview with the Daily News.
https://www.gmtoday.com/daily_news/news/scaife-defeats-leech-judge/article_6ba9df84-6ac2-470e-ba07-878a96e2cf00.html
Mail-in voting begins for Nebraska's primary election
Nebraska’s elections will carry on as they always have, despite a recent executive order from President Donald Trump. This comes as county election offices are starting to send out early voting ballots ahead of Nebraska’s primary election.
About 94,000 ballots were mailed out across Nebraska on Monday, the Secretary of State's office said, and another 16,000 will be mailed out in the next two days. More than 66,000 are headed to Douglas County, where Omaha is, and 32,000 are headed to the Lincoln area in Lancaster County.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen recently addressed the state’s handling of the upcoming primary election after President Trump issued an executive order that restricts mail-in voting and creates a national list of voters. Evnen said the primaries will be handled by state officials in accordance with past procedures. But he did not guarantee the same for the mid-term election in November.
Trump’s executive order requires states to tell the U.S. Postal Service that they will accept mail-in or absentee ballots at least 90 days before a federal election. Each state would then submit a list to USPS of its eligible voters who will be receiving mail-in or absentee ballots. The order also requires mail-in ballots to have tracking codes. Non-compliant states will lose federal funding under the order.
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/es/news/news-articles/mail-in-voting-begins-for-nebraskas-primary-election/
NJ-11: Progressives are poised for a big victory in New Jersey
If Democrat Analilia Mejia wins next week’s election to fill New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s (D) former House seat, it will offer just the latest boost for progressives, who have notched a number of wins as the party debates its direction heading into the midterms.
Mejia, a top aide to Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign, is widely expected to defeat Republican Joe Hathaway in the race for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District on Thursday.
It would follow a recent pattern for progressives, who have won races or overperformed in a number of battles.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a progressive, last month won the Democratic primary for a House seat in Illinois over a more moderate candidate and another liberal contender.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5826519-anelilia-mejia-expected-win/
Virginia redistricting battle enters home stretch
Democrats’ push to redistrict in Virginia is entering the home stretch as the party seeks to solidify an advantage in four more House districts ahead of the November midterms.
Heavyweight donors have poured millions of dollars into the April 21 contest, which asks Virginians to consider a constitutional amendment that would redraw the Old Dominion’s maps mid-decade and give the party the edge in all but one of 11 congressional districts.
The districts currently held by Republicans are outpacing blue districts in turnout, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), as polls show just a slim majority of voters support the push. But Democrats have a significant fundraising advantage and ‘yes’-vote organizers say a string of new early voting locations could give the effort an energy surge this weekend, fueling hopes that the party could get a boost in the battle for control of Congress.
“It’s going to be a close race,” said Virginia Democratic strategist Jared Leopold. “It is a unique special election where both Republicans and Democrats are pretty motivated.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5824691-virginia-democrats-redistricting-battle/
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