OH-GOV: Cook Political Report moves race to 'Lean Republican'

Missouri redistricting ruling to be appealed to state Supreme Court

A group of voters challenging the new GOP-favored House map in Missouri filed a notice of appeal regarding a recent ruling that upholds the new congressional lines, taking the matter to the state Supreme Court.

A Jackson County circuit court judge last week upheld a Republican gerrymander in the Show Me State, which would create a 7-1 GOP advantage for its congressional delegation, rejecting the argument that the new map violated the state constitution because the district was not compact.

“This Court finds that the 2025 Plan complies with the constitutional mandate that Missouri’s congressional districts be divided into ‘contiguous territory as compact and as nearly equal in population as may be,’” Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Adam Caine wrote.

Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation, which is supporting the plaintiffs, said in a statement that Caine’s ruling “ignores clear legal precedent.”



https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5792707-missouri-gop-house-map-appeal/

Proposal seeks $30 minimum wage in Alameda County

A group of workers and leaders from the Alameda County community and labor movement Thursday plans to formally announce that they are filing a new ballot initiative campaign.

The coalition wants Alameda County voters to pass a law that would raise the countywide minimum wage to $30 an hour.

Large businesses with more than 100 employees and $100 million in revenue would be required to pay a $30-an-hour minimum wage by 2030. Smaller businesses with fewer than 25 workers would have 10 years to reach that benchmark.

The countywide minimum wage currently stands at about $16 an hour



https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/alameda-county-minimum-wage/4054466/

Election Commission Votes 5-0 To Turn Down Highlander Election Challenge

The Election Commission on Wednesday morning, at a special called meeting, voted 5-0 to dismiss an election challenge by County Commissioner Steve Highlander.

Commissioner Highlander said election challenger Donna Christian Lowe had inserted a hyphen in her name so she could be placed higher on the ballot in the election primary. They are the only Republican candidates for the District 9 seat.

Ms. Lowe presented 88 documents she said that show she had used the hyphenated name dating back to at least 2017.

She said, "I have always been Donna Christian Lowe - sometimes with the hyphen and sometimes without. I did nothing to be confusing or misleading."




https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/3/18/516176/Election-Commission-Votes-5-0-To-Turn.aspx

Meet the six candidates seeking Oshkosh Common Council seats

OSHKOSH – Six candidates. Three seats. One loaded field.

Oshkosh is facing what could be one of the deepest candidate pools in the history of Common Council races, with incumbent Jacob Amos set to square off against two former councilors and a bunch of committee board members for one of three open seats.

None of the council members elected two years ago is facing the polls this year, as Jacob Floam and DJ Nichols opted not to seek reelection while Kris Larson resigned in October over a potential conflict of interest.

Amos beat out 13 other applicants to replace Larson on council and now faces another stacked field featuring onetime mayor Paul Esslinger, former councilor Meredith Scheuermann and fellow committee member Alec Lefeber.


https://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/03/19/oshkosh-common-council-candidates-april-7-election-priorities/89208438007/

Early voting begins for special Schertz City Council Place 6 election

Early voting has begun for a special election for the remainder of the Schertz City Council Place 6 term.

The seat became vacant after Place 6 council member Allison Heyward filed to run for Guadalupe County Precinct 3 commissioner in the March 3 Republican primary. Heyward ran against appointed incumbent Jim Wolverton.

Heyward lost to Wolverton, receiving 1,466 votes, or 38.77% of the vote, as previously reported by Community Impact.

The Place 6 term expires in November 2027, according to the city’s website.




https://communityimpact.com/san-antonio/northeast-san-antonio-metrocom/election/2026/03/19/early-voting-begins-for-special-schertz-city-council-place-6-election/

Louisiana election lawsuit claims voting system unconstitutional over lack of paper ballots, audits

BATON ROUGE — A group of Louisiana residents has filed a lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District Court, arguing the state’s election system, including the software used in voting machines, is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit names the Secretary of State and Commissioner of Elections and argues Louisiana cannot legally verify or recount votes because ballots are not counted by hand.

It also challenges the state’s use of proprietary voting software, arguing the system is not publicly accessible and lacks transparency required under Louisiana’s constitution.

Philip Callais, a member of the West Baton Rouge Parish Board of Election Supervisors, is the lead plaintiff. He argues the current system violates the constitution’s requirement that ballots be counted publicly..



https://unfilteredwithkiran.com/louisiana-election-lawsuit-voting-system-unconstitutional-paper-ballots/

JC Commissioner Jenny Brock (?) likely won't seek re-election

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Longtime Johnson City commissioner and former mayor Jenny Brock does not plan to run for reelection when voters select two commissioners in November.

Brock, who has been a commissioner since first being elected in 2012, told News Channel 11 she plans to step away as long as she believes voters’ other choices include “strong, values-driven candidates who will be positive ambassadors for the city.”

She said the leadership role also requires a “fiduciary responsibility” to maintain the city’s financial status — something that’s become more challenging in the wake of last year’s $30 million federal lawsuit settlement related to convicted child sex abuser Sean Williams.

“It’s very important to me that we get good leaders in the city,” Brock said. “We’ve been through, you know, some tough times lately.”


https://www.wjhl.com/news/your-local-election-hq/jc-commissioner-jenny-brock-likely-wont-seek-re-election/

Swampscott Candidates Forum Set Ahead Of Annual Town Election

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott residents are invited to meet candidates in the upcoming annual town election, as well as submit questions to be asked during the forum, at a Candidates Night to be held at Swampscott High School.

The forum is set for Room B129 at 6:30 p.m. on April 7.

Those with questions for the candidates are encouraged to submit them at swampcandforum2026questions@gmail.com.

Municipal elections are held annually in Swampscott on the last Tuesday in April.




https://patch.com/massachusetts/swampscott/swampscott-candidates-forum-set-ahead-annual-town-election

Judge Steven Boyce (?) announces re-election campaign

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Judge Steven Boyce has officially announced his re-election campaign for Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District, setting the stage for the region’s first contested judicial election in over a decade. The announcement comes only days after Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal announced his decision to challenge him for the Judge's seat.

In a news release, Judge Boyce outlined his goals to focus on continuing to strengthen the administration of justice, supporting problem‑solving courts, and ensuring that the Seventh Judicial District remains a model of fairness and professionalism

“I am honored and humbled to have been entrusted with my role in Idaho’s judiciary, and continue to be completely committed to ensuring justice for my community here in Southeast Idaho,” Judge Boyce said. “I look forward to continuing that work.”

A graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Idaho College of Law, Boyce’s legal career spans several decades of both public and private practice. He served 7 years in the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office, including a tenure as Chief Deputy, before spending more than ten years as a solo practitioner in Idaho Falls.




https://localnews8.com/news/2026/03/19/judge-steven-boyce-announces-re-election-campaign/