RandySF
RandySF's JournalIn victory for Democrats, Virginia Supreme Court says redistricting vote can go forward
In a big win for Virginia Democrats’ efforts to counter President Donald Trump’s GOP gerrymanders in other states, the Virginia Supreme Court said the state can hold its special election on Democrats’ own redistricting plan. The referendum vote is scheduled to take place on April 21.
Democrats will still have to defend* that plan in court, but the order means that the ongoing legal case will not prevent a redistricting referendum from going forward. In practice, that means voters will get to decide on a proposed “10-1” map that could deliver four more Democratic seats in Congress.
Though the Supreme Court’s order is a victory for Democrats, some uncertainty remains about the future of redistricting.
Because a decision in the redistricting case will come after the referendum takes place, the Supreme Court could theoretically void the results of that vote if it rules against Democrats. In practice, a decision overruling voters would be unlikely.
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/in-victory-for-democrats-virginia-supreme-court-says-redistricting-vote-can-go-forward/
OH-GOV: Records show Ohio governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy dropped $780K on private jet flights last year
Campaign expenditure filings for Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy show that the Republican spent more than $780,000 on private jet travel in 2025.
A Heartland Signal analysis of Ramaswamy’s expenditures filed through the Secretary of State’s Office show that the candidate spent $469,885.45 on aircraft leasing and $312,264.21 in costs associated with flying his own jet.
According to his campaign, no donor funds were used for these expenses, and the entrepreneur donated his own money to cover the costs.
“Vivek personally owns an aircraft, which the campaign uses for travel to efficiently reach voters across all 88 counties,” a spokesperson told Heartland Signal via email. “To comply with federal and state law, the campaign is required to lease the plane at market rates in order to use it to meet voters. No donor funds were used for these expenses — Vivek personally loaned the campaign money to cover every dollar paid to lease the airplane for the campaign.”
https://heartlandsignal.com/2026/02/12/records-show-ohio-governor-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-dropped-780k-on-private-jet-flights-last-year/
NY-11: New York Republican asks Supreme Court to restore her congressional district
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) is urging the Supreme Court to stop her state judiciary from ordering a redraw of her congressional district ahead of the midterms, casting it as unconstitutional.
A New York judge struck down the 11th Congressional District’s boundaries for diluting Black and Latino voting strength on Staten Island in violation of the state’s constitution.
“The trial court’s order has thrown New York’s elections into chaos on the eve of the 2026 Congressional Election,” the application states.
In a statement, Elias Law Group partner Aria Branch called the move a “desperate appeal,” describing it as “premature and improper.” The Democratic law firm is one of several groups involved in the case.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5737189-new-york-redistricting-republican-malliotakis-supreme-court/
Arkansas judge blocks state law increasing signature requirement for ballot measures
An Arkansas judge on Thursday blocked implementation of a 2023 state law that increased the signature requirements for measures to qualify for the ballot.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Shawn Johnson’s ruling prevents the state from enforcing Act 236 of 2023, which increased the number of counties where ballot initiative groups must gather a minimum number of signatures from 15 to 50.
The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a lawsuit in 2023, arguing the measure violated the Arkansas Constitution.
“We filed this lawsuit three years ago immediately following its passage and today we celebrate the striking down of this thinly veiled attempt to silence the voters,” Arkansas League President Bonnie Miller said in a statement. “This is a good day for the people.”
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/02/13/arkansas-judge-blocks-state-law-increasing-signature-requirement-for-ballot-measures/
New Walker County election office opening in LaFayette
The Walker County Election Commission toured their new facility in LaFayette Thursday morning, February 12.
The new office is located at 311 South Main Street, according to a social media post from the county.
Early voting gets underway Monday at this site for U.S. Congressional District 14 and GA Senate District 53.
Below you can find a sample ballot for the March 10, 2026, special election:
https://www.local3news.com/local-news/new-walker-county-election-office-opening-in-lafayette/article_fab12dc0-d989-4212-8b53-fce09ae05cfa.html
Alabama House pulls bill ending Public Service Commission elections prior to vote
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday pulled a bill that would have ended popular elections to the state utility regulation board prior to a scheduled vote.
Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, said Thursday that HB 392 was removed from the schedule to allow lawmakers to further discuss the potential ramifications of the bill, which would end elections to the Alabama Public Service Commission by 2030.
“We are still looking at ironing some things out on that,” Brown said Thursday. “At the end of the day, the whole issue is about affordability, and Alabama has the highest utility rates in the Southeast.”
Brown said he had the votes for the bill in the House, but that they were “still analyzing” whether the Senate would support the measure. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said at a news conference Thursday that the bill needs additional support in the Alabama Senate.
https://alabamareflector.com/2026/02/12/alabama-house-pulls-bill-ending-public-service-commission-elections-prior-to-vote/
City Council Approves Charter Amendment Measure for June Special Election
On February 3, 2026, the Santa Barbara City Council approved a resolution to call a special municipal election and proposed ballot measure to amend the City Charter relating to contracts and leases.
The Council appropriated $195,000 from General Fund reserves to cover the costs necessary for the County Elections Division to include the charter amendment on the ballot. The charter amendment streamlines approval of long-term City contracts while restoring the City’s flexibility and full charter authority to manage, lease, and maximize the value of its public property.
The special municipal election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, in conjunction with the Statewide Direct Primary Election.
The measure before the City’s voters is the following:
“Shall the proposed measure to modernize City Charter Section 521 allowing flexibility related to terms and conditions of contracts and leases of City property be adopted?”
https://www.edhat.com/news/city-council-approves-charter-amendment-measure-for-june-special-election/#google_vignette
Tyler Junior College board calls $167.3 million bond election for campus construction projects
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - The Tyler Junior College board of trustees voted unanimously Thursday to call a bond election for May 2, seeking voter approval for $167.3 million in construction projects and facility improvements.
The bond proposal includes three new construction projects designed to advance the college’s technological and physical infrastructure.
According to the college, a committee of college representatives and community members developed the proposal. It identified three major projects based on their impact on the entire campus.
The largest project calls for a $64 million Workforce and Academic Building to house TJC’s collaborative learning spaces and programs for workforce and community partners. The facility would include programs in engineering, business, criminal justice, surveying and information technology.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/02/12/tyler-junior-college-board-calls-1673-million-bond-election-campus-construction-projects/
Election could see majority of Georgetown's water service territory sold for $60M
The city of Georgetown is closer to finalizing the sale of the majority of its water service territory following a $60 million agreement with National Utility Infrastructure on Feb. 10.
Voters will need to approve the sale in a May election before the agreement can be finalized.
National Utility Infrastructure plans to buy the majority of the certificate of convenience and necessity, or CCN, which is the geographical area in which an organization is required to provide water service.
The sale includes portions of Georgetown's CCN within Salado, Florence and Liberty Hill. The cities of Killeen and Jarrell are moving forward with purchasing their water territories, respectively.
https://communityimpact.com/austin/georgetown/development/2026/02/12/election-could-see-majority-of-georgetowns-water-service-territory-sold-for-60m/
Habersham sets special election to fill District 3 commission seat
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County officials are moving forward with plans to fill the soon-to-be vacant District 3 seat on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Jimmy Tench.
According to Public Information Officer Ashlyn Brady, Tench’s resignation takes effect Feb. 13. The county commission is expected to vote at its Feb. 16 meeting on a resolution calling for a special election to fill the remainder of Tench’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
If approved, the special election would be held May 19 in conjunction with Georgia’s general primary, Brady said. The Habersham County Board of Elections is scheduled to consider approval of the call for election at a special called meeting Feb. 17.
https://nowgeorgia.com/habersham-sets-special-election-to-fill-district-3-commission-seat/
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