Proposed Postal Service rules present states with a critical decision: share voter lists with the Trump administration or risk the delivery of mail-in ballots. These rules stem from an executive order directing Homeland Security to compile state-specific citizenship lists, raising significant concerns about potential voter roll purges. Election officials suggest this is an attempt to acquire voter data after similar Justice Department requests were denied by courts. If upheld, this could grant the federal government an unprecedented role in elections and place sensitive voter information in the hands of administration officials.
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The slow vote-counting process in California has drawn the ire of Donald Trump and MAGA supporters, who allege the Los Angeles mayoral race is being “rigged” and “cheated.” As Republican Spencer Pratt has fallen from a leading position to third place behind Democrat Nithya Raman, prominent conservative voices have echoed Trump’s claims of a stolen election. California officials and Governor Gavin Newsom have defended the state’s mail-in ballot system, which allows for ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive and be counted up to seven days later, necessitating a slower, more thorough verification process.
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The gubernatorial race in California sees Tom Steyer trailing in third place, a position that might lead some to despair. Yet, Steyer himself maintains a distinctly optimistic outlook, suggesting that the final count, especially with the state’s extensive mail-in ballot process, could still yield a more favorable outcome. His perspective acknowledges the inherent delay in California’s vote tabulation, a system that often frustrates those eager for immediate results and definitive narratives. This extended counting period, while a challenge for media outlets seeking swift conclusions, is viewed by Steyer and his supporters as a potential advantage, allowing for a more thorough reflection of the electorate’s will.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case concerning Mississippi’s law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five days, a practice common in many states and rooted in states’ rights for election administration. This case arises from Donald Trump’s persistent claims of a rigged 2020 election and his subsequent challenges to mail-in ballot counting. Despite the established legal precedent and historical acceptance of such laws, the Republican argument, which suggests that Congress’s 1845 Election Day Act implies votes must be *received* by Election Day by government officials, has gained traction with some justices. The outcome remains uncertain, but the author suggests the Court may be swayed by political pressure stemming from Trump’s grievances, potentially overturning settled law and jeopardizing established voting procedures.
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Conservative activist Harry Wait was convicted of felonies in Wisconsin after intentionally ordering mail ballots in the names of others. Wait stated his actions were an attempt to expose the potential for voter fraud. The case highlights ongoing concerns and legal challenges surrounding election security and voter registration practices.
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In a broad attack on voting rights, the candidate advocates for stricter measures including voter ID and proof of citizenship, while largely opposing mail-in ballots, with exceptions for military personnel, the ill, and the disabled. This stance is widely interpreted as a strategic move to bolster Republican prospects in upcoming midterm elections, amidst concerns about widespread mail-in ballot integrity. It is noteworthy that the candidate previously supported mail-in voting when it benefited his own electoral success, and that postal voting is a common practice in numerous countries globally.
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Trump Says He Plans to Issue Unconstitutional Order Requiring Voter ID and Banning Mail Ballots, and this is a really thorny situation, isn’t it? It’s like watching a political tightrope walker without a net. The core issue here, as I see it, is that the former president is reportedly planning to issue an order, potentially an executive order, that would force everyone to show a specific form of identification to vote and, even more controversially, ban mail-in ballots. Now, the immediate red flag that pops up is the legality, or rather, the illegality, of such a move. The president simply can’t make laws like that.… Continue reading
President Trump, citing the USPS’s $9.5 billion fiscal year loss and substantial liabilities, has expressed interest in privatization. Discussions with his commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, indicate a potential overhaul impacting hundreds of thousands of federal employees and potentially disrupting shipping and supply chains. This plan, though lacking specifics, follows previous conflicts with the agency, including attempts to shift key functions to the Treasury Department. Despite its recent financial struggles, the USPS remains a highly-regarded institution with a long history and a recent success in handling mail-in ballots.
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Democrat Adam Gray holds a narrow 190-vote lead over Republican incumbent John Duarte in California’s 13th Congressional District, the last uncalled House race. Gray’s lead, primarily due to late-arriving mail-in ballots, has fluctuated significantly since Election Day, reversing an initial Republican advantage. The Republican National Committee has filed suit challenging California’s extended ballot acceptance period, arguing it unfairly impacts election results. This race is significant because it is one of several closely-contested races that contributed to the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood