Election

The Democrats are wargaming messaging strategies over fears that Donald Trump may try to influence the midterm electionsAs the 2024 election approached, advertisements began popping up in key swing states suggesting local officials had discretion not to certify elections.The advertisements, reported at the time by ProPublica and Wisconsin Watch, were misleading. Certification is not optional, and officials are required to certify the vote once the proper process for any election challenges are complete and an official challenge is complete. The warnings, nonetheless, arrived at a moment when Donald Trump and allies seemed to be gearing up to contest the election results if he lost.Trump has talked about stealing the election, violating the election, perverting the election, over and over again.And woe be us, and woe be anyone who believes in free elections, who doesn’t take that seriously.Donald Trump demanded that Republicans in Congress provide an additional $350bn in funding for the Pentagon, by passing a third reconciliation bill.Trump brushed off concerns about new data showing that inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.2% in May by saying “I love the inflation”, but US House speaker Mike Johnson, accused a CNN journalist of taking the president’s comment “totally out of context”. “What he was saying is: ‘It’s going to be great to have that number and compare it to what comes next, when we get these situations resolved, that’ll be a fun thing to consider.’”As Trump appeared unwilling to back off his plan to install as acting director of national intelligence an unqualified political “attack dog”, federal mortgage director Bill Pulte, Senate Democrats said they would not vote to reauthorize a warrantless surveillance law that expires on Friday.Trump told Fox News the US had fired 49 Tomahawk missiles at Iran on Wednesday, and would “bomb the shit out of them again on Thursday” if Iran’s leaders do not sign a peace agreement. Continue reading...

Guardian review finds group tied to Cleta Mitchell and Heather Honey funded misleading ads in swing statesAs the 2024 election approached, advertisements began popping up in key swing states suggesting local officials had discretion not to certify elections.The advertisements, reported at the time by ProPublica and Wisconsin Watch, were misleading. Certification is not optional, and officials are required to certify the vote once the proper process for any election challenges are complete and an official challenge is complete. The warnings, nonetheless, arrived at a moment when Donald Trump and allies seemed to be gearing up to contest the election results if he lost. Continue reading...

• The United States launched airstrikes against Iran on Wednesday, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks targeting other countries within the region. • President Trump warned that Iran will "pay the price" for the current situation, specifically citing the failure and stalling of diplomatic talks. • This escalation is significant as it threatens to derail ongoing international efforts to end the conflict and stabilize the region.

• North Dakota is conducting its primary elections for the office of Attorney General for the 2026 cycle. • Simultaneously, Maine's gubernatorial race is moving toward ranked-choice voting tallies for both primary contests. • These elections are critical for determining the party nominees who will compete in the general elections.

• Nevada is currently conducting its 2026 Governor primary elections, with live vote counting underway for both Republican and Democratic candidates across various counties. • Simultaneously, Maine's gubernatorial primaries have progressed to ranked-choice voting tallies to determine the final nominees. • These elections are critical for determining which candidates will advance to the general election to lead their respective states.

• Maine is conducting its 2026 Senate primary elections to determine the Republican and Democratic nominees for the U.S. Senate. • Live results are being tracked and reported by candidate and township as votes are officially counted. • These primaries are critical for establishing which party candidates will compete in the general election to represent Maine in the Senate.

• North Dakota is conducting its primary election for the Secretary of State position in 2026. • Live results are being tracked to determine which candidates will advance to the general election. • This process is critical for deciding who will oversee the state's elections and business filings.