2026Talks

Foreign interference is still a huge concern for election security experts, in addition to the safety concerns of the coronavirus in primaries, special elections, and the general in November.

Dr. Rick Bright, former head of the Health and Human Services division developing a coronavirus vaccine, filed an official whistleblower complaint yesterday. And the R Institute, a generally conservative policy group, was involved in a report about how much funds are needed to secure this year's elections.  

The Census Bureau is launching a phased restart of operations in 13 states, but the 2020 Census is behind, and has implications for the next decade of redistricting.  

Former VP Joe Biden won the Kansas Democratic primary this weekend. Biden also addressed a sexual assault allegation against him by a former Senate aide, Tara Reade. Also, a Kentucky District Judge from the Federalist Society is up for appointment to the DC Circuit Court, a common stepping stone to the Supreme Court.

Tomorrow's the Kansas Democratic primary, and the Guam Democratic caucuses. And Justin Amash, Republican-turned-Independent Congressman from Michigan, will likely launch a Libertarian bid for president. Former VP Joe Biden launched his vice presidential vetting committee, and plans to address sexual assault allegations against him on MSNBC today.

There have been some stay-at-home order protests in recent weeks, some in battleground states and funded by groups connected to the Council for National Policy, an umbrella organization for conservative activists.  

Ohio had its primaries yesterday, and Maryland's 7th district had its special election to replace the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. And Delaware is allowing electronic voting for voters with disabilities in next month's primaries, following West Virginia's example.

Ohio has its primaries today, after a last-minute mid-March delay. Also today is a special election in Maryland's 7th District, to replace the late Rep. Elijah Cummings -- a test for all-mail primaries on June 2.

Tomorrow's the Ohio primaries and Maryland 7th District special election to replace the late Representative Elijah Cummings. The DNC and Biden campaign joined together for the Biden Victory Fund, to counter a similar fund between the GOP and President Trump that he's had since May 2016.

Next Tuesday, Ohio has primary elections and Maryland's 7th District has a special election to fill Representative Elijah Cummings' seat, after he passed away last fall. Plus, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action recognized a slew of candidates for demonstrating their commitment to gun sense.

Virtual Earth Day events happened all over the internet, with climate activists and with former VPs Joe Biden and Al Gore. Texas Democrats launched a new website to help unregistered voters get on the rolls, and New York might cancel its Democratic primary election.

It's Earth Day, and the League of Conservation Voters recently endorsed Joe Biden. Milwaukee health officials reported as least 7 people who participated in the April elections tested positive for COVID-19. And President Trump announced he plans to sign an executive order temporarily barring all immigration to the U.S.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the Columbine school shooting, and Students For Biden + Everytown for Gun Safety held a virtual town hall. Ballot measures across the country are facing challenges of gathering signatures during the novel coronavirus. What accomodations are states making? 

Former Vice President Joe Biden won the Wyoming Democratic caucuses. It was the first time Wyoming had an all-mail caucus with ranked-choice voting.

Wyoming's deadline to receive ballots in the Democratic primary is today, and former VP Joe Biden is already vetting potential running mates. A Michigan court refused to dismantle a panel of independent redistricting commissioners, which will assemble after the 2020 census.

The latest partisan battleground over vote-by-mail is in New Mexico, where clerks won't be able to send out ballots to registered voters before receiving applications. Plus, MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed former VP Joe Biden.    

Barack Obama endorsed his former Vice President Joe Biden yesterday. And President Trump announced he's halting funding to the WHO, pending an investigation into their response to the novel coronavirus by Trump's own administration.

Former Vice President Joe Biden won the Wisconsin primary, but more revealing was the state Supreme Court election. Liberal justice Jill Karofsky beat incumbent conservative Daniel Kelly. Plus, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Biden yesterday.

Former VP Joe Biden won the Alaska primary, which saw high turnout as a result of the recent switch from a caucus. New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu is expanding access to vote by mail. And, Biden is facing a sexual assault allegation from a former aide from his time in the Senate.

Today's the deadline for ballots to be returned to the Alaska Democratic Party office in Anchorage. They're using using vote-by-mail to try and expand the electorate -- but the system alone does have some limitations.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders drops out of the race for president, though he assured supporters yesterday his movement will continue. A federal judge ruled this week a lawsuit in Florida awaiting trial will apply to all people with former felony convictions, not just the 17 plaintiffs.

Wisconsin held their primary yesterday, in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. But a shortage of poll workers led to just five polling stations in Milwaukee instead of the usual 180.

Today's the Wisconsin primary, though Democratic Gov. Tony Evers tried to delay by executive order. A conservative majority in the state Supreme Court blocked the delay, after the Republican legislature previously stymied similar efforts.

Wisconsin is planning to go ahead with primaries as usual, despite requests for a delay from the Governor, and lawsuits from voting rights advocates. There's also a judicial election, where a liberal judge is challenging the conservative incumbent.

The Democratic National Committee delayed its July convention in Milwaukee until August. Wisconsin has a primary this Tuesday, but hasn't cancelled or delayed in-person voting like many other states have done.