ICYMI: Top stories of the week


North Dakota voters approve congressional age limit ballot measure

North Dakota voters approved a constitutional amendment sponsored by Retire Congress North Dakota to establish an age limit for members of Congress. The amendment is the first of its kind in the country. It prohibits a person from being elected or appointed to the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives if the person would become 81 years old by Dec. 31 of the year before their term ends.

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Border law enforcement measure will go before Arizona voters

Arizona voters will decide on a measure that would make it a state crime to unlawfully cross the border from Mexico, as well as allow for state and local police to arrest individuals who unlawfully cross the border. This measure will appear on the ballot on Nov. 5.

States like Texas and Iowa have passed similar laws. But the Arizona measure appears to be the first of its kind to be certified for the ballot. If approved, the measure would be implemented as a state statute. 

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What was on the ballot in South Carolina’s primaries

South Carolina held primaries for congressional and local offices on Tuesday, June 11. Here’s what was on the ballot:

  • Voters decided primaries for seven U.S. House districts. Twenty-nine candidates ran in the primaries, including 11 Democrats and 18 Republicans. Currently, Republicans hold six of the seven U.S. House districts, with a Democrat holding the remaining district. 
  • All 124 South Carolina House and 46 Senate seats were up for election. Seventy-nine of the state legislative primaries were contested. Fifty-one incumbents faced primary challenges this year, a new high representing 34% of all incumbents running for re-election in the state.
  • One school district within Ballotpedia’s coverage scope, Horry County Schools, held a primary election. 

Maine, Nevada, and North Dakota also held statewide primaries Tuesday. See full results at the link below. 

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United Democracy Project leads outside groups who have positions on the Israel-Hamas War in congressional satellite spending

Ballotpedia has tracked at least 10 congressional primaries where the candidates are taking opposing stances on the United States’ role in the war between Israel and Hamas. In Wednesday’s Brew, we looked at groups who contributed satellite spending to these races. 

The United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC which, according to its website, works to help elect candidates that “will be strong supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress,” leads in spending at $22.7 million total in races for the U.S. House. Read the full story at the link below.

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