Year: 2021
-
Local papers issue endorsements in Seattle’s Aug. 3 primary elections
In the last two weeks, The Seattle Times and The Stranger have issued endorsements in Seattle’s top-two primary elections taking place on Aug. 3. In the mayoral primary, featuring 15 candidates, the Seattle Times endorsed Bruce Harrell. Harrell was on the city council from 2008 to 2019, serving as council president from 2016 to 2017…
-
Seven states retain statewide mask requirements
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed an executive order ending the statewide mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on July 6. In accordance with CDC guidelines, vaccinated and unvaccinated people still have to wear masks on public transportation and at public transportation hubs (like bus stations and airports). Rhode Island was the only…
-
Union Station: Sixth Circuit rules Janus does not invalidate mandatory bar membership
Sixth Circuit rules Janus does not invalidate mandatory bar membership On July 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a 2020 ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan which found that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME does not invalidate mandatory bar…
-
Special elections in two Mississippi Senate districts set for Nov. 2
Election officials have scheduled the special elections for the District 32 and District 38 seats in the Mississippi State Senate for Nov. 2. The seats became vacant after Sampson Jackson (D) and Tammy Witherspoon (D) resigned on June 30. There are no primaries, and a general runoff election will be held on Nov. 23 if…
-
Recall election of Colorado city council member scheduled for July 20
A recall election to remove Jon Voelz from the Westminster City Council in Colorado is scheduled for July 20. Voelz first took office in 2019. The recall effort began in Aug. 2020. Recall supporters allege that Voelz failed to support lower water and sewer rates in Westminster. One of the recall organizers, city resident Gary…
-
Redistricting review: Michigan Supreme Court declines to extend redistricting deadlines
In this week’s Redistricting Review, we cover news out of Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Michigan: On July 9, the Michigan Supreme Court rejected the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s request to extend the constitutional deadlines for adopting new redistricting plans. The constitutional deadlines – presentation to the public by Sept. 17 and adoption by…
-
Leesa Hagan wins special runoff election in Georgia House district
Leesa Hagan (R) won the special general runoff election for Georgia House of Representatives District 156 on July 13. She defeated Wally Sapp (R), earning 51.7% of the vote to Sapp’s 48.3%. Hagan and Sapp advanced from the general election held on June 15, where they defeated Democratic candidate Wright Gres. A runoff became necessary…
-
Wisconsin county supervisor loses recall election
A recall election seeking to remove Thomas Schaefer from his position as the District 10 representative on the Dodge County Board of Supervisors in Wisconsin was held on July 13. Schaefer was defeated by Daniel Siegmann, who had filed the petition against him. Siegmann received 538 votes (77.2%) to Schaefer’s 159, according to unofficial results.…