Latest news with #ElectionIntegrity
Russia Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Moscow hits back at Romania's election meddling claims
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed allegations from Romania that Moscow interfered in the second round of the country's presidential elections. In a statement on Monday, Zakharova pointed to the contentious nature of the vote in Romania, advising its officials to focus on 'cleaning' their own reputation. The diplomat was responding to claims by Romanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Andrei Tarnea, who alleged that there were 'hallmarks of Russian interference' during the election. On Sunday, pro-EU centrist Nicusor Dan was elected president of Romania, defeating conservative and Euroskeptic rival George Simion, who has accused France and Moldova of attempting to undermine his campaign. Zakharova questioned the legitimacy of Romania's presidential vote, saying it should not be considered a proper election. 'You can't interfere in something like that – only get entangled in it,' Zakharova wrote on Telegram. 'They shouldn't try to drag others into their electoral mess. They should clean it up themselves.' The election followed the annulment of the previous vote, in which independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu had led in the first round with 23% of the vote. Romania's Constitutional Court overturned the results, citing electoral irregularities and allegations of foreign interference, including claims of Russian involvement – accusations that Moscow has denied. Georgescu was subsequently barred from standing in the re-run. Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), has publicly backed Georgescu and appeared alongside him at a polling station on Sunday. He had earlier condemned the annulment of the 2024 election results as a 'coup d'état' and said that, if elected, he would consider appointing Georgescu as prime minister. Simion, who opposes military aid to Kiev and has been barred from visiting Ukraine, decisively swept the first round on May 4, securing 40%, while Dan and former Senator Crin Antonescu each garnered around 20%. Dan is known as a staunchly pro-EU and pro-NATO candidate, and has called Romania's support for Ukraine vital for national security. Ahead of the Sunday's runoff, Simion accused the pro-EU government in neighboring Moldova of attempting to rig the vote. The two countries share close historical and cultural links, with about 30% of Moldovans holding dual citizenship. He claimed on Facebook that the country's voter rolls included 1.7 million fictitious names, alleging that many of them belong to people who are no longer alive. Simion also alleged that voters were being bussed in from Moldova to cast ballots. He previously accused his opponent, Dan, of breaking the campaign silence rule by engaging in political activity on the eve of the vote. Telegram founder Pavel Durov said in a post on Sunday that Nicolas Lerner, head of French foreign intelligence, had personally urged him to censor conservative voices on the platform ahead of Romania's presidential election rerun. The Russian-born entrepreneur said he refused the request.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Why Nonvoters Don't Vote: What New Census Data Show
(Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu via Getty Images) In April, the Census released its report on registration and voting in the 2024 election. The data make it possible to look at many voter characteristics such as race and ethnicity, gender, age, family income, and much more. The trend data on voters is valuable, but I'm especially interested in a different question the Census includes in this series. The Census also asks people who are registered but didn't vote why they didn't do so. I focus on this question because of the drumbeat of news stories each election season claiming there are significant difficulties or impediments to voting. Those concerns among others persuaded Democrats to introduce legislation at the beginning of President Biden's term which would have federalized many aspects of elections. The legislation, which passed the House but not the Senate, would have required states to provide automatic voter registration, established same day registration and voting, put in place two weeks of early voting, and expand vote by mail. In March, President Trump recently issued an Election Integrity Executive Order that would require, among other things, proof of citizenship to vote. Court challenges are expected. The new Census data do not suggest that impediments are a significant or even minor reason why nonvoters don't vote. Before reviewing the data, a cautionary note about the data is in order. The Census data are what we call 'recall' data, which means the Census goes into the field after the election and asks people if they were registered and voted. Many people still give what they see as the civically correct response and tell Census interviewers that they voted, when in fact some did not. Still, this Census release is widely used by academics and others to show trends in voting by specific characteristics. The Census has been providing this invaluable data for every national election since 1964. Nonvoters in the Census data have already taken the step to register, yet still they don't vote. The top explanation for this group in 2024 was that they were 'not interested' with nearly two in ten voters, 19.7%, giving this response. That was followed by being too busy (17.8%), and not liking the candidates or campaign issues (14.7%). Illness or disability was chosen by 12.4% and 7.4% said they were out of town. Four percent told interviewers they simply forgot. There were some unsurprising subgroup differences among nonvoters. Thirty-five percent of those in the 65 and over group said illness or disability prevented them from voting compared to 2.8%for the youngest presumably healthier age group, those ages 18-24. The top three responses were the same for whites, blacks and Hispanics, but black and Hispanic nonvoters were more likely than whites to say they weren't interested. High school grads were slightly more likely to give the not interested response than those with a BA or more. As for possible voting impediments, 3.6% in the Census report said they had registration problems, 2.4% said their voting places were inconvenient, and 2.2% noted transportation problems. These responses augment responses from a 2024 PRRI poll. Fewer than 2% said they faced impediments to voting such as being told they didn't have the correct ID, or, separately, that their name wasn't on the list though they were registered. One percent said they were harassed or bothered. The one problem a lot of voters had was long lines (17%), something local election officials can work to correct. The dearth of serious voting impediments is long-standing finding in polls. To take just one, a 1983 report by ABC News and Harvard looked closely at likely and unlikely voters. Jeff Alderman of ABC wrote that both groups did 'not perceive major logistical obstacles to voting in either the registration or election process. They are generally satisfied with voting procedures. . .' In this poll, a similar number of nonvoters gave the 'too busy' and 'long lines' response the Census has tracked. Other studies since that time confirm that impediments are not a significant problem for the vast majority of citizens. So why do we hear so much about voting impediments in election years? First, we should know about real impediments and correct them because voting is important and gives people a say in how government works. It is also always worth examining proposed changes to see if they will make the system work better. But it also appears that both parties use the issue to try to secure political advantage – to appeal to their base voters and widen their appeal. But getting the federal government more involved in a system that needs some improvements but works very well across the country seems to me at least to be a big mistake.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What to know about Josh Schoemann, first Republican to launch run for Wisconsin governor
The November 2026 race for Wisconsin governor has its first confirmed candidate from a major political party: Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. Schoemann formally launched his campaign May 4 in West Bend after filing paperwork days earlier. He's the first Republican to announce a run for the seat held by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who hasn't yet said if he'll seek reelection. In a video launching his campaign, Schoemann focused on issues like homeownership for young families, supporting small businesses, building infrastructure and reducing government spending and bureaucracy. "I can't promise you that we'll always agree, but I can promise you no one will ever outwork me to serve you," Schoemann said. "You deserve nothing less, because after all, we're neighbors." Here's what to know about Schoemann, the first Republican to declare a run for governor: How do you pronounce Josh Schoemann's last name? Schoemann pronounces his last name SHOW-men. What is Josh Schoemann's political experience? Schoemann was elected Washington County executive in 2020, a first-time role in the county. He ran unopposed and won a second term in 2024. For six years prior, he served as county administrator and manager. On his campaign website, Schoemann touts cutting property taxes by $1 million, reducing county staff by about 25% and expanding services like public safety and mental health. As county executive, he opposed mask mandates and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schoemann's website says he "led the fight for election integrity," including funding a county-wide election audit and grants for extended early voting hours "so Madison and Milwaukee can't run up the score." Each local government in Wisconsin sets its own hours and locations for early voting — Milwaukee and Madison offer multiple early voting locations, rather than one town or village hall like many suburban communities. What is Josh Schoemann's military background? Schoemann served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, according to this county executive bio. He earned an Army Commendation Medal during his tour and received an honorable discharge in 2008 from the Army National Guard. Before serving in the military, Schoemann worked as a janitor in local schools and at Gib's on the Lake in Kewaunee County, according to his campaign video. What is Josh Schoemann's platform? Schoemann's website lists priorities like cutting waste and bureaucracy in government, ending "woke overreach" in education, launching statewide initiatives to promote community service and promoting mental and physical health for veterans and first responders. At his campaign launch, Schoemann criticized several of Evers' actions, including vetoing a bill that would reverse changes to the state's test scores, crafting school funding increases for 400 years and issuing guidance to federal employees who encounter federal immigration officials. Republican Josh Schoemann, left, kisses his wife, Jodi, who introduced him at a rally where he announced he's running for governor on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Elderberry Manor in West Bend. How old is Josh Schoemann? Schoemann is 43. Who is in Josh Schoemann's family? Schoemann and his wife, Jodi, have two sons, Cael and Drake. They have two dogs, Liberty and Sconnie. Where did Josh Schoemann go to college? Schoemann earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, according to his LinkedIn profile, and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. Where is Josh Schoemann from? Schoemann was born in Hartford, about 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, and now lives on a farm in Trenton. Schoemann's father was a Lutheran minister, and the family moved to small towns across Wisconsin, according to his campaign video. Did Washington County vote for Donald Trump? As some Milwaukee suburbs shift blue, Washington County remains solidly red. President Donald Trump won Washington County in 2024, taking about 68% of the vote, compared with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' 31%. That 36-point margin was Trump's highest in the three "WOW" counties — Trump's margin was 20 points in Waukesha County and 11 points in Ozaukee County. In the state Supreme Court election, Washington County voted 66% for conservative candidate Brad Schimel and 34% for liberal candidate — and winner — Susan Crawford. Ten counties flipped from Trump to Crawford in April, but Washington wasn't one of them. Schimel's margin was highest in Washington County compared with Waukesha and Ozaukee counties. Does Josh Schoemann support Trump? Schoemann didn't explicitly back Trump during his campaign launch speech, but referenced the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. "President Trump has renewed the call for us to fight, fight, fight," Schoemann said, leading attendees in the chant. What are Democrats saying about Josh Schoemann? Democratic Party of Wisconsin executive director Sarah Abel characterized Schoemann as a "far-right Republican" that voters have rejected before. "He has railed against funding for our public schools and continues to stand by Donald Trump and Elon Musk as they wreck the economy, force new tariff taxes and raise costs for consumers, gut health care for working families," Abel said. "The last thing Wisconsin needs is another Donald Trump puppet at the helm who will undo all the progress we've made since 2018," she said, referring to the year Evers was elected governor. Who else is running for governor in Wisconsin? Evers hasn't said if he'll seek a third term. He's expected to announce his decision after the state budget is finalized sometime this summer, but it could come later in 2025. If Evers decides not to seek reelection, it'll likely kick off a competitive Democratic primary. Other Republicans are eyeing the seat. That includes Whitefish Bay manufacturing businessman and Navy SEAL veteran Bill Berrien, who formed a political action committee in April. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is also considering a run. Alexander Kent from La Crosse also registered a campaign for governor as an independent candidate. Kent registered the committee under the name "Voter Directed Democracy," which is the title of a book he authored. More: What will Wisconsin vote for in the 2026 elections? Supreme Court, governor's races will soon take shape This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Josh Schoemann, Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor?
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New study from key swing state shatters popular narrative against Voter ID: 'No evidence'
FIRST ON FOX: A study in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin runs contrary to the popular claim of many on the political left and concludes that voter ID laws have not suppressed the vote in the state. "The study finds no statistically significant negative impact of Wisconsin's voter ID law on overall voter turnout," the new study from the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) concludes. "In fact, turnout has slightly increased since the law's implementation, challenging claims that voter ID requirements lead to widespread disenfranchisement." Critics have also railed against voter ID laws in recent years, claiming that it disenfranchises minority voters who, according to critics, have difficulty obtaining identification. The study states that it found "no evidence of a negative effect on turnout from the implementation of voter ID among non-white Wisconsinites." 'Fulfill The Mandate': New Election Integrity Report Calls For Critical Changes To Guarantee Secure Elections The study compared turnout in Wisconsin over a 20-year period, starting with the 2004 presidential election and ending with the 2024 presidential election while including gubernatorial elections in the years between. WILL acknowledged that turnout can be "impacted by many factors beyond voter ID laws" but explained that it "included these key control variables to ensure we isolated the law's true impact." Read On The Fox News App Wisconsin established voter ID laws in 2011 that have undergone several court challenges in the following years. Will Flanders, research director at WILL, told Fox News Digital that he hopes people take away from this study that the popular narratives about voter ID laws are not based in data. "When people make these claims that voter ID is this instrument of suppression, there's really no evidence to back that up," Flanders said. "People often say it's especially hard for minorities and folks from low-income backgrounds. We specifically looked at the impact on areas with more minority voters, and we found that there's no evidence, even in those areas, to support this case. There's no impact on voter turnout in areas with high numbers of minority residents relative to other parts of the state as well. So no impact overall and no impact on those voters that are generally claimed to be most affected." 'He Cannot Buy An Election Here In Wisconsin': Sanders Slams Musk In State Trump Won By Less Than 1% Honest Elections Project Action Executive Director Jason Snead told Fox News Digital that the WILL report is consistent with "many" other studies that show voter ID laws "do not do what the Left claims." "To the contrary, voter ID laws enhance public trust in elections, leading directly to higher voter turnout and greater trust in the democratic process. Liberal politicians are desperate to mislead the public, but the truth is that voter ID laws are overwhelmingly popular. That is why 36 states have them and voters in states as diverse as North Carolina and Nevada have voted for ballot measures to require voter ID," he said. On April 1, voters in Wisconsin will be asked if they want to enshrine Wisconsin's voter ID law into the state Constitution. Polling shows that the majority of Americans support the idea of requiring identification to vote. The latest Gallup poll on the issue showed that more than 80% of voters support showing photo identification to vote as well as providing proof of citizenship. Click To Get The Fox News App A 2024 Pew Research Poll also showed a bipartisan consensus that over 80% of Americans support voter ID measures. In Wisconsin, nearly 75% of residents polled by Marquette University Law School supported voter article source: New study from key swing state shatters popular narrative against Voter ID: 'No evidence'
