election officials

Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and his campaign advertisements, with the move coming roughly two weeks before Brazil's election. The suspension of a sitting head of state's official campaign presence on a major platform is drawing attention and questions about how the decision was made and what impact it could have on the campaign's final stretch.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily use its revamped federal voter eligibility database while legal challenges continue. The decision clears the way for federal officials to cross-check voter rolls against the new system in the interim. News outlets including AP News and NewsNation report the ruling as an interim measure, not a final resolution of the dispute over the database.

Election preparations are underway in Gaza, where around 1.25 million people are registered to vote. Officials are working amid widespread destruction from Israeli attacks and serious security concerns. Observers are watching how logistics, safety and access to polling will be managed in conditions described as among the most difficult for any election.

The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for states to run voter citizenship checks using the federal SAVE database ahead of the midterm elections. The decision lets election officials verify the citizenship status of registered voters against federal records. Supporters say it protects election integrity, while voting-rights groups warn it could lead to eligible voters being wrongly flagged or purged from rolls close to the vote.

Election experts are warning that allies of Donald Trump could use the so-called counting window during the US midterms — the period after polls close while votes are still being tallied — to challenge or disrupt election results. The warning comes as officials brace for delays in counting and potential legal and political pressure, revamping concerns about efforts to contest outcomes reminiscent of the 2020 election.

A Maricopa County official spoke about how the county is working to address public mistrust in election security. The comments come as election offices across Arizona and the US continue facing skepticism about vote counting and administration. The official outlined measures being taken to reassure voters that elections in the county are run securely and transparently.

As early voting gets underway, election officials are making public efforts to reassure voters about the security and integrity of the process. Authorities are emphasizing safeguards in place and urging confidence in the results, as public trust in elections remains a prominent concern heading into the vote.

California's state Supreme Court has ruled that a county sheriff violated election law when he seized ballots. The decision establishes that the sheriff's actions were unlawful, drawing attention to the boundaries between law enforcement and election administration. The ruling is being discussed in the context of ongoing disputes over election integrity and officials' authority over voting materials.

An Arizona election official spoke with NPR about how the state is working to counter public mistrust in election security. The discussion focused on measures election offices are taking to reassure voters that results are accurate and processes are secure, amid ongoing skepticism about election integrity in Arizona and across the United States.

The California Supreme Court has ordered the Riverside County sheriff to return roughly 650,000 ballots that were seized during an investigation into the November 2022 election in the city of Murrieta. The ruling hands the ballots back to local election officials, sharply limiting the sheriff's ability to keep pursuing claims of voter fraud in that race.

France is holding its Senate elections today, with 178 of the 348 seats in the upper house being renewed. The grand electors, drawn from local elected officials, are casting their votes, with the far-right RN in a position of strength in several areas. The left says it expects little from the vote, since indirect elections by local officials limit its chances.

Maine's Secretary of State has issued a public warning about websites and online sources spreading misleading information about elections. Officials are urging voters to verify details through official state channels before trusting or sharing claims they encounter online. The advisory comes amid heightened concern over misinformation affecting voter confidence.

Oregon and Coos County officials are encouraging voters to return completed mail ballots through official drop boxes rather than the postal service, citing ongoing mail delivery delays. The advisory comes as election officials work to ensure ballots arrive on time, with Oregon's Secretary of State among those backing the push.

Fatah officials say talks being held in Cairo may lead to a delay in the planned Palestinian elections. The discussions in the Egyptian capital are reportedly focused on the electoral process, and sources within the faction suggest the vote's timetable could be pushed back as a result. The potential postponement is drawing attention given the significance of the elections for Palestinian politics.

Israel's Economy Ministry has ended the 'Israel's Basket' pilot program, citing the upcoming elections. The program, which relates to the regulated basket of basic consumer goods and services, was halted as officials avoid new policy initiatives during the campaign period. The decision has drawn attention in Israeli media, where observers see it as a sign of how electoral timing can affect economic policy decisions.

Politicians appear to be finding ways to avoid accountability for rising healthcare costs, a dynamic described as a kind of political 'superpower'. The item raises the question of how elected officials deflect responsibility for an issue that directly affects voters, as healthcare expenses continue climbing and cost-of-living concerns dominate public debate in the United States.

The US Supreme Court has ruled on a case concerning a Department of Homeland Security voter database, and officials say the decision will have no bearing on California's 2026 general election. The ruling resolves a dispute over federal access to state voter records, but California's election procedures and voter rolls will continue unchanged for the upcoming contest.

Commentary in Washington state urges stronger protections for elections workers, who have faced rising threats and harassment since the 2020 election. The piece argues that safeguards for staff are needed to keep election administration running smoothly and to retain experienced officials ahead of upcoming voting cycles.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is speaking publicly about his office's role in election oversight and his bid for another term. Kaul, a Democrat first elected in 2018, discussed how the attorney general's office handles election-related litigation and enforcement, while also making the case for his reelection. His comments come as Wisconsin remains a closely watched battleground state heading into the 2024 election cycle.

Mississippi's Secretary of State has laid out key information for voters ahead of the midterm election, covering what residents need to know before heading to the polls. The guidance comes as voters across the state prepare to cast ballots, with officials aiming to reduce confusion over registration deadlines, polling places and identification requirements for the vote.

Officials in Lincoln, Arkansas are weighing new options to fund the city's fire department after a state attorney general opinion questioned its fire surcharge. Ideas under consideration include raising water rates or putting a tax measure before voters in a special election. The ruling has left the city searching for a legal way to replace the disputed revenue source.