[insert title here] 2025-26 Election Cycle Thread

[Raptorpat]

News is happening so best to create a thread now rather than splice one down the road. Election content for the 2025-26 cycle goes here.

I've dropped in a bunch of things that literally happened in the past day to jumpstart the thread:

• Election Administration
  • 3/25/25 White House Executive Order usurps Congress attempting to abrogate state control of elections
  • Utah Gov. Cox signs away the state’s popular universal vote-by-mail election system, requiring opting in
  • Kansas lawmakers voted to place a referendum on the August 2026 primary ballot to replace merit-appointment/retention elections with open partisan elections for the Kansas Supreme Court
• Recent Elections
  • Democrats in Pa. Senate upset took inspiration from an Iowa special election campaign
  • Democrat wins Pennsylvania special election, handing party control of state House
• Upcoming Elections
  • Elon Musk dumping millions into trying to flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court, because some states think electing judges is a good idea
  • ‘A lot closer than people expected’: GOP worries, Dem cash dominate tense Florida special election

[naraku360]

22 minutes ago, Raptorpat said:

Shithole Cuntry 2025-26 Election Cycle Thread

 

[Insipid]

Older people, the most likely voters, are worried about their social security and medicare. These people do remember the old days of the Democrat party too. I will be cautiously optimistic pessimistic.

[Raptorpat]

The demographic shifts between the parties has led to (post-2016) the highest propensity voters being Democrats. I'd expect Dems to continue blowing Rs out of the water in specials and in the 2025 elections, but I think the realities of gerrymandering and partisan averages will blunt any potential waves in the actual 2026 elections (that being said, they only need to flip like three seats in the house so idk). This of course is all predicated on elections remaining largely the same as they are now.

[SwimOdin]

Remember democracy?

[Seight]

8 hours ago, Raptorpat said:

The demographic shifts between the parties has led to (post-2016) the highest propensity voters being Democrats. I'd expect Dems to continue blowing Rs out of the water in specials and in the 2025 elections, but I think the realities of gerrymandering and partisan averages will blunt any potential waves in the actual 2026 elections (that being said, they only need to flip like three seats in the house so idk). This of course is all predicated on elections remaining largely the same as they are now.

My dad likes to say "Republicans like every part of democracy except for the pesky 'letting people decide things for themselves' thing."

[katt_goddess]

22 hours ago, SwimOdin said:

Remember democracy?

Pepperidge Farms remembers.

And maybe it'll remember things even better if you buy some of those Milano cookies... 

[tsar4]

[tsar4]

[Raptorpat]

Quote

Louisiana Voters Shoot Down Major Constitutional Amendments

Published Mar 30, 2025 at 6:29 AM EDTUpdated Mar 30, 2025 at 6:29 AM EDT

Louisiana decisively rejected four proposed constitutional amendments intended to reform the state's policies on justice, juvenile crime, taxation, and judicial elections. Each measure received over 60-percent opposition from state voters.

Newsweek contacted the office of Governor Jeff Landry for comment via email outside of office hours.

Why It Matters

Among other things, Pelican State voters roundly rejected proposals to expand the list of crimes for which minors could be tried as adults without requiring another constitutional vote.

What To Know

Louisiana's Republican Governor, Jeff Landry, said he does not see the defeat as a failure.

"Although we are disappointed in tonight's results, we do not see this as a failure. We realize how hard positive change can be to implement in a state that is conditioned for failure," Landry said in a statement.

"We will continue working to give our citizens more opportunities to keep more of their hard-earned money and provide a better future for Louisianans. This is not the end for us, and we will continue to fight to make the generational changes for Louisiana to succeed."

This is what each amendment tried to change in the state's Constitution:

Amendment 1: Expanded Court Powers and Specialty Courts

Voters rejected a proposal to expand the Louisiana Supreme Court's authority over out-of-state attorneys and allow lawmakers to create specialized trial courts that cross district lines. The measure, prompted by controversy over mass hurricane lawsuits filed by an out-of-state law firm, faced a legal challenge earlier this month. It was defeated by more than 170,000 votes.

Amendment 2: Sweeping Fiscal Overhaul

Aiming to rewrite Article VII of the Louisiana Constitution, this amendment that ran to more than 100 pages proposed capping state spending growth, consolidating reserve funds, reallocating nearly $2 billion from education savings to pay down retirement debt, and phasing out business inventory taxes. A key component of Landry's tax reform agenda, Amendment 2 was rejected by over 150,000 votes.

Amendment 3: Adult Prosecution for Juveniles

This amendment sought to expand the list of crimes for which minors could be tried as adults without requiring another constitutional vote. Authored by State Senator Heather Cloud, it was strongly opposed by youth justice advocates who argued existing laws were already broad enough. Amendment 3 faced the most overwhelming rejection, losing by more than 180,000 votes.

Amendment 4: Judicial Election Timing Fix

Designed to align special judicial election timing with Louisiana's upcoming closed-party primary system, this amendment was defeated by over 120,000 votes. Supporters argued it would prevent logistical challenges in filling judicial vacancies, while opponents contended the change was minor and could have been handled legislatively. It was the only proposed amendment not subject to a legal challenge.

What People Are Saying

Landry said in a statement: "Amendment 2 was a chance to permanently lower the maximum state income tax rate, double the tax deductions for residents over the age of 65, create a government growth limit, provide a permanent pay raise for teachers and school staff, maintain the homestead exemption and protect religious organizations, keep more tax dollars in local communities, allow for the elimination of inventory tax, and protect against special interest tax breaks.

"The primary goal of Amendment 2 was to create a better opportunity for our citizens. To work towards inviting people into our state, rather than have them leave. Unfortunately, Soros and far left liberals poured millions into Louisiana with propaganda and outright lies about Amendment 2.

It is not clear whether Landry was referring to investor and philanthropist George Soros in person, or one of his foundations.

Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "In rejecting Louisiana Constitutional Amendment 2, Louisiana citizens from every walk of life stood up and demanded good and faithful government, a government that protects us, and does not mislead us.

"65 percent of voters demanded government transparency. We do not exist to serve government, government exists to serve us, and it would do well to remember that. We will protect our state and every person who lives here. We will defend government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The founders who gave all deserve no less."

Pollster John Couvillon said in a post on X: "This was a 'primal scream' kind of vote, driven by robust Democratic EV [early voting] turnout that I'm not seeing being offset by a strong GOP Election Day vote."

What Happens Next

Landry is eligible to run for reelection in 2027.

https://www.newsweek.com/louisiana-voters-jeff-landry-constitutional-amendments-2052722