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Smartmatic Accused of Unlawful Gifts to LA County Official Amid Contract Controversy

Published: · Updated: · 5 min read

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Fox News has filed a legal petition alleging that Smartmatic, a voting technology company,.

What's happening

Smartmatic Accused of Unlawful Gifts to LA County Official Amid Contract Controversy — A panel of three judges has issued an injunction blocking Texas from implementing its newly drawn congressional map, a decision that could significantly affect the state's representation in the upcoming midterm elections. Brown and Judge Davi Guaderrama, found that the map appears to be a race-based gerrymander, which is illegal under federal law. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move The judges ruled 2-1 that the new map, which was expected to add five Republican-leaning seats, likely violates the Act. "The public perception of this case is that it’s about politics," the majority opinion stated. "But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map." The court's decision follows a nine-day hearing in El Paso, where the legality of the map was debated. Texas Republicans argued that the map was drawn based on political preferences, not race. However, the court found this claim unconvincing, stating it is "extremely unlikely" that the map's racial outcomes were coincidental. More than three years after the Supreme Court ended the 1973 ruling that federalized abortion, the fight for life continues. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA) and Women Speak Out PAC (WSO) have announced an $80 million campaign aimed at retaining pro-life majorities in Congress.

What's at stake

The organizations plan to reach 10.5 million voters nationwide through canvassing, digital advertising, voter contact mail, and an early vote campaign. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs SBA Pro-Life, which claims a network of over 1 million pro-life Americans, will collaborate with WSO to amplify the voices of women opposed to what they describe as extreme abortion policies. SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser emphasized the importance of mobilizing pro-life voters, particularly in that historically see lower turnout for the party in power. "Our mission is to fire up pro-life Americans who do not consistently vote in midterms and convince persuadable voters to reject the Democrats’ extreme all-trimester abortion agenda," she stated. in midterm elections has been significantly lower than in presidential years, but recent midterms saw participation rates of 49% in 2018 and 46% in 2022, the highest in over a century, according to Pew Research Center. The challenge remains: how to motivate low-propensity voters to participate in these elections. SBA and WSO's strategy includes making 4.5 million visits to voters' homes in key battleground states, including Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, and , which are critical for both Senate and House races. Arizona Republicans introduced a constitutional amendment on Monday aimed at addressing election management issues in the state. The proposal, known as House Concurrent Resolution 2001, seeks to establish clearer rules for early voting and ballot submission, which proponents argue will enhance election integrity and efficiency.

Explainer Arizona Republicans Propose Amendment to Reform Election Processes "Arizonans are tired of excuses and chaos on Election Day. The Arizona Secure Elections Act gives voters clear rules, strong identification standards, and the confidence that only citizens are taking part in our elections," said Rep. He emphasized that the reforms are designed to prioritize voters and restore public trust in the electoral process. This initiative responds to ongoing concerns about the delayed release of election results in Arizona, which has been attributed to current laws allowing early mail ballot drop-offs until 7 p.m. The reactions to last Tuesday’s elections can be broadly divided into two camps. One group questions the alarm over predictable Democratic victories in blue states, while the other warns that the GOP must awaken to the reality of its electoral challenges ahead of the 2026 elections. The GOP's recent loss of its supermajority in the Mississippi Senate, along with the ousting of incumbents in Georgia's Public Service Commissioner races, signals a pressing need for introspection within the party. These outcomes suggest that the GOP must reassess its strategies and approach to engage effectively with the electorate. Explainer Virginia AG Candidate Jay Jones Faces Scrutiny Over Violent Texts Scott McCay, in his analysis, argues that the left has reignited a 'cold civil war' that the right has yet to fully acknowledge. The proposed amendment mandates that all eligible voters casting early ballots must do so by 7:00 p.m. on the Friday before the general election, contingent on the process being authorized by law. Additionally, it stipulates that no votes may be cast or accepted after the designated poll closing times on . What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. The coverage highlights: Texas Court Blocks New Congressional Map, Impacting Midterm Elections. The coverage highlights: Leading Pro-Life Group To Spend $80 Million In 2026 Midterms. The coverage highlights: Arizona Republicans Propose Amendment to Reform Election Processes. The coverage highlights: To Win The War For America, The GOP Must Know It's Happening. The coverage highlights: Trump Should Use Vance's Talking Points On Prices, Affordability.

Key facts & context

2025-12-03: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. 2025-11-19: Texas Court Blocks New Congressional Map, Impacting Midterm Elections. 2025-11-18: Leading Pro-Life Group To Spend $80 Million In 2026 Midterms. 2025-11-17: Arizona Republicans Propose Amendment to Reform Election Processes. 2025-11-14: To Win The War For America, The GOP Must Know It's Happening. 2025-11-13: Trump Should Use Vance's Talking Points On Prices, Affordability. 2025-11-03: Federal Monitors Deployed in New Jersey Ahead of Elections Amid Concerns Over Election Integrity. 2025-10-23: Virginia GOP Prepares for Tight Elections Amid Mixed Sentiment. 2025-10-17: Virginia Democrats Stand by Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones Amid Controversy. 2025-10-10: Spanberger Refuses to Withdraw Endorsement of Jay Jones Amid Controversy.

Timeline & key developments

2025-12-03: Suit: California's Race-Based Gerrymandering Is Unconstitutional. 2025-11-19: Texas Court Blocks New Congressional Map, Impacting Midterm Elections. 2025-11-18: Leading Pro-Life Group To Spend $80 Million In 2026 Midterms. 2025-11-17: Arizona Republicans Propose Amendment to Reform Election Processes. 2025-11-14: To Win The War For America, The GOP Must Know It's Happening. 2025-11-13: Trump Should Use Vance's Talking Points On Prices, Affordability. 2025-11-03: Federal Monitors Deployed in New Jersey Ahead of Elections Amid Concerns Over Election Integrity. 2025-10-23: Virginia GOP Prepares for Tight Elections Amid Mixed Sentiment. 2025-10-17: Virginia Democrats Stand by Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones Amid Controversy.

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Further reading & references

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