Ranked-choice voting’s losing streak gets longer



It has been a dismal year for ranked-choice voting.

RCV allows voters to rank candidates instead of choosing one. It then runs multiple rounds of counting, adjusts rankings, and discards “exhausted” ballots to determine a winner.

Lawmakers, courts, cities, and voters are increasingly rejecting a system that makes elections harder to understand and easier to distrust.

Two states have already banned it. One state’s pilot program was phased out. A statewide ballot proposal failed to qualify. Several city councils rejected it. A state supreme court struck down an expansion bill. And the year still has months to go.

The states that banned RCV this year were Indiana and Ohio. The Ohio legislature first introduced a ban in 2023. It passed the Senate but not the House. This year, lawmakers passed it through both chambers on the second attempt, with Sens. Theresa Gavarone (R) and Bill DeMora (D) leading the effort. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bipartisan bill into law in February.

Indiana acted even faster. Lawmakers introduced a similar ban and enacted it two months later. The legislation reflected growing concern that RCV makes elections less transparent and harder for voters to trust.

“It is important to ensure Indiana’s voting system is secure and accurate for Hoosier voters. Having to rank each candidate could end up being a vote against the voter’s intended candidate, creating confusion and frustration, which is why we need this law in place,” said state Sen. Blake Doriot (R), the bill’s sponsor.

RCV supporters also suffered a setback in Utah, where the pilot program ended this year. Before the program closed, more than 20 cities tried it, but supporters never moved the state toward broader adoption. Multiple cities dropped out before the program ended.

In Michigan, Rank MI Vote’s RCV ballot proposal fell 200,000 signatures short of qualifying. RCV donors can find one consolation: At least they will not have to spend millions on another failed ballot measure, as they did in six states in 2024.

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KC McGinnis/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Albuquerque, New Mexico, also rejected RCV. The city council voted it down 6-3. The bill’s sponsor claimed switching from the current runoff system would save money, but the proposal failed because of concerns over system upgrades, staff training, and a long public education campaign. Similar proposals also failed in Vista, California, and Appleton, Wisconsin.

The District of Columbia offers another warning. Voters approved RCV, but the city has struggled to prepare for implementation. District residents will use the system for the first time in June, and a recent Opportunity D.C. survey found that 43% of voters remain unaware of the change. To address the confusion, the Board of Elections is spending $50,000 to educate voters.

D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder introduced emergency legislation to delay implementation until 2027. The bill failed, so voters and election workers will have little time to prepare.

Finally, an effort to expand RCV in Maine was struck down in March when the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled the bill unconstitutional. Because the Maine Constitution requires a plurality for state elections, RCV remains limited to federal elections.

Every year, ranked-choice voting’s backers promise simplicity, fairness, and reform. This year showed the opposite. Lawmakers, courts, cities, and voters are increasingly rejecting a system that makes elections harder to understand and easier to distrust.

Video: Wild brawl erupts at kindergarten graduation ceremony at Queen of Apostles School — allegedly over seating



A wild brawl recently erupted at a kindergarten graduation ceremony at Queen of Apostles School in Toledo, Ohio — and it was allegedly over seating.

WTVG-TV reported that new video of last Thursday's dust-up is raising more questions after the arrest of one parent who told the station she's being treated unfairly.

'Once I was taken to the ground, it was probably four or five other guys that were on top of me, trampling me, punching me, kicking me in the head.'

Jessica Anderson was charged with felonious assault, but she told WTVG she wasn't the aggressor and wants police to review all videos of the fight — and wants charges against her dropped.

Witnesses told the station that attendees got angry over seating. Cellphone video shows multiple punches thrown, and WTVG reported that an individual appearing to be Anderson grabbed a woman by the hair.

But Anderson emphasized to the station that the clip doesn't tell the full story.

"I removed her from the pile, and her arm fell into a chair," Anderson recounted to WTVG. "Then we were surrounded by people, and she was hitting me. I didn't know what was happening, so I started swinging back."

She also told the station, "I wasn't the aggressor; it wasn't my face that should have been blasted everywhere. I take accountability that I was involved. A lot of people were involved, but me being the only person charged was not fair. It wasn't."

Anderson is charged with felonious assault, WTVG reported, adding that a judge put her on house arrest.

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WTVG also said cellphone video it obtained appears to show parent Craig Mays involved in the fight over seating.

Anderson told the station that after a disagreement over the chairs, Mays rushed toward one of her family members while she called 911.

“Craig Mays snatched Katie, and then the nephews got involved," Anderson told WTVG. "He charged over there."

The station said it spoke with Mays, and he denies that's how things went down.

"Her whole family in the first two rows just stand up, five guys, five girls. They just all stand up. As I’m arguing with Jessica, I literally don’t remember anything. I just know I was sucker punched. Once I was taken to the ground, it was probably four or five other guys that were on top of me, trampling me, punching me, kicking me in the head," Mays told WTVG.

Cellphone video allegedly recorded just after the initial brawl appears to show Mays climbing back to his feet, walking away, taking off his shirt, and putting up his fists while confronting and squaring up with a man dressed in a black sweatshirt, the station said.

Toledo police continue to investigate the fight, WTVG said, adding that the school has yet to announce a rescheduled graduation ceremony date.

A spokesperson for Central City Ministries, which operates the school, told WTVG-TV in an earlier story that no students were in the room during the brawl.

Gabriel Jakubisin, head of school for Central City Ministries, told the station that he's proud of how staff members handled the situation. Staff members called 911 and went into lockdown, WTVG reported.

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Republican AG’s Resignation Could Cause Ripple Effect Through Entire State

He's expected to accept a job in the private sector

Trump-endorsed governor candidate carries the day; moves on to face 'Dr. Lockdown' in November



Ohioans went to the polls on Tuesday in what has arguably become one of the highest-profile primaries in the country ahead of the midterm elections later this year.

The closest-watched Republican primary, of course, was for Ohio governor, and the winner will go on to face an unopposed Democratic candidate in November.

With over 98% of the votes counted, Ramaswamy had received 82.5% to Putsch's 17.5%.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the Trump-endorsed GOP candidate, biotech entrepreneur, and former presidential candidate, faced off against "America First" candidate Casey Putsch, who has positioned himself as a "third option" against the two choices provided by the political establishment.

Ramaswamy, the favorite in recent polling, was able to beat Putsch for the GOP nomination. With over 98% of the votes counted, Ramaswamy had received 82.5% to Putsch's 17.5%.

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Jon Cherry/Getty Images

After the race was called, Ramaswamy pledged not just to make "Ohio great again, but to make Ohio greater than we have ever been before."

Putsch told his voters on Tuesday morning, "Get out there Ohio, and don't let anyone Putsch you around," but did not post on X after the election.

Ramaswamy will go on to face unopposed Democratic candidate Amy Acton in November. Acton has been criticized for her former role as the director of the Ohio Department of Health during the early COVID-19 pandemic response, earning the nickname "Dr. Lockdown."

Another contentious race has been raging as well.

Ohio Republican leadership is attempting to secure a 7-0 court on the state Supreme Court with a four-way challenge against Democrat Justice Jennifer Brunner.

Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger, former Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Colleen O’Donnell, 5th District Court of Appeals Judge Andrew King, and 2nd District Court of Appeals Judge Ronald Lewis were the four Republican rivals competing in this week's primary.

As of Wednesday morning, O'Donnell holds a lead, but the race is still too close to call.

U.S. House GOP candidates in Ohio won more than half of their primary races uncontested, while Democrats had three uncontested primary races.

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Lawyers Admit GOP Lawmaker Lied About Key Witness In Ex-Wife Domestic Violence Case

'Unpredictable, irrational, unhinged, and confrontational'

‘Moderate’ Democrat Ohio Senate Candidate Sherrod Brown Too Cozy With Anti-Cop Left, Law Enforcement Says

'we don't expect ever a formal apology'

Early red flag for GOP? Democrats rack up massive Q1 fundraising hauls



The first-quarter campaign fundraising total for the 2026 midterms reveals that House and Senate Democratic candidates have picked up significant early momentum, potentially spelling trouble for Republicans as more primary elections approach.

At least one Democratic candidate raised more than a Republican in Georgia, North Carolina, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, New Hampshire, and Alaska, Punchbowl News reported.

'There's no way for Republicans to spin this: Their candidates are getting crushed.'

Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) raised $27.1 million, breaking a record for the largest amount for a Senate candidate in any state. Talarico's fundraising significantly outpaced his potential opponents. Sen. John Cornyn (R) raised $9 million, and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) raised $2.2 million.

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) raised $14 million during the first quarter. The incumbent's fundraising far outpaced that of Republicans hoping to unseat him. Rep. Mike Collins (R) raised just over $1 million, and Rep. Buddy Carter (R) raised just $470,000.

In Ohio, former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) is hoping to defeat Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted. Brown raised $10.1 million in the first quarter, while Husted brought in $2.9 million.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is running against Michael Whatley (R) and three other candidates to secure retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’ seat. Cooper raised $13.8 million in the first quarter, while Whatley raised $5 million.

RELATED: 'Record' cash advantage gives GOP upper hand in state AG races

James Talarico. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

House Democratic challengers also raised significant funds in the first few months of the year.

In Arizona, JoAnna Mendoza (D) raised over $2.3 million, among the highest reported by a Democratic House candidate. Mendoza's opponent, incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R), raised $1.1 million.

In Wisconsin, Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke is looking to oust incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R). Cooke raised $2.4 million, while Van Orden raised $1.3 million.

"Of course, this is only part of the picture. Candidates are now using joint fundraising committees to air TV ads. Super PACs will play a big role," Punchbowl News reported. "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson did raise the most in Iowa's open Senate race. And Democratic primaries will drain some resources."

"But there's no way for Republicans to spin this: Their candidates are getting crushed," the outlet stated.

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Visions of America/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

While Punchbowl News insisted it was all doom and gloom for Republican candidates, the National Republican Congressional Committee saw the Q1 funding results as a win for the GOP.

"Republicans are LAPPING Democrats in fundraising & building a war chest they can't match," the NRCC wrote in a post on X, adding that the GOP "outraised, outworked, [and] outmatched" their Democratic counterparts.

Mike Marinella, the national press secretary for the NRCC, stated, "Once again, and for every single quarter this campaign cycle, @NRCC Patriots have outraised [the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] Frontliners."

"House Republicans have the momentum on our side, and the money proves it," he wrote.

Federal Election Commission reporting showed that Democratic Senate candidates have raised $368 million for their 2026 races, compared to $324 million raised by Republicans. Democratic House candidates collected $691 million, while Republicans raised $578 million.

Some of the most prominent names in Republican political consulting did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

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Republicans receive another grim midterm forecast



Democrats and Republicans alike are eyeing the home stretch before the 2026 primaries, but the latest forecast suggests the GOP is facing a major disadvantage.

Republicans have enjoyed a supermajority following the 2024 election after Americans elected President Donald Trump back to the White House and the GOP took back the Senate and maintained its narrow House majority. The electoral forecast is now indicating that the pendulum will swing back in favor of Democrats, with four key races shifting away from Republicans.

None of the Democrat-held seats seem to be leaning Republican.

The Cook Political Report was initially tracking Senate races for Georgia, which is held by incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff, and North Carolina, which is held by retiring Republican Thom Tillis, as toss-ups that could go either way. The same report also had the Ohio Senate race leaning Republican and the Nebraska Senate race as a solid Republican rating.

As of Monday, all of these races have shifted in favor of Democrats.

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Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

The toss-up races in North Carolina and Georgia have both shifted to leaning Democrat, and Ohio, which is held by Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted, has changed to a toss-up race. The seat of Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska is still rated likely GOP, but nonetheless there is an evident electoral shift away from Republicans.

None of the Democrat-held seats seem to be leaning Republican. Michigan's Senate seat, which is held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters, is rated as a toss-up. Maine's Senate seat, held by Republican Susan Collins, is also notably rated a toss-up.

Republicans currently hold 53 seats and can afford to lose a maximum of just two Senate seats in order to maintain their majority, though Vice President JD Vance could always break any tie votes.

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2 Quietly Run Democratic Senate Races Should Be On Your Midterm Radar

The final two years of Trump's term would be completely derailed by Democrats.

SCOTUS delivers bad news to Ohio 'Democrat' who tried to run as a Republican



A Democrat interloper hoping, in his own words, to help get Democrats "a foot in the door" in a deep-red Ohio district was certified in February to run as a Republican candidate in the coming primary election for the Buckeye State's 15th Congressional District.

Samuel Ronan — a former candidate for the chair of the Democratic National Committee — was, however, disqualified by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) following protest by a GOP voter.

Ronan's fight to stay on the ballot went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which delivered the subversive some bad news on Thursday.

Infiltrator

Permitted under Ohio law to contest the candidacy of a party candidate, GOP voter Mark Schare did so on Feb. 20, claiming that Ronan had misrepresented his affiliation with the GOP.

'Just one problem: he is a Democrat.'

According to court documents, Schare referred to Ronan's prior remarks about tricking Republicans into voting for Democrats as well as a January 2026 Facebook post in which Ronan wrote,

I believe i [sic] very clearly mentioned in that very same DNC Chair race that Democrats, if they wanted to govern and regain the trust of Americans, would have to primary Republicans in deep red districts, as Republicans, just to get a foot in the door. So, if I am doing anything, it's following the argument I made on that stage.

Ronan later admitted his strategy to the Ohio Board of Elections but suggested that he was not presently "fighting on behalf of the traitorous Democrats" who voted to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also argued that he should be able to present his leftist ideology as a Republican and let the voters decide "what is or what is not Republican."

RELATED: Democrat fraudster begs to keep $800,000 state pension funded by taxpayers

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R). Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call Inc./Getty Images

The Ohio Board of Elections put his disqualification to a vote and ended up tied along party lines. The decision was consequently kicked to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R), who broke the deadlock in favor of disqualification, revealing on March 19 that he was removing Ronan from the Ohio primary ballot.

LaRose emphasized in his decision that the "issue here is not 'ideological purity,'" but "the integrity of the electoral process."

Rejected

The Democrat interloper — who noted last month that he opposes sealing the border and stopping the "migrant invasion" — challenged his disqualification, suing LaRose and members of the Franklin County Board of Elections, and alleging that his First Amendment rights were violated.

Ronan managed to obtain a temporary restraining order; however, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Morrison, an appointee of President Donald Trump, had it vacated and denied Ronan a preliminary injunction earlier this month.

"It cannot be the case that a State must allow a candidate on a partisan ballot even if he lied about his party affiliation simply because the First Amendment is implicated," wrote Morrison. "To do so 'would subject virtually every electoral regulation to strict scrutiny, hamper the ability of States to run efficient and equitable elections, and compel federal courts to rewrite state electoral codes.'"

After a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit — made aware of Ronan's recent social post in which he stated, "Leftists need to infiltrate [R]epublican spaces and primary them" — similarly refused to put the ex-candidate back on the ballot.

Alongside his campaign manager, Ana Cordero, Ronan appealed at last to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ronan's legal counsel claimed in the emergency application, "Ronan did not act in bad faith. He was honest. He made plain that though he was once a Democrat he is now seeking to transport across the aisle ideas that were not embraced by the Democratic Party. Ronan’s campaign is a good faith attempt to win over Republican voters by advocating his values — values he believes Democrats have forsaken. That is not a 'strategic candidacy' or some kind of trick. It is not unlawful."

Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office said in a response to the application, "Samuel Ronan wanted to run for office in Ohio’s Republican primary as a Republican. Just one problem: he is a Democrat."

The office noted further that "Ronan's request is upside down."

"Political parties possess a First Amendment associational right to exclude those who do not share their values," said Yost's office. "So it would be quite surprising if the First Amendment forbids States from protecting that right when the Amendment 'barely — and only provisionally — permits' States to compel association."

Justice Brett Kavanaugh referred Ronan's application to the full court, which denied Ronan's request on Thursday, reported the Courthouse News Service.

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