“Establish a Constitutional Right to Abortion”
November 7, 2023 5:04 PM Subscribe
Election Day 2023 (NYT gift) Key races include the KY governorship, with D incumbent Andy Beshear taking on Trump-endorsed David Cameron, elections to control the VA legislature, and issues to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana in Ohio. There are other statewide elections in CO, ME, MS, and PA, and local elections including the mayor of Houston, a RI House seat, and the entire NJ state legislature.
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I live in Ohio.
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posted by cooker girl at 5:16 PM on November 7, 2023 [51 favorites]
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I live in Ohio.
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posted by cooker girl at 5:16 PM on November 7, 2023 [51 favorites]
It would be lovely to be given some reasons for hope tonight.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:24 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:24 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
(Nitter link) Dave Wasserman @Redistrict
“I've seen enough: in a victory for the pro-choice side, Ohio Issue 1, a measure to establish a right to an abortion in the state constitution, passes.”
posted by chimpsonfilm at 5:28 PM on November 7, 2023 [34 favorites]
“I've seen enough: in a victory for the pro-choice side, Ohio Issue 1, a measure to establish a right to an abortion in the state constitution, passes.”
posted by chimpsonfilm at 5:28 PM on November 7, 2023 [34 favorites]
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I live in Virginia. (good luck cooker girl 💗)
posted by bluesky43 at 5:30 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
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I live in Virginia. (good luck cooker girl 💗)
posted by bluesky43 at 5:30 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
> elections to control the VA legislature
in my district, Republicans ran unopposed for both Houses. the Democratic Party refused to name a candidate, despite someone stepping forward. i wrote-in the two Democrats who "expressed interest" but it's like, what the fuck are yall even doing? we've been talking about this shit for a decade or more and yall still haven't got your shit together. extremely frustrating. not a single other person i know voted today, of either Sport Team
posted by glonous keming at 5:33 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
in my district, Republicans ran unopposed for both Houses. the Democratic Party refused to name a candidate, despite someone stepping forward. i wrote-in the two Democrats who "expressed interest" but it's like, what the fuck are yall even doing? we've been talking about this shit for a decade or more and yall still haven't got your shit together. extremely frustrating. not a single other person i know voted today, of either Sport Team
posted by glonous keming at 5:33 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
Come on, America, do it right.....
(Yay, looks like Gabe Amo will take David Cicilline's seat in RI-1. I know someone who worked on his primary campaign, who I respect a lot.)
posted by wenestvedt at 5:34 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
(Yay, looks like Gabe Amo will take David Cicilline's seat in RI-1. I know someone who worked on his primary campaign, who I respect a lot.)
posted by wenestvedt at 5:34 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
Indianapolis is voting for a mayor today. The republican challenger has been enjoying a ton of out-of-state money, and flooding the airwaves with slick, gentle, image ads, largely geared toward younger voters, a far cry from the aimed-at-the-older-base “indy is in flames and I will unleash the police to deal with the bad people” ads he ran in the primary. Really unhinged shit.
In a way, this election will be a test of the “young people lean left” trope. Over the past decade or so, Indy has seen a real influx of young professionals into older downtown neighborhoods. On the surface, there’s definitely a progressive vibe in the areas, so there’s hope Indy will remain a democratic island in the bright red Indiana lake. On the other hand, this is Indiana.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:35 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
In a way, this election will be a test of the “young people lean left” trope. Over the past decade or so, Indy has seen a real influx of young professionals into older downtown neighborhoods. On the surface, there’s definitely a progressive vibe in the areas, so there’s hope Indy will remain a democratic island in the bright red Indiana lake. On the other hand, this is Indiana.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:35 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
I don't want to threadsit but I don't think most Americans have a sense of how important this election is. If Youngkin wins a trifecta, i in Virginia, it's gonna be a blueprint for the Republicans in 2024. And Youngkin may jump into the presidential race. And Youngkin is Trump in sheep's clothing (a red vest, khaki pants and a soccer-dad demeanor) plus more unknown and seemingly acceptable.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:53 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 5:53 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Interesting to me that marijuana legalization in Ohio, which I think of as a much less polarizing issue, is currently trailing the abortion referendum by a couple points (though still winning).
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
NYT is calling the Ohio abortion question as passed!
posted by itsatextfile at 6:04 PM on November 7, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by itsatextfile at 6:04 PM on November 7, 2023 [12 favorites]
(Nitter link) Dave Wasserman @Redistrict
“I've seen enough: Democrats retain control of the Virginia Senate, blocking a trifecta for Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).”
posted by chimpsonfilm at 6:05 PM on November 7, 2023 [35 favorites]
“I've seen enough: Democrats retain control of the Virginia Senate, blocking a trifecta for Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).”
posted by chimpsonfilm at 6:05 PM on November 7, 2023 [35 favorites]
I hope it's true Chimpsonfilm. Thanks for that hope.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:06 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:06 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
It’s true! It’s been officially called
I could cry
posted by shesdeadimalive at 6:08 PM on November 7, 2023 [20 favorites]
I could cry
posted by shesdeadimalive at 6:08 PM on November 7, 2023 [20 favorites]
Oh man, I'm right there with you shesdeadimalive.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:09 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:09 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
Interesting to me that marijuana legalization in Ohio, which I think of as a much less polarizing issue, is currently trailing the abortion referendum by a couple points (though still winning).
Abortion isn't a polarizing issue. The only time abortion conclusively loses a poll is if you ask evangelicals. Middle class white people just don't care when abortion gets caught in the crossfire of other white middle class voter issues like tax cuts for their bosses and making sure police can kill black people with impunity.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:10 PM on November 7, 2023 [36 favorites]
Abortion isn't a polarizing issue. The only time abortion conclusively loses a poll is if you ask evangelicals. Middle class white people just don't care when abortion gets caught in the crossfire of other white middle class voter issues like tax cuts for their bosses and making sure police can kill black people with impunity.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:10 PM on November 7, 2023 [36 favorites]
I am sobbing with relief.
posted by cooker girl at 6:10 PM on November 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 6:10 PM on November 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
Looking forward to the day when folks' civil and human rights aren't up for a vote anywhere. We just get 'em like we're supposed to, because they're rights. <3
Also, I am also furious at the Democratic Party machine for being completely gormless.
posted by smirkette at 6:11 PM on November 7, 2023 [18 favorites]
Also, I am also furious at the Democratic Party machine for being completely gormless.
posted by smirkette at 6:11 PM on November 7, 2023 [18 favorites]
Also, I am also furious at the Democratic Party machine for being completely gormless.
I get it, believe me. But there is so much more at stake right now and in 2024. I will not donate directly to the Democratic party because they are thick in the machine but I will donate to individual candidates and I will enthusiastically campaign for Joe Biden in 2024.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:15 PM on November 7, 2023 [29 favorites]
I get it, believe me. But there is so much more at stake right now and in 2024. I will not donate directly to the Democratic party because they are thick in the machine but I will donate to individual candidates and I will enthusiastically campaign for Joe Biden in 2024.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:15 PM on November 7, 2023 [29 favorites]
Ohio voter checking in, before we start drinking in earnest celebration.
We fucking did it. It was a struggle, but we managed to convince a majority of ohioans that women’s lives are worth something
posted by das_2099 at 6:24 PM on November 7, 2023 [55 favorites]
We fucking did it. It was a struggle, but we managed to convince a majority of ohioans that women’s lives are worth something
posted by das_2099 at 6:24 PM on November 7, 2023 [55 favorites]
Yay, looks like Gabe Amo will take David Cicilline's seat in RI-1.
I can’t get enthused about him. He seems to be another middle of the road Democrat so common in RI, who beat out more progressive candidates because the state machine hates them as much as Republicans. I still voted for him, because I’m not insane, but I’m not expecting much. Maybe he’ll surprise me.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
I can’t get enthused about him. He seems to be another middle of the road Democrat so common in RI, who beat out more progressive candidates because the state machine hates them as much as Republicans. I still voted for him, because I’m not insane, but I’m not expecting much. Maybe he’ll surprise me.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
das 2099 🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂
posted by bluesky43 at 6:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
I’m not up on Ohio law...Now that the voters have approved the abortion amendment, is it a done deal? Or, does the legislature still have some weird way of monkeywrenching the voters’ will?
posted by Thorzdad at 6:29 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 6:29 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
I’d like to think I have a pretty low minimum bar I’d like my elected officials to meet before they get my vote. That bar is “do you want people who are homeless and/or struggling with substance use disorders to die?” Clearing this is of course a bare minimum standard, but given the incredibly bleak timeline we live on it goes a long way.
Here in bright blue Philadelphia, where the democratic primary is effectively the mayoral election, our primary winner wants to bring the National Guard into areas of heavy drug use and also supports what she refers to as “constitutional stop and frisk.”
The bar was so damn low, and she blew it.
I wrote in “instant runoff voting” for my mayoral candidate today. The two most progressive candidates in our primary (including mine, Helen Gym) got more votes combined than the actual democratic candidate, and that should mean something, but the way things are it didn’t do shit.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:32 PM on November 7, 2023 [17 favorites]
Here in bright blue Philadelphia, where the democratic primary is effectively the mayoral election, our primary winner wants to bring the National Guard into areas of heavy drug use and also supports what she refers to as “constitutional stop and frisk.”
The bar was so damn low, and she blew it.
I wrote in “instant runoff voting” for my mayoral candidate today. The two most progressive candidates in our primary (including mine, Helen Gym) got more votes combined than the actual democratic candidate, and that should mean something, but the way things are it didn’t do shit.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:32 PM on November 7, 2023 [17 favorites]
Thorzdad, abortion rights are now enshrined in the Ohio constitution.
posted by cooker girl at 6:36 PM on November 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 6:36 PM on November 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
Marijuana legalization in Ohio is also real!
NYT just called it
posted by shesdeadimalive at 6:38 PM on November 7, 2023 [12 favorites]
NYT just called it
posted by shesdeadimalive at 6:38 PM on November 7, 2023 [12 favorites]
followup to my comment above: my locality finally reported and the two Dem write-ins got 22% and 18% (Senate and House respectively).
posted by glonous keming at 6:39 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by glonous keming at 6:39 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
abortion rights are now enshrined in the Ohio constitution.
That’s amazing! Congratulations.
Did the messy situation where a minor Ohio girl came to Indiana for an abortion (before Indiana made it illegal) play any role in getting the “yes” vote out?
posted by Thorzdad at 6:46 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
That’s amazing! Congratulations.
Did the messy situation where a minor Ohio girl came to Indiana for an abortion (before Indiana made it illegal) play any role in getting the “yes” vote out?
posted by Thorzdad at 6:46 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
It had sounded really likely that the Ohio measure would pass, but I'm still so relieved to see that it actually did.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:46 PM on November 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 6:46 PM on November 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
CONGRATULATIONS OHIO! AND KENTUCKY! AND VIRGINIA!
I have never lived in any of those states but I've been waiting and waiting for the results all day.
I am so happy for you, and so proud of you and your fabulous voters!
... also thanks to everyone who helped get out the vote by writing postcards or knocking on doors or sending money. Serious gratitude.
posted by kristi at 6:48 PM on November 7, 2023 [20 favorites]
I have never lived in any of those states but I've been waiting and waiting for the results all day.
I am so happy for you, and so proud of you and your fabulous voters!
... also thanks to everyone who helped get out the vote by writing postcards or knocking on doors or sending money. Serious gratitude.
posted by kristi at 6:48 PM on November 7, 2023 [20 favorites]
I don’t get what Dems are doing this year. The D mayoral candidate in my city, heavily D leaning, in my generally D state is running on the old “tough on crime” platform. I assume he’s trying to court older voters who seem to love that shit but my city population is shrinking with the older demographic shrinking fastest. Such an outdated platform that it’s got a non-zero number of tradition D voters refusing to vote. No wonder there’s a text campaign flooding phones with “blue no matter who”.
posted by JakeEXTREME at 6:51 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by JakeEXTREME at 6:51 PM on November 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
The Democratic party needs to wake up to the concerns of young voters - abortion, climate change, LGBTQ rights and voting rights. But I agree, blue no matter who because the alternative is just so horrible,
posted by bluesky43 at 6:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [16 favorites]
Did the messy situation...
A little. Most of the ads and print I saw were really about keeping government out of one's private life. Some of the more aggressive ads did emphasize the "no exceptions" part of the previous law.
posted by cooker girl at 6:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
A little. Most of the ads and print I saw were really about keeping government out of one's private life. Some of the more aggressive ads did emphasize the "no exceptions" part of the previous law.
posted by cooker girl at 6:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Wow the yes for a constitutional amendment codifying abortion in Ohio is 76% to 24%. Go Ohio!!!!!
posted by bluesky43 at 6:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [8 favorites]
That’s definitely not what I’m seeing—it’s 56-44 on NYT.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:01 PM on November 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:01 PM on November 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
and Beshear won 52% to 47% in fucking Kentucky!
posted by bluesky43 at 7:01 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 7:01 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Danica Roem is VAs first openly trans senator. Beating an asshole who wanted to ban trans athletes. Go VA!
posted by emjaybee at 7:14 PM on November 7, 2023 [38 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 7:14 PM on November 7, 2023 [38 favorites]
NYT has Indy mayor for Joe Hogsett, the Democrat. The challenger already conceded.
posted by tubedogg at 7:21 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by tubedogg at 7:21 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
That’s definitely not what I’m seeing—it’s 56-44 on NYT.
posted by Horace Rumpole
My numbers were from CNN. so?
posted by bluesky43 at 7:32 PM on November 7, 2023
posted by Horace Rumpole
My numbers were from CNN. so?
posted by bluesky43 at 7:32 PM on November 7, 2023
This is a good night I think. All the vindictive national political rhetoric seems to have failed to capture what the good people of Ohio and KY actually want and care about. Sure hopes that carries over to a year from now, by golly.
posted by vrakatar at 7:50 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by vrakatar at 7:50 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
My spouse is running for school board in our district in Colorado, and it is looking like she'll win along with two other candidates who were running a slate against some fairly right-wing candidates (who of course weren't forthcoming in their campaigns as to the policies they would support).
Our municipal races are more mixed. The petro-industry and Koch-funded mayor won as did her council crony in our city ward, but opposition-aligned candidates won two of the four contested council seats.
posted by audi alteram partem at 7:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [26 favorites]
Our municipal races are more mixed. The petro-industry and Koch-funded mayor won as did her council crony in our city ward, but opposition-aligned candidates won two of the four contested council seats.
posted by audi alteram partem at 7:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [26 favorites]
you could get numbers from the actual state...
That wasn't Ohio, in case anyone else was as befuddled as I was
posted by polecat at 7:54 PM on November 7, 2023
That wasn't Ohio, in case anyone else was as befuddled as I was
posted by polecat at 7:54 PM on November 7, 2023
Ohio results. Click on "Statewide Issues" to see the abortion and marijuana results.
posted by polecat at 7:56 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by polecat at 7:56 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
This seems like a mostly okay night to watch the news.
posted by Artw at 7:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
According to the local paper's slow updates, all of the ballot measures and school levies that I supported are passing with solid margins. And, to my surprise and happiness, the progressive candidate for city council that I voted for but thought had no chance is currently running neck and neck with an ok (but less progressive) candidate, both of them leaving the more conservative candidates in the dust.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:07 PM on November 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 8:07 PM on November 7, 2023 [9 favorites]
audi alteram partem, my sincere thanks to your spouse for running for school board - I hope she ends up with a resounding victory!
Public service is hard work, and I am truly grateful to her for offering to serve.
posted by kristi at 8:14 PM on November 7, 2023 [11 favorites]
Public service is hard work, and I am truly grateful to her for offering to serve.
posted by kristi at 8:14 PM on November 7, 2023 [11 favorites]
Did the messy situation where a minor Ohio girl came to Indiana for an abortion (before Indiana made it illegal) play any role in getting the “yes” vote out?
An Abortion Story Too Good to Confirm (guardian) according to the WSJ. A story so sad they supposed that it could only be fictional. So illustrative of the problem with black and white thinking, they thought it was propaganda.
No. This is the reality of their hatred of women and girls. 10 year old girls. So abhorrent they cried 'fake news'.
Well here's another reality check for these fucking monsters: it's not the vote-winner you think it is. It might actually get in the way of taking and keeping power, which is all they care about.
WSJ is fucking trash.
posted by adept256 at 8:15 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
An Abortion Story Too Good to Confirm (guardian) according to the WSJ. A story so sad they supposed that it could only be fictional. So illustrative of the problem with black and white thinking, they thought it was propaganda.
No. This is the reality of their hatred of women and girls. 10 year old girls. So abhorrent they cried 'fake news'.
Well here's another reality check for these fucking monsters: it's not the vote-winner you think it is. It might actually get in the way of taking and keeping power, which is all they care about.
WSJ is fucking trash.
posted by adept256 at 8:15 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
Ooh, I like this closing line from the current Guardian article on Virginia:
posted by kristi at 8:18 PM on November 7, 2023 [53 favorites]
With Democrats in control of the state senate and able to block much of Youngkin’s proposals, it will be much harder for the governor to make a pitch for the White House. Given that Virginia governors are limited to serving a single term, Democrats’ victories on Tuesday guarantee that Youngkin will never have the opportunity to govern with a Republican-controlled legislature.(Emphasis mine.)
posted by kristi at 8:18 PM on November 7, 2023 [53 favorites]
And I like this line from Dave Wasserman on Virginia:
I've seen enough: Democrats win control of the Virginia House of Delegates, flipping the GOP majority and giving them control of both chambers.
posted by airing nerdy laundry at 8:29 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
I've seen enough: Democrats win control of the Virginia House of Delegates, flipping the GOP majority and giving them control of both chambers.
posted by airing nerdy laundry at 8:29 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
I want to clarify something from my earlier statement
I said women, but I meant “people who can get pregnant “
It’s habit, not an intentional attempt to erase you, sorry
posted by das_2099 at 8:31 PM on November 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
I said women, but I meant “people who can get pregnant “
It’s habit, not an intentional attempt to erase you, sorry
posted by das_2099 at 8:31 PM on November 7, 2023 [19 favorites]
Most of the ads and print I saw were really about keeping government out of one's private life.
Yeah, I thought that was an interesting approach, running ads using the conservative/libertarian "too much government is bad!" theme in Yes on Issue 1 ads. Nice bit of campaign judo.
Or, does the legislature still have some weird way of monkeywrenching the voters’ will?
Cleveland.com: After voters back abortion and pot, GOP leaders signal plans to undermine referendums.
The Republican dominated Ohio state legislature was talking about trying to monkey with the marijuana legalization weeks ago, and now they're openly saying they'll do the same for abortion. One assumes they'll try to pass a bevy of ancillary laws that would not directly contradict the amendment but would make practical access much more difficult. (Like, totally off the top of my head, forcing abortion providers to carry some utterly outrageous level of insurance, or can't be within 1000 yards of a school, something like that.) But these are not the best and brightest, so I think there's a damn good chance they'll fuck that up.
Also, I saw at least one Ohio Republican consultant say that it might actually be a good thing that the abortion issue was this year and not next, in hopes that by the '24 election voters will not be so worked up on the topic and thus lower anti-Republican turnout. But I would not be surprised if the Republicans shoot themselves in the foot by jumping on fucking with the abortion and weed amendments ASAP and so keep these issues and Republican perfidy front and center for all of 2024.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:53 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
Yeah, I thought that was an interesting approach, running ads using the conservative/libertarian "too much government is bad!" theme in Yes on Issue 1 ads. Nice bit of campaign judo.
Or, does the legislature still have some weird way of monkeywrenching the voters’ will?
Cleveland.com: After voters back abortion and pot, GOP leaders signal plans to undermine referendums.
The Republican dominated Ohio state legislature was talking about trying to monkey with the marijuana legalization weeks ago, and now they're openly saying they'll do the same for abortion. One assumes they'll try to pass a bevy of ancillary laws that would not directly contradict the amendment but would make practical access much more difficult. (Like, totally off the top of my head, forcing abortion providers to carry some utterly outrageous level of insurance, or can't be within 1000 yards of a school, something like that.) But these are not the best and brightest, so I think there's a damn good chance they'll fuck that up.
Also, I saw at least one Ohio Republican consultant say that it might actually be a good thing that the abortion issue was this year and not next, in hopes that by the '24 election voters will not be so worked up on the topic and thus lower anti-Republican turnout. But I would not be surprised if the Republicans shoot themselves in the foot by jumping on fucking with the abortion and weed amendments ASAP and so keep these issues and Republican perfidy front and center for all of 2024.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:53 PM on November 7, 2023 [15 favorites]
Virginia Democrats hold Senate majority, ending GOP hopes to win full control of state government
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats held their majority in the state Senate on Tuesday, but control of the House of Delegates remained unsettled late into the evening, with vote counting still underway in key races.posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:54 PM on November 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
The Democrats’ victory in the upper chamber ended the prospect of a Republican trifecta that would have allowed Gov. Glenn Youngkin to swiftly move on conservative policy priorities — including a proposed 15-week abortion ban — that Senate Democrats have been able to stymie in his first two years in office.
control of the House of Delegates remained unsettled late into the evening,
If I'm reading this results page from the Virginia Public Access Project right, there are currently 3 undecided seats in the Virginia House, with the Dems having 51 and the Repubs 46, so even if all 3 go red (and 1 is very very close, possibly in recount territory (?)) that's 49 R, 51 D. So unless there's some last minute surprise, I think Wasserman is right and the Dems win both houses of the Virginia legislature.
posted by soundguy99 at 9:11 PM on November 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
If I'm reading this results page from the Virginia Public Access Project right, there are currently 3 undecided seats in the Virginia House, with the Dems having 51 and the Repubs 46, so even if all 3 go red (and 1 is very very close, possibly in recount territory (?)) that's 49 R, 51 D. So unless there's some last minute surprise, I think Wasserman is right and the Dems win both houses of the Virginia legislature.
posted by soundguy99 at 9:11 PM on November 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm glad for the abortion and other Democratic wins in the country.
Here in Seattle, our local city election results show progressives likely getting wiped out en masse, leaving the city to be almost entirely run by reactionary newcomers like Bob Kettle.
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:22 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Here in Seattle, our local city election results show progressives likely getting wiped out en masse, leaving the city to be almost entirely run by reactionary newcomers like Bob Kettle.
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:22 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Virginia Democrats sweep legislative elections after campaigning on abortion rights
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats who campaigned on protecting abortion rights swept Tuesday’s legislative elections, retaking full control of the General Assembly after two years of divided power.posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 9:23 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
The outcome is a sharp loss for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who exerted a great deal of energy, money and political capital on an effort to secure a GOP trifecta.
It's worth remembering, too, that Virginia wrongly purged thousands of voters days before the election and Ohio purged 26,000 voters days before the abortion referendum deadline.
I certainly wouldn't claim those voter purges didn't matter, but I do think it's worth noting that even with that level of shenanigans, Ohio and Virginia voters STILL voted more decisively for abortion rights and Democrats than the polls predicted.
posted by kristi at 9:32 PM on November 7, 2023 [33 favorites]
I certainly wouldn't claim those voter purges didn't matter, but I do think it's worth noting that even with that level of shenanigans, Ohio and Virginia voters STILL voted more decisively for abortion rights and Democrats than the polls predicted.
posted by kristi at 9:32 PM on November 7, 2023 [33 favorites]
I'm in Texas and we have constitutional amendments on the ballot and nothing else. We have a Reconstruction-era constitution in Texas and so much is in the constitution that we have to amend it all the time, seriously, like 500+ amendments. One of the amendments this time is to eliminate a county treasurer in one of our 254 counties. Also there's an amendment to ban a wealth tax (when we don't even have an income tax). So I'm glad for my friends in other states who are getting good news!
The one piece of good news here is that in off-year elections, turnout is generally terrible. But we had to wait in line to vote today (very unusual in our bougie liberal-ish white people Dallas neighborhood) and when I asked the elections staffer who checked me in about turnout, she told me I was voter 872 of an expected 500! And I voted early afternoon, so before the after-work rush. Texas runs on old white suburban & rural people being the only ones who vote, so every bit of extra turnout helps. May they all come back next November!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 9:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
The one piece of good news here is that in off-year elections, turnout is generally terrible. But we had to wait in line to vote today (very unusual in our bougie liberal-ish white people Dallas neighborhood) and when I asked the elections staffer who checked me in about turnout, she told me I was voter 872 of an expected 500! And I voted early afternoon, so before the after-work rush. Texas runs on old white suburban & rural people being the only ones who vote, so every bit of extra turnout helps. May they all come back next November!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 9:58 PM on November 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
Disarray in disarray.
posted by Artw at 10:21 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:21 PM on November 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
Here in Seattle, our local city election results show progressives likely getting wiped out en masse, leaving the city to be almost entirely run by reactionary newcomers like Bob Kettle.
Ugh. There’s a kind of Seattleite that really, really goes for liberal friendly anti-homeless fascism. Maybe this is the time the media push gets them over? I’ve seen results turn around as more votes are counted before.
If Dan fucking Strauss is insufficiently KOMO for Ballard that’s really screwed.
On the positive front it looks like the housing levy is passing.
posted by Artw at 10:31 PM on November 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ugh. There’s a kind of Seattleite that really, really goes for liberal friendly anti-homeless fascism. Maybe this is the time the media push gets them over? I’ve seen results turn around as more votes are counted before.
If Dan fucking Strauss is insufficiently KOMO for Ballard that’s really screwed.
On the positive front it looks like the housing levy is passing.
posted by Artw at 10:31 PM on November 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
In further blue (wave? splash? ...swirl?) news, we had our small county legislature seat FLIP to the Dem candidate today! Republicans easily won all the other local elections on the ballot, so this was a shocking get.
posted by greenland at 11:09 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by greenland at 11:09 PM on November 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
As a non-American, let me say that it’s good that waking up to election results in the US is a spot of brightness in a darkening world.
posted by Kattullus at 11:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [22 favorites]
posted by Kattullus at 11:25 PM on November 7, 2023 [22 favorites]
I'm listening to NPR (old habit) right now, and the reporter opened a discussion with a pundit about the election by asking her take on how the elections went down - why did she think things shook down the way they did? The pundit simply said, "I think what happened was that last year the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade."
She said it with such a "well, duh, obviously" tone that I laughed.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:11 AM on November 8, 2023 [22 favorites]
She said it with such a "well, duh, obviously" tone that I laughed.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:11 AM on November 8, 2023 [22 favorites]
NYT this morning:
6 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Elections: President Biden is unpopular, but the winning streak for his party and its policies has been extended through another election night.
It absolutely devastates them to have to print a headline like "Democrats Win". Somewhere there's a political journalist at the Times crying and sobbing into their morning coffee: "...b..b..but Biden's still old!...."
posted by gimonca at 4:31 AM on November 8, 2023 [41 favorites]
6 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Elections: President Biden is unpopular, but the winning streak for his party and its policies has been extended through another election night.
It absolutely devastates them to have to print a headline like "Democrats Win". Somewhere there's a political journalist at the Times crying and sobbing into their morning coffee: "...b..b..but Biden's still old!...."
posted by gimonca at 4:31 AM on November 8, 2023 [41 favorites]
It's a good day for progressives/humanists and here in Virginia we are celebrating.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:33 AM on November 8, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 5:33 AM on November 8, 2023 [11 favorites]
Ooh, I like this closing line from the current Guardian article on Virginia:
With Democrats in control of the state senate and able to block much of Youngkin’s proposals, it will be much harder for the governor to make a pitch for the White House. Given that Virginia governors are limited to serving a single term, Democrats’ victories on Tuesday guarantee that Youngkin will never have the opportunity to govern with a Republican-controlled legislature.
Yep. it also means that Youngkin will most likely make a presidential bid in 2028 (of course a lot could happen between now and then, but he's ambitious). And he's a much more electable fascist than the current crop of GOP fascist president-wannabes.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:37 AM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
With Democrats in control of the state senate and able to block much of Youngkin’s proposals, it will be much harder for the governor to make a pitch for the White House. Given that Virginia governors are limited to serving a single term, Democrats’ victories on Tuesday guarantee that Youngkin will never have the opportunity to govern with a Republican-controlled legislature.
Yep. it also means that Youngkin will most likely make a presidential bid in 2028 (of course a lot could happen between now and then, but he's ambitious). And he's a much more electable fascist than the current crop of GOP fascist president-wannabes.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:37 AM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
In August we shot down a Republican attempt to require a sixty percent margin of victory for citizen-initiated amendments. It was transparently obvious that they were worried that the reproductive rights amendment on the November ballot might pass, so they tried to to make it harder for citizen initiatives in general. Amendments proposed by the legislature would have been exempted, naturally.
Last night we won by less than fifty-seven percent, so if the August issue had passed it wouldn't have been enough. It took two massive efforts by pro-choice voters to get us here.
posted by Surely This at 5:37 AM on November 8, 2023 [58 favorites]
Last night we won by less than fifty-seven percent, so if the August issue had passed it wouldn't have been enough. It took two massive efforts by pro-choice voters to get us here.
posted by Surely This at 5:37 AM on November 8, 2023 [58 favorites]
Congratulations and also thank you on that.
posted by Artw at 6:03 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:03 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
Since New Jersey was mentioned in the OP, I decided to update you all on how things went here in the Garden State. The headline which greeted me on NJ.com was "Democrats have big night in battle for N.J. Legislature", so that's a good start.
Back in 2021, the big story was the NJ Senate President, Democrat Stephen Sweeney, losing his seat to a Republican truck driver. That South Jersey seat has now been flipped back to the Democrats; the 3rd District's new Senator is John Burzichelli, a former Assembly member who was swept out of office the same time Sweeney was.
Some parts of the state, such as the Shore, have been said to be trending more Republican in recent years, so these results are heartening to see.
posted by May Kasahara at 6:22 AM on November 8, 2023 [11 favorites]
Back in 2021, the big story was the NJ Senate President, Democrat Stephen Sweeney, losing his seat to a Republican truck driver. That South Jersey seat has now been flipped back to the Democrats; the 3rd District's new Senator is John Burzichelli, a former Assembly member who was swept out of office the same time Sweeney was.
Some parts of the state, such as the Shore, have been said to be trending more Republican in recent years, so these results are heartening to see.
posted by May Kasahara at 6:22 AM on November 8, 2023 [11 favorites]
According to the local paper's slow updates, all of the ballot measures and school levies that I supported are passing with solid margins. And, to my surprise and happiness, the progressive candidate for city council that I voted for but thought had no chance is currently running neck and neck with an ok (but less progressive) candidate, both of them leaving the more conservative candidates in the dust.
The morning paper has the official results, and my preferred progressive council candidate won solidly! What great news to wake up to, plus all the articles talking about the various D wins nationally.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:27 AM on November 8, 2023 [6 favorites]
The morning paper has the official results, and my preferred progressive council candidate won solidly! What great news to wake up to, plus all the articles talking about the various D wins nationally.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:27 AM on November 8, 2023 [6 favorites]
Worcester MA reporting in. I'm glad there are things to celebrate elsewhere in the country because last night here was ROUGH.
historically our municipal government has been really resistant to change - not just in the electing-newcomers sense but in the way they govern the city. it's pretty much your standard old-boys network full of people interested in keeping the status quo. but two years ago we elected two genuine progressives (one district councilor and one at-large councilor) and a majority-progressive school committee so there seemed like there was possibility our municipal government could be dragged to the left. this election cycle hopes were especially high for a couple of reasons. we've had a lot of people move here in the past few years who have been priced out of eastern MA and the hope was that they'd begin to offset the older, whiter, wealthier, change-resistant bloc of likely voters. and we had a great slate of progressives across the board - district seats, at-large seats, and school committee.
what did we end up with? every single at-large city councilor was re-elected by a comfortable margin. we didn't unseat the district councilor who was most vulnerable (and who really, really sucks). we replaced two intelligent and thoughtful school committee members with one M4L type who organized J6 bus rides for her pals and one former superintendent who was protested against for being disproportionately hard on students of color. and to top it off there was a special election where a seat held by Democrats for decades flipped by a not-particularly-close margin.
oh well. we keep fighting, I suppose.
posted by Old Kentucky Shark at 7:25 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
historically our municipal government has been really resistant to change - not just in the electing-newcomers sense but in the way they govern the city. it's pretty much your standard old-boys network full of people interested in keeping the status quo. but two years ago we elected two genuine progressives (one district councilor and one at-large councilor) and a majority-progressive school committee so there seemed like there was possibility our municipal government could be dragged to the left. this election cycle hopes were especially high for a couple of reasons. we've had a lot of people move here in the past few years who have been priced out of eastern MA and the hope was that they'd begin to offset the older, whiter, wealthier, change-resistant bloc of likely voters. and we had a great slate of progressives across the board - district seats, at-large seats, and school committee.
what did we end up with? every single at-large city councilor was re-elected by a comfortable margin. we didn't unseat the district councilor who was most vulnerable (and who really, really sucks). we replaced two intelligent and thoughtful school committee members with one M4L type who organized J6 bus rides for her pals and one former superintendent who was protested against for being disproportionately hard on students of color. and to top it off there was a special election where a seat held by Democrats for decades flipped by a not-particularly-close margin.
oh well. we keep fighting, I suppose.
posted by Old Kentucky Shark at 7:25 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
So proud of my new state, Ohio! We can't give up, but this is a wonderful start. I have also made it a point to write to my representative weekly because I know he doesn't agree with all of my views.
posted by hydra77 at 7:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by hydra77 at 7:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
On a smaller scale, Justice Scalia's daughter was running for the school board in Albemarle County, Va. Her Democratic opponent obliterated her by at 10k vote margin. Likewise, in another school board situation, Democratic candidates flipped the Spotsylvania School board, which had been banning books in the libraries up to that point.
posted by Atreides at 7:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by Atreides at 7:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [21 favorites]
Buying Seattle’s City Council is pretty cheap.
posted by Artw at 8:47 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:47 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
Ohio Republicans seemed to overplay their hand. They have a lot of power and the August election was extra greedy, especially them pretending that it wasn’t about abortion. They tried to say it was about undue outside influence on our constitution, a fake issue that virtually no one has brought up before.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by girlmightlive at 8:58 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
I live in Ohio. Thank you everyone. For now, at least, it feels like a safer, more sane place. Congratulations to Virginia, Kentucky, and everywhere else evil lost yesterday.
posted by SystematicAbuse at 9:07 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by SystematicAbuse at 9:07 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
that article from the stranger (omg the stranger still exists? that one's a blast from the past) seems to confirm my uninformed take on what's going on in seattle, which is that seattle got priced out of seattle and had to move to tacoma.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 9:24 AM on November 8, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 9:24 AM on November 8, 2023 [16 favorites]
Technically Virginia allows Governors to serve 2 terms, just not in a row. In fact, the reason Youngkin is governor at all is because Terry MacAuliffe tried for a second term and ran an absolutely terrible campaign.
posted by being_quiet at 9:28 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by being_quiet at 9:28 AM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
Ohio: round at both ends and high in the middle. Especially since they legalized weed.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:45 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 9:45 AM on November 8, 2023 [8 favorites]
I would imagine that with legal marijuana, the burden of consuming Skyline Chili will be easier to bear.
posted by delfin at 10:41 AM on November 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by delfin at 10:41 AM on November 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
Ohioan John Scalzi: Let’s Talk About Last Night In Ohio
2. I strongly suspect that having both abortion rights and marijuana legalization on the ballot at the same time had a synergistic effect on the success of both issues. It seems to me that very broadly, the sort of person who doesn’t want a politician in their uterus, or the uteruses of their friends and loved ones, is the sort of person who doesn’t want people to risk going to jail for toking up, and vice versa. For those folks, being able to take care of both things at the same time would be a reason to make the effort to vote, while the people who were highly partisan about one but meh on the other could still vote for both because, hey, they were there voting anyway.posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 10:45 AM on November 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
Of course, the flipside was probably true as well: The correlation between wanting to control other people’s uteruses and control their ability to toke whenever they wanted is, I imagine, pretty high. And lord knows the GOP whipped its voters into a frenzy about both. But the fact of the matter is there are fewer Ohioans on that side of both issues.
Are all the Seattle City Council results a done deal already? I remember late votes breaking very progressive the last two elections. (I think Sawant turned around something like a ten point Election Night deficit the last time).
posted by creepygirl at 11:29 AM on November 8, 2023
posted by creepygirl at 11:29 AM on November 8, 2023
My wife and I’s votes went in the box yesterday lunchtime and there were a fair number of people doing similar - we may be in for a wait.
(omg the stranger still exists? that one's a blast from the past)
Digital only now, sadly.
posted by Artw at 11:36 AM on November 8, 2023
(omg the stranger still exists? that one's a blast from the past)
Digital only now, sadly.
posted by Artw at 11:36 AM on November 8, 2023
Maine voters approved an Automotive Right to Repair ballot measure by a 70 point margin.
A "yes" vote supported requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board vehicle diagnostics and make access to vehicle systems available to owners and third-party independent shops for repairs.
posted by ursus_comiter at 11:47 AM on November 8, 2023 [17 favorites]
A "yes" vote supported requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board vehicle diagnostics and make access to vehicle systems available to owners and third-party independent shops for repairs.
posted by ursus_comiter at 11:47 AM on November 8, 2023 [17 favorites]
Axios has a nice round-up of The candidates, especially women, who made history on Election Day (by Emma Hurt), plus an article about Yusef Salaam, Exonerated "Central Park Five" member wins New York City Council seat (by Ivana Saric).
posted by kristi at 11:49 AM on November 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by kristi at 11:49 AM on November 8, 2023 [7 favorites]
One of the amendments this time is to eliminate a county treasurer in one of our 254 counties.
And it got approved! WTF??????
The current treasurer literally ran on trying to remove the position. My mind boggles that anyone could read that amendment and not think the potential for corruption just increased massively.
(Sorry. I live in said county. I'm a little worked up.)
Otherwise, things went a little better than I expected which was nice.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 11:51 AM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
And it got approved! WTF??????
The current treasurer literally ran on trying to remove the position. My mind boggles that anyone could read that amendment and not think the potential for corruption just increased massively.
(Sorry. I live in said county. I'm a little worked up.)
Otherwise, things went a little better than I expected which was nice.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 11:51 AM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
The abortion rights story obviously looks to have a lot of truth to it, but I wonder if we're also seeing an outcome of the Piketty 'Brahmin Left' phenomenon - that, as Democrats (like other left-leaning parties worldwide) increasingly attract votes from higher-education voters, they increasingly over-perform in lower-turnout election cycles.
posted by kickingtheground at 12:04 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kickingtheground at 12:04 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Exonerated "Central Park Five" member wins New York City Council seat
Oh this is FANTASTIC news.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:16 PM on November 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
Oh this is FANTASTIC news.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:16 PM on November 8, 2023 [9 favorites]
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund (a PAC) had a pretty good night.
posted by box at 12:55 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 12:55 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water has a celebratory post with LOTS of news, including this update on Moms For Liberty candidates from Occupy Democrats on Instagram (which I especially appreciate as I don't have an Instagram account):
... Also, sincere condolences to those who live in places with depressing election results today. It's discouraging to have regressive results on a day when others are celebrating. Here's hoping the great outcomes in so many places bode well for better futures in more places, even in places that elected distressing candidates this week.
posted by kristi at 1:12 PM on November 8, 2023 [12 favorites]
In Pennsylvania alone, ALL five of [the Moms For Liberty] candidates were defeated last night after running on a platform of banning books that teach students about slavery and LGBTQ+ inclusion — and it wasn’t even close. Democratic candidates swept every single election. In Virginia, three Moms for Liberty school board candidates candidates got swept by even larger margins. In Iowa, a whopping NINE Moms for Liberty candidates lost their races after accusing local school districts of “disseminating pornography to children” simply for having two books that discuss LGBTQ+ acceptance. In Minnesota, all four Moms for Liberty candidates got wiped out by their Democratic opponents. In North Carolina, their only candidate also suffered a stinging defeat.Craven also says, "As for Run For Something’s young downballot candidates? They had an incredible night! Just smashed it! There’s an entire post’s worth of wins just from that amazing organization. (I’ll try to cover it all on Sunday.)" I don't see any specifics from Run for Something yet, so I'll be looking forward to Craven's roundup on Sunday.
... Also, sincere condolences to those who live in places with depressing election results today. It's discouraging to have regressive results on a day when others are celebrating. Here's hoping the great outcomes in so many places bode well for better futures in more places, even in places that elected distressing candidates this week.
posted by kristi at 1:12 PM on November 8, 2023 [12 favorites]
Also, my personal favorite part of the John Scalzi post linked above is near the end:
(Okay, I've posted about a hundred times in this thread. I will try to go get some actual work done now.)
posted by kristi at 1:20 PM on November 8, 2023 [13 favorites]
In a week where the press and some Democrats were wringing their hands about the fact that Trump is leading Biden in some entirely meaningless polls a year out from the 2024 presidential election, the actual reality of how people are voting offers, shall we say, some interesting and possibly corrective perspective.(Emphasis, again, mine.)
(Okay, I've posted about a hundred times in this thread. I will try to go get some actual work done now.)
posted by kristi at 1:20 PM on November 8, 2023 [13 favorites]
In Pennsylvania alone, ALL five of [the Moms For Liberty] candidates were defeated last night
That Occupy Democrats Instagram post is misleading, so I'd be careful with their numbers. Here's a google docs spreadsheet tracking the performance of all 132 candidates endorsed by Mom's for Liberty (via The New Republic). Nationwide, Moms for Liberty candidates won 43 school board seats in 132 races yesterday. Their candidates did terrible in a lot of places but their biggest gains were in Pennsylvania, winning 28 out of the 54 seats they competed for.
posted by peeedro at 1:45 PM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
That Occupy Democrats Instagram post is misleading, so I'd be careful with their numbers. Here's a google docs spreadsheet tracking the performance of all 132 candidates endorsed by Mom's for Liberty (via The New Republic). Nationwide, Moms for Liberty candidates won 43 school board seats in 132 races yesterday. Their candidates did terrible in a lot of places but their biggest gains were in Pennsylvania, winning 28 out of the 54 seats they competed for.
posted by peeedro at 1:45 PM on November 8, 2023 [5 favorites]
I was happy to see the Dems win here in Southern Arizona quite handily. It’s not that it was all that unexpected, since we’ve been blue here for a long time. But the Republican candidates were making homelessness a big issue and running on “a cleaner, safer city.” The nervous part for me was that had they over performed or even won, the maga types would have made that their nationwide issue. Fortunately fascism and unsustainable ideas lost.
posted by azpenguin at 1:58 PM on November 8, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 1:58 PM on November 8, 2023 [6 favorites]
(The way Trump has been talking about unsheltered people lately makes me think that might happen anyway.)
posted by box at 2:40 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 2:40 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Terry MacAuliffe tried for a second term and ran an absolutely terrible campaign.
posted by being_quiet at 9:28 AM on November 8
This, so much this. Terry MacAuliffe was absolutely arrogantly assuming that he could just walk into the position, talked only about stuff he did ten years ago and said NOTHING about what the two years of the Democratic triumvirate in Virginia was able to accomplish under Ralph Northam. What happened under his administration was nothing short of astonishing and Terry MacAuliffe never mentioned it a single time. I campaigned for him but not enthusiastically.
posted by bluesky43 at 3:30 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by being_quiet at 9:28 AM on November 8
This, so much this. Terry MacAuliffe was absolutely arrogantly assuming that he could just walk into the position, talked only about stuff he did ten years ago and said NOTHING about what the two years of the Democratic triumvirate in Virginia was able to accomplish under Ralph Northam. What happened under his administration was nothing short of astonishing and Terry MacAuliffe never mentioned it a single time. I campaigned for him but not enthusiastically.
posted by bluesky43 at 3:30 PM on November 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
“At least 9 precincts in majority-Black Mississippi county ran out of ballots, per reports,” TheGrio Staff, Yahoo News, 08 November 2023
posted by ob1quixote at 3:44 PM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ob1quixote at 3:44 PM on November 8, 2023 [3 favorites]
Roe v. Wade prompted 50 years of anti-choice activism, and that was for taking rights away from other people. I don't see why having people's fundamental right taken away from them personally would be any less motivating.
I feel and (and increasingly think) if the nominees next year are Biden and Trump, there will be a backlash against the person who has claimed credit for taking people's rights away and bragged about it that will let Biden win.
The problem is, we need Democrats to win across the board, ideally with filibuster-proof margins in both chambers of Congress. I have no doubt Republicans will implement a national ban on abortion of they win Congress and the presidency. The Democrats should campaign on protecting abortion rights at the national level and say they need Congress to do it.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:25 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
I feel and (and increasingly think) if the nominees next year are Biden and Trump, there will be a backlash against the person who has claimed credit for taking people's rights away and bragged about it that will let Biden win.
The problem is, we need Democrats to win across the board, ideally with filibuster-proof margins in both chambers of Congress. I have no doubt Republicans will implement a national ban on abortion of they win Congress and the presidency. The Democrats should campaign on protecting abortion rights at the national level and say they need Congress to do it.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:25 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Native Ohioan here... just celebrating the victory
posted by kathrynm at 6:03 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kathrynm at 6:03 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Daniel Donner of Daily Kos Elections combed the Associated Press’ data for Moms for Liberty results, finding that the organization's endorsements fared poorly: In 2022, they won around half of their [school board mostly I think] races. This year, according to early results—which could change as more places finish counting or more results are widely reported—65% of Moms for Liberty candidates lost.
posted by spamandkimchi at 6:14 PM on November 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by spamandkimchi at 6:14 PM on November 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
The problem is, we need Democrats to win across the board, ideally with filibuster-proof margins in both chambers of Congress. I have no doubt Republicans will implement a national ban on abortion of they win Congress and the presidency. The Democrats should campaign on protecting abortion rights at the national level and say they need Congress to do it.
Let's temper that enthusiasm a little bit. Just a wee bit.
With good turnout and smart campaigning, a reasonable House majority is well within reach for the Dems this cycle. A sharp increase in the Senate is not -- of the 34 seats up for grabs next year, 23 are Dem/Ind held, and most of the R seats are fire-engine red. It's a tough map year for making gains there -- never impossible, but unlikely.
Even with gains happening, I struggle to believe that the Senate filibuster will be swiftly done away with at 52 Dems... or 53... or 54. Many who are content at present to let Manchin and Sinema take the heat for blocking that may be prone to developing strong concerns once theirs becomes the potential deciding vote.
And I will also note that there are Dems who are watching what is happening to the Republicans right now and taking a very different lesson from it -- that the Republicans stepped on the abortion third rail and are paying an electoral price, so if they take a strong and aggressive stand on enshrining abortion rights nationwide they'll be the ones seeing people come out of the woodwork to punish them for it. The Dems' party discipline is typically strong, but there may well be many nervous incumbents in purple districts reluctant to step forward.
I am not trying to Cassandra any of the above into existence. I want an election next year where the red side of the ballot is such a clown show that Dems make gains all over the place, including places they never expected, by running for things rather than simply being the alternative to worse things. But there are lots of things in this world that I want and I'm probably not going to get.
posted by delfin at 7:12 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Let's temper that enthusiasm a little bit. Just a wee bit.
With good turnout and smart campaigning, a reasonable House majority is well within reach for the Dems this cycle. A sharp increase in the Senate is not -- of the 34 seats up for grabs next year, 23 are Dem/Ind held, and most of the R seats are fire-engine red. It's a tough map year for making gains there -- never impossible, but unlikely.
Even with gains happening, I struggle to believe that the Senate filibuster will be swiftly done away with at 52 Dems... or 53... or 54. Many who are content at present to let Manchin and Sinema take the heat for blocking that may be prone to developing strong concerns once theirs becomes the potential deciding vote.
And I will also note that there are Dems who are watching what is happening to the Republicans right now and taking a very different lesson from it -- that the Republicans stepped on the abortion third rail and are paying an electoral price, so if they take a strong and aggressive stand on enshrining abortion rights nationwide they'll be the ones seeing people come out of the woodwork to punish them for it. The Dems' party discipline is typically strong, but there may well be many nervous incumbents in purple districts reluctant to step forward.
I am not trying to Cassandra any of the above into existence. I want an election next year where the red side of the ballot is such a clown show that Dems make gains all over the place, including places they never expected, by running for things rather than simply being the alternative to worse things. But there are lots of things in this world that I want and I'm probably not going to get.
posted by delfin at 7:12 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Aaaaaand breathe out. For another 11 months at least.
Nice work, US voters. Much appreciated from this Australian.
Please keep kicking these tyrannical fuckers where it hurts, and hard, every chance you get.
posted by Pouteria at 7:42 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
Nice work, US voters. Much appreciated from this Australian.
Please keep kicking these tyrannical fuckers where it hurts, and hard, every chance you get.
posted by Pouteria at 7:42 PM on November 8, 2023 [4 favorites]
"Having Rights Still Bewilderingly Popular" - Alexandra Petri, WaPo.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:04 PM on November 8, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 8:04 PM on November 8, 2023 [19 favorites]
School Board Voters Fight Back - Judd Legum, Popular Information
posted by box at 4:41 AM on November 9, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by box at 4:41 AM on November 9, 2023 [6 favorites]
A bit from national treasure Heather Cox Richardson (partly because the names are so great):
In Virginia, Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg beat incumbent Republican state senator Siobhan Dunnavant, the sponsor of a culture war “parents’ rights” law that was behind the removal of books from schools. While Dunnavant tried to convince voters that VanValkenburg, a high school history and government teacher, was in favor of showing pornography to high school students, he responded with a defense of teachers and an attack on book banning, reinforcing democratic principles. As Greg Sargent noted in the Washington Post, right-wing culture wars appear to be losing their potency as opponents emphasize American principles.posted by Glinn at 7:47 AM on November 9, 2023 [16 favorites]
Unexpected spot of good news from Texas: while 13 of our 14 amendments passed (and they weren't all bad; they included things like park funding) one of the bad ones was the failure: Republicans wanted to raise the age of mandatory retirement for judges to 79 and the voters aren't having it.
Our local Dem organization email joked that this was the Nathan Hecht preservation amendment. He's the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. I'm turning 56 in a week or so and dude has been on the Supreme Court since I was in grad school in the early 90s. He's finally being forced out at age 75 and this amendment was a Hail Mary to keep him on for another term. So we'll get another awful guy, I'm sure, but it'll be at least be a different awful guy.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:25 PM on November 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
Our local Dem organization email joked that this was the Nathan Hecht preservation amendment. He's the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. I'm turning 56 in a week or so and dude has been on the Supreme Court since I was in grad school in the early 90s. He's finally being forced out at age 75 and this amendment was a Hail Mary to keep him on for another term. So we'll get another awful guy, I'm sure, but it'll be at least be a different awful guy.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:25 PM on November 9, 2023 [7 favorites]
As someone who lives about ten minutes outside of Ohio in a state where marijuana is not legal, yahoo
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:36 PM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:36 PM on November 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Re Seattle council elections, at least two of the conservative victories have flipped and there’s probably room for more, and the lesson there may remain “wait for the votes to be counted”.
Seattle Times and KOMO still got to run their stories gloating though.
posted by Artw at 1:56 AM on November 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Seattle Times and KOMO still got to run their stories gloating though.
posted by Artw at 1:56 AM on November 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Ohio Republicans Say It’s Their ‘God Given Right’ to Restrict Abortion Access
“No amendment can overturn the God-given rights with which we were born,”
posted by Thorzdad at 2:53 AM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
“No amendment can overturn the God-given rights with which we were born,”
posted by Thorzdad at 2:53 AM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ohio Republicans Say It’s Their ‘God Given Right’ to Restrict Abortion Access
What about a Jewish woman's "G-d Given Right" to an abortion-on-demand at any time prior to ensoulment?
posted by mikelieman at 3:35 AM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
What about a Jewish woman's "G-d Given Right" to an abortion-on-demand at any time prior to ensoulment?
posted by mikelieman at 3:35 AM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Newly empowered Virginia Democrats nominate the state's first Black House speaker, Don Scott
posted by peeedro at 11:36 AM on November 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
He said his party would move to pass a budget that reflects the interests of Virginians over corporations, increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour and strengthen gun-control laws, including passing a ban on assault-style weapons.The Washington Post's (paywalled) coverage also says he'll start the process to bring three constitutional amendments to a public vote; protecting the right to an abortion, affirming the right to same-sex marriage, and allowing the automatic restoration of rights to people convicted of felonies.
posted by peeedro at 11:36 AM on November 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Springtime for Godwin?
Sweeping Raids and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump's 2025 Immigration Plans
Trump Echoes Hitler, Threatens to Rid America of 'Vermin' from Within
posted by non canadian guy at 2:04 PM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Sweeping Raids and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump's 2025 Immigration Plans
Trump Echoes Hitler, Threatens to Rid America of 'Vermin' from Within
posted by non canadian guy at 2:04 PM on November 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
More from the magnificent Midwest: St. Paul, Minnesota elects first all-female council in city's history, Torey Van Oot, Axios:
The next council will be younger, more diverse and more progressive than the current one.posted by kristi at 6:34 PM on November 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Six of the seven candidates elected Tuesday are women of color. All are under age 40, per the Minnesota DFL Party. Two were also endorsed by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Springtime for Godwin?
Did ‘vermin’ mark a turning point in Trump coverage?
I would not award the partial credit to The NY Times that they do.
posted by Artw at 12:41 PM on November 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
Did ‘vermin’ mark a turning point in Trump coverage?
I would not award the partial credit to The NY Times that they do.
posted by Artw at 12:41 PM on November 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
The city council race for my ward that I thought was lost on election day has slowly reversed course as ballots continue to be counted. My preferred candidate, the one not aligned with the mayor's current cabal, is now ahead by 42 votes.
posted by audi alteram partem at 3:30 PM on November 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by audi alteram partem at 3:30 PM on November 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
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Also the latest news is that Bashear, the Democrat, is likely to win in Kentucky. Yay!
posted by bluesky43 at 5:12 PM on November 7, 2023 [20 favorites]