election day
The story
Election day has arrived. It’s time to vote.
Give me all the details.
More than 168 million Americans are eligible to vote in an election widely seen as a referendum on the ruling party and the problems voters care. If you haven’t done so yet, here is how to check where to vote and what your ballot will look like. Then it’s time for the counting of the votes. Here’s what to watch out for:
Senate…aka the bedroom which is split 50-50. Nearly a third of the seats are up for voting – and one some races could determine control. In PennsylvaniaDr. Mehmet Oz (R) and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman (D) are neck and neck for a GOP-held Senate seat – with Oz old election demands of 2020 and Fetterman’s Health like two of the big talkers. In Georgia, former NFL star Herschel Walker (R) tries to unseat Senator Raphael Warnock (D) – with Abortion and domestic violence allegations take the limelight. Other states – like Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona – helped President Biden win the 2020 election … but are now considered draws.
Accommodation…the 435 places are up for grabs. Republicans only need five seats to flip the chamber, and they could take over 20 this round. But even if that’s the case, Republicans may still run out of the seats needed to avoid a filibuster in the Senate and override a presidential veto. If Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) becomes president, he could investigate the origin of COVID-19 and the withdrawal from Afghanistan of Administrator Biden. New leadership could also determine the future of the House January 6 Committee and funding for Ukraine.
State races…where issues such as abortion and election monitoring are now front and center – and state representatives Where dry state condition can play key roles. This year, at least five governorships are considered to be draws – with the New York one, from arizonaand georgia deserves special attention. Then there are ballot initiatives: five states weigh directly on recreational marijuana, five on whether to ban or expand access to abortion, and five on closing loopholes for to block slavery as a form of punishment in prisons. Meanwhile, LGBTQIA+ candidates would be on ballots in all 50 states – after more than 300 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced this year. And with more than 60 candidates of color running as Republicans, the party could be on the verge of changing its demographic in the GOP House.
Other big talkers…As election security. Today marks the first national election since the 6 January Capitol Attack. Election officials are preparing for possible disruptions as they face threats of violence. And some states (think: Arizona, Pennsylvania, and California) have already had incidents. Cue: first reports of voter intimidation. A poll shows that up to 43% of registered voters worry about intimidation or violence when voting. And this year, a report found there nearly 300 Holocaust deniers stand for election — with more than a dozen candidates who refused to say whether they would accept grant.
theSkimm
Tonight will be long – and some errands may take days or more follow (especially if they are tight). But before all the votes come in, people have to vote them. Make sure your voice is heard.
And Also…This
Who has someone who says ‘hello pot, it’s kettle’…
Elon Musk. Yesterday, the new owner of Twitter encouraged more than 100 million of its followers to vote for a “Republican Congress”. While many celebrities strain for Democratic candidates, this update comes months after Musk told the platform “must be politically neutralto “earn the public’s trust.” And after GOP-led hearings put the heads of Twitter, Facebook and Google on the blast for a perceived anti-conservative bias. Now ‘Chief Twit’ is urging ‘independent voters’ to vote for Republican candidates while a Democratic president is in office so there are checks and balances. The news fell less than 48 hours before the closing of the polls.
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stop copying me: Musk also said he’s permanently suspending accounts that impersonate others, unless they identify themselves as “parodies.” The turnaround comes after a wave of celebrities started impersonating Musk last week. And after he called Twitter on its prohibitions.
Which apparently does not understand what a group project is…
Swiss. The country promises to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. But instead of cutting emissions within its own Swiss borders, it will apparently pay poorer countries – like Ghana or Dominica – to get the job done. This includes installing efficient lighting and stoves in millions of foreign homes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And then take credit for making the reductions count towards its own climate goals. Swiss officials have reportedly called it a win-win for everyone involved, while critics say the idea is ‘carbon capitalism’. It comes as tensions remain over how rich countries – who contribute the most to climate change – can deliver on their pledge of $100 billion to help poorer countries deal with its consequences.
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Host of questions: climate activists, including Greta Thunberg – skip the top, saying it’s a “green bleaching” forum. And Egypt – which hosts COP27 – faces criticism for its human rights record and cracks down on protests.
What are researchers betting on?
Blood. Yesterday, researchers announced that lab-grown blood had been transfused into humans for the very first time. British scientists have succeeded in making blood from donor stem cells. And infused two people with about two teaspoons of lab blood to see how it behaves in the body. If the UK trial is successful, scientists say the manufactured blood cells could help people with rare blood types or disorders (think sickle cell anaemia) who often need transfusions. There is also the hope that the blood can be stored for longer, compared to standard donor blood. The two people who were infused reported no adverse effects. And at least eight other people will also receive transfusions over the next few months. But the researchers say more trials are needed before it can be used clinically.
Which opens the door to transparency…
Airbnb. Next month he will try to reduce the amount of cleaning and surprise service fees. And no more unreasonable demands for payment either: like hosts forcing people to strip beds, do laundry, and water all their plants before leaving.
Who comments back…
When you read the Daily Skimm fresh off the press…
You may have caught the last total lunar eclipse for three years.
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