Judge Rules Florida Must Provide Voting Materials In Spanish

A judge has ruled Florida must provide election materials and assistance in Spanish in 32 of the state's 67 counties.

Just in time for the 2020 election!

From Florida Politics:

A federal judge Friday required 32 counties to provide Spanish-language ballots and other assistance to Spanish-speaking voters in Florida’s March 2020 presidential primary election.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction that follows a similar ruling in September.

In the earlier ruling, Walker required the 32 counties to provide Spanish-language sample ballots but did not require Spanish-language ballots and other assistance, saying there wasn’t enough time before the November 2018 elections. The ruling Friday goes further in requiring Spanish-language ballots.

The case has focused on Puerto Rican voters and part of the federal Voting Rights Act aimed at people who were educated in schools where the predominant language was not English. It seeks to ensure they are not denied the right to vote in Florida.

News Round-Up: November 14, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• You know what gets you over Hump Day? A dog. Or, more dogs. And InstaHunk Dan Tai (above).

• Rapper Yung Miami has said she would ‘beat’ her son if he came out as gay.

• Donald Trump will skip the Kennedy Center Honors for the second year because no one likes him.

• LGBT people made up 6% of voters in the midterm elections and 82% supported Democratic candidates.

• A gay Baltimore fitness trainer was murdered in his own apartment.

• Scotland will be the world's first country to teach LGBTQ inclusivity and history in all public school nationwide

• Chicago the Musical celebrates 22 years on Broadway today!

I was lucky to be part of the Broadway cast as one of the earliest replacements. The show would end up hiring me 14 times from 1998 to 2013 to get down in 'all that jazz.' Thank you, Ann Reinking.

This pic was from my last stage appearance in 2013 at the Hollywood Bowl in Chicago as I turned 50. #TheGiftThatKeepsGiving #BlackSexyClothes

Florida Orders Recounts For 3 Races Including Governor & Senate

And the recounts in Florida have been ordered!

Via the Orlando Sun-Sentinel:

After receiving unofficial election results from all 67 counties, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Saturday officially ordered machine recounts in three statewide elections – U.S. Senate, Governor and Agriculture Commissioner.

Now, county election officials will feed ballots into machines to recount the results in those races. The second round of results is due to the state by 3 p.m. Thursday.

If the results show a margin of 0.25 percent or less, which appears to be the case in the most heated race between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott for Senate, a hand recount is ordered. Results from a hand recount would be due Sunday, Nov. 18 at noon.

The votes cast in the U.S. Senate race were within 0.15 percentage points, a margin of less than 13,000 votes out of more than 8 million cast.

Florida update:

Bill Nelson 4,085,545
Rick Scott 4,098,107

Andrew Gillum 4,042,195
Ron DeSantis 4,075,879

Nikki Fried 4,030,337
Matt Caldwell 4,025,011

Preliminary results are in.
All three races going to recount.

— Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) November 10, 2018

LIVE: Gillum speaks after Florida recount announced https://t.co/uGV35ZD8Rv

— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 10, 2018

The Trumpster is none too happy about the news:

Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018

There is zero evidence of vote fraud in Florida. There is zero evidence of vote fraud in Florida. There is zero evidence of vote fraud in Florida. There is zero evidence of vote fraud in Florida. There is zero evidence of vote fraud in Florida.

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) November 10, 2018

I've noticed some confusion about how elections work. People vote on (and now often before) Election Day. And those votes are counted. All of them. Sometimes it takes a while. Then, and only then, you know who won.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) November 9, 2018

Top Trending Search On Google Today Is...?

My favorite thing today (and it's way early).

The Twitter account for Google Trends reports the top trending search term on Google - up 3,350% - is "Dónde votar" ("where to vote").

"Dónde votar" ("where to vote") is the top trending search on Google in the US today - spiking 3,350%.#Midterms #vote https://t.co/7P9QmWr3G9 pic.twitter.com/AQe5gkMw8V

— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) November 6, 2018

Google Trends added in a follow up tweet that three of the top five searches were:

Polling place: +350%
Voting: +300%
Election day: +300%

Find your ELECTION DAY POLLING PLACES AND TIMES HERE!

Remember you have the right to vote! If anyone tries to stop you, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Randy Rainbow Riffs On 'Wicked' In Election Eve Reminder "Voting"

Randy Rainbow has a reminder for you

Just in time for the midterm elections, political satirist Randy Rainbow shares a 'Wicked' election eve reminder.

Riffing on "What Is This Feeling?" from the blockbuster Broadway musical, Rainbow urges everyone to get out and vote!

If you want the privilege to whine
Don’t just tweet, lament, and opine
Put some make-up on and
Get your ass in line

"Good luck at the polls tomorrow, everyone. May the Schwartz be with you!"

Watch below.

RuPaul Wants You To #SissyThatVote!

RuPaul wants YOU to vote

In a new video, RuPaul encourages fans to make sure they register to vote, and then actually show up on November 6 to vote in this year's midterm elections.

“Do you love RuPaul’s Drag Race?” asks Mama Ru. “Well, we love giving it to you. And here’s how you can give back: Go to vote.gov to find out how you can register. And then, on November 6, you better vote, sis!”

Now #SissyThatVote! 🏳️‍🌈 There’s no denying that change is sorely needed and there’s no denying where it starts–with you. 👋 Find out how to make sure you’re registered to vote by going to https://t.co/mkEUbVC6NS and we’ll see you at the polls on Nov. 6th, kitty girls! 💅 @RuPaul pic.twitter.com/eYoQWHLUON

— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) October 17, 2018

News Round-Up: January 30, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Nick Jonas covers Clash Magazine (in sexy leather pants) for a piece that chronicles his creative evolution from boy bander to A-list pop music artist/actor. #ThirstTrap

• San Francisco's oldest gay bar closed its doors this past Sunday after 108 years. #OurHistory

• Party drug GHB is making a comeback (witness the death of reality star Joel Taylor last week). Click over to The Gaily Grind for lots of good info on the dangers of the drug.

• A new study shows a "vote by mail" program across the U.S. would increase voter participation in elections.

• Following Donald Trump's "State of the Union" address, the Human Rights Campaign's Sarah McBride will join other equality activists for "The People's State of the Union response over at NowThisNews.

• I recently featured out singer/songwriter Calum Scott's new music video for his soaring romantic anthem, "You Are The Reason" here on The Randy Report.

But sometimes you want a little more pep in your giddy-up. So, check out the newly-released bouncy John Gibbons remix of "You Are The Reason" below.

NSA Document Indicates Russia May Have Attempted To Hack 2016 Voting Systems

The Intercept is reporting that a top-secret National Security Agency document indicates Russian government hackers may have attempted to hack more than 100 local election systems before Election Day 2016.

Russian military intelligence executed a cyber attack on at least one U.S. voting software supplier and sent spear-phishing emails to more than 100 local election officials just days before last November’s presidential election, according to a highly classified intelligence report obtained by The Intercept.

The top-secret National Security Agency document, which was provided anonymously to The Intercept and independently authenticated, analyzes intelligence very recently acquired by the agency about a months-long Russian intelligence cyber effort against elements of the U.S. election and voting infrastructure. The report, dated May 5, 2017, is the most detailed U.S. government account of Russian interference in the election that has yet come to light.

The report indicates that Russian hacking may have penetrated further into U.S. voting systems than was previously understood. It states unequivocally in its summary statement that it was Russian military intelligence, specifically the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU, that conducted the cyber attacks described in the document.

According to Huffington Post, the leaker of the document has been arrested.

A government contractor in Georgia was arrested this weekend after a classified National Security Agency report was leaked on an alleged cyberattack attempt by Russian military intelligence officers on a voting software company and local election officials.

Reality Leigh Winner, a 25-year-old federal contractor for Pluribus International Corp. who had a top secret security clearance and was working at a government agency, was arrested by FBI agents Saturday at her home in Augusta, Georgia, according to the Justice Department.

Hamilton's Javier Muñoz Joins Stephen Colbert For A Lesson On The Importance Of Voting

Hamilton's Javier Muñoz joins Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on The Late Show for a timely reminder of the importance of casting your vote.

As They Cast Their Votes - Hillary Cheered, Trump Booed

Democrat Hillary Clinton was cheered as she cast her ballot on Election Day in her hometown of Chappaqua, NY.

The reception was a bit cooler for Republican Donald Trump who, living in true blue New York City, was booed as he left his polling place.

(h/t Boy Culture)

Hillary Wins Guam!

USA Today reports that the tiny U.S. island of Guam has voted (15 hours ahead Eastern Standard Time), and Hillary Clinton has won by a huge margin of 71.63% versus Donald Trump's 24.16%.

Residents of the island have correctly picked the winner of every White House race since 1984.

While Guam residents are American citizens, they have no actual bearing on the national election since the island has no representation in the Electoral College.

Earlier today, just after midnight, Hillary also won the famously "first in the nation" vote in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. The vote in the tiny hamlet was four votes for Hillary, two votes for Trump, one vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson, and one write in vote for Mitt Romney.

Colin Powell Will Vote For Hillary Clinton, Calls Trump "National Disgrace"

Former Secretaries of State Colin Powell & Hillary Clinton

The Daily Beast shares that former Secretary of State Colin Powell has announced he will be voting for Democrat (and former Secretary of State) Hillary Clinton in this year's presidential race.

The former George W. Bush cabinet member spoke at a luncheon on Long Island and, according to Newsday reporter Robert Brodsky, told attendees that Republican nominee Donald Trump “insults us every day” and is “selling people a bill of goods,” and so he will cast his vote for fellow ex-secretary Clinton. Powell has previously resisted declaring his support for either candidate, but has chided Trump as a “national disgrace.”

Reporter Robert Brodsky of New York Newsday first broke the news:

Boom. Colin Powell says he will vote for Hillary Clinton. Says will serve w/ distinction and cites experience and stamina

— Robert Brodsky (@BrodskyRobert) October 25, 2016

Ivanka Trump: New York's "Onerous" Rules Are Keeping Me From Voting For My Dad

Last night during the CNN town hall with Donald Trump and his family, Ivanka Trump and brother Eric were asked why they failed to register to vote in the upcoming New York primary.

Ivanka's answer:

“I’m an independent, and I’ve always voted based on the candidate as opposed to based on the party, and it was actually a very interesting experience,” Ivanka Trump told CNN during Tuesday’s town hall. “So, we’re not a family of politicians. We haven’t been in politics very long.”

“New York has one of the most onerous rules in terms of registration and it required us to register a long time ago, almost close to a year ago,” she added. “And, we didn’t do that.”

"Onerous" and “almost close to a year ago” aren't really accurate phrases to use here.

Ivanka's dad announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015. The closing date for Independents to change their registration was October 9th, 2015. That's four months of their dad campaigning across the nation, and they didn't think to make sure they took care of business.

And, let's face it, counting back from today to October 9th is NOT "almost a year."

It's important to note: this isn’t some new rule change in New York. Responsible voters knew how and where to find this info.

Ivanka Trump rips as "onerous" registration laws that will keep her from voting for dad in #NYPrimary. #TrumpFamily https://t.co/E9Tk79uwjC

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) April 13, 2016

Supreme Court Hands Big Loss To Conservatives On Voting Districts

Conservatives lost big today in a seldom-seen unanimous ruling from the Supreme Court on how voting districts are drawn.

From The New Civil Rights Movement:

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a rare unanimous decision, has just ruled that states may rely on total population, and not just eligible voter population, when redrawing voter districts. Conservatives in Texas argued that only eligible voters should be relied upon when redistricting, claiming the U.S. Constitution forbids counting immigrants, children, and prisoners, who are not legally eligible to vote.

"The plaintiffs alleged the Texas legislative map effectively diluted the representation of citizens in rural, Republican-leaning areas in favor of Democratic-trending cities like Houston, where the population includes immigrants and children who are ineligible to vote," the Wall Street Journal reports.

"As the Framers of the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment comprehended, representatives serve all residents, not just those eligible to vote," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who authored the decision, wrote.

BREAKING: SCOTUS unanimously rejects Texas GOP attempt to limit voting power of Hispanics & other minority groups https://t.co/nSShQLktr4

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 4, 2016

Hillary Clinton Responds To Jeb Bush's Claims That African-Americans Only Vote For Dems For "Free Stuff"

During a Facebook Q&A, Hillary responded to Jeb's claim that Democrats appeal to African Americans with "free stuff": pic.twitter.com/o7YVMNXkru

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 29, 2015

Ann Coulter: "Women Should Not Have The Right To Vote"

On the radio show “Free Speech” with Gavin McInnes, the Republican party's favorite blonde, Ann Coulter, shared her disdain for women and immigrants.

Referencing Ted Kennedy's Immigration Act of 1965, Coulter declared that changed the demographics of the United States in favor of Democrats, which she claims was the goal of the legislation all along.

Via Right Wing Watch:

According to Coulter, “Obama never would have been elected, I mean certainly wouldn’t have been reelected – Romney won bigger against, I mean, if the demographics of this country had not changed so dramatically because of immigration, Romney would have won a bigger landslide than Reagan did against Carter in 1980.”

McInnes, also brought up women voters, prompting Coulter to share her position that “women should not have the right to vote.” She continued that while women should not vote, “We can still write books! We can run for office.”

“You just can’t vote,” McInnes reiterated.

This is not the first time Coulter voiced her support for female disenfranchisement. In 2007, Coulter said that “If we took away women’s right to vote, we’d never have to worry about another Democrat [sic] president.” Coulter described this as a “pipe dream” and a “personal fantasy” of hers that women, especially the single women who “are voting so stupidly,” will finally be silenced.

Ironically, McInnes is a Canadian immigrant to the US himself. I guess he gives himself a pass.

Hillary Clinton Calls For Automatic Voter Registration At 18

Speaking in Texas today, Democratic contender for president Hillary Clinton said registering to vote should be automatic at age 18, unless folks choose to opt-out.

From Huffington Post:

Hillary Clinton in a speech on Thursday called for universal, automatic voter registration, saying every citizen in the country should be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18, unless they opt-out.

Clinton spoke at Texas Southern University in Houston, where she was receiving the Barbara Jordan Public-Private Leadership Award. She also said Republican-led efforts in several states to further regulate voting and voter registration disproportionately harm both underrepresented communities and young people.

Clinton also called for a national standard that would require every state in the country to offer at least 20 days of early in-person voting, including keeping polling stations open on weekends and evenings.

I completely agree on both the automatic voter registration AND on the opt-out. But it should be something that 18 year olds have to consciously do one way or the other.

The more people who vote, the better.

2014 Midterm Elections See Worst Voter Turnout Since 1942

Last week's midterm elections notched the lowest turnout since 1942. In 43 states, less than 50% of eligible voters bothered to show up, and no state broke 60 percent.

• Overall turnout across the nation was a measly 36.3%

• Maine had the highest turnout with 59.3%

• Indiana had the lowest turnout with 28%; Texas was next to worst with 28.5%

• When voting is easier, more Americans vote. Colorado adopted vote by mail this midterm election and had the 4th highest turnout in the country. Oregon also votes by mail and had the 5th highest turnout

Read more midterm stats at NY Times.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to introduce bill to expand online voter registration

I'm a big believer in getting as many legally eligible voters into the democratic process.

And now, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced she will introduce a bill to make online voter registration available to every eligible voter.

Via the Associated Press:

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says people across the country should be able use their computers, smartphones or electronic tablets to register to vote. The New York Democrat is announcing legislation Sunday that would force the 23 states that don't have an online registration system to establish one. The bill also would expand enrollment access in states that currently have online systems by making them open to all eligible voters without requiring a state-issued ID. Gillibrand says nearly half of eligible voters don't have access to online registration.

This is a good thing. Thanks for the leadership, Sen. Gillibrand.

The Daily Show Public Service Announcement - "Voting Makes You Gay"

At the end of The Daily Show's report on the very serious issue of voter suppression in North Carolina, the Comedy Central team added just a bit of snark to drive its point home.

After an interview where a North Carolina official admitted to engaging in voter suppression tactics, several out actors thought they'd give right-wingers a taste of their own medicine.

Jane Lynch, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ellen DeGeneres all demand that you "Vote," in the 12-second clip below. And in doing so, they claim "voting makes you gay."

"That's right, Republicans," says Quinto. "Voting makes you gay."

(via Advocate)