AGP Executive Report

Minnesota Primary Day: Voters in Minnesota head to the polls Tuesday, with a key Democratic U.S. Senate fight between Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, plus a Republican governor contest featuring Trump-backed Mike Lindell. Wisconsin Primary Countdown: Wisconsin also votes Tuesday in a governor primary and other races; results may come late due to absentee processing. South Carolina GOP Senate Primary: Republicans vote to replace the late Lindsey Graham, with polls open until 7 p.m. and a crowded field including Darline Graham. Osun Governorship Tensions: Nigeria’s Osun election heats up as Gov. Ademola Adeleke dismisses fears of facing APC governors, while Davido urges Trump and the world to monitor for violence and intimidation. Election Integrity Worries (Nigeria): Atiku Abubakar raises alarms that INEC’s BVAS devices run on outdated Android 10, calling it a cybersecurity risk ahead of 2027. Security for BARMM Vote (Philippines): The Philippine Army deploys a task force to help secure BARMM’s first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14. Russia Opposition Crackdown: The EU says Russia’s court move barring the anti-war party Yabloko shows pressure on dissent ahead of parliamentary elections. Local Ballot Confusion (US): San Antonio voters are being asked again on whether the city should issue up to $489 million in bonds for the Spurs arena—after claims some residents already “voted” on it.

Election Administration & Voter Access: South Carolina election officials are reminding voters about eligibility rules, ID requirements, and polling-place changes for Tuesday’s U.S. Senate special Republican primary, with early voting already topping 61,000 ballots. Federal Oversight: Minnesota leaders say they’ll cooperate with seven DOJ Civil Rights Division teams monitoring Tuesday’s primary, aiming to boost voter confidence and access. Local Election Logistics: Jefferson County election officials are finalizing November general-election details, including machine counts for early voting and Election Day. Election Law Changes: Nebraska’s LB1075—passed with an emergency clause—revises election procedures and village board governance, including deadlines, filings, recount rules, and early-voting record handling. Campaign Rules & Spending: Kenya released 2027 election spending ceilings, while a Papua New Guinea police minister warned candidates against using illegal firearms to influence the 2027 election. Global Election Integrity: Russia’s Supreme Court barred the anti-war Yabloko party from September parliamentary elections, further shrinking space for dissent. Civic Engagement: The Bowling Green League of Women Voters is using postcards to urge newly registered voters to turn out in November.

U.S. Senate Primaries: South Carolina voters head to a special GOP primary Tuesday to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham; polls run 7 a.m.-7 p.m., with possible Aug. 25 runoff, and some York County polling places have moved—check your precinct at scvotes.gov. UK By-Election: Clacton’s campaign is in full swing as Nigel Farage faces the vote this week, with Reform’s rival Count Binface launching an “edge of space” broadcast. Kenya 2027 Politics: President William Ruto told coalition leaders they “must win” the next election, while ODM’s Oburu Oginga defended joining Ruto’s government as the “better devil.” Election Integrity Warnings: Eswatini’s elections authority warned against using food parcels to sway voters during political events. AJK Voting: Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s third phase vote counting is underway in Bagh and Haveli, while other areas were postponed due to security concerns. Local Governance & Courts: Kansas voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have moved Supreme Court selection to direct elections, reinforcing that voters can override party agendas.

Election Integrity & Rules: Nigeria’s INEC deadline extensions and calls to hold 2027 federal and state elections on one day are back in focus, alongside SERAP urging 2027 presidential candidates to publish assets and reject vote-buying. US Primaries & Midterms: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds independents back big progressive ideas like Medicare-for-all and higher taxes on billionaires—fueling insurgent Democrats ahead of November. Local Voting Access: Milwaukee voters face an Aug. 11 primary with in-person registration and ID requirements; Wisconsin also sees a governor race sprint as candidates court undecided voters. Campaigns & Violence Warnings: Kenya’s election season is raising alarms about turnout and potential unrest, while Osun’s pre-poll period continues to feature violence fears and police actions. International Elections: Tonga confirms Oct. 8 by-elections after bribery convictions unseated two MPs; AJK’s third phase runs Aug. 10 in four constituencies. Policy That Hits Voters: New York’s Medical Aid in Dying law takes effect, and New Zealand leaders signal possible fuel tax and accommodation levy changes ahead of elections. Democracy at the Ballot: Kansas voters rejected a plan to elect Supreme Court justices directly, showing party dominance doesn’t guarantee policy wins.

Democracy & Voting Rights: A new Democracy Docket focus highlights how Trump allies could rig fall elections—mail-voting limits, voter-roll removals, and even House tactics to block seating Democrats. Election Integrity & Administration: DOJ’s push for state voter rolls is getting rejected by courts, piling up losses. U.S. Midterms: Democrats are laying groundwork to investigate Trump if they regain a House majority. Deepfakes & Threats: Senate Democrats held “wargames” for AI deepfakes and election intimidation scenarios. Global Election Security: Bangladesh says registered voters hit 12.86 crore as local election rules and presidential nomination forms move forward. Campaign Tech: Punjab politics is roiled by AI-generated political videos, with legal action sought. Local Races (Hawaii): Hawaii primary turnout was low, and several incumbents face tough primary challenges; Green and Kawakami advanced to the general election. Coalition Talks (Malaysia): Melaka PH says it’s open to negotiations on seat-sharing for the state election.

Federal Shutdown Watch: The U.S. Senate passed a short-term funding bill to keep the government running through Dec. 11, aiming to dodge another pre-midterm shutdown while also pausing a proposed rule that would shift power over federal grants. Election Integrity & Voting Rules: A 9th Circuit ruling lets Arizona enforce a 2022 voter-registration-related felony provision, and a separate push for voter ID/SAVE-style measures continues to roil state and federal debates. Campaigns & Turnout: In Tennessee, Democratic turnout in Shelby County’s House primaries surged after redistricting split the state’s only majority-Black district. Local Ballot Access: The League of Women Voters helped residents check registration and avoid provisional ballots, while Tallahassee kicked off early voting with “Souls to the Polls” crowds. State Politics & Money: South Carolina’s GOP Senate primary race is in its final stretch, and Otsego County voters approved three millage renewals. Global Security: BARMM election security is ramping up with cultural-sensitivity training for troops ahead of Sept. 14 polls.

Voter Roll Cleanup: India’s Thane district extended its SSR deadline to Aug. 17 after only 53.31% of voter forms were digitized, putting 8.13 lakh voters at risk of being marked absent or deleted. Election Security & Violence: South Africa’s NATJOINTS warned that anyone plotting political attacks or assassinations ahead of local elections faces arrest, prosecution, and lengthy prison terms. US Voting Rules Fight: The U.S. Senate advanced a short-term funding plan to avert a shutdown and set up votes on voter ID and other election-related measures; meanwhile, Republicans pushed the “Ballots by Election Day” idea to stop counting late-arriving mail ballots. Justice Department Politics: Todd Blanche was confirmed as U.S. attorney general in a razor-thin vote, with Democrats warning DOJ is being politicized. Local Campaigns: South Africa’s DA launched its local government manifesto in Johannesburg focused on “working” municipalities; in KZN, ActionSA candidates unveiled plans for fixes in eThekwini and KwaDukuza ahead of 2026 elections. Midterms Messaging: U.S. Rep. Dale Strong framed the coming midterms as Republicans vs. “communists and socialists,” tying it to the SAVE America Act debate.

Election Administration & Ballot Rules: Wisconsin’s Kenosha County Clerk warned that stickers on ballots aren’t authorized under state law and can jam tabulators, while a separate county clerk notice reiterated the same risk for write-in voters. Courts & Referendums: Ohio’s Supreme Court ordered Ashville to submit petitions for a fall ballot vote on data centers and a natural gas plant, though officials could still argue the matter is administrative and avoid a vote. Voter Access & ID Battles: California court rulings this week kept moving the debate over Prop. 39 voter ID language, with opponents warning it adds barriers. Local Elections & Public Safety Votes: Waterford Township, Michigan, faces an $8M budget shortfall after voters rejected two police/fire millages; League City, Texas, may put Flock automated license plate reader use to a referendum. Campaigns & Party Strategy: Malaysia’s DAP delegates will decide whether to keep Cabinet posts after election losses, and South Carolina’s GOP Senate special primary is underway with candidates staking out sharply different visions. Immigration’s Real-World Impact: As Haitian TPS ends, Miami residents and businesses report fear of raids and job losses.

Local Elections Countdown (South Africa): South Africa’s IEC says municipal polls are set for 4 November, with the voters’ roll closing at midnight and parties/candidates facing a 28 August 5pm nomination deadline as the 89-day election timetable kicks off. Election Security: Police warn that anyone planning political violence or assassinations around the local elections will be arrested and prosecuted, citing hundreds of suspects detained since 2018. Voter Access & Rights (U.S.): U.S. senators demand the Trump administration stop mass voter purges ahead of November, arguing the NVRA “quiet period” bars large-scale removals. Voting Rights in California: California Gov. Newsom signs a bill to let Fresno County residents vote on a transportation measure, reinforcing local ballot access. Campaign & Cost of Living (Virginia): Tom Perriello launches his general election push in Virginia’s Fifth District focused on lowering costs, boosting wages, and tackling corruption. State Ballot Fight (Missouri): Missouri voters rejected Amendment 5, turning down a tax plan critics say would shift burdens onto working families. Primary Results (Tennessee): Shelby County election results list winners across mayor, sheriff, and county commission races, with many contests decided along party lines.

Voter Roll Errors: Alaska removed 3,048 people from its active voter list after DMV data flagged them as possible noncitizens, raising fears of wrongful purges unless affected residents provide extra ID. Election Day Turnout: In Tennessee’s primary and local races, voters reported steady early lines and a “good start,” while some said redistricting and nonstop campaigning shaped how they showed up. Close Races: Washington’s Bellingham-area state Senate primary is essentially a dead heat, with two Democrats separated by just a couple dozen votes and a recount threshold looming. Money in Politics: Missouri voters rejected Amendment 5, despite a massive spending push by Missouri Promise PAC, underscoring how expensive ballot fights can still fail. Access to Voting Info: Tennessee election officials urged voters to use official hotlines and text reporting for fraud or problems on Election Day. Pre-Election Transparency: New Zealand’s ombudsman warned agencies to follow the Official Information Act closely as the election approaches, pushing faster, more reliable responses. Campaign Finance Court Fight: Michigan’s Supreme Court is asked to block a “money out of politics” ballot effort, arguing signature certification fell short of required rules.

Election Scheduling & Access: Bangladesh’s Election Commission set the presidential vote for Aug. 20, with nominations due Aug. 13, scrutiny Aug. 16, and withdrawal by Aug. 18, with voting from 2–5 p.m. at the Jatiya Sangsad. Local Elections & Rules: Tennessee’s open primaries let voters pick either GOP or Democratic ballots at the polls (but only one party per election), while Wisconsin’s Aug. 11 primary will narrow candidates by party for the Nov. 3 general. Campaign Pressure & Governance: In Nigeria’s Osun race, Edo Gov. Okpebholo urged Osun voters to back APC’s Oyebamiji, while multiple parties and CSOs attacked EFCC’s freezing of Osun’s statutory allocation account days before the election as political intimidation. Election Integrity & Trust: Kosovo’s parliament delayed choosing a new speaker amid coalition talks, warning against another election cycle; in the U.S., election-security experts are set to discuss how systems are protected and how voters should separate facts from fear. Voter Impact Watch: Japan’s planned two-year food tax cut is framed as temporary but could become a political tool as elections approach. Election Day: Tennessee and Montgomery County voters head to the polls today, with local races and state/federal primaries on the ballot.

Election Protection & Voter Access: Common Cause Rhode Island is training poll monitors to spot problems like sudden polling-place changes, poor signage, disability access gaps, and harassment, after courts blocked attempts to seize voter data. Democratic Primary Shift: Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary turned into a “turn the page” moment, with progressive Abdul El-Sayed narrowly beating establishment-backed Haley Stevens—another sign voters may punish party insiders. Election Rules & Timing: Virginia lawmakers are weighing whether to move off-year elections onto presidential/midterm years to boost turnout and cut costs. Redistricting Fight in Maryland: Gov. Wes Moore signed a constitutional amendment that would let lawmakers redraw congressional maps before 2028, with lawsuits already in the mix. Local Ballot Measures: Michigan voters backed multiple school, road, and emergency-services millages in Cheboygan County, while other areas saw close or failed proposals. Election Security & Integrity: Washington state officials are emphasizing safeguards and public transparency as they process large ballot volumes after the primary. Party-Formation Oversight (Ghana): NDC leaders push for an independent body to regulate political party formation and certification to prevent proliferation.

Election Administration & Access: Florida voters have three options for the Aug. 18 primary, with the mail request deadline Aug. 6 and early voting Aug. 8-15; Pasco County is opening 12 early voting sites Aug. 8-15. Local Ballot Measures: Nodaway County’s Aug. 4 primary showed big support for Missouri Amendment 1 and 2, while voters rejected Amendment 4 and 5; Jefferson County voters approved recalling four Madras Aquatic Center board members. Candidate Matchups: Jackson County voters choose among intraparty GOP and Democratic options for a local congressional seat, plus a Senate vacancy field; in Harrisonburg, Monica Robinson and Dany Fleming won the Democratic primary for city council. Election Integrity & Records: A judge shut down a Trump administration push for Colorado voter-roll data, while Democracy Forward sued USCIS over records tied to immigration databases and voter roll activity. Election Security: Brazil’s Federal District police launched “Operation Interrupted Network” targeting a group accused of planning election-period violence. Campaign Politics: House Democrats expanded their November midterms target list by adding a dozen GOP-held seats. International Politics: Kosovo opposition urged PM Albin Kurti to share power to avoid new snap elections.

Primary Turnout & Voter Mood: In Washington’s primary, turnout is low—about 1.28 million ballots returned so far (under 1 in 4), with big gaps by age. Local Voting Friction: Benton County, Wash. residents split between civic duty and skipping due to conflict, apathy, or forgetting. Election-Day Glitches: In Missouri, two Jackson County polling places briefly ran out of paper ballots, slowing lines. Big-State Politics—Michigan: Polls closed in Michigan as Democrats fight over the U.S. Senate direction, with Reuters framing it as a test of whether voters back moderates or progressives on Israel and big-money politics. Redistricting Battles—Maryland & Missouri: Maryland lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment sending redistricting rules to voters; Missouri’s GOP blocked a referendum on its new congressional map. Access vs. Suppression Fight—Texas: Tarrant County GOP plans to cut polling sites sparked backlash and a delay after public outrage. Venezuela Elections: U.S. senators urged Venezuela to hold elections and punish those harming candidates.

Election Administration & Access: U.S. senators Alex Padilla and Mark Warner pressed the Trump DOJ over election monitors, warning against partisan targeting of Democratic-leaning jurisdictions. Michigan Primary (Aug. 4): Polls opened statewide; more than 1.2 million Michigan voters already voted early or by mail, and officials say results will trickle in as counts finish. Local Ballot Stakes: Detroit voters decide school and transit proposals, while Wayne County communities vote on a 10-year public transit millage. Campaign Spending: Political ad reservations for the 2026 midterms topped $1.2 billion, with cost-of-living concerns driving voter attention. International Voting Disputes: Somalia’s president met partners over an election standoff; India condemned “so-called” PoK local elections as a “complete farce.” UK Local Politics: Kemi Badenoch defended a Conservative selection after backlash over a candidate previously jailed for harassing a Jewish MP. Security Hotspots: Philippines Comelec flagged Basilan’s Al-Barka as high-risk for the Sept. 14 BARMM polls.

Alaska Voter Guide: Alaska’s open primary is set for Aug. 18, and local media teamed up to publish candidate-by-candidate issue answers so voters can compare positions before they vote. Voting Access in Emergencies: Spokane County wildfire evacuees can get replacement ballot packets and use official drop boxes or USPS hand-cancellation to make sure ballots count. Michigan Primary Turnout: Michigan reports over 1.2 million ballots cast ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, with guidance for voters who still need to return absentee ballots. Election Administration Watch: Wisconsin’s appeals court ruling could affect how election rules are applied in future close races, while Michigan officials prepare for federal monitors tied to DOJ claims. Voter ID Fight in New York: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan for city grocery stores sparked renewed debate over voter ID hypocrisy, after officials said the stores won’t require ID. Campaign Finance & Influence: AIPAC is again topping $100 million in federal election spending, underscoring how foreign-policy priorities are shaping congressional races. Courtroom Politics: A challenge to Missouri’s redistricted congressional map is set to be decided around election deadlines, with the possibility the old map could return. Local Ballot Issues: Osceola County voters will decide a property tax measure to fund schools, with leaders warning of budget cuts if it fails.