MN Election Officials Make Changes to Automatic Voter Registration System

Elections Officials are making Changes to Minnesota’s Automatic Voter Registration system, after finding some potentially Problematic Entries, but they say they are Not aware of anyone Ineligible who has been Registered to Vote via the system.

The Secretary of State’s Office said this week, that more than 90,000 People have been Registered or Pre-Registered since April, when Minnesota's New system went Live. Residents who Apply for and receive State-issued IDs such as Driver's Licenses are now Automatically Registered to Vote without having to Opt-In, if they meet Legal Criteria. And 16- and 17-year-olds can Pre-Register to Vote once they turn 18.

Around 1% of those Automatic Registrations have been Flagged for potential Problems, said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, whose Department issues Driver's Licenses and otherOofficial Identification Cards.

Secretary-of-State Steve Simon (D–Labor), said those roughly 1,000 Voter Registrations will be kept “Inactive” until the Names, Addresses, and Citizenship Status are Confirmed.

He also said additional Checks will be made to Ensure that Voters Registered through the System, meet the Eligibility Criteria.

Flagged Individuals will be Notified that, if they are Eligible, they will need to Register Online, at their Local Election Office, or In-Person at their Polling Place on Election Day.

Republican Legislators raised Questions about the Automatic Voter Registration system earlier this Month. Jacobson told them in a Letter on Thursday, that He is Not aware of any Instances of Minnesotans being Registered-to-Vote who are Ineligible to cast a Ballot, but that the Process Improvements they are making will Strengthen the Verification System.

Republicans House and Senate Leaders responded Friday, saying they still have Questions. They said 1% of Registrants could work out to around 1,000 People. They asked for the actual Number, and pressed for Cconfirmation on whether any were allowed to Vote in the August Primary Election.

“The election is 52 days away, and early voting begins on September 20. Minnesotans want to trust our elections are secure and fair,” they said in a Statement.

While Minnesota grants Driver's Licenses to Residents regardless of Immigration Status, Officials say the Identification Document requirements provide sufficient Safeguards against Illegal Voting.

In Oregon, which has a similar Automatic Registration system, Officials acknowledged Friday, that the State has Mistakenly Registered more than 300 Non-Citizens as Voters since 2021, in what they described as a “Data Entry Issue” that happened when People applied for Driver’s Licenses.

An initial Analysis by the Oregon Department of Transportation, revealed that 306 Non-Citizens were Registered to Vote, Spokesperson Kevin Glenn said. Of those, Two have Voted in Elections since 2021. State and Federal Laws Prohibit Non-Citizens from Voting in National and Local Elections.

CLICK HERE for current Automatic Voter Registration system Flow-Chart.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Astronauts Vote in Elections from Space

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) Vote From Space.

“I sent down my request for a ballot today,” One of the New Astronauts, Butch Wilmore, said on a call with Reporters on Friday afternoon. “It’s a very important role that we play as citizen including those elections, and NASA makes it very easy for us to do that.”

Another Sunita Williams, agreed with the Sentiment. “It’s a very important duty that we have as citizens and looking forward to being able to vote from space, which is pretty cool,” She said.

Since 2004, Astronauts on board the ISS have Voted in All but One Presidential Election.

In Order to Vote, Astronauts must Fill-Out the Federal Post Card Application prior to Departure, the same Application used by Military Members Stationed Overseas.

During an Election, Johnson Space Center transmits a Secure Electronic Ballot, and the Astronauts are emailed Credentials by their Local County Clerk.

The Ballot is then Filled-Out, Downlinked to Earth, and e-mailed to the relevant County Clerk.

The First American to Vote for President in Space, was Leroy Chiao in 2004, who was onboard the ISS in 2004.

American Astronaut Kathleen Rubins Voted on the ISS on Two occasions, in 2016 and 2020.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

U.S. Considering Sovereign Wealth Fund

Alaska's "Permanent Fund", which distributes Money to Alaska Residents Annually, could be a Model. Challenges include Funding Sources, Legislative Hurdles, and State-owned Natural Resources. Bipartisan momentum is building around a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) that could help the U.S. Reduce its National Debt or Fund ambitious Projects.

President Biden's Top Aides have circulated Plans for a Fund to Finance National Security interests. And Trump recently called for a similar State-owned Iinvestment Fund to Finance "great national endeavors" during a Campaign stop at the Economic Club of New York.

It is unclear how an American Fund would be Funded or how it would Operate.

"The Alaska fund was initially established with revenue from mineral extraction, primarily oil, but within a few years after its initiation, its primary source of revenue is investment returns," Sarah Cowan, Executive Director of the Cash Transfer Lab, said. "It diversifies the Alaskan economy because, at this juncture, the revenue from this fund primarily does not come from oil."

Alaska's Fund offers Benefits that mimic a Universal basic Income, a No-Strings-Attached Recurring Payment, distributed to People regardless of Socioeconomic Status. But there are some Key Differences. For One, the Dividend doesn't come out of Taxes, it's Paid Annually and doesn't equate to a Livable wage.

Federal Lawmakers likely see a Sovereign Wealth Fund serving a different purpose, like supporting Industries or Financing Supply Chain Initiatives. Creating Oone at the National level also comes with more Legislative Hurdles.

"Typically, many countries went through special law making to create a SWF, defining the SWF's source of capital, investment mandate, and supervision system," Winston Ma, an Adjunct Professor at NYU and the Author of The Hunt for Unicorns: How Sovereign Funds Are Reshaping Investment in the Digital Economy, wrote to Business Insider by email.

"Therefore, it's not a simple corporate setup. It will involve lots of collaborative work between the executive and legislative branches — after the election."

Sovereign wealth funds, like Alaska's or Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, which is the Largest in the World. are often Funded by Wealth generated from State-owned Natural Resources.

The Issue is that "natural resources in the US are mostly owned by the states," Ma said. So, Consolidating those Revenue Streams might require some back and forth, to come up with a Plan.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ut Legislature Appeals Decision Blocking Amendment D from Ballot

In a Filing Friday afternoon, with the Utah Court of Appeals, the Legislature's Legal Team decried Thursday's Ruling from 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson, granting a Preliminary Injunction that effectively Blocks the Proposed Question from the Nov. 5th Ballot.

The Utah Legislature is asking the Utah Supreme Court, to Review and Reverse the Decision keeping Amendment D, the Proposal to Amend the Utah Constitution related to Citizen-led Ballot Initiatives, Off the Ballot.

The Utah Legislature voted late last month, to put a Ballot Question to Voters, Amendment D, asking them to Affirm the Right of Lawmakers to Tweak, Change, and Repeal Citizen-led Ballot Initiatives. Critics see the Proposal as a Power Grab by the GOP-Dominated Legislature, and they Argued that the Language of the Ballot Question was Misleading, leading to the Preliminary Injunction issued by Judge Gibson.

"Time is of the essence. The district court's order has cast a shadow over the election — in particular, whether Utahns should be learning about, campaigning for, and voting on Amendment D," reads the Filing by Attorney Tyler Green, Representing the State.

He Argues that Gibson's Preliminary Injunction should be Vacated, so the Ballot Question can go to Voters, and asks the Supreme Court to take up the matter next week. "People decide elections; courts don't," reads the First Sentence of the Filing.

The Attorney for the Plaintiffs, which include "Mormon Women for Ethical Government" and the "League of Women Voters of Utah", meantime, said Gibson got it Right.

"The district court's decision was correct," Mark Gaber said in a Sstatement. "In their rush to transfer power from the people to themselves, the legislative leadership wrote deceptive ballot language and simply ignored the Constitution's publication requirement. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the appeal, I am confident they too will enforce the Constitution."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Issues Warning After Stock Halted

Trump said He may consider moving His Media Company's Stock Listing, after it was briefly Halted on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

In a Post on Friday, He complained about Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, which uses the Ticker DJT, being Halted by Nasdaq, writing that it had occurred Twice during the day. "Why is NASDAQ halting the sale of DJT? What right do they have to do this?" read Trump's Post, in part.

Earlier in the Day, Trump said that He will Not Sell His Shares of DJT, despite the Stock Value Dropping after His Debate against Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday. The Share Price plummeted to its Lowest Level last week, since going Public in March, and had faced a steady Decline for weeks. "No, I'm not selling," Trump said while talking to Reporters in California. "I'm not leaving. I love it. I think it's great."

Reuters reported that Shares of DJT were Halted by Nasdaq for Two Five-Minute Periods after Trump's Comments, which is Common Practice during times of "Volatility." After Trump's Statements, the Company's Stock Price Surged as much as 30% and Closed Friday, with a 12% Gain on the day, at $17.97 per-Share.

Trump accused Nasdaq of "taking orders" from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which Trump said had "Political Reasons" to Delay Trading His Company's Stock "for an inordinate amount of time."

"I am going to hold NASDAQ, and maybe the SEC, liable for doing what they are doing," He added. "If they do it again, we will move the stock to the New York Stock Exchange."

Trump owns roughly 57% of Trump Media. Reuters reported that, according to Provisions related to the Company's Listing, Trump and other Insiders will be allowed to Sell Stock later this month.

Trump's Stake in the Company is worth about $2 billion as of Friday. In His Post to Truth Social, Trump wrote that it was His "intention to own this stock for a Long period of time. In my opinion, it is THE REAL VOICE OF AMERICA, but it is definitely MY VOICE, and it will be for a long time to come".










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

AZ 1864 Abortion Ban Officially Off the Books

Arizona’s Civil War-era Ban on nearly All Abortions Officially is being Repealed Saturday.

The State has been whipsawed over recent months, starting with the Arizona Supreme Court deciding in April, to let the State Enforce the long-dormant 1864 Law that Criminalized All Abortions, except when a Woman’s Life was jeopardized. Then State Lawmakers Voted to Repeal that Law once and for all.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed the Bill in May, declaring it was just the beginning of a Fight to Protect Reproductive Health Care in Arizona. “I will continue doing everything in my power to protect reproductive freedoms, because I trust women to make the decisions that are best for them, and know politicians do not belong in the doctor’s office,” Hobbs said in a Statement.

Abortion has sharply defined Arizona’s Political arena, since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. As the November General Election approaches, the Issue remains a focus of Democratic Campaigns, and it will be up to Arizona Voters to decide whether to Enshrine the Right to Abortion in the State Constitution.

It was after the State Supreme Court cleared the way for Enforcement, that Hobbs urged the State Legislature to take imminent action to undo the ban before it went into effect.

Emotions on the House floor and in the Gallery ran high, as House Democrats were able to garner the Support of Three Republicans to Pass the Repeal Legislation Two weeks later, sending the Measure to the Senate for consideration. Two GOP Senators joined with Democrats a week later to grant Final Approval.

Democrats were Advocating for the Repeal long before the Supreme Court issued its Ruling. Even Hobbs called for Action in Her January State-of- the State Address.

With the Ban No longer in play, Arizona Law allows Abortions until 15 weeks. After that, there is an Exception to Save the Life of the Mother, but Missing are Exceptions for cases of Rape or Incest after the 15-week mark.

Arizona requires those seeking an Abortion prior to the 15-week mark, to have an Ultrasound at least 24 hours before the Procedure and to be given the Opportunity to View it. Minors must have either Parental Consent or Authorization from a State Judge, except in Cases of Incest or when their Life is at Risk.

Abortion Medication can only be provided through a Qualified Physician, and only Licensed Physicians can perform Surgical Abortions. Abortion Providers and Clinics also must Record and Report certain Information about the Abortions they Perform to the Department of Health Services.

Voters will have the ultimate say on whether to Add the Right to an Abortion to the State Constitution, when they Cast their Ballots in the November General Election.

"Arizona for Abortion Access", the Coalition leading the Ballot Measure Campaign, was Successful in Securing the Measure's spot on the Ballot. The Arizona Secretary of State Verified 577,971 Signatures that were collected as part of the Citizen-led Campaign, well over the 383,923 required from Registered Voters.

If Voters approve the Measure, Abortions would be allowed until Fetal Viability, the point at which a Fetus could Survive outside the Womb, typically around 24 weeks. It also would allow Abortions after that time, in cases where the Mother’s Physical or Mental Health is in Jeopardy.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Brazil's Supreme Court Lifts Freeze on Starlink

Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has lifted the Freezes on Starlink and X Bank Accounts, after ordering the Transfer of 18.35 million reais ($3.3 million) to the National Treasury.

The Court stated that the amount transferred equaled what X owed in Fines, imposed due to a Conflict between Owner Elon Musk and Moraes.

The Judge had previously Blocked Access to the X platform in Brazil, its Sixth-largest Market, after X Failed to comply with Orders to Block Accounts accused of spreading “Fake News and Hate” Messages.

Musk has contested these Orders, labeling them as “Censorship.” Additionally, X did Not appoint a Local Legal Representative as Mandated by Brazilian Law, leading Moraes to Freeze Starlink’s Accounts to cover potential Fines owed by X.

Despite lifting the Freezes, Moraes has Not revoked the Decision to Block Access to X in Brazil, citing Unresolved Issues around Legal Representation and Content Removal. The Conflict between Musk and Brazil’s Judiciary has been Escalating for Weeks.

On Aug. 29th, the Supreme Court of Brazil imposed a Financial Freeze on Starlink, a Subsidiary of SpaceX, due to X’s Lack of Legal Representatives in Brazil and Unpaid Fines related to Failing to Provide certain Documents.

On Sept. 3rd, Starlink initially Defied a Court Order to Block access to X in Brazil, citing the Freezing of its Local Accounts as a reason. However, later that day, Starlink complied with the Court Order, despite calling the Asset Freeze "illegal."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker