AGP Executive Report

Supreme Court Mail-Ballot Rules: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count late-arriving mail ballots, including Nevada’s practice, a decision with major implications for November. Campaign Finance Shake-Up: The Court also struck down limits on coordinated party spending, a ruling that could turbocharge fundraising and spending strategies heading into federal races. Voter Registration Push: In Nigeria, Peter Obi urged eligible voters to register now, framing it as the “foundation” for change; local efforts also focused on helping people get PVCs, including outreach for persons with disabilities. Election Integrity vs Access: An INEC chief said technology can’t replace an informed electorate, warning that apathy and misinformation can quietly erode trust. Local UK By-Elections: Reform UK held a Leicestershire seat after a close by-election, while an independent won in Cheshire West and Chester on a “community over politics” message. Digital Campaigning: A Malaysia BN candidate warned parties to adapt to social media or risk becoming “dinosaur parties.” Election Security Funding: Papua New Guinea election monitors warned that funding and security are key to safe 2027 polls. Regional Politics: Spain’s PP and far-right Vox agreed to keep governing Andalusia, setting up a potential template for next year’s national contest.

Election Law & Access: Colorado’s CDOT says campaign signs are illegal in state and U.S. highway right-of-way, pushing candidates to use only approved private property. Recounts & Close Races: Sioux Falls’ mayoral runoff is headed to a recount after a two-vote gap, while NYC’s Board of Elections prepares to certify most legislative primaries but send three contests to manual recounts. State Policy & Voting Rights: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, expanding protections and urging courts to interpret voting rules broadly. Campaign Finance & Election Integrity: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott named hardline conservative Nate Schatzline to lead election-integrity policy, and a Hawaii campaign spending complaint targets Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke over alleged reporting and fund-handling violations. Local Election Prep: Auburn, Florida and Missouri coverage highlights upcoming primaries, registration deadlines, and how local races and ballot measures will shape November. Global Election Tensions: Armenia and Georgia protests demand fair elections and political freedoms as EU officials face backlash; Algeria’s parliamentary vote proceeds amid low turnout and barred opposition.

Campaign Finance & Incumbency Pressure: A South Carolina letter argues an $18,000 raise for legislators will worsen uncontested races by boosting incumbent fundraising power. Election Integrity & Voting Access: Arizona’s mail-in voting initiative failed to qualify for the November ballot after falling short of valid signature thresholds, setting up a legal fight instead. Voter Contact & Privacy: Oklahoma voters reported being hit with record political texts—up to 10 per day—raising concerns about unwanted influence. Foreign Influence & Ballot Design: The Dutch government plans a new organization to detect foreign election manipulation and will test a smaller ballot format starting with European Parliament elections. Campaign Tech & Rules: Illinois GOP candidate Darren Bailey is leaning into AI-generated imagery, while Illinois regulators accuse a website called Modo of illegal casino activity tied to a major campaign contribution. Global Election Watch: Serbia’s ruling party formally invited President Aleksandar Vučić to lead its parliamentary list and return as prime minister after elections. Next Steps in India: India’s Election Commission set July 30 by-elections in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, with counting on Aug. 3.

Supreme Court & Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld late-arriving mail ballots in Oregon and struck down an election-day mail cutoff, easing fears of disenfranchisement. Campaign Finance Shakeup: In a major ruling, the Court expanded parties’ ability to coordinate spending, drawing backlash that it will boost billionaire influence and party power heading into November. Election Administration & Voter Rolls: Arizona’s vote-by-mail constitutional initiative won’t reach the November ballot after organizers chose not to submit signatures; meanwhile, Washoe County and other jurisdictions are starting post-primary voter list maintenance, including address confirmation cards and inactivation processes. Mail Ballot Logistics Fight: A federal judge blocked a USPS plan tied to Trump’s mail-ballot executive order, keeping the dispute alive over federal control of election mail. State-Level Election Oversight: North Carolina’s House advanced a sweeping elections bill increasing state auditor authority over boards and tightening ballot auditing rules. Close Races & Recounts: Colorado’s GOP gubernatorial nomination remains razor-thin, with an automatic recount possible as margins shrink. Legal Challenges & Integrity: Kentucky officials are trading dueling claims over ballot errors after redistricting, while courts continue to sort out election disputes. International Watch: France set April 18, 2027 for the presidential first round, with the runoff May 2.

Supreme Court & Citizenship: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil, rejecting Trump’s push to narrow it—setting up a major fight over immigration and the meaning of the 14th Amendment. Campaign Finance: In a separate ruling, SCOTUS struck down limits on coordinated party spending in federal elections, a decision critics say could turbocharge billionaire and corporate influence. Voter Access & ID Battles: Republicans in the House blocked progress on a major defense bill to demand Senate action on Trump’s voter ID push, while courts and lawmakers continue wrestling over how far states can go with voter roll purges and verification rules. Colorado Primaries: Colorado Democrats and Republicans headed into key races after a busy primary night, including Melat Kiros beating Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic congressional contest. Local Elections & Turnout: Across the country, election officials are reminding voters about registration deadlines and verification drives, as turnout and service-delivery frustrations shape local races. Global Campaigning: Israel’s former army chief Gadi Eisenkot launched his bid to replace Netanyahu, while Malaysia’s Johor election season is blending grassroots campaigning with digital outreach.

Supreme Court Campaign Finance: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down limits on coordinated party spending with federal candidates, a 6–3 ruling that could supercharge GOP fundraising and advertising ahead of November. Voter Access & ID Push: The decision on late-arriving mail ballots is also reigniting Trump’s push for voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements, with SAVE Act momentum returning in Congress. Arizona Voter Purge Fight: An Arizona judge paused part of a voter-roll purge dispute pending a Supreme Court review of a Republican National Convention petition. Colorado Primary: Colorado’s 2026 primary is closing, with major races for governor and U.S. Senate driving high-stakes outcomes for both parties. Alaska Ballot Confusion: Alaska election officials released a sample ballot that uses unusual naming rules to distinguish two Dan Sullivans on the same ballot. North Carolina Election Lawsuit: Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page sued Phil Berger’s son, alleging retaliation and missing campaign finance records. Alberta Privacy Lawsuit: A proposed class action in Alberta claims a separatist group exposed personal data for nearly three million voters. DOJ Probe: The Justice Department opened an investigation into Sen. Ruben Gallego’s campaign spending, focusing on family trips and related charges.

US Supreme Court & Mail Ballots: In a 5-4 ruling, the court said states can count ballots arriving after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked by then—dealing a fresh blow to Republican efforts to tighten rules ahead of November. Election Integrity & Legal Fights: The decision keeps states’ existing ballot timelines intact, while critics warn it could invite more disputes over how votes are handled. India Voter Roll Overhaul: Karnataka and Delhi are pushing Special Intensive Revision drives, with thousands of booth-level officers doing door-to-door verification and digitizing enumeration forms. Opposition Pushback: In India, 23 opposition parties wrote to the Chief Justice alleging the voter-list exercise is being manipulated. Armenia Courtroom Politics: Armenia’s Constitutional Court continues closed-door review of challenges to June 7 parliamentary results. Serbia Pre-Election Spending: Serbia’s Vucic announced a €600mn-plus package of pensions and payments, drawing accusations of using public office for campaigning. Malaysia State Races: In Johor, PH candidates are betting turnout will be higher than in 2022, while Malaysia’s PM reiterated election-law limits on announcing new projects after nomination day.

US Supreme Court Mail-Ballot Ruling: In a 5-4 decision, the Court upheld states’ ability to count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked on time—dealing a fresh blow to Trump’s push for tighter deadlines and fueling new fights over election rules. Election Integrity Litigation: The same week saw DOJ lose again in New Hampshire over demands for unredacted voter rolls, while courts continue weighing how far federal authorities can go in election oversight. Prediction Markets Under Scrutiny: Regulators and lawmakers are turning up pressure on political betting and prediction platforms as usage surges, raising questions about influence and governance. Local Results & Trust: San Benito County certified a recall outcome, while Los Angeles primary counting delays and viral confusion sparked federal attention. Global Elections: Peru’s Keiko Fujimori claimed victory after the official count, and Armenia’s constitutional court continued hearings on challenges to parliamentary results. Campaign Money & Voters: Stories also spotlighted crypto-linked political donations and the role of voter ID debates in shaping turnout and confidence.

Election Courts & Rules Fight: Michigan’s AG Dana Nessel won a major court victory blocking a Trump executive order aimed at federalizing election administration, while the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a prior ruling on how absent-voter ballots with missing or mismatched stubs should be processed. Voter Fraud Debate Heats Up: In Ohio, the FBI’s look at potential fraud tied to the Ohio Organizing Collaborative and vendor Black Fork Strategies is triggering loud Democratic accusations of intimidation and suppression—setting up another high-stakes election integrity fight. Ballot Access & Voter ID: Ohio’s only 2026 ballot issue—State Issue 3—would enshrine photo ID requirements in the state constitution, with supporters calling it election security and critics calling it political distraction. Party Politics & Campaign Messaging: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his Democratic socialist allies are carrying a “national message” after primary wins, while moderates push back that they’re “capitalist, not socialist.” Global Election Oversight: Armenia’s Constitutional Court continues hearing challenges to June 7 results, as legal and diplomatic pressure grows around the EU’s role. UK Governance Shakeup: Keir Starmer’s resignation keeps the UK in rapid prime-minister turnover mode, with political stability still under question.

South Asia Power Play: Bangladesh’s next general election after the Yunus-led interim government is already being read as a Delhi–Beijing influence test, with trade, Teesta water talks, Rohingya repatriation, and border security all on the ballot. India Voter Math: India’s Election Commission’s Summary and Intensive Revision cut the voter base by about 10% in multiple states, drawing minority-and-migrant bias accusations and raising stakes for 2029 seat arithmetic. Australia Poll Shock: Pauline Hanson’s support dipped after her National Press Club “reality check” speech, while Newspoll shows Labor edging ahead and One Nation hitting a historic low. California Trust Fight: Los Angeles County certified the June 2 primary, locking in Pasadena council wins and Measure ER’s passage, while separate reporting pushes back on viral election-fraud claims tied to slow mail-ballot counting. U.S. Election Rules Under Fire: A federal judge blocked Pennsylvania’s voter-roll access bid by Trump’s DOJ, and USPS is reported to refuse mail ballots to states that won’t share voter lists. Louisiana Senate Race: Julia Letlow won the GOP Senate runoff, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Jamie Davis. UK Local Race: Tories named Phil Eckersley for Greater Manchester mayor, aiming to challenge Reform’s momentum. Global Campaign Tactics: Johor’s election campaign leans into walkabouts and grassroots visits, while New Caledonia’s provincial vote keeps pro-France and pro-independence blocs largely intact.

Johor Election Prep: Malaysia’s Johor state race is in full swing with Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan leaning on grassroots walkabouts, house visits, and market stops ahead of July 11. Media Integrity: The Malaysian Media Council launched “Semak Berita” to quickly verify election-related fake or AI-made content during the Johor campaign. Osun Campaign Clash: Nigeria’s APC governorship candidate Oyebamiji accused opponents of using vehicles branded in his colours for criminal acts and smear tactics. Scottish Labour Shake-Up: Scottish Labour says it will reconsider its stance on Scottish independence after another heavy defeat, with senior figures blaming Keir Starmer for SNP’s win. Low Turnout in Cyprus: Aglandjia’s deputy-mayor vote saw just 15.02% turnout by noon, with results expected late Sunday. New Caledonia Vote: Polls closed in New Caledonia’s first provincial elections since 2019, with turnout at about 54% and security tight as officials tally. Zambia Campaign Violence Claims: Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe warned UPND supporters after alleged disruption and assaults at a rally, as UPND prepares its nationwide “Bally Rally” launch. Election Rights Dispute (India): Opposition parties attacked India’s Centre after former Telegraph editor R Rajagopal said passport renewal was blocked after his name was removed from West Bengal’s electoral rolls.

Election Integrity & Fraud Claims: California’s post-primary fraud narrative is back in the spotlight as Trump and allies point to slow mail-ballot counts, while state officials push back as politically timed; Los Angeles also revisits its own history of residency and ballot-rigging cases. Legal Battles Over Voting Access: An Alaska judge ruled the state unlawfully removed a Dan J. Sullivan Senate candidate, ordering his name back on the August ballot. Campaigns & Power Plays: Wisconsin Rep. Clint Moses launched his re-election bid; Chicago Rep. Mike Quigley announced a run for mayor; Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić says he’ll resign soon, setting up early elections. Party Discipline & Local Politics: Malaysia’s Gerakan suspended its Johor liaison committee after withdrawing from the state election without central approval. Election Security & Administration: New Caledonia deployed heavy security for crucial provincial elections; the Philippines ran a mock BARMM parliamentary election to test automated voting and result transmission. Prediction Markets: Kalshi’s equity stake for Donald Trump Jr. and the platforms’ rapid growth keep drawing regulatory and political attention.

Johor State Election (Malaysia): Nomination is over for the 16th Johor state election, with 172 candidates cleared for 56 seats and polling set for July 11 (early voting July 7). Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) each field 56 candidates, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) has 33; the Election Commission says no nominations were rejected and maps out straight, three-way, four-way, and five-way contests. Campaign tone: PH chief Anwar Ibrahim urged candidates to engage voters and practice “civil politics,” while BN leaders pushed a “mature politics” approach to avoid personal attacks. Local election watch (U.S.): In Washington’s Skagit County races, vote counts are still moving—Mary LaFleur has taken the lead in the Port of Anacortes board race, while Sam Irons surged ahead in the Skagit Regional Health board race; meanwhile, the Sedro-Woolley school levy remains narrowly failing. Election integrity & rules (U.S./Georgia): Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law delaying the QR-code voting machine ban to Jan. 1, 2028, and added hand recount requirements for top statewide races within a tight margin. Prediction markets & politics (U.S.): Reuters reports Polymarket has topped $1B in annualized revenue, as Meta explores a points-based prediction app (“Arena”) and regulators weigh risks.

Federal Courts & Voting Rules: A federal judge halted President Trump’s executive order to create a federal voter list and restrict mail voting, dealing another blow to the push that states and civil-rights groups have challenged. Election Integrity & Local Fallout: New York’s education commissioner ordered a Hempstead school trustee revote after allegations a district clerk trashed ballots; in Georgia, Richmond County’s elections board filed to dismiss a mayoral challenge claiming missing absentee votes and suppression. Campaigns & Ballot Measures: California voters face a fall ballot fight over a one-time billionaire wealth tax plus “poison pill” measures aimed at blocking it; in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a delay of a QR-code voting-machine ban to 2028. Politics on the Ground: LA and Orange counties certified the June 2 primary; Wasatch County races show tight GOP contests and a narrow primary win for Rachel Kahler. Election Security Debate: Wyoming’s Supreme Court declined to intervene in a voter-data complaint involving the state’s handling of information sent to the Justice Department. International & Party Politics: Johor’s Pakatan Harapan kicked off its state-election campaign with a fact-based messaging push, while Reform UK scored major gains in Britain’s by-elections.

Federal Courts & Voter Access: A Boston judge halted President Trump’s order to create a federal voter list and restrict who gets mail ballots, arguing it violates separation of powers; the fight is part of a wider pushback as appeals courts also limit federal demands for state voter data. Voter Rolls & Identity Rules (India): India’s Election Commission confirmed passports can be used for voter roll revision, while AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi warned Telangana’s SIR voter-roll update is stoking “citizenship” anxiety. Election Funding Crunch (Nigeria): INEC says it still hasn’t received budgeted funds for the 2027 general elections, even as it keeps preparing and testing systems. Court Challenges After Elections (Armenia): Armenia’s Constitutional Court rejected a DOK party motion and is now weighing multiple petitions seeking to invalidate June 7 parliamentary results. Campaigns & Party Strategy: Ghana’s NPP ordered an independent probe into Ken Agyapong’s election petitions; Serbia’s Vucic said elections are coming soon as ruling party polls look better. Local Voting Rights (US): Voting rights groups sued Colorado Springs over spring municipal election timing, alleging it suppresses minority turnout.

Federal Courts vs. Trump Election Overhaul: A judge blocked Trump’s executive order to create a federal voter list and tighten mail voting, citing unconstitutional overreach and separation-of-powers concerns—another major setback after a separate ruling halted a citizenship proof requirement. Michigan Voter Rolls Fight: An appeals court ruled Michigan doesn’t have to hand over unredacted voter data to DOJ, dealing the administration its biggest loss yet in its nationwide voter-roll crusade. SAVE America Act Pressure: House conservatives escalated attacks on Senate inaction on the voter ID and mail-voting overhaul bill, with lawmakers arguing the chamber is stalling while tensions spill into broader GOP agenda fights. Mail Ballots Under Threat: USPS says it won’t deliver mail ballots to states that refuse to provide voter lists under the proposed rule—raising stakes for voter access and state-federal control. Prediction Markets in the Crosshairs: Kalshi sued to block an Illinois tax on prediction markets, arguing its “event contracts” aren’t gambling and should be regulated federally. Kenya Voter Registration Push: IEBC resumed continuous voter registration and launched a month-long enhanced drive in five electoral areas, with a detailed roadmap for the run-up to the 2027 general election. Local Election Watch: Louisiana’s June 27 runoff is expected to draw lower turnout amid date and primary-format changes; Auburn, Alabama, will pick a new mayor Aug. 25.