AGP Executive Report

Election Integrity & Access: South Korea’s local elections erupted after ballot shortages at multiple Seoul polling sites left voters waiting for hours or unable to vote, prompting an NEC investigation and President Lee Jae Myung’s “deep regret.” U.S. Voting Rules: A federal judge heard arguments on whether to pause Trump’s order to build a national voter ID list, with concerns raised about name changes and voters being wrongly excluded. War Powers & Voters: The U.S. House passed a bipartisan resolution to limit Trump’s Iran war powers, 215-208, as Congress pushes back on the administration’s authority. Campaigns & Accountability: In Wyoming, a Cheyenne attorney filed to force the state AG’s office to recuse itself from investigating alleged election-code violations tied to sharing voter data with the DOJ. Local Power Tests: South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party won most local races but lost Seoul’s mayoralty, a symbolic check on President Lee’s first year. Global Politics: Kyrgyzstan won a UN Security Council seat for 2027-2028 after multiple rounds, while Germany blamed Russia for its own UN election loss.

U.S. Primaries Watch: Montana’s GOP western House primary was called for Trump-backed Aaron Flint, while Democrats chose Sam Forstag after a tight count. California Vote Counting: California’s jungle primary vote totals keep trickling in, with the governor’s race and LA mayoral race still too close as officials work through outstanding ballots. Local Election Rules: Apex, North Carolina is considering switching town elections to even years to cut costs and boost turnout, while Reno extended a data-center moratorium amid accusations of political timing. Election Integrity & Courts: A judge ordered a new Hinds County, Mississippi supervisor election after flaws in the 2023 certification. Voting Access: Miami-Dade released early voting dates for its upcoming primary, emphasizing planning in a closed primary system. International Elections: Colombia’s top courts backed election scrutiny work as President Petro continues to dispute results; Ethiopia’s election drew EU and partner praise for inclusive voting. War Powers: The House is set to vote on ending U.S. military action against Iran, a test of bipartisan resistance to the president.

California Elections: Votes were still being counted in the state’s high-stakes “jungle primary” for governor and Los Angeles mayor, with results likely to trickle in for days. Early numbers put Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton near the top in the governor race, while Karen Bass cleared the first hurdle and heads to a November runoff; her second-place challenger was Spencer Pratt. Orange County’s CA-40: Ken Calvert advanced with Young Kim holding second place, setting up a possible all-Republican general election if she holds. Local Governance: In San Francisco, Phil Kim won a school board race, while a separate report says progressives were broadly routed in the June primary, losing major ballot measures and candidates. Election Integrity & Voting Rights: A federal judge heard arguments over Trump’s voter-list executive order and limits on mail voting, with states warning of disruption. Turnout Watch: In San Francisco, turnout was reported as extremely low, while South Korea’s local elections showed higher participation. Political Integrity: New Zealand’s Transparency International called for stronger lobbying and political donation rules after reports of unrecorded talks between lobbyists and ministers.

Iowa Primary Voting: Iowa voters have until 8 p.m. to cast ballots in the 2026 primary. A valid photo ID is required, and you can register or change party registration at your polling place with proof of local residency (like a utility bill). If you have an absentee ballot you didn’t mail, you can surrender it for a regular ballot at your county auditor’s office by 8 p.m. or at your polling place. Los Angeles Mayoral Primary: LA voters are choosing between Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman, and reality TV outsider Spencer Pratt. Homelessness and housing costs are driving the debate, with Pratt’s “outsider” pitch splitting voters. Election Security & Access: Nigeria’s election commission says it’s investigating alleged unauthorized access to its voter registration database after a candidate’s registration details were leaked, stressing there was no external breach or hacking. Florida Property Taxes: Florida lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax exemptions (from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and up to $250,000 in 2028), with voters deciding in November. EU Watch on Colombia: The EU election mission says Colombia’s first presidential round was transparent and pluralistic, despite fraud allegations from President Gustavo Petro.

California Primary Countdown: Voters in California head to the polls Tuesday for the June 2 primary, with top races including governor and the Los Angeles mayor contest; LA Metro is offering free rides and added ballot drop boxes at 10 stations to help turnout. Local Voting Glitches: In San Mateo County, one voter reported arriving to a voting center after hours and finding no staff, with election officials saying the site was secured and ballots were not compromised. Iowa Primary Stakes: Iowa Republicans choose a governor nominee Tuesday (five candidates), while Democrats pick between two; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Armenia Election Pressure: The EU accuses Russia of trying to influence Armenia’s parliamentary vote, citing “hybrid threats” and economic pressure. Turkey Opposition Crackdown: Turkey’s Erdoğan faces a challenge as investigations and legal moves target Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, seen as a major rival. Global Election Integrity Debate: Liberia’s election law controversy over a 2% vote threshold is sparking constitutional and democratic concerns ahead of future elections. South Korea Local Test: South Korea’s broadcasters plan a joint exit poll for Wednesday’s local elections, a key gauge of public sentiment. International Campaign Moves: In Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan, Nawaz Sharif arrives to meet PML-N ticket holders ahead of June 7 elections.

Election Day Prep: Iowa and South Dakota primaries open Tuesday with party-only voting, strict hours, and reminders on ID and handling absentee ballots. Housing on the Ballot: Davis voters decide whether Measure V can move forward a major 1,800-unit development, with supporters citing housing and school enrollment and opponents warning about traffic, strain, and environmental risk. California Primary Countdown: Pasadena/Altadena voters have final early in-person options and drop-box rules for the June 2 primary, while local races and citywide offices are on the ballot. Voter Rolls Under Fire: Judicial Watch sued California over alleged “ghost voter” problems, targeting hundreds of thousands of inactive registrations and raising trust concerns. Mail Voting Fight: USPS proposed rules tied to a federal voter list could add new hurdles for mail ballots if upheld in court. Election Integrity & Access: Nevada reported 37,000+ early votes so far, and Wisconsin set a key nomination-paper deadline with filing steps spelled out. Politics Beyond the U.S.: Colombia heads toward a polarized runoff after a tight first round, and Armenia faces rising election pressure ahead of June 7.

Colombia Runoff: Abelardo de la Espriella and Ivan Cepeda advanced after Sunday’s first round, with no winner clearing 50%; de la Espriella led with about 43.7% and Cepeda followed near 40.9%, setting up a June 21 runoff. Election Integrity Fight: Colombia’s President Petro questioned the “pre-count” used on election night, arguing only the official scrutiny results are binding. Ethiopia Voting Day: Ethiopia’s 7th general election opened across major cities as PM Abiy Ahmed cast his ballot, with analysts expecting a landslide for his Prosperity Party amid unrest and a boycott in Tigray. Local Voting Disruptions (US): Los Angeles County is investigating possible election interference after fire-damaged vote-by-mail ballots were found in a drop box and a vote center was vandalized in Long Beach. Campaign Messaging vs Records (US): A Texas Democratic rebrand effort for Rep. James Talarico is being criticized as a calculated shift away from his past positions. UK Visa Bans: Two US political commentators say they were banned from entering the UK for events, escalating debate over political speech and access. South Korea Celebrity Scrutiny: Rapper Lee Young-ji apologized after red hair posts sparked a “political color” controversy during local election season. Malaysia Royal Reminder: Malaysia’s King urged politicians to avoid provocation and hate on sensitive issues ahead of elections. Kenya-Style Violence Warning: Officials in Nakuru warned politicians against hiring goons to cause chaos ahead of 2027 elections.

Colombia Presidential Vote: Colombians began voting Sunday in a high-stakes first round that could steer the country toward more “total peace” talks or a hard-right security crackdown, with violence and guerrilla attacks shaping the campaign. Ethiopia Election Under Strain: Ethiopia’s June 1 vote is expected to favor Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party, but the National Election Board says voting won’t happen in dozens of conflict-hit constituencies, raising doubts about how much choice voters really have. Pakistan GB Security Plan: Pakistan’s Interior Minister briefed PM Shehbaz Sharif on a security plan for peaceful, transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan on June 7, including protection arrangements for voters and public places. U.S. Election Court Fight: A judge ordered Fulton County’s case against the DOJ to be unsealed, after a subpoena sought personal identity details tied to the 2020 election. California Primary Access: With Tuesday’s California primary approaching, Los Angeles County opened more vote centers for voters who haven’t cast ballots yet, as the governor and L.A. mayor races tighten. Nigeria Election Safety vs. Violence: A new report highlights Nigeria’s election-season security focus alongside ongoing abductions and kidnappings, questioning whether the state prioritizes votes over lives. Malta Snap Election: Malta’s Labour Party won a snap parliamentary election for a fourth straight term, with the opposition conceding defeat by about 18,000 votes. Party Politics in Nigeria: In Ondo State, an APC faction accuses Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of undermining party unity ahead of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Georgia Election Case: The DOJ is asking a federal judge in the Georgia election records fight to step aside, citing her reported attendance at an event honoring Fulton County DA Fani Willis—raising fresh impartiality questions. UK Politics & Voting Integrity: In the run-up to the Makerfield by-election, polling and reporting fuel speculation about Labour mayor Andy Burnham “wargaming” a snap election if he becomes PM, while a UK think tank warns deepfakes are reaching huge numbers of voters ahead of the vote. Colombia Presidential Vote: Colombia heads to the polls amid security fears; the IACHR warns of political violence and threats against candidates, while a far-right contender’s alleged domestic violence case surfaced just hours before election day. Voter Rolls & Access: The Trump administration is pushing the Supreme Court to let states review voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move voting-rights groups say could disenfranchise eligible voters. Local Elections Watch: In California’s tight LA mayoral primary, Spencer Pratt’s viral AI-heavy campaign is gaining traction as voters weigh homelessness and public safety. Democracy in Practice: Nigeria’s INEC chief is studying election best practices in South Korea ahead of 2027, while parties trade accusations over voter list revisions.

Ethiopia Election Watch: AU observer chief Uhuru Kenyatta said Ethiopia’s June 1 vote matters for the whole continent, as more than 54 million Ethiopians are registered and observers from 30 countries prepare to monitor the process. Colombia Presidential Vote: Colombians head to the polls Sunday in a high-stakes test of President Gustavo Petro’s agenda, with the race framed as a referendum on his reforms and peace talks; violence and security concerns are front and center. Malta Parliamentary Elections: Voting has opened in Malta’s snap election, with polls pointing to Prime Minister Robert Abela’s Labour Party winning a record fourth term, arguing stability and economic strength amid Middle East-driven inflation and tourism worries. US Voting Rights Fight: The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to revive Arizona’s push to require “documented proof of citizenship” and allow purges of voter rolls, setting up another major legal showdown over election access. Punjab Civic Polls: India’s AAP surged in Punjab municipal elections, winning nearly half the wards and multiple municipal corporations, while opposition parties alleged irregularities and misuse of state machinery. Deepfakes and Elections: New UK polling warns about the scale of election deepfakes reaching voters online ahead of local contests. Voter Access on the Ground (US): Imperial County, California opened all vote centers for the June 2 primary, offering in-person voting, ballot drop-off, and registration updates. South Korea Local Elections: Early voting for June 3 local elections passed 19% nationwide, with millions already casting ballots ahead of mayor and governor races.

Mail-voting rules under fire: The U.S. Postal Service proposed requiring states to send voter lists tied to mail-in ballot barcodes, as courts weigh Trump’s executive order tightening absentee voting. Voter ID and citizenship fights: A federal judge in New Hampshire ordered the state to make registration easier by letting applicants attest to U.S. citizenship when they lack documents, while the state says it will appeal. Election integrity staffing controversy: Georgia’s election board reportedly hired a longtime election denier as its official state investigator, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats. Audit and verification in practice: Georgia officials kicked off a risk-limiting audit using random ballot samples ahead of certification. Local election deadlines: Jacksonville will hold a special city council election in August after a councilman’s resignation. Campaign and turnout pressure: In Punjab, India’s AAP swept municipal civic polls, while opposition alleges misuse of official machinery. Security-heavy national vote: Colombia heads to a presidential election Sunday with massive security deployment amid polarization and violence concerns.

Election Integrity & Courts: A federal judge declined to block President Trump’s order to create a federal voter list and limit mail voting, leaving challenges for later if rules are implemented. Voting Access & Rules: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 73 to curb election interference, including limits on accessing voter rolls or election tech without a court order. Local Elections as a Political Test: Punjab’s municipal vote counting is underway, with AAP winning multiple wards in Moga and early trends showing AAP strength in Khanna—seen as a signal ahead of 2027. Voter Mobilization: South Africa’s IEC urged registration for the 2026 local elections, warning apathy weakens accountability. International Interference Claims: Reuters reports Russia is running covert efforts to sway Armenia’s June 7 election, as Trump endorsed PM Nikol Pashinyan. Voter Turnout Watch: South Korea’s early voting for June 3 local elections started with 5.9% turnout, and voters can use any early voting site nationwide. Ballot Deadlines & Guides: Colorado’s primary voter guides explain how unaffiliated voters can request ballots and vote in party primaries.

Election Integrity & Voting Access: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 73, making it a felony for law enforcement to seize ballots, access voter rolls, or interfere with certified voting tech without a court order, after Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco seized 600,000+ ballots earlier this year. Mail Ballots & Administration: Wisconsin’s Elections Commission mailed USPS and congressional officials a letter urging timely absentee ballot delivery after reports of delays. Campaigns & Voter Sentiment: Trump’s approval hit new lows in multiple national polls, with several surveys placing him in the mid-to-high 30s, a potential drag on GOP midterm prospects. Local Races & Turnout: Pennsylvania Republicans nominated Scott Timko for an Aug. 18 special election in the 12th House District after a resignation; in Amador County, officials urged voters to use vote centers/drop boxes ahead of June 2. International Politics: Israel’s Knesset dissolution vote and Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary election both underscore how war and security themes are driving campaigns. Tech & Disinformation: Sexual deepfakes are being used to intimidate women in politics, raising new concerns about AI abuse ahead of elections.

Election Integrity Ruling: India’s Supreme Court backed the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, saying it advances “free and fair” elections and that deleted voters can still be reviewed for citizenship. US Election Administration: In Arizona, Maricopa County’s recorder and supervisors are fighting over early ballot drop box locations ahead of the July primary, raising fears of disruption as deadlines near. Voter Access & Security: OpenAI is partnering with election-focused groups and the Associated Press to help provide accurate voting info and live vote counts, while also backing transparency rules for AI political content. Campaign Pressure: South Korea’s parties are cranking up outreach in key cities as early voting starts for June local elections, with polls showing tight races. Climate & Governance: A climate-focused commentary argues politicians must stop dismissing warming warnings and treat net-zero action as necessary despite short-term costs. Regional Election Reality: Ethiopia’s election on Monday looks low-key in Addis Ababa, with voters skeptical their vote matters, while conflict areas in Amhara and Tigray face suspended polling. Nigeria Politics & Peace: Nigeria’s Senate leader warns against election violence, while the Arewa community in the Southeast calls out politicians allegedly using Northerners for endorsements.

California Primary Countdown: Orange Coast College students say heavy online political ads are overwhelming and may be turning them away ahead of the June 2 top-two primary. Voting Rules Watch: California election officials urge voters to mail early because USPS postmark changes could affect whether ballots get counted; manual postmarks are recommended. Election Integrity in Court: India’s Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, ordering that deleted voters be referred for citizenship decisions and restored if confirmed. Federal Court on Poll Security: A judge ordered the Trump administration to speed up FOIA document production tied to Democrats’ concerns about federal agents or troops at polling sites. Texas Runoff Fallout: Texas voters chose Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate and Mayes Middleton for attorney general, setting up November matchups. Union Ballot in Florida: Miami-Dade teachers face a high-stakes union recertification vote under new state labor rules. Global Tensions: Somalia’s regional leaders warn against “one-sided” election planning, calling for inclusive negotiations. South Africa Local Elections: The IEC launched its 2026 local election campaign as registration tops 27.9 million.

Local Ballot Measures: In California’s June 2 primary, Butte County voters will decide Measure P, which would let the Road Commissioner and Director of Public Works be split into two roles instead of one; Tehama County voters face two measures too—Measure S (a 1% sales tax for road repairs in Red Bluff) and Measure T (a nearly $6M school bond for Antelope Elementary). Turnout Watch: Northern California counties are seeing low early participation, with Shasta and Tehama both under 10% of ballots returned so far, while Butte is higher at just over 14%. Courtroom Politics: India’s Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, saying free and fair elections depend on accurate rolls and that the process stays within constitutional powers. Regional Deadlock: Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party says it will resume talks with Kurdish rivals after Eid al-Adha to break the long government stalemate. Community Politics: Brooklyn’s Park Slope Food Coop voted to remove most Israeli products after a years-long boycott fight.