Highlights from the Week
1. Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Conservative Party on Thursday, October 20, after only 45 days in office. This makes her the shortest serving prime minister in U.K. history and puts the British government in the position, yet again, of looking for a new leader. Truss faced heavy criticism from the public and members of her own party over her proposed tax plan and the rising inflation in the U.K. Click here to read excerpts from President Biden’s conversation with Liz Truss when she visited New York City in late September.
2. Unrest has continued in Iran following the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by Iranian morality police. On October 15, an explosion went off and started a fire in Evin Prison in Tehran where the Iranian government was holding many political activists, journalists, and foreign nationals. Gun battles ensued and at least eight inmates died while 57 were injured. Click here to see statements from members of Congress mentioning Iran.
3. The sentencing trial for the perpetrator of the Parkland high school shooting that took place four years ago in Florida has concluded with the jury deciding to sentence Nikolas Cruz to life in prison without possibility of parole. This came as a shock to some in the courtroom who had advocated for Cruz to receive the death penalty. Florida requires the jury in death penalty cases to come to a unanimous decision, and the state has executed 99 individuals convicted of murder since 1976. Click here to see an overview of our coverage on death penalty legislation and positions (filter by state to see more).
Elections
By the Elections Research team (Noah, Anthony, Courtney, Seth, Nick, and Caleb) and Elections Research interns (Torin, Tayelon, Juvencio, Maggie, Francesca, and Joelle)
Elections:
Want to learn more about your local election office information ahead of the general election? Click here to select your state to view your local election office's contact information by county.
Want to learn more about where to register to vote? Click here to select your state to view your voter registration deadlines, qualifications, and requirements ahead of the general election.
Biographies:
Want to learn more about the candidates running in the congressional general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Want to learn more about the candidates running in the gubernatorial general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Want to learn more about the candidates running in the statewide general election? You can see the full list of candidates running nationally here. If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Want to learn more about the candidates running in the Arkansas state legislative general election? You can see the full list of candidates running here. If you want to learn more about a candidate, click on a candidate and go to their ‘Bio’ tab to learn more.
Issue Positions/Political Courage Test:
Want to learn more about the candidates who are currently being tested and their responses to the Political Courage Test ahead of the general election? You can see the full list of candidates, their responses, and response rates running in various states by office below:
Officials
By the Officials Research team: Thomas, Bibi, Johanan, Neal, Jake, Craig, Israel, and Katie
Public Statements: 1,127 statements were added this week. See highlights from the week for notable statements.
Key Votes:
States: 21 new votes were added.
In March, the Senate and House of Utah vetoed a bill banning transgender students from participating in female sports teams, but the governor vetoed the bill on March 25. The House and Senate overrode the veto to pass the bill without executive approval.
The Nebraska legislature passed a bill requiring that the residential addresses of judges be confidential upon request. This bill follows protests outside federal judges’ personal residences this spring.
California signed a bill into law at the end of September requiring firearm dealers to have digital video surveillance systems on the premises. The bill also outlines requirements for what must be recorded, such as all points of sale and all areas where firearms are displayed.
Federal Legislation: 0 new votes
Special Interest Groups:
There were 65 endorsements and 26 rating scorecards released to the live web this week, which can be viewed here (organized by group). This year to date, the SIGs team has rated 92,683 candidates and entered endorsements for 34,402 candidates.