SUMMARY: The Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana ninth for election integrity, prompting scrutiny from state officials. Governor Jeff Landry’s August executive order mandates the Office of Motor Vehicles provide a list of non-permanent residents with state identification, emphasizing only U.S. citizens can vote. The narrow margin in the Caddo Parish sheriff election raised concerns about absentee ballots and voter eligibility. New laws tightening absentee voting procedures, criticized for disenfranchising disabled voters, were passed in August 2024. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson assured a smooth election day, emphasizing secure voting machines and thorough testing procedures, while other states face election-related legal challenges.

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SUMMARY: Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, have proposed two bills aimed at enhancing election integrity amid concerns over illegal voting. The “JAIL for Alien Voters Act” seeks to impose stricter penalties, including five years in prison or a $10,000 fine for noncitizens who vote, aligning their consequences with those for U.S. citizens. Gaetz also introduced the “National Motor Voter Clarification Act,” aimed at empowering states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls without federal intervention. This follows legal disputes in Virginia about voter registration and parallels ongoing debates on immigration and election integrity amid a surge in border crossings under the Biden administration.

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SUMMARY: Nearly 60% of registered voters in North Carolina’s 13 counties affected by Hurricane Helene have cast ballots, surpassing the statewide turnout of 56.7%. With over 7.8 million registered voters, the unaffiliated voter bloc leads in both votes cast and those eligible to vote. State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell praised election workers and voters in western North Carolina for their efforts. Turnout has exceeded 4.4 million, significantly higher than in 2016. The counties of Transylvania, Haywood, and Yancey report over 60% turnout, while Rutherford and Avery are below the state average. Emergency measures were enacted for several additional counties.

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