The Big Lie lives on in Pennsylvania
How Trump’s 2020 election lies continue to have an impact almost four years later, and a truly crazy education story emerges out of Ron DeSantis’ Florida.
It’s been more than three years since Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, threw a months-long temper tantrum, spread lies and conspiracies about voter fraud, and incited a deadly attack on the US Capitol in an attempt to try and stay in power.
Trump’s Big Lie has (depressingly) had little consequence on his own political standing within the Republican Party, but it’s wrought absolute havoc on American democracy and elections.
Just last week, more than two dozen residents of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania packed a county commissioners and elections board meeting to voice their anger about the county’s decision to remove the county’s only ballot drop box.
The county’s two Republican commissioners admitted that the emails they received were overwhelmingly in support of keeping the drop box, but voted to get rid of it anyway. Opposition to the drop box stemmed from vague statements about voting irregularities that are not backed by any evidence.
Thankfully, due to the pushback from the local community, the commissioners devised another plan that will allow voters to drive up to the county building and hand an elections worker their mail-in ballot. However, this plan will cost the county time, energy, and resources to implement.
All because one man couldn’t accept defeat.
More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:
NORTH CAROLINA
Jeff Jackson on how he’d defend abortion rights and democracy as NC Attorney General
From Cardinal & Pine: “If you like public service, being attorney general is the best job in the world. It is really about public service,” Jackson told Cardinal & Pine in an interview.
ARIZONA
Arizona’s public meetings are becoming increasingly toxic under Republican leadership
From The Copper Courier: Republican legislators have expelled three members of the public from state committee meetings this month, and have cut off or silenced the testimony of several others in a draconian exercise of power.
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Democrats propose new gun safety measures on campus
From Up North News: A new bill would allow firearms to be banned campus-wide rather than building by building.
FLORIDA
Miami school requires parental consent for kids to hear Black author’s book
From Floricua: Miami-Dade County Public Schools said the slip was sent out “in compliance with state law.” Florida education officials, however, called it “nothing more than a political ploy.”
MICHIGAN
Lansing Mayor blasts Trump’s broken promises
From The ‘Gander: Lansing Mayor Andy Schor met with union workers this month to talk about how Trump had failed them, as well as how President Biden’s administration has since supported the city.
IOWA
Iowa Republicans have a new union-busting bill
From Iowa Starting Line: Labor advocates say a new Republican-backed bill, which would force public employers in Iowa to submit a list of employees eligible to vote in their union election prior to each election, is yet another union-busting tactic.
VIRGINIA
VA Dems advance bills to strengthen reproductive rights, block anti-abortion bills
From Dogwood: Virginia Democrats have used the first half of this year’s legislative session to reject anti-abortion legislation and push for further safeguards for reproductive rights in the Commonwealth.
NEVADA
Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for Nevada borrowers facing ‘hardship’
From The Nevadan: The Biden administration announced this month its latest proposal for widespread student loan cancellation that could provide relief to millions of Americans, including those facing severe financial struggles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire leaders condemn Trump’s support for national abortion ban
From Granite Post: Political leaders have swiftly denounced former President Donald Trump’s reported support for a 16-week national abortion ban, highlighting the issue’s significance in both the presidential and gubernatorial races.
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