US Elections

Colorado People's Alliance and Colorado Black Women for Political Action hosted a nonpartisan "ballot block party" in Denver's historically Black Five Points neighborhood ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. With 14 statewide ballot measures plus local races and judicial questions, organizers aimed to demystify complex ballot language rather than endorse candidates or positions, partnering with the nonpartisan group Count Me In. Attendees discussed measures touching immigration, economic policy and law enforcement, then filled out ballots and walked together to a nearby drop box. Organizers said the event addressed voter fatigue and fear, and both groups plan continued outreach in Aurora, Northglenn and beyond through Election Day.

A Virginia rights-restoration letter from Gov. Abigail Spanberger's administration was sent to "Biscuit Rigsby," a beagle-hound mix that died five years ago, restoring voting and jury-service rights to the deceased pet. The letter, bearing the state seal and signatures of Spanberger and Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon-King, followed a similar incident involving a Chesapeake woman whose rights were restored without officials confirming her surname. Del. Tom Garrett, who received the letter from Biscuit's owner, is calling for an investigation into how the review process allowed the error. The episode surfaces days before Virginia voters decide a ballot measure on automatic rights restoration for felons after release.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona has opened an investigation, now referred to the FBI, into three nonprofits — Stand Indivisible Arizona, Worker Power, and When We Count — over allegations they registered noncitizens to vote ahead of next week's midterm elections. Officials cited written and video reports suggesting personnel from the groups disregarded or ignored Arizona's ban on registering noncitizens. Letters were also sent to the Maricopa County recorder and the Arizona secretary of state urging a review of the organizations' registration practices. Officials stressed that only registered citizens may vote and that knowingly registering noncitizens would violate federal law.