Irreligion

Virginia voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to amend the state constitution to remove its existing ban on same-sex marriage and replace it with language affirming marriage equality. The proposed amendment also references "sex" and "gender," language that opponents say extends protections tied to gender identity. If approved, Virginia would become the fifth state to repeal a constitutional same-sex marriage ban through a ballot measure.

The measure has drawn sharp debate, with supporters framing it as codifying marriage equality and critics raising concerns about privacy, safety and religious liberty tied to gender-identity provisions. The vote is being watched as part of a broader pattern of states revisiting dormant constitutional bans following federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Oregon's 2026 governor's race between Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan remains a toss-up, polling similarly tight to their 2022 contest, when Kotek won narrowly. A Drazan victory would be historic: Oregon hasn't elected a Republican governor in 44 years. Kotek has leaned heavily on tying Drazan to President Trump's unpopularity in the state, while Drazan has distanced herself from Trump and shifted toward working-class, bio-focused messaging after a divided GOP primary win.

Interviews with voters in Sherwood, a Portland suburb that nearly perfectly mirrors Oregon's statewide party registration and split three votes between the candidates in 2022, show ambivalence rather than enthusiasm on either side. Many voters say they are motivated more by fear of the alternative than support for their chosen candidate — concerns about housing costs, jobs, taxes, and Trump-era politics are driving decisions. Analysts say this anxiety-driven dynamic could determine turnout and ultimately decide the outcome of a race both candidates have framed as existential for Oregon's future.

Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R) accused Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico of holding views that "would kill Texas," calling him "pretty much a complete DSA candidate" during a Sunday interview, despite Talarico never having been a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Van Duyne cited his focus on transgender youth protections and claimed he supports putting "all the means of production" under government control — a characterization Talarico's actual platform, which includes higher taxes on the wealthy, a $15 federal minimum wage, and corporate PAC restrictions, does not support. Talarico, a Presbyterian minister, has campaigned on Christian faith while opposing efforts to impose religion on others, and has criticized the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The exchange comes as the race against GOP nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has tightened, with Decision Desk HQ giving Talarico roughly even odds and Cook Political Report recently moving the contest from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up."