Vote Smart Weekly Digest Your nonpartisan weekly roundup of elections, legislation, and civic affairs. November 6, 2026 / Weekly Digest Your week. In perspective. A nonpartisan roundup of this week's key developments in elections, legislation, and civic affairs. In This Issue: Research · WTF · Elections · Key Votes Jump links may not work in some mobile email apps. 01 Research Highlights Election Administration Justice Department Expands Election Monitoring to All 50 States The U.S. Department of Justice announced that approximately 1,000 federal election monitors and observers would be deployed to jurisdictions across all 50 states during the November 3 midterm elections. The department described the deployment as its largest election-monitoring effort, with personnel observing compliance with federal voting rights laws while state and local officials remained responsible for administering elections. Sources: Newsweek | The Wall Street Journal Election Administration NY Election Officials Implement Emergency Ballot Procedures Following Scanner Malfunctions Election officials in Westchester County, New York, implemented emergency ballot-handling procedures after a programming error prevented voting machines from accepting ballots at numerous polling locations on November 3. Officials secured affected ballots for later counting under a court-approved agreement, with counting continuing the following day as the county investigated the malfunction. Sources: The Hill | U.S. News & World Report 02 WTF · Words This Friday This week’s term The terms behind this week's headlines, defined in plain English by Executive Director Dr. Kyle Dell. Short, nonpartisan, and built for voters. Watch Now → 03 Elections & Biographies General Election Gina Hinojosa Wins Texas Governor Race In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the gubernatorial election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Hinojosa, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, denied Abbott a fourth term after he served as governor since 2015. Abbott previously served as Texas Attorney General from 2003 to 2015. General Election Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina U.S. Senate Race In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Darline Graham in the November 3 general election. Graham was appointed to the Senate following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, in July 2026. Andrews, a pediatrician, previously ran for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in 2022 but lost to incumbent Republican Representative Nancy Mace. Powered by people, not parties Vote Smart accepts no money from candidates, parties, or special interest groups. Grassroots support keeps this research free for every voter. Support Vote Smart → 04 Key Votes Congressional Legislation No Congressional bills selected this week. State Legislation Washington · Signed SB 5855 - Prohibits Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement From Wearing Face Coverings New Jersey · Signed S 2260 - Establishes Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Healthcare Pennsylvania · House Passed HB 1604 - Requires Quarterly Firearms Training for Police Officers 🎵 “Did My Research” Vote Smart's anthem for every voter who checks the record before casting a ballot. Watch the video → • Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Vote Smart | Civic Sage Voter's Research Hotline: 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762) Nonpartisan. Factual. Yours. Vote Smart · 1153 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311 Unsubscribe Vote Smart | 1153 24TH ST, DES MOINES, IA 50311-4308 Unsubscribe Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try it free today