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One of America’s oldest weather observatories shows people the science behind our climate
At Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, a weather station 15 miles south of Boston, staff and volunteers have been using many of the same tools to monitor the weather since it opened in 1885.
What 76-team NCAA Tournament fields would mean; Joel Embiid extends 76ers' season; new manager for Phillies
Plus, the first leg of the second UEFA Champions League semifinal is on CBS this afternoon
Biosphere 2 poised to become a launchpad for landscape terraformation science
"From Early Earth to Mars" explores how life can transform planets in an effort to make Mars habitable while keeping Earth livable. At Biosphere 2, the LEO Survey's massive hillslopes allow researchers to monitor how bare rock gradually evolves into biologically active terrain in real time and virtually via a digital twin model.
“Political Disaster for Donald Trump”: Jeremy Scahill on Stalled U.S.-Iran Talks
Negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war are at an impasse as the conflict enters its third month. The Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday that Trump has told aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian ports to ramp up the pressure on Tehran. Iran is saying it will enter into direct talks with the U.S. “when President Trump lifts what Iran considers to be the illegal military naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz,” says Drop Site News co-founder Jeremy Scahill. “Iran has maintained that it’s not shut down the strait, but that it’s just shut it down for any vessels that are linked to the U.S. war in any way.” Scahill says a disorganized Trump administration is pushing a “total propaganda narrative” that it has the upper hand in negotiations, while Iran believes it has the “three M’s” on its side: munitions, markets and the midterms.
Scientists just found a chilling way life may have begun
New experiments suggest that freezing and thawing on early Earth may have helped primitive cell-like structures grow and evolve. Tiny lipid bubbles behaved very differently depending on their membrane makeup—some fused into larger compartments and captured DNA more efficiently. These fusion events could have mixed key molecules, setting the stage for more complex chemistry.
High school sports results for Tuesday, April 28, 2026
TUESDAY’S RESULTS Baseball CITY LEAGUE Brashear 6, Carrick 4 WPIAL CLASS 6A Section 1 Butler 2, Seneca Valley 0 North Allegheny 6, North Hills 5 Section...
Fans react to a busy day in Philly sports as Sixers win, Phillies fire manager
Fans were ecstatic that the Sixers won Game 5, but were more divided on Rob Thomson's firing.
Trump budget officials urge House Republicans to concede in DHS standoff
President Donald Trump’s budget office sent a memo to Capitol Hill on Tuesday evening urging House Republicans to agree to partly reopen the Department of Homeland Security – even without new cash for immigration enforcement.
Phillies players express guilt, remorse as Rob Thomson era ends in Philadelphia
Prince George’s County leaders get funding for Sphere entertainment venue in Oxon Hill
We are a big step closer to a Sphere being built at National Harbor. It would be similar to but smaller than the one in Las Vegas.
Phillies replace manager Rob Thomson with Don Mattingly
Philadelphia Phillies axed manager Rob Thomson in favor of Giants favorite Don Mattingly
Rob Thomson showcases his impact on Phillies organization in farewell
Rob Thomson showcases his impact on Phillies organization in farewell
What’s Next for the Phillies After Firing Manager Rob Thomson?
Can Don Mattingly turn the Phillies' season around, or is the NL East playoff race already over?
Trump administration reverses on paying for fentanyl detection strips
The Trump administration is no longer allowing federal funds to be used for purchasing or distributing test strips that can determine if street drugs ha…
Alex Cora was offered Phillies' job days after getting fired. Why did he turn it down?
Alex Cora didn't take the Phillies job. Who are some other candidates?
We need AI, but the political backlash cannot be ignored
The rapid development of data centers to support AI has sparked a grass-roots political backlash, threatening to result in extreme measures such as the ban on data center development imposed by Mai…
Playoff chances already dwindling, hard decisions nearing for Phillies
The Phillies are already in a dangerous hole, and history suggests their path back could force major decisions soon.
Straight ‘F’s: Philadelphia region’s air quality ranking worsens in annual lung health report
The American Lung Association says the Philly area is among the worst in the country for levels of a pollutant that can cause lung and heart issues.
Philly’s Liberty Museum shows what the World Cup and the First Amendment have in common
“In the Arena” demonstrates how sports exemplify the U.S. Constitution’s Freedom of Assembly.
Purdue’s space work is featured at NASA Science Showcase
A Purdue professor and graduate student participated in the NASA Science Showcase recently on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The April 21 event highlighted how NASA-funded science research across…
Radiation oncologists converge on Capitol Hill to push for payment reform
American Society for Radiation Oncology members from across the country took part in ASTRO’s annual advocacy day on April 27.
Lawmakers pile on Colorado taxpayers — even more
By Mark Hillman That our two political parties have such different philosophies regarding business and taxes is exasperating because prosperity would serve even the very different interests of Democrats and Republicans. Democrats want more revenue for government to spend it on social welfare, health care and schools. Republicans want to stimulate the economy, leading to more […]
High school sports results for Monday, April 27, 2026
MONDAY’S RESULTS Baseball WPIAL CLASS 6A Section 1 Butler 10, Seneca Valley 0 North Allegheny 10, North Hills 0 Section 2 Hempfield 10, Woodland...
Stellantis employees raise health concerns after 5-day office return
Michigan health and safety officials inspected the automaker's Auburn Hills headquarters after getting complaints from employees.
2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, posts: Expert who hit 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles releases picks
When is the Kentucky Derby 2026? Jody Demling revealed his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs
Car crashes into Hillsborough Street business for third time, raising safety concerns
A car crashed into Carolina Kettle on Hillsborough Street overnight, the third hit-and-run at the business in less than a decade. The owner is now calling for safety changes, warning it could be only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Pirro warns against political violence in DC: ‘Not the place’
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., warned against attempts at political violence in the nation’s capital at a press conference Monday announcing charges against the alleged Whit…
Widow of business owner reports scammers claiming to be representatives from company: Brunswick Hills Townshi
Also in this week’s Brunswick Hills Township Police blotter, a man threatens his neighbor over debris from a ditch.
See drone photos of Taylor Swift's Westerly mansion as wedding rumors fly
Will she get married in RI, or will she get married in NYC? See why Taylor Swift's Watch Hill mansion would be a dream location for most brides.
China Will Require Meta to Unwind Acquisition of AI Start-Up Manus
The impact of the ruling was not immediately clear, but it could send a chilling signal to Chinese tech founders seeking to team up with foreign companies.
MLB power rankings: Phillies can't stop the bleeding as NL East hole grows
Phillies' 10-game losing streak puts NL powerhouse way behind the Braves.
Free science and robotics event draws families at Southern Hills Hospital
Kids and families got a close-up look at robotics and emergency response technology Sunday during a free science and robotics event at Southern Hills Hospital a
House Democrat proposes bipartisan national commission for political violence after WHCA dinner shooting
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Sunday urged lawmakers to create a bipartisan national commission for political violence following the shooting at the annual White House Correspondents’ Associat…
Donte DiVincenzo becomes 4th player with No. 0 jersey to tear his Achilles in the past year
An ancient disease is making a comeback, and every American should be concerned
The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative has saved millions of lives and prevented billions of cases of malaria, but progress is slowing due to the disease evolving and the need for renewed em…
Connections: Tyson Foods appoints chief accounting officer - Talk Business & Politics
Springdale-based meat producer Tyson Foods Inc. has named Phillip Thomas as its new chief accounting officer and controller effective April 6. He replaces Lori Bondar, who is stepping down and...
Anthony Edwards to reportedly miss multiple weeks for Timberwolves with knee injury; Donte DiVincenzo suffers torn Achilles
Anthony Edwards to reportedly miss multiple weeks with knee injury; Donte DiVincenzo suffers torn Achilles
Congress must deliver substantive health care reform in 2026
Lawmakers are attempting to address the rising health care costs by redirecting funds from insurance companies and hospital systems to patients, as supported by the organization Fund The Patient an…
Movie tells tale of Tokyo toilet cleaner
Wim Wenders’ 2023 film “Perfect Days” will be screened at the Blue Hill Public Library on Saturday, May 9, at 2:30 p.m.
Humbled Brian Snitker inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame
Former Braves manager Brian Snitker sat up behind the podium in the press conference room at Truist Park one more time, and this time he was wearing a suit instead of a uniform. With his family in the front two rows, Snitker reflected prior to his induction as the 42nd member of the Braves Hall of Fame before Atlanta played the Philadelphia Phillies. “It’s humbling, and just it’s a great feeling,” Snitker said.
Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo reportedly diagnosed with torn Achilles, Anthony Edwards undergoing testing on knee
Zack Wheeler’s return gives Phillies exactly what they desperately needed”
The team needed some life... And they got it.
2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, post draw: Expert who hit 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles reveals picks
When is the Kentucky Derby 2026? Jody Demling revealed his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs
National Science Board members told by Trump administration they were terminated: Report
The Trump administration on Friday told several scientists on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) board that they were terminated from their roles, The Washington Post reported. The White…
Steak ‘n Shake’s new chief MAHA officer: We’re going ‘back to the glory days of fast food’
Steak ‘n Steak is revamping its ingredients and cooking methods in a move it says aligns with the Trump administration’s health agenda, an effort the chain’s new chief Make America Healthy Again (M…
Missing scientists: A timeline of cases
At least 11 scientists have died or disappeared since 2022, raising concerns the cases may be connected.
Docu-concert to recall Tin Pan Alley
The Blue Hill Public Library will present a docu-concert, “Time Travel to Tin Pan Alley,” featuring century-old jazz standards performed by Ann Delaney, voice, Dan Barrett, trombone, and Scott Cleveland,
Phillies' Zack Wheeler returns to rotation to face hot Braves
Phillies' Zack Wheeler returns to rotation to face hot Braves
Which businesses qualify for tariff refunds, and how do you apply?
The government expects to process refunds in phases, focusing first on more recent tariff payments.
Phillies lose 10th straight, first since 1999
The Phillies dropped their 10th straight game as a pivotal sixth inning and more offensive issues sealed another loss to Atlanta.
Temporary Entertainment Zone On Hilltop Drive
This year for the first time, you can buy and drink alcoholic beverages in a 'Temporary Entertainment Zone" as long as you have a wristband from a participating business.
Lost season for some winter sports leads to adaptation in Black Hills visitor industry
From October through early April, snowfall in the northern Black Hills was about 8 feet less than average.
2025-26 NBA Playoff Odds: Why Long-Shot Magic Are Best Bet to Win East
If you believe in magic like Will Hill, long-shot Orlando to win the East might be a bet you want to consider. Here's why.
Trump’s decline is an emergency: Why doesn’t Congress treat it like one?
We need to put aside fantasies about impeachment and the 25th Amendment and focus on fixes we can actually implement. So let’s have Congress pass a bill that gives the Gang of Eight immediate and u…
Save NASA Science returns to Capitol Hill
The 2026 Day of Action brought more than 130 space advocates from 34 states and the District of Columbia to the nation’s capital to advocate for space.
Prep talk: Former San Fernando Valley tennis players lead Mission College to state title
Women's players from Kennedy, Sylmar, Granada Hills and Birmingham high schools help Mission College win state championship
Phillies News: Taijuan Walker, Jesús Luzardo, Bryce Harper
Nine is a tragic number.
Michelin-recommended restaurant Roxanne shut down by city over licensing issues
Roxanne, one of Philly's first restaurants to be honored by the Michelin Guide, was shut down after operating without a food license for more than a year.
Ethics reforms won’t come easy on Capitol Hill after misconduct scandals
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are scrambling to meet the moment as a wave of resignations and misconduct scandals rock Capitol Hill, sparking calls for accountability.
Cubs win ninth straight, walk off Phillies, who have lost nine in a row and are tied for MLB's worst record
Auburn Hills targets ‘convenience gap’ with new downtown parking
Downtown Auburn Hills is set to get a significant boost in parking, with the city planning to add nearly 200 spaces.
Close, but still not good enough: Cubs 8, Phillies 7
The Phillies finally showed some signs of life, but nevertheless they still couldn’t manage to finally break their losing streak, which has now extended to nine games. They erased a 6-2 deficit and tied it at 7-7 in the ninth, but ultimately, they couldn’t find a way to win in extras while Dansby Swanson walked it off for the Cubs to win 8-7. Brandon Marsh went 4-5 with two home runs and three RBIs in a losing effort.
Jefferson Einstein health workers say North Philly pediatric practices closures will leave ‘a hole’ in communities
Four longstanding pediatric offices will close June 30 and three others will become part of the True North Pediatrics group, based in Pennsylvania.
What\'s the big structure outside of Lititz? Here\'s what we know
A large structure appeared in Warwick Township on Furnace Hill Road. But, what is it?
Watch live: Trump gives remarks on health care affordability
President Trump is hosting an event at the White House on Thursday afternoon centered on health care affordability. Trump is expected to announce a new deal with pharmaceutical company Regeneron, a…
SPLC indictment ‘nakedly political’: Morial
National Urban League President Marc Morial on Thursday slammed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a “nakedly political” move to strike civil …
Creation Entertainment Announces Philadelphia STAR TREK Convention to Extend 60th Anniversary Plans
Creation Entertainment extends their 60th anniversary schedule to November with a brand new STAR TREK convention planned for Philadelphia
Where to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 23
Here's how to watch Thursday's Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
Former Adult Entertainment Venue in South Philly Sold for $2.3 Million, Will Be Repurposed
Show & Tel has closed and been sold. The new owner plans to repurpose the property as storage facility and office space.
Two Republicans break with party as GOP defeats budget amendment to lower health care costs
Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted against an amendment sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to create a point of order against any future budget reconciliation bill that d…
BH candidates talk business at first forum - Beverly Press & Park Labrea News
The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce on April 16 hosted a candidate forum for the upcoming Beverly Hills...
University of Tampa breaks ground on new innovation center, focused on health and science fields
The University of Tampa broke ground on the largest investment in its 94-year history. The school is building the Dickey Science Innovation Center, overlooking the Hillsborough River.
University of Tampa breaks ground on new innovation center, focused on health and science fields
The University of Tampa broke ground on the largest investment in its 94-year history. The school is building the Dickey Science Innovation Center, overlooking the Hillsborough River.
Business contest ends in sweet smell of success for SCH students
Two Springside Chestnut Hill Academy students were among the top winners recently in a pitch competition to identify new business ideas from high school entrepreneurs.
‘It’s not just stardust.’ Musicians warn AI could erase artists’ livelihoods
Musicians brought their message straight to Capitol Hill, warning lawmakers that AI threatens artists’ voices, likenesses and livelihoods.
Kalshi suspends 3 political candidates for betting on own races
Kalshi has suspended three political candidates for betting on their own races, the prediction market platform announced Wednesday. Minnesota congressional candidate and state Sen. Matt Klein (D) a…
Adversaries may have taken missing US scientists, lawmaker says
Nearly a dozen scientists have disappeared or died in circumstances that some observers have deemed suspicious.
Rochester businesses dealing with higher seasonal energy bills: 'Chills you to the bone'
Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Spring may have started, but winter's wrath seems to be lingering on for at least two businesses in the South Wedge.
Unique door helps kids learn science and engineering
The so-called “STEM Door” at McAuliffe Elementary School in the Cimarron Hills area does more than separate the library from the STEM Lab. Educators described it as a way to help students understand a range of scientific concepts.
Trump political director on midterm outlook: ‘It’s way too soon to declare defeat’
President Trump’s political director James Blair expressed his confidence on Wednesday for GOP midterm election victories, despite falling economic approval ratings and a recent loss on a redistric…
Senate Passes Ward Bill to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
Sens. Judy Ward (R-30) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) announced today the Senate approved legislation to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex.
With vaccine skepticism rising, Utah health officials face uphill battle on measles education
How the lessons Utah health officials learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are shaping how they respond to the state's measles outbreak.
Where to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 22
Here's how to watch Wednesday's Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies game, including start times, TV channels, scores and how to stream.
As Trump proposes further cuts to science spending, this Pittsburgh researcher is moving to China
Amid uncertain federal funding for science research, an infectious disease researcher is trading the hills of Pittsburgh for the mostly flat terrain on the outskirts of Shanghai.
RFK Jr. is on a congressional hearing blitz, after a long absence from Capitol Hill
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. caps off seven budget hearings in as many days, the first time he has testified before Congress since September.
Tori Spelling reacts to ex Patrick Muldoon's death: 'This shouldn't be real'
Tori Spelling has reacted to the death of ex-boyfriend Patrick Muldoon, who died April 19. The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star and Muldoon dated in the '90s.
El Paso, Texas high school sports scoreboard: April 21-25
El Paso, Texas high school sports scoreboard: April 13-18
Prep baseball roundup: Birmingham, behind Carlos Acuna, stays one game behind ECR
Carlos Acuna strikes out 11 in six innings in Birmingham's 8-0 win over Granada Hills.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler set for Saturday debut in return from rib removal, thoracic outlet surgery
Feud between Mace and Mills flares as the Republicans trade barbs, expulsion threats
A deeply personal grudge between a pair of Republicans — Reps. Cory Mills of Florida and Nancy Mace of South Carolina — has escalated on Capitol Hill, as Mills accused his long-time foe of trying to profit off efforts to oust him.
On Capitol Hill, RFK Jr. defends vaccine policies, ongoing shakeups
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had another long day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, with lawmakers questioning him on his vaccine views, agency shakeups and a proposed budget that would slash HHS spending on medical research and public health.
Walz: ‘Next Democratic president better figure out a way to get universal health care’
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) advised the next Democratic president to focus on passing universal healthcare, a policy measure that has been hotly debated within the party in recent years. “We have t…
Tampa shooting under investigation after man found dead in business park: HCSO
Deputies are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead with gunshot wounds Tuesday afternoon in a Tampa business park, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
On the Hill: Health Care Reauthorizations, Congressional Hearings
House leaders plan votes this week on reauthorizing rural health and telehealth programs, as well as a proposed directive on lung cancer research. Legislation to be taken up under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage, includes H.R. 2493, which would reauthorize rural health care grants through fiscal 2030, and has been unanimously approved by the House […]
Bulls' Marsters out for season with Achilles injury
Bradford Bulls centre Esan Marsters will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, boss Kurt Haggerty says.
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe