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Navy Admiral Fired by Hegseth Advances to Runoff to Replace Mace
Nancy Lacore would face a tough fall election in a district drawn in 2021 to be more Republican. She is seeking to replace Representative Nancy Mace, who ran unsuccessfully for governor instead of running for re-election.
HJ still 3
June (Ayden Mayeri), left, Lela (Amira Casar) and João (José Condessa) in a scene from "Honeyjoon."
TST Best Bets: June 9, 2026
It’s been classic after classic through these Stanley Cup Finals, and if the Vegas Golden Knights come out of this series with their second ever world championship, then Game 3 will be immortalized forever as the night they survived the impossible. After squandering a 4-0 lead, Vegas pulled out a miraculous victory in double overtime to take a 2-1 lead in the series on their home ice. Now in Game 4, the Carolina Hurricanes face a do-or-die situation, as a loss would send them back home for Game
WATCH: André Holland, Wendell Pierce, And Samira Wiley Star In First Trailer For ‘They Fight’
The upcoming Andscape film follows a reformed ex-con who finds new purpose mentoring young boxers in Southeast Washington, D.C.
Digging Back in Time in the UAE
Once below a shallow sea, Jabal al Fāyah now stands above the desert in the United Arab Emirates as a reminder of a watery past and early human survival.
Tom Steyer likely won’t win, but he pulled off a San Francisco political miracle
Also in today’s Power Play: Aaron Peskin shares his hot takes on Lurie’s popularity, and Saikat Chakrabarti is a really nice boss.
I flew Gulf Air business class and won't book Qatar or Emirates again
Emirates and Qatar used to be my go-to airlines for business class. I won't book them again after a smaller rival impressed me for far less.
The Election Featured a Mafia-Ties Scandal, a Promised Miracle Train, and Literal Fireworks. The Whole Thing Took 33 Days.
The U.S. should take note.
Destiny 2’s Last Trailer Ever Is Heartbreaking
The last trailer ever for Destiny 2 is out, barring some sort of miracle, and it represents a peaceful end to a game that should still be alive.
42nd Children’s Miracle Network Telethon raises $321,497
The 42nd annual Children’s Miracle Network Hershey (CMN) Telethon raised $321,497 to benefit equipment, programs and research at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. The event aired June 1…
The Hurricanes win Game 2 with a miraculous comeback!
This series has been absolutely outstanding!
GKBA: Business Growth, Technology & Innovation with ITva Technologies
On this episode hosted by Carlos Ribero, Chairman of the Greater Kendall Business Association, guest Maricel Miranda, Director of Business Development at ITva Technologies, joins the conversation to discuss business growth, technology solutions, and innovation in today’s evolving marketplace. They explore how businesses can leverage technology to improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and remain competitive in
Hartridge still admires Exeter despite Argyle move
New Plymouth Argyle signing Alex Hartridge says his move will not lessen the admiration he has for former club Exeter City.
Pirates score 8 runs on homers in series-opening win against Astros
HOUSTON — Oneil Cruz paused for a moment of admiration. Across from him, on the mound, former Pirate Mike Burrows shook his head in frustration. Both...
'Seven Days in June': Protests nationwide this week rally against Trump $1 trillion cuts to health care and hospitals
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Noah Wyle are among the celebrities supporting the events, which oppose recent cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and more.
Children's Miracle Network Telethon | Healthy Champions expands its focus
WGAL visited Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital in Hershey to discuss how the Children’s Miracle Network helps fund programs that keep kids, and even adults, healthy.
Firm Leases 22-Story Class A Building - Los Angeles Business Journal
The Swig Co. and Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. have announced the signing of more than 22,000 square feet of leases at 6300 Wilshire in Miracle Mile
New homes, hotel, entertainment district coming to Miramar as part of massive project
Developers say it will be the largest walkable village of its kind in the city.
Elite 11 Finals 2026: Live Updates from Day 2
Day two of the 2026 Elite 11 Finals, featuring 20 of the nation’s top quarterback recruits, is underway from Mira Costa High School in Greater Los Angeles. There are few higher honors for high school quarterbacks than being invited to the event, which will celebrate its 28th year in 2026. It brings together the country’s elite […]
Jani Hirvonen appointed as a Member of the Forttuna Business Council Global Advisory Board
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 29, 2026 -- The Forttuna Councils, a flagship initiative of The Forttuna Group, is a global leadership ecosyste...
This Revolutionary Energy Gel Will Transform the Tour de France. It Contains the Last Thing You’d Expect.
A project led by former Ineos scientist achieved what Pogačar and UAE Emirates couldn't and solved one of the oldest puzzles of sports nutrition.
After Rich Colleges Raid Basketball Team, School Exits D1 Sports
(Bloomberg) -- Saint Francis University was out of its league, and Father Malachi Van Tassell knew it.Most Read from BloombergSingapore Hands Byju's Founder His First Ever Jail TermIran’s Khamenei Says No Going Back for Middle East Rocked by WarTwo More Oil Supertankers Exit Hormuz to Help Push Up FlowsEx-President Biden Sues to Stop DOJ Sharing Interview Tapes‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Studio Draws Tencent Music InvestmentBigger, richer universities were raiding its men’s basketball team, luring away
Arkansas basketball notebook: John Calipari supportive of measures in new Protect College Sports Act
Speaking to reporters at the SEC's spring meetings in Miramar Beach, Florida, Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari touched on a variety of topics.
Coming to Miramar: Nearly 3,000 homes, new hotel and entertainment district with bars, restaurants and shops
Miramar Cove will feature 2,874 residences along with a 185-room hotel and dozens of restaurants, bars and shops centered around tree-lined streets and a signature waterfront area.
May 28 Vallejo-Vacaville Arts/Entertainment Source: Activities
Come look for adorable furry friends on Saturday at Kitty Meet and Greet – Pet Adoptions, noon, PetSmart, 952 Admiral Callaghan, Lane, Vallejo.
The World’s Fastest Four-Banger Just Got Faster
The new Emira 420 Sport sharpens Lotus’s coupe with extra power and Esprit Turbo-style window louvres
The Lotus Emira 420 Sport Adds Power And Cuts Weight
It also gains a removable glass roof panel.
Private equity firm selling radiology network for $2.4B
Permira is selling Australia's I-Med Radiology Network, which recently entered the U.S. by acquiring StatRad, to Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate Jardine Matheson.
Miraval Austin: Bottom Line Review
Miraval is Hyatt’s “wellness” brand, with three locations in the US and one in the Middle East. Each property has an extensive array of classes, ranging from pilates to yoga, axe-throwing to tarot card reading. Most of them are included in the room rate, whether booking with cash or points, as is all food and […]
Big Bets Report: Bettor Banks $290k on 6-Leg MLB Parlay
One bettor bagged six figures on a six-leg MLB parlay, while another cashed in on the Knicks' miraculous ECF Game 1 rally. Patrick Everson has the scoop.
Why Arsenal can go to the next level
Mikel Arteta has already said he wants "to have the parade with two big trophies" as he sets out to win the Champions League for the first time in Arsenal's history. Arsenal backed Arteta with about £250m of spending last summer as they looked to increase the quality and depth of their squad, and they brought in players like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, who were categorised as 'win now' signings. Arteta wants to build a legacy of sustained success at Emirates Stadium and once the Champions League final is over, focus will move to tying him down to a new contract.
'Excellent finish' and 'Carrick has worked miracles'
Michael: At last we are seeing the true United after years of dross. Twelve months on from the horrible Europa final between Tottenham and United, and it's United who have shown progress this year, and we've been rewarded for it. Anthony: Carrick has inculcated in the squad a level of expectation which has translated into consistency of performance and expectation so refreshing to see.
Jardine to Buy Australian Imaging Firm I-MED in $2.4 Bilion Deal
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. agreed to buy Australian medical diagnostic imaging provider I-MED Radiology Network Ltd. from private equity firm Permira, as the Asia-focused conglomerate seeks to expand its portfolio.
JSerra, La Mirada advance to Division 1 softball title game
JSerra defeated Norco 2-0 and La Mirada knocked off La Habra 5-1 during Division 1 semifinal games on Saturday.
📋 Flu named to face Mirassol and target second place
At Maião, in the interior of São Paulo state, Fluminense and Mirassol face off this Saturday (23) at 7:00 p.m. (Brasília time) in the 17th round of the 2026 Brasileirão.The Rio Tricolor sits in th...
'Fjord,' Norway-set drama about political polarization, wins Palme d’Or at Cannes
"Fjord" found wide admiration for its engrossing tale of what Mungiu called "left-wing fundamentalism."
Jon Favreau reveals why these 2 fan-favorite 'Star Wars' characters aren't in 'Mandalorian and Grogu'
Jon Favreau explains why 'Star Wars' characters like Ahsoka Tano and Grand Admiral Thrawn don't appear in 'The Mandalorian and Grogu.'
Abu Dhabi is ‘doubling down’ on tourism despite Iran war
The emirate has announced a $1.7-billion investment in the Sphere entertainment venue.
ECU Health Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network hosting 41st annual telethon May 29 and May 31
Telethon Celebrating Miracles and Making Big Change for All Kids with Children’s Miracle Network
Yasam Ayavefe Expands Active Investment Strategy Across Hospitality, Real Estate, Technology, and Energy Sectors
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 21, 2026 -- Yasam Ayavefe is advancing a cross-sector investment strategy focused on operational discipline, lo...
A mysterious lost city found beneath the ocean stuns scientists worldwide - Futura-Sciences
The Lost City: An Underwater Miracle Revealed In 2000, a team of researchers uncovered a truly spectacular landscape near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—a submerged world over 2,300 feet below the waves. This so-called “Lost City,” hidden deep beneath the surface, has revealed a realm where life not only endures but flourishes...
The UAE’s economy and image as Mideast haven are tested by war
The United Arab Emirates for decades advertised itself as a haven for business in the Middle East.
2026 ACM Awards winners: Ella Langley wins Song of the Year, as Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore win New Artist categories
The 2026 ACM Awards nominations are dominated by women including Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, while Morgan Wallen's Male Artist of the Year snub and Zach Top's break...
2026 ACM Awards winners: Ella Langley wins Artist-Songwriter of the Year, as Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore win New Artist categories
The 2026 ACM Awards nominations are dominated by women including Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, while Morgan Wallen's Male Artist of the Year snub and Zach Top's break...
French bulldog found outside Walgreens being cared back to health
Officials are caring for a French bulldog mix named Miracle who was found in bad shape in Fort Lauderdale.
Report: Liverpool ready to move for PSG star
Liverpool Push Hard for Barcola DealLiverpool’s long-standing admiration for Liverpool FC winger Bradley Barcola appears to be entering a decisive phase, with growing indications that the player is ...
UAE says its decision to leave OPEC was a strategic economic move, not a political one
The United Arab Emirates, which joined OPEC in 1967, announced last month it was leaving the oil producer group on May 1.
Mira Costa defeats Loyola for the Southern Section boys' volleyball title
Mira Costa sweeps rival Loyola to win its second straight Southern Section Division 1 boys' volleyball championship.
These Oshkosh residents want you to log off and talk politics — in real life - Wausau Pilot & Review
by Miranda Dunlap / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch May 13, 2026 Click here to read highlights from the story Oshkosh resident Nikolas DeGroot started
Conspiracist Erection Expert Leads U.S. Hantavirus Response
Admiral and urologist Brian Christine platformed far-right conspiracies about COVID and the 2020 election on his podcast, per a new report.
Cam Ward to Appear in Netflix's Quarterback Season 3
Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans is in the middle of the offseason preparing for the 2026 NFL season. After being selected No. 1 overall by Tennessee in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward played admirably for the Titans during his rookie season. The 6-foot-2 quarterback showed his toughness last season, appearing in all 17 games despite tying Geno Smith of the New York Jets as the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback (55).
Thinking Machines Lab sees key talent leave for Meta, OpenAI, xAI
Thinking Machines Lab, led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, faces talent loss to rivals like Meta amid Silicon Valley's competitive AI sector.
Here’s what Mira Murati’s AI company is up to
Thinking Machines is showing off something called “interaction models.”
DHHS Assistant Secretary for Health speaks after hantavirus passengers arrive in Omaha
Admiral Brian Christine, MD, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spoke at a news conference Monday morning.
Keyboard Shortcuts I Learned From My Cat
Every time my cat Mira walks across a keyboard, I learn a few new Mac and PC keyboard shortcuts I never knew about.
Liverpool speak to Spanish giants over potential Slot successor
Liverpool Sound Out Real Madrid Over Alonso Amid Growing Pressure on SlotLiverpool’s interest in Alonso has moved beyond admiration and into serious due diligence, with reports from Spanish outlet A...
“The Devil Wears Prada 2 ”narrowly defeats “Mortal Kombat 2 ”in weekend box office cage match
No one tells Miranda Priestly no — not in the editor's room and not at the box office.
Justin Bieber plays an A-list Montecito party with defense execs
Bieber was a headliner at WNDR, entertainment executive Jeffrey Katzenberg’s invitation-only confab at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito.
Justin Bieber played ultra A-list Montecito party, with AI defense execs in the crowd
Bieber was a headliner at WNDR, entertainment executive Jeffrey Katzenberg's invitation-only confab at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito.
Prep talk: Division 1 semis feaitures matchup of volleyball powers
Huntington Beach hosts Mira Costa while Loyola hosts Redondo Unionn in Southern Section Division 1 boys' volleyball semifinals.
Eduardo Dominguez of VML Health on ‘Chasing the Miracles of Science’ for Sanofi
Eduardo is a global creative director with VML Health. His work includes the groundbreaking “Dogs Without Borders,” in which trained dogs detect cancer through scent, offering early diagnosis in remote regions such as the Amazon, the Sahara,and Los Pueblos Negros. Beyond his creative work, Eduardo regularly writes for medical sector magazines, sharing insights on enhancing Eduardo is a global creative director with VML Health. Over the course of his 10+ year career, he has worked with some of the industry's top talent, delivering projects that have helped improve the lives of thousands.His work includes the groundbreaking “Dogs Without Borders,” trained dogs to detect cancer through scent, offering early diagnosis in remote regions such as the Amazon, the Sahara, and Los Pueblos Negros.
Some RFK minions are innovating to boost public health
RFK Jr. is presiding over a host of innovative developments that should foster miracle cures for numerous hard-to-beat diseases.
Democrats Might Actually Win Iowa
Are the party’s hopes for the Hawkeye State real, or just another mirage?
Fed's Miran hopes Powell staying at Fed is transitional
Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said on Friday that he hopes current central bank Chair Jerome Powell will stay on as a governor only for a short period of time.
The OpenAI trial is exposing a brutal truth about workplace texts
Sam Altman and Mira Murati texts, revealed in the Musk v. Altman trial, are a reminder of the risks of putting sensitive info in writing.
See Sam Altman's frantic texts after 2023 OpenAI ouster
Sam Altman pleads for return as OpenAI CEO during 2023 ouster, Mira Murati interim CEO, revealed at Musk v Altman trial. Key text exchange.
UniCredit reaches non-binding accord to sell parts of Russian business
Italian bank UniCredit said on Thursday that it had reached a non-binding accord to sell parts of its Russian subsidiary to a "well established private investor" in the United Arab Emirates.
UniCredit to Take Cumulative €3 Billion Hit on Russia Sale
UniCredit SpA has signed a non-binding accord to sell parts of its business in Russia to a private investor in the United Arab Emirates, as the Italian lender accelerates efforts to scale back its presence in the country.
He wrote about their daughter’s sudden death. Then his wife did the same.
For journalists Danielle Crittenden and David Frum, processing their grief meant telling Miranda’s story, in an essay and in a new memoir, “Dispatches From Grief.”
Castle Cleaners owner still answers to his mother, a 50-year employee
After a career in the corporate world, Scott Merrick had a chance to buy a longtime Elmira business where his mother has worked for 50 years.
The Ultimate Miracle? Mike Eruzione Stars in World Cup 2026 Hype Video for U.S. Success
World Cup 2026 will be live on FOX this summer. Could the United States pull off the ultimate upset?
Fox Sports launches 'Miracle' World Cup ad campaign featuring USMNT
The U.S. men's national team may need a miracle to win the World Cup on home soil this summer. Fox Sports asks: What if it actually happens?
OPEC Plus, in Symbolic Gesture, to Increase Oil Production
The announcement came days after the United Arab Emirates withdrew from the group. The higher output will have little effect on global supplies.
Mira Costa sweeps JSerra for girls' beach volleyball title
The Mustangs send their seniors off with a win after falling to Redondo Union in the Southern Section finals last spring.
🚨 Need a miracle? Heidenheim are doing plenty against Bayern
FC Heidenheim is backing up its words with actions and doing everything it can to still avoid the looming relegation from the Bundesliga, which many already see as certain. In the match against the a...
El Pasoan hosting nearly a dozen BTS fans who couldn't find hotels, Airbnb
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Astrid Lind is a local El Paso resident who kindly made an El Paso miracle for nearly a dozen BTS fans coming from different parts of Mexico. Lind found a Facebook page where several BTS fans were looking for a place to stay this weekend in El Paso for the
Lubbock business news includes Miranda Lambert, Quext, ice cream
Business Reporter Alana Edgin reviews recent Lubbock area business news and hints at upcoming articles in the weekly Around the Hub column.
Steam's Most Wishlisted Game Is Skipping PS5 for Now
But it's a miracle Subnautica 2 is launching at all
12 million images later, Mars starts to make sense
Mars has been photographed to death. Orbiters have mapped it in high resolution, low resolution and even infrared. Scientists are drowning in data, and the problem isn’t seeing Mars anymore. It’s understanding it.That’s where Mirali Purohit comes in.
Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert once had ‘grass-fed, grade A’ beef. Now, they’re releasing a song together.
So, how did the Musgraves and Lambert feud start, and what prompted them to make up after all these years? Ahead of the “Horses and Divorces” release, Yahoo is taking a closer look at their years of b...
The world’s oil cartel is weaker. But what does it mean for pump prices?
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, is about to lose one of its biggest members, the United Arab Emirates, delivering a blow to the cartel that could jeopardise its ability to influence global oil supply and prices. The short-term impact on the cost to fill your tank, may be limited, however.
MIRAMAR BEACH BUSINESS OWNER ARRESTED FOR BATTERY AND OPERATING AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST WITHOUT A LICENSE
WALTON COUNTY, FLA— The owner of a massage practice in Miramar Beach is facing criminal charges for a second time after a victim reported being inappropriately touched during a massage. This...
UAE quits OPEC in blow to cartel that could reshape global oil markets
The United Arab Emirates will leave a decades-old cartel of the world’s top oil exporters, delivering a major blow to the group that will ripple through the global oil market at a time of unprecedented turmoil caused by the Iran war.
Miraculous comeback falls just short, Mammoth drop Game 4
Here’s what went wrong for the Mammoth in Game 4.
UAE Employment and Social Reforms 2026: Modernization or Business as Usual?
A flurry of employment law reforms in the United Arab Emirates—a business-friendly area that remains firmly rooted in traditional values and national identity—in recent years has caught the attention of multinational employers and expatriates alike, but do these changes represent a genuine shift toward Western-style liberalization, or are they pragmatic adjustments designed to maintain competitiveness while preserving the status quo? Below are some of the key developments and what they mean for employers operating in the region.
Big Bets Report: Bettor Miraculously Turns $30 Parlay Into $2 Million
One bettor's $30 turned into $2 million and another turned 10 cents into $3,500. Patrick Everson breaks down these Hall of Fame betlips.
The Musk v Altman trial: Who's who in the tech titan showdown
Elon Musk takes Microsoft and OpenAI's Sam Altman to trial on Monday. Witnesses include Satya Nadella, Shivon Zilis, Mira Murati, and Greg Brockman.
Rapid City employees weigh in on the best sports movies of all time
A City staff survey asked employees to name their must-watch sports movie. Baseball films led, with The Sandlot, Happy Gilmore and Miracle topping the list.
A Miracle: The Emergency Care Harold Needed Most
When Harold Niehaus regained consciousness at Kettering Health Main Campus, he had no idea what had happened. What followed was nothing short of a miracle.
Photos of George Strait, Miranda Lambert concert at Texas Tech
In pictures: Check out highlights from George Strait, Miranda Lambert and Hudson Westbrook's concert Saturday night at Texas Tech in Lubbock.
USA TODAY Sports/AVCA Super 25 boys volleyball rankings, Week 7
Mira Costa holds strong atop the USA TODAY Sports/AVCA boys volleyball Super 25 rankings for Week 7.
Computer Science Student Deemed 'Wizard' For Tech Acumen
Seeing Sierra Brandt’s technological magic in action led Erica Cullwell to dub Brandt “The Departmental Wizard” of the Career Center.Not only was Brandt able to resolve a longstanding problem for the Career Center, her solution will support Cal State San Marcos students for years to come.Brandt is a transfer student from MiraCosta Communit...
Columbus National Women's Soccer League team to debut in 2028
Columbus is getting a National Women's Soccer League team, set to debut in 2028 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
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
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