US Election Results
Despite the repudiation of the Republican Party (specifically, its candidates), voters approved several ballot measures across the nation.
Eight states approved voter identification or citizenship verification rules. North Carolina and Ohio added photo identification requirements to their state constitutions. In Ohio, the photo ID measure passed by 30 points. Nevada voters required photo ID for in-person voting and the last four digits of a driver’s license or Social Security number for mail-in ballots, approving the measure by nearly 25 points. Kansas, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Alaska required proof of citizenship for voting. In contrast, the Hill reported that California rejected a voter-identification measure and Arizona rejected a citizenship-voting requirement.
Florida voters approved Amendment 3 with approximately 62 percent of the vote, establishing a constitutional process to reduce and ultimately eliminate property taxes on primary residences. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that a $250,000 homestead exemption would eliminate the tax for 60 percent of homestead property owners, with a subsequent legislative timeline to increase the exemption. He said that at $500,000, 92 percent would owe no tax. Under the measure, remaining revenue from non-homestead and commercial properties would be allocated to schools, police, fire departments, and essential services. Some policy analysts and local officials have raised concerns that the changes could reduce property-tax revenue by billions of dollars annually and create funding challenges for public services in certain communities.
Additionally, North Carolina limited local property taxes, and Tennessee prohibited the state from imposing statewide property taxes unless it first repeals local property taxes. California voters rejected Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax on billionaire wealth, by ten percentage points. They also approved Proposition 42, which prohibits taxes on savings, retirement accounts, and other individually owned assets and bans retroactive taxes.
Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington voters approved or appeared likely to approve measures that exclude biological males from female sports teams. Arizona’s measure extended existing restrictions to private schools and required bathrooms and locker rooms to align with sex listed on birth certificates. Nebraska incorporated its ban into the state constitution. Washington’s measure would require a healthcare provider to confirm biological sex for participation in girls’ teams. Colorado’s proposed ban on certain surgeries for minors related to gender transition led in early counting and appears likely to succeed. Some Democratic officials and advocates in Colorado described the sports measures as misleading and indicated that the state’s Democratic majorities could pursue legislative or legal responses.
In a blow to DEI, Wisconsin voters approved Question 3 with 56.5 percent support. The amendment prohibits government entities from discriminating against or granting preferences based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, contracting, and administration. It applies to the state government, municipalities, the University of Wisconsin System, technical colleges, school districts, and other agencies established by law. State Republicans advanced the change as a constitutional amendment, preventing a veto by Gov. Tony Evers. Drafters based it on a 2006 Michigan amendment that the U.S. Supreme Court later upheld.
In support of Second Amendment rights, Arkansas voters passed Issue 2 with nearly 71 percent support. The amendment expands the state’s right-to-arms provision, which previously addressed the common defense, to include hunting, recreation, and any lawful purpose. It covers firearm parts, ammunition, and accessories beginning January 1 and characterizes the right as natural, fundamental, and individual, not subject to infringement. Opponents argued that the amendment would make it more difficult to introduce gun-safety regulations.
Local voters also restricted data-center development. Among those surveyed on Election Day, 76 percent opposed data centers in their communities. Of 45 local ballot measures, 33 were projected to impose restrictions. Wells, Maine, approved a 180-day moratorium on large data centers. Several Ohio municipalities banned facilities exceeding 25 megawatts. El Dorado, Kansas, prohibited electrical loads over 10 megawatts for a decade. Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa supports a statewide moratorium. Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has advocated pausing new centers until federal safeguards are established. Supporters of the facilities have argued that they generate jobs, tax revenue, and economic growth, with some national figures indicating continued backing for related infrastructure.
Last in the roundup, Colorado required life sentences for those convicted of child sex trafficking, and Idaho designated the Winchester Model 1873 as the official state firearm.
Other US Politics
Talks of a third party playing a bigger role in 2028 are gaining traction. Bret Weinstein announced plans for what he termed a friendly takeover of the Libertarian Party, working with the Mises Caucus to rebrand it as the American Liberty Party. Weinstein stated that the two major parties operate as a duopoly and that existing Libertarian ballot access in all 50 states could underpin a viable second party instead of launching a new third party. The associated website, americanlibertyparty.com, presents the organization as supporting an America First orientation, which Weinstein described as policies that serve the American public together with individual freedom and equal legal protection. He identified election integrity and a digital bill of rights as priorities. The site encourages membership and outreach to Rep. Thomas Massie, whom Weinstein said is aware of the effort and supportive but has not yet committed. The official Libertarian Party account continued posting about local election wins without commenting on the proposal.
Privacy & Surveillance
The Michigan House approved HB 6098 and HB 6099 by a 92-15 vote. The legislation, now before a Senate committee, would define “surveillance pricing” – setting a higher price using personal data such as device type, MAC or IP addresses, cookies, geolocation, search history, or purchasing habits – as an unfair trade practice. Standard dynamic pricing and loyalty programs would remain permitted. Private lawsuits would not be allowed; enforcement would rest with the attorney general and local prosecutors. NetChoice opposed the bills, arguing they give businesses no clear way to determine whether routine pricing practices would violate the law.
Health
The Department of Health and Human Services published a draft policy in the Federal Register on October 30 granting conditional enforcement discretion for six peptides prepared by state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies: BPC-157, epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, semax, and TB-500. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the interim, non-binding notice. The action does not constitute FDA approval and does not place the peptides on the 503A bulk-drug list. HHS indicated it does not plan to pursue enforcement against pharmacies that satisfy all specified conditions, stating the goal is to reduce patient use of unregulated foreign peptides labeled for research only, which the department has identified as a safety concern. Compounding pharmacies must obtain material from an FDA-registered manufacturer accompanied by a certificate of analysis, conduct tests for identity, purity, potency, and contaminants, include only one active ingredient, dispense pursuant to a patient-specific prescription, and report serious adverse events via MedWatch. Oral BPC-157 acetate additionally requires evidence of sufficient human absorption. Outsourcing facilities under 503B are excluded. None of the six substances has FDA approval. Applicable state laws remain in force. Commentators have noted that FDA scientists had recommended against the peptides, that some lack extensive published human clinical trials, and that the policy does not constitute clinical validation or bind state pharmacy boards.
Energy
The United Arab Emirates is evaluating a third oil pipeline connecting its western fields to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, which would avoid the Strait of Hormuz. The existing Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, 252 miles long and in operation since 2012, has a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day, expandable to 1.8 million. A second west-to-east pipeline, expected in 2027, is projected to double Fujairah’s export capacity. One report claimed that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company had discussed a third route with certain Asian customers, subject to possible revision. An ADNOC spokesperson characterized the report as inaccurate and entirely speculative. Saudi Arabia has previously expanded similar bypass pipelines, and Kuwait has put forward proposals for additional routes.
Sources
Bret Weinstein Announces Friendly Takeover of Libertarian Party to Launch American Liberty Party
So the idea is a friendly takeover of the Libertarian Party.
Source | Submitted by Friday
HHS Draft Peptide Policy: Compounding Gets Conditional Discretion, Gray Market Doesn’t
A new draft federal policy opens a conditional path for peptides made by state-licensed U.S. pharmacies, and the websites selling “research use only” vials aren’t part of it.
Michigan Bills Target Data-Based Price Hikes, Leave Loyalty Loopholes Intact
While Michigan’s bills may go after some of the most egregious instances of abuse, the carve-outs, such as the one concerning loyalty programs, and the fact that shoppers have no way to sue, means that the data collection machine would keep running, and the price tag would still be watching you.
Florida Voters Pass Amendment 3, Setting Constitutional Path to End Homestead Property Taxes
Florida has passed Amendment 3 to slash and eventually abolish property taxes for homeowners’ primary residence — with roughly 62% of the vote
Eight States Pass Voter ID, Citizenship Measures Despite Democratic Midterm Wins
Eight states approved referenda targeting election security, a longtime focus of the Trump administration and Republicans in general — even while electing Democrats.
Voters Put Brakes on Data Center Boom
Data centers lost the midterms
UAE Weighs Third Hormuz-Bypass Pipeline as Gulf States Chip Away at Iran’s Leverage
A third pipeline is reportedly being planned to further expand crude capacity and reroute energy flows around Hormuz, reducing exposure to Iranian disruption and weakening Tehran’s leverage over the critical maritime chokepoint.
Voters Back Transgender Sports Bans in Four States
Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska and Washington appeared likely to approve measures to bar transgender girls and women from playing for all-female sports teams, returns showed.
Wisconsin Voters Approve Ban on Government Racial Preferences
Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that prohibits governmental entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin
Arkansas Voters Supercharge Gun Rights as Issue 2 Passes Overwhelmingly
“It’s a much broader, much more expansive and much more explicit protection of our rights,” House said.
Despite GOP Losses, Voters Back Tax Cuts, Women’s Sports, and Election Integrity
But looking at the rest of the picture of voting on popular referenda, there is a lot more to like than dislike.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Jeff Brandes of the Florida Policy Project, Sun-Sentinel, The Hill, AP, The Denver Post, Colorado Based News, Fox News, MMI News, Politico, NetChoice, Official Libertarian Party Account, Jesse Pines in Forbes, and Scott Gavura in Science-Based Medicine.
by scarlberg 
