Politics - Parties, Candidates
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties - covering the U.S. political arena including state and national political parties.
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Republicans Must Denounce Anti-Gun Safety Leader Who Compared Gun Control Advocates to Anti-Semitic Mass Murderer
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Dec. 18 -- The Pennsylvania Democratic Party issued the following news:
As the gun lobby and Republicans block the same proposals in Washington and Harrisburg, the City of Pittsburgh is attempting to pass commonsense gun safety laws following the horrific shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. These laws would help reduce gun violence, make our communities safer and protect Pennsylvanians.
However, Kim Stolfer, president of Firearms Owners Against Crime, stated his opposition to the commonsense laws with the following statement: "The fact is, what the city's doing is illegal
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Dec. 18 -- The Pennsylvania Democratic Party issued the following news:
As the gun lobby and Republicans block the same proposals in Washington and Harrisburg, the City of Pittsburgh is attempting to pass commonsense gun safety laws following the horrific shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. These laws would help reduce gun violence, make our communities safer and protect Pennsylvanians.
However, Kim Stolfer, president of Firearms Owners Against Crime, stated his opposition to the commonsense laws with the following statement: "The fact is, what the city's doing is illegaland there's very little difference between them and the killer at the synagogue except for a matter of degree. They're both criminals."
Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson Brandon Cwalina issued the following statement:
"Republicans must immediately denounce the disgusting remarks of Kim Stolfer and Firearms Owners Against Crime. Gun control advocates who are standing up to make our communities safer should be applauded, not compared to an anti-Semitic mass murder. This comparison is despicable and should be denounced by every Republican in Harrisburg and DC, especially the dozens of Republicans who have been endorsed by Firearms Owners Against Crime."
Congressmen Scott Perry, Lloyd Smucker, Tom Marino, Glenn Thompson, and Mike Kelly and Congressmen-elect Dan Meuser, John Joyce, and Guy Reschenthaler have been endorsed by Firearms Owners Against Crime.
Texas Democrats Mourn the Passing of Former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 17 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following statement:
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement on the passing of former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia:
"We are saddened to hear of former Mayor Gus Garcia's passing.
"To say Mayor Garcia was the definition of a transformative leader would be an understatement. His long career in public service began at a time when people of color were treated as second-class citizens.
"A political bridge builder, his brand of public service is something all elected officials aspire to become. He was
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AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 17 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following statement:
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement on the passing of former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia:
"We are saddened to hear of former Mayor Gus Garcia's passing.
"To say Mayor Garcia was the definition of a transformative leader would be an understatement. His long career in public service began at a time when people of color were treated as second-class citizens.
"A political bridge builder, his brand of public service is something all elected officials aspire to become. He wasa fierce advocate for the environment, a champion for youth, and his humbleness was legendary. It was only natural he was elected the first Hispanic Mayor of Austin.
"His legacy of leadership and vision for his community will live on through the Gustavo "Gus" L. Garcia Recreation Center and the Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy, where graduates embody his motto, 'Boys yesterday, young men today, and leaders of tomorrow.'
"Our thoughts are with the Austin community, his wife Marina, his children, and grandchildren."
Roundup: Dem Govs Condemn Republican Lawsuit Against Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news:
Democratic governors across the country condemned the decision by a Texas judge Friday that undermined the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic governors promised to fight the Texas decision and to lead in their states on ensuring more people had the ability to enroll for health coverage. Democratic governors have been a leading voice on protecting health care coverage, and stopping attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.
Below is a roundup of their statements reacting to the Texas decision.
DGA
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news:
Democratic governors across the country condemned the decision by a Texas judge Friday that undermined the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic governors promised to fight the Texas decision and to lead in their states on ensuring more people had the ability to enroll for health coverage. Democratic governors have been a leading voice on protecting health care coverage, and stopping attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.
Below is a roundup of their statements reacting to the Texas decision.
DGAChair Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (https://twitter.com/GovRaimondo/status/1074002454847606786)
"Yesterday's ruling in Texas is dangerous, destructive and threatens the health care coverage of thousands of Rhode Islanders, particularly those with preexisting conditions who rely on the ACA's essential consumer protections. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Rhode Island has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, and HealthSource RI offers among the lowest premiums in the country. I will continue to stand up for access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Rhode Islanders and will take all steps necessary to protect the ACA."
DGA Vice Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562018/approved/20181215b.shtml)
"Friday night's ruling by a judge in Dallas threw the final hours of the Affordable Care Act's 2019 open enrollment period into disarray. The reality is that the Affordable Care Act is still fully in place, and will remain so throughout the appeals process. We still have a responsibility to ensure every eligible resident who needs health care has the opportunity to get it. I call on the Trump Administration to extend this year's enrollment period to allow us the chance to do just that, and to make it clear that the Affordable Care Act and its protections remain the law."
DGA Policy Chair New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1074667412031750149)
"While the Texas courts wrongly and cruelly struck down the ACA, all New Yorkers should know your health care remains covered and unchanged.
Open Enrollment in New York State closes Jan 31"
Governor of Connecticut Dan Malloy (https://twitter.com/GovMalloyOffice/status/1073787802343608320)
"This decision defies logic and puts health coverage for millions of people and tens of thousands of Connecticut residents at risk. If it is allowed to stand people with pre-existing conditions will once again be denied coverage when they get sick - and many would literally die because of it. Republicans in Washington and Connecticut have spent years trying to do exactly what this ruling would impose. Today they're one step closer to their goal of stripping health coverage from middle class families. It's nothing short of despicable, and Connecticut will fight in court to preserve the #ACA."
Governor of Colorado John Hickenlooper (https://twitter.com/GovofCO/status/1073968873769037824)
"This ruling would yank life saving health care coverage away for 20 million Americans, including more than a half million Coloradans if implemented. We are confident the law will ultimately be upheld. We urge Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work with Governors to implement bipartisan health care solutions that will lower costs and improve quality for all Americans. It is disappointing that those who still oppose this law have chosen to create anxiety and confusion instead of proposing solutions that will make quality affordable health coverage more available. #ACA"
Governor of California Jerry Brown (https://twitter.com/GovPressOffice/status/1073764260352733184)
"This Texas judge has no right to deprive millions of Californians of their health care by invalidating the Affordable Care Act. California will vigorously fight this wanton and cruel action."
Governor of Washington Jay Inslee (https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-affordable-care-act-federal-ruling)
"Sign up now - this attack on healthcare should not stop any Washingtonian from getting coverage. No one should let President Trump scare them off access to healthcare.
"This ruling has no impact on Washingtonians' current access to healthcare. It is merely one step in a long legal battle and we stand ready to take action to protect health coverage for Washingtonians.
"The Affordable Care Act has provided coverage for more than 800,000 people in our state. Under the law, more than 100,000 Washingtonians have been able to access behavioral health services, 51,000 jobs have been created, pre-existing conditions are protected, and uninsured rates are at a record low. President Trump and opponents of the ACA have tried repeatedly to stop this progress and we have thwarted them at every turn. This decision is no different. We will not be going backward.
"I urge individuals and families to sign up today to protect their coverage for the coming year at Washington Healthplanfinder."
Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf (https://www.governor.pa.gov/wolf-administration-condemns-anti-health-care-ruling-vows-protect-pennsylvanians/)
"If this decision were to be upheld by the higher courts, it could jeopardize coverage for the over 1.1 million Pennsylvanians who have gained coverage only available to them because of the ACA," Governor Wolf said. "This would move our health care system backwards to a time when millions of Pennsylvania residents weren't protected from losing their insurance and Pennsylvania's uninsured rate was almost triple today's rate. These outcomes are simply unacceptable. If any court does damage to the Affordable Care Act, I vow to do everything in my power to enact changes at the state level to protect Pennsylvanians, especially vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing conditions."
"We fully anticipate an immediate appeal of this decision, and expect the courts will ultimately keep the ACA and its vital protections for millions of Americans in place, as they have consistently ruled in previous legal challenges," Commissioner Altman continued. "It is important for all consumers to understand that the plans they are enrolled in today have not changed and any individual health plans they have purchased during open enrollment will still contain these important comprehensive benefits for 2019. Open enrollment continues today, and anyone purchasing a plan on healthcare.gov will also have access to coverage for their children up to age 26, and get all the essential health benefits guaranteed by the ACA."
"Governor Wolf's expansion of Medicaid under the ACA, along with his entire administration's work to get more people insured, has led to our state's uninsured rate dropping to an all-time low of 5.5 percent in 2017," Secretary Miller said. "We will continue to fight to protect the comprehensive coverage for vulnerable Pennsylvanians, including Medicaid access, especially for people with pre-existing and chronic conditions and substance use and mental health disorders. We want more Pennsylvanians to have coverage and access, not less."
Governor of Oregon Kate Brown (https://twitter.com/LouisianaGov/status/1073788648217329664)
"The federal ruling on the #ACA today is just one more sign this administration is doing everything in its power to take away health care from Americans. On this Friday evening, the federal government is turning a deaf ear to the American public, who overwhelmingly rejected efforts in Congress to hike rates, limit benefits, or deny coverage simply for having widespread health conditions. We cannot stand idly by while the federal government tries to undermine the foundation of a healthy society. In Oregon, we'll continue to fight. We'll fight for children, for people with #preexistingconditions, for seniors and for all of the hardworking people who rely on the #ACA to afford their health care. This is not over. This case will be appealed, all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. And in the meantime, I will do everything in my power to ensure that coverage will continue."
Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards
"Nearly 850,000 Louisianans with a pre-existing health condition face uncertainty and could lose their health insurance as a result of a lawsuit that Attorney General Jeff Landry supported. Even more troubling is that 480,000 working Louisianans on Medicaid expansion could lose their health insurance over this decision. Being diagnosed with breast cancer or diabetes should not automatically mean that you are denied coverage to protect an insurance company's profits, and if you put in a full day's work, you should not be priced out of coverage. This was a short-sighted lawsuit, to say the least. I intend to vigorously pursue legislation to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions from losing their health insurance and ensuring the working people of our state aren't penalized because of this decision."
Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam (https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1073932056193851392)
"The prospect of millions of Americans losing their healthcare isn't "great news" @realdonaldtrump."
Governor-elect of Minnesota Tim Walz (https://twitter.com/Tim_Walz/status/1074087141016244224)
"And to be very clear, given the Texas court case: the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land.
"Today is the last day you can get covered (up until midnight)!http://mnsure.org"
Governor-elect of California Gavin Newsom (https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1073783222968889344)
"This outrageous and misguided ruling endangers tens of millions of people's healthcare. It puts pre-existing conditions protections at risk and the coverage of 7.3 million children and young adults in jeopardy.
"Have no doubt -- CA will fight back."
Governor-elect of Maine Janet Mills (https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/15/mills-decries-federal-judges-ruling-against-affordable-care-act/)
"This is a backward, poorly-reasoned decision, but it does not change the fact that the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land. "I pledge to the people of Maine that, as their governor, I will fight not only to preserve and protect their health care, but also to work with the Legislature to strengthen it."
Governor-elect of Nevada Steve Sisolak (https://mailchi.mp/b8f075fa6fd0/p7v6ljs0tf-210605?e=f1324c83f3)
"Health care is a right, not a privilege. The Affordable Care Act is a lifeline that hundreds of thousands of Nevadans rely on for quality, affordable care, and guaranteed coverage regardless of health, age, or gender. These constant attacks on this law are direct attacks on the working families that depend on it, and I will not sit by as they continue. As the incoming executive of the state, in coordination with Attorney General-elect Ford, I will, as a first act, join the intervenor states in their efforts to uphold the constitutionality of the ACA. Nevada families are counting on us to stand with them and that is what I intend to do."
Governor-Elect of Wisconsin Tony Evers (https://twitter.com/GovElectEvers/status/1074098585317371905)
"Last night's Texas vs. HHS decision is a desperate attempt to sabotage the Affordable Care Act and access to healthcare across our country. Unfortunately, @GovWalker authorized Wisconsin to join this lawsuit, putting affordable, accessible health care in jeopardy for millions across our state, including 2.4 million Wisconsinites who have pre-existing conditions..@GovWalker even doubled down by signing legislation that overrides the will of the people and limits my administration's ability to withdraw from lawsuits like this. On Nov. 6th, the people of WI demanded a change. They asked us to stop using healthcare as a political football. It's time to stop putting politics before people & protect access to affordable health care, including maximizing protections for people with pre-existing conditions."
Republicans Reckon With Revenue Forecast
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Dec. 17 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release:
Ahead of a critical revenue forecast, Indiana Republicans are already framing a 'tight budget', forcing lawmakers to 'right-size' (read cut) the state's budget. It's in jarring contrast to the economic picture President Trump is painting, touting 'the greatest economy in the history of our country'. Statehouse Republicans are transforming a record economy into budget cuts and leaving Indiana teachers criminally underpaid. How? It's tough to imagine nearly a decade of economic policies putting corporate
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Dec. 17 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release:
Ahead of a critical revenue forecast, Indiana Republicans are already framing a 'tight budget', forcing lawmakers to 'right-size' (read cut) the state's budget. It's in jarring contrast to the economic picture President Trump is painting, touting 'the greatest economy in the history of our country'. Statehouse Republicans are transforming a record economy into budget cuts and leaving Indiana teachers criminally underpaid. How? It's tough to imagine nearly a decade of economic policies putting corporatetax cuts, special interests and the top 1% ahead of working Hoosiers hasn't played a role.
Initiated in 2011, Statehouse Republicans will have slashed the state's corporate income tax by nearly 50 percent when fully implemented. At the time, they crowed that the decrease in tax revenue would be bolstered by growth.
From Fox News Indiana State Senator: Tax reform will create jobs. Indiana's experience proves it
"While Indiana lowered business taxes by nearly 50 percent, our neighbors in Illinois increased them. The predictable result - as of 2017 more than 50 companies have relocated operations from Illinois to Indiana, bringing jobs and enhancing our state tax revenue so that we can invest in improving our roads, schools and other priorities."
Flash-forward to 2019 and it appears Statehouse Republicans will be hard-pressed to even bolster education funding enough to offset inflation, let alone give some of the most underpaid educators in the country a raise. The math will be nearly impossible to square, and Statehouse Republicans could be inconceivably forced to cut relative education funding in a bull economy.
From the Times of Northwest Indiana Holcomb promises Indiana teachers will see 'significant' pay hikes, but it may take years
"Already the $7.2 billion Indiana is spending this year on K-12 tuition support will have to grow by $144 million a year in the state's next two-year budget, or $288 million total, just to keep pace with the 2 percent national inflation rate.
"House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said he's expecting about $350 million in new state revenue in the next budget.
"But he said $286 million of that is needed to replace one-time funds spent over the past two years to cover unexpected costs at the Department of Child Services -- potentially forcing spending cuts at other state agencies.
"Some teachers next year also may see their wages shrink, instead of grow, as Holcomb's legislative agenda calls for eliminating pay-for-performance Teacher Appreciation Grants, and funneling some of that $30 million into a $500 state tax credit for teachers who spend their own money on school supplies."
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody doubted Statehouse Republicans would have an easy time explaining why schools might face funding cuts while corporations enjoy another decrease in their tax rate.
"Statehouse Republicans crossed their fingers for years, foolishly dreaming the tax cuts they showered on corporations would magically generate offsetting revenue," said Zody. "The bill for their recklessness is coming due and it's going to be paid by hardworking educators and students in the form of funding cuts. An 'I owe U' from Republicans for teacher pay raises and expanded preschool isn't worth the paper it's written on. This is about priorities and Republicans made theirs perfectly clear: corporate tax cuts ahead of working Hoosiers."
North Carolina Democratic Party Issues Statement on Health Care Ruling in Texas
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 17 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following statement by Chairman Wayne Goodwin after a federal judge in Texas ruled core provisions of the Affordable Care Act were unconstitutional:
"In 2018, more than half a million North Carolinians relied on the Affordable Care Act to receive affordable health care coverage for themselves and their families. Another 500,000 would benefit from closing the health care coverage gap if North Carolina Republicans would drop their ideological refusals to expand Medicaid. Even more benefit from the ACA's protections
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 17 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party issued the following statement by Chairman Wayne Goodwin after a federal judge in Texas ruled core provisions of the Affordable Care Act were unconstitutional:
"In 2018, more than half a million North Carolinians relied on the Affordable Care Act to receive affordable health care coverage for themselves and their families. Another 500,000 would benefit from closing the health care coverage gap if North Carolina Republicans would drop their ideological refusals to expand Medicaid. Even more benefit from the ACA's protectionsfor preexisting conditions and other important consumer protections.
"This decision threatens the lives of those North Carolinians, and is part of a concerted effort by Republican officials in North Carolina and across the country to rip away people's health care coverage and peace of mind. Republicans want to force people to face bankruptcy in the face of illness or injury or simply go without care. It's cruel, unconscionable, and deliberate.
"North Carolinians resoundingly rejected Republicans attacks on their health care this November, but Republicans will not stop attacking people's access to health care until we take back the legislature, hold the Governor's mansion, and send a new voice to the U.S. Senate. No one should have to choose between taking care of their health and putting food on the table. North Carolina needs representatives who will fight to increase access to affordable health care - not work relentlessly to take it away."
Green Party Says Cuomo's Proposals Would Help Doom the Planet
ALBANY, New York, Dec. 17 -- The Green Party issued the following news release:
Green Party of New York officers said Gov. Cuomo's State of the State preview was short on everything except Andrew Cuomo's positioning for the 2020 Presidential election. The party leadership said Cuomo's plans on climate change and health care will doom millions of New Yorkers who already suffer from the intensifying climate catastrophe, and from the ongoing health care emergency of nonexistent or expensive, poor insurance. They also stated that Cuomo's proposals for electoral reform needed to include RCV, proportional
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ALBANY, New York, Dec. 17 -- The Green Party issued the following news release:
Green Party of New York officers said Gov. Cuomo's State of the State preview was short on everything except Andrew Cuomo's positioning for the 2020 Presidential election. The party leadership said Cuomo's plans on climate change and health care will doom millions of New Yorkers who already suffer from the intensifying climate catastrophe, and from the ongoing health care emergency of nonexistent or expensive, poor insurance. They also stated that Cuomo's proposals for electoral reform needed to include RCV, proportionalrepresentation, and full public campaign financing.
Party leaders noted that his proposal for legalizing recreational marijuana said nothing about distributing funds raised to communities devastated by the drug war, or ending policies of mass incarceration. Finally, they said Cuomo once again passed the buck on the massive funding necessary for the MTA, and looks determined to do little to reform tax policy to shift the burden from working class New Yorkers to the wealthy 1%.
"Andrew Cuomo's proposal for a Green New Deal in New York is absolutely inadequate and would help doom the planet. We have twelve years - until 2030 - to ensure a just transition to a 100% renewable energy economy. We need full public ownership of electricity generation as well and a ban on all new fossil fuel infrastructure. Cuomo's plan talks about carbon-neutral energy generation by 2040. Unlike FDR's, Cuomo's New Deal isn't big enough or anywhere near bold enough," said party co-chair Peter LaVenia.
The Greens have been campaigning in NY For a Green New Deal since 2010. FDR called for the right to a living wage job (a job guarantee); health care (single payer); and education (free college).
The Greens support the Off Fossil Fuels Act (A5105/S5908) which sets a goal of 100% renewable energy (for everything such as transportation, buildings) by 2030; a halt to new fossil fuel infrastructure; and a requirement that all new buildings be net zero carbon emissions.
"Why is single-payer healthcare absent from Cuomo's agenda? Where is real criminal justice reform to end mass incarceration - it doesn't seem linked to marijuana legalization in his proposal? The Governor mentions a congestion tax but again passes the buck on funding the MTA. We need real electoral reform like RCV, proportional representation, and full public campaign financing but Cuomo proposes none of these. He wants to enshrine austerity in local budgets by making the tax cap permanent, and his only moderately progressive tax proposal is extending the millionaire's tax, when we need to expand taxes on the wealthy and recapture the stock transfer tax. Like so many of Gov. Cuomo's proposals, these are mostly hot air, and the Green Party will be there to demand more," concluded party co-chair Gloria Mattera.
CBC Statement on Russian Attempts to Suppress African American Turnout in the 2016 Election
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following joint statement:
Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) - led by Chairman L. Cedric Richmond (D-LA-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) - issued the following joint statement in response to a new report prepared for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which reveals Russia targeted African American voters in attempts to suppress the vote in the 2016 election:
"During the 2016 presidential election cycle, hundreds
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following joint statement:
Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) - led by Chairman L. Cedric Richmond (D-LA-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) - issued the following joint statement in response to a new report prepared for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which reveals Russia targeted African American voters in attempts to suppress the vote in the 2016 election:
"During the 2016 presidential election cycle, hundredsof thousands of minority voters were disenfranchised before they even had a chance to walk into the voting booth. As today's report produced for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence makes clear - this was a carefully orchestrated effort by Russian actors to exploit social media platforms in order to suppress turnout among black voters.
"This campaign of disinformation is extremely disconcerting because black voter turnout declined in 2016 - for the first time in 20 years.
"While this next Congress gives both Democrats and Republicans an opportunity to address election security, we call upon the President to take the security of our elections seriously and work with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the FBI to stop foreign election meddling efforts. The CBC would also like to hear directly from Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, and CEOs of other companies whose platforms were weaponized, about what they knew, and concrete steps they will implement to address future attempts at disinformation campaigns.
"We cannot allow the deceit and misinformation that characterized the 2016 elections to be repeated in the future."
