In case you missed it, a federal appeals court last week restored Election Day in-precinct voter registration in Illinois most populous counties, slamming the door on a Republican effort aimed at holding down the Democratic vote in Cook County.
Having sounded the alarm on this issue previously when U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan called a halt to Election Day registration at the polling place, I feel some responsibility to make sure everyone has the final outcome.
The U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit stayed Der-Yeghiayans ruling last week and announced it would wait until after the election to consider arguments in the underlying case.
Lawyers from the conservative Liberty Justice Center, which filed suit on behalf of Downstate Republican officials challenging the states Election Day registration law, said Monday they will not appeal the briefing schedule set by the court.
The effective result is that voters will be allowed to register to vote and cast their ballots on Nov. 8 in 2,092 precincts in Chicago and 1,599 precincts in suburban Cook, as originally planned.
OPINION
The same requirement also extends to Illinois next 19 most populous counties, including all of the collar counties. Election Day registration, is allowed, but not required, in the states other 82 counties.
The courts decision to proceed with Election Day registration removes a major headache for local election officials here and potential cost to taxpayers that would have resulted from trying to create alternative centrally located registration sites at the last minute.
The Illinois law is one of many measures enacted around the country in recent years to increase voter turnout by removing impediments to voting.
More than 110,000 voters across the state used Election Day registration in the March primary, about half of them here in Cook County. The consensus was that the system worked well.
Having said that, if you know youre not registered to vote, do yourself and everybody else a favor and dont wait until Election Day to take care of that. You dont want to be that guy in line slowing down everybody else.
Tuesday is the deadline for traditional voter registration, oryou can still register online until Oct. 23 if you have a drivers license or state ID card.
But if you do wait until Election Day to register, make sure you bring two pieces of identification, including something that shows your current address. Thats a requirement.
After writing about this previously, I know there is a belief in some corners that those who register on Election Day are either procrastinators or cheaters.
Election officials will tell you that many, if not most, of the people who benefit from Election Day registration believe they are properly registered but for some reason are not.
Maybe they moved and forgot to change their registration or assumed, incorrectly, that it followed them to their new address. Maybe they were incorrectly bumped from the voting rolls.
Either way, they deserve to vote.
As far as cheating, Id never tell you it couldnt happen, but its a very rare form of voter fraud to impersonate a registered voter.
None of those arguments were at stake in the court case, which challenged the Illinois law on the basis that requiring Election Day registration in only the 20 largest counties favored Democratic candidates.
Smaller counties objected to Election Day registration because it would require an added expense in equipment and staffing. Only one of the smaller counties is expected to offer the program voluntarily in November.
To the extent that may create an inequity, the federal court believes thats a problem that can wait until after the election to resolve. Thats one less excuse not to vote.
The Olympic swimmer and current Dancing With the Stars competitor announced his engagement to Playboy model Kayla Rae Reid on Sunday night.
He posted a photo of the two kissing, with a view of the ocean as a backdrop, on both Instagram and Twitter. The photo was shot at an angle that showed Reid"s engagement ring.
Lochte was embroiled in a scandal this summer after it was revealed that he lied about being robbed at gunpoint along with three other swimmers while they were in Brazil for the Olympics.
During the premiere of ABC"s DWTS in September, two protesters rushed the stage in a protest against Lochte. Last week, prosecutors charged the two men with interfering with a performance and leaving a spectator area and entering a stage, both misdemeanors.
ESPN FIRST TAKE (9/19/2016) AP POLL: MSU UP TO NO. 8, UM KEEPS NO. 4 SPOT
Wayne and Corey breakdown Florida State"s big win over Miami. Wayne McGahee III
Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) is sacked by Florida State Seminoles linebacker Jacob Pugh (16) during the first half against at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Steve Mitchell, Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
Florida State"s come from behind victory against No. 10 Miami made a big impact with the voters who moved the Seminoles from No. 23 to No. 14 in this weeks AP Poll. They defeated then No. 10 Miami 20-19 on the road.
The Seminoles are the biggest mover in the poll moving up nine spots. Virginia Tech moved up eight spots after their win over North Carolina. Miami dropped from No. 10 to No. 16 with the loss.
The Top-5 of the poll remained the same.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Michigan
5. Washington
Florida State still has two Top-25 opponents remaining on the schedule with No. 3 Clemsonand No. 18 Florida. The Seminoleshave played three teams currently ranked inside the Top-25.
The Seminoles are now the highest ranked team in the state of Florida ahead of Miami and Florida.
To view the rest of the poll click here.
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House Speaker Paul Ryan is not a big fan of Donald Trump that much is clear. He refused to back Trump during the Republican primaries and then held out on endorsing him even after Trump became the presumptive nominee. But eventually, Ryan did get behind Trump. And now, even after video of Trump bragging about being able to commit sexual assault has come to light, Ryan said he wont defend Trump, but he has refused to unendorse the GOP nominee. Trump responded by attacking Ryan on Twitter.
A reasonable person might ask why, if Ryan was reluctant to support Trump to begin with, the speaker of the House isnt washing his hands of the whole Trump campaign.
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But the answer is simple: Republican voters like Trump; Ryan risks losing the support of rank-and-file GOPers if he hits Trump too hard.
Trump is more popular among Republicans right now than Ryan is. In the most recent YouGov poll, for example, Trumps net favorability rating (the percentage of respondents who rate him favorably minus the share who have an unfavorable opinion) among Republican primary voters was +36 percentage points. Ryans was just +16 points. Perhaps more telling is that Trumps very favorable rating among this group is 34 percent, while Ryans is only 13 percent.
This means two things. First, Ryan really doesnt have as much credibility among Republicans as Trump does. Second, if forced to choose, Republicans would almost certainly choose Trump over Ryan.
Indeed, weve already seen Ryan struggle when he and Trump tussle. Take a look at Ryans net favorability among Republican primary voters since the Iowa caucuses in early February. Ive taken a five-poll rolling average of YouGov polls since that time.
Although the data is somewhat noisy (as we would expect when looking at a subpopulation), the pattern is fairly clear. Ryan is about as popular now as he was at the beginning of the primaries, but his favorability dipped to its lowest point right around the time he was refusing to endorse Trump after Trump wrapped up the nomination. Indeed, more Republican primary voters had a negative view of Ryan than a positive view in the YouGov poll conducted immediately after Trump became the presumptive nominee. It was only after endorsing Trump that Ryan regained some of his likability among Republican primary voters.
Should Ryan care about his popularity among Republicans nationwide given that he is only on the ballot in Wisconsin? The most immediate concern for Ryan is that, in a broad sense, he represents congressional Republicans. If Trump fans feel that Republicans in Washington arent backing Trump, it could cause them to withhold support from Republican candidates for the House and Senate. And if they get elected, these candidates could feel pressure from Trump-fan constituents not to back Ryan for re-election as House speaker.
Ryan might also want to run for president one day. Whether Republican officials in Washington like it or not, Trump voters are a large portion of the Republican base (thats why Trump won). Ryan may need their support to win the nomination and the general election. Otherwise, he might end up well, exactly where Trump is right now: As a GOP nominee bleeding Republican support.
Bernie Sanders Responds To Hillary Clinton"s Leaked Wall St. Speeches
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders did not mince words when it came to his reaction on Donald Trumps lewd tapes, in one of which he is heard making a string of crude and derogatory remarks about women to television personality Billy Bush, at one point even saying that his modus operandi when it comes to seducing women is to simply grab them by the p**sy.
While campaigning for Hillary Clinton and Katie McGinty in south Philadelphia today, Bernie Sanders called the Republican nominee a spoiled brat, adding that Trumps sense of entitlement early on from his life has made him the person he is.
I think youve got a spoiled brat. I think youve got a person who grew up very very wealthy who thinks that he is entitled to do anything that he wants.
On Friday, the Washington Post released a video from 2005 in which Trump is heard bragging in vulgar terms about kissing and groping women to Billy Bush, then of Access Hollywood, while arriving on the set of Days of Our Lives to tape a segment about Trumps cameo on the soap opera.
You know Im automatically attracted to beautiful women I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait, Trump can be heard saying at one point in the video.
And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.Grab them by the p**sy. You can do anything.
(Warning: Video contains graphic language.)
The release of the video sent the GOP into a meltdown, with Republican leaders abandoning Trump by the dozens and plunging the party into deep crisis with less than a month to go before the election. As the New York Times reports, by Saturday evening, at least 36 Republican members of congress and governors disavowed his candidacy, a first instance in modern times when members of a party have deserted their own leader in such large numbers.
Some of those who disavowed Trump were Senator John McCain, Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, and South Dakota senator John Thune, among several other elected representatives of the Republican Party.
But Donald Trumps behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts of sexual assaults, make it impossible to offer even conditional support for his candidacy We will write in the name of some good conservative Republican who is qualified to be president, McCain said.
Even Mike Pence, who attempts to defend Trump in the direst of situations, declined to appear on Trumps behalf at a party gathering in Wisconsin, before adding that he could not condone his remarks and could not defend them.
The Republican meltdown forced Trump to issue an apology, in which he said that he has never pretended to be a perfect person, before going on to add that such videos were only a distraction from the core issues at hand, and closed his statement by accusing Hillary Clinton of bullying, attacking, shaming and intimidating [Bill Clintons] victims.
Here is my statement. pic.twitter.com/WAZiGoQqMQ
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2016
But Bernie Sanders was quick to dismiss the comparison, however, adding that he would like to see Trump make an apology for his actions without deflecting for once in his life.
I dont believe that is A) true, B) second of all maybe for once in his life Trump might want to take responsibility for his own actions, Sanders said.
Many observers believe that tonights debate at Washington University will present Donald Trumps last chance of salvaging a campaign that threatens to collapse under its own weight a month before the general election.
Do you think the recent tape will be the final undoing of Trumps campaign, or do you think the Republican nominee can make a strong comeback against Clinton?
In the middle of "Dancing With the Stars" rehearsals, the Olympic athlete decided to escape and pull off a special proposal to girlfriend Kayla Rae Reid.
"Memories forever!!! #thelochtes #LA," Ryan shared on Instagram Sunday evening as his fiancee showed off a stunning diamond ring.
Kayla added, "Speechless. Absolutely beautiful. So in love with YOU." The proposal occurred at sunset along the Malibu Canyon.
The proposal may comes as a surprise to fans. After all, some speculated that the gold medalist was totally single when he was in Rio competing in the Summer Olympics.
But in recent months, the pair has been inseparable as Lochte continues competing on "Dancing With the Stars" alongside partner Cheryl Burke.
If you thought Ryan"s Olympics scandal would hurt their relationship, we"ve learned that it only strengthened the pair"s bond.
Lochtes Olympics: One Gold and One Big Lie
"My family says, Don"t you think it"s a little too soon?" I"m like, "Can you put a time on love? Can you?"" Ryan recently shared with USA TODAY Sports. "When I realized this was the one" was when she stuck behind me through this. She still loves me and she"s still right there with me."
Celeb Hookups: Ryan Lochte Engaged
The pair first clicked in January 2016 when they met at a Los Angeles nightclub. Ever since the surprise run-in, Ryan knew that she was something special.
"From the very first time I met her, everything has like clicked,"" Ryan shared. "That"s why I know I can propose to her because everything that"s happened and she"s been keeping me so positive. She doesn"t care about my fame. She doesn"t care about anything. All she cares about is me being happy."
Congratulations to the couple on the big news.
Published at 7:57 AM EDT on Oct 10, 2016 | Updated at 10:37 AM EDT on Oct 10, 2016
Original Post: Ryan Lochte Is Engaged! Olympic Swimmer Proposes to Girlfriend Kayla Rae Reid Copyright E! Online
Did Paul Ryan give up on a Trump victory on November?
One of the conservatives, Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, attacked the Republicans stepping away from Mr. Trump as cowards, three lawmakers said. Another, Representative Trent Franks of Arizona, said, using graphic language to describe abortion, that allowing Mrs. Clinton into the White House would end with fetuses being destroyed limb from limb.
Trying to quiet the uproar, Mr. Ryan interjected after about 45 minutes to assure members that he was not withdrawing his endorsement of Mr. Trump, but rather doing what he felt was in the best interests of the House.
For five months, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Trump have alternated between friction and courtship, eventually forging an uneasy working relationship only to see it collapse now, in the final weeks of the race.
AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Mr. Ryan, confirmed that his sole priority for the remainder of the election would be defending congressional Republicans. The speaker is going to spend the next month focused entirely on protecting our congressional majorities, she said.
Video Great Clash: Donald Trump vs. Paul Ryan
A look at how the Republican speaker of the House and the party"s nominee for president differ on issues including immigration, entitlements, and trade.
By NATALIA V. OSIPOVA and SHANE ONEILL on Publish Date February 24, 2016. Photo by Jim Wilson/The New York Times; Doug Mills/The New York Times. Watch in Times Video
Mr. Trump did not repeat his Twitter jab at Mr. Ryan at a campaign event in Pennsylvania Monday afternoon, offering instead a red-meat diatribe unlikely to appeal beyond his dedicated base. He repeated his call from Sunday nights debate for a special prosecutor to pursue Mrs. Clinton, called her the devil and warned that her election would lead to the destruction of our country.
A buoyant Mrs. Clinton seemed to revel in her growing advantage over Mr. Trump during a speech in Detroit on Monday afternoon. Mr. Trump, she said, had spent their debate attacking when he should have been apologizing.
While Mrs. Clinton made no direct reference to the fissures appearing among Republicans, her campaign tried to exploit the moment, releasing several television ads featuring voters who describe themselves as Republicans but plan to vote for Mrs. Clinton.
Jennifer Palmieri, Mrs. Clintons communications director, expressed little sympathy for Republicans now fleeing Mr. Trump.
There was a time when they could have spoken out against him, Ms. Palmieri said of party leaders like Mr. Ryan. That time was this summer. Obviously, it is too late now.
The consequences for both men are enormous. Mr. Ryan and other Republican leaders fear that Mr. Trumps flagging campaign will imperil their majorities in the House and Senate, and Mr. Trump can ill afford more prominent rejections when he is trying to rally reluctant Republican voters behind him.
Mr. Trumps candidacy was already in dire condition before Mr. Ryans announcement. A poll published Monday by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal found him trailing Mrs. Clinton by a wide margin, drawing less than 40 percent of the vote. The survey was taken before the debate.
And in a sign of how deep divisions now run among Republicans, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, held a conference call of his own after Mr. Ryans to emphasize his commitment to Mr. Trump. Mr. Priebus told members that the committee was working in full coordination with the Trump campaign and planned to direct a lot of money to the presidential race.
Nothing has changed in our support for our nominee, he said, vowing an incredible four weeks until the election.
Mr. Priebus, long a close political ally of Mr. Ryan, made no direct reference to the speakers announcement, or to the dozens of governors and members of Congress who have rescinded their support for Mr. Trump.
Photo Hillary Clinton was buoyant in Detroit. Her campaign released new ads aimed at Republicans. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
Representative Scott Rigell of Virginia, a Republican who has long opposed Mr. Trump, said there was a general sense in the House that more humiliating disclosures about Mr. Trump were likely to come before Nov. 8, Election Day.
Theres a consensus, even among supporters, that the likelihood of something else breaking in a very embarrassing and negative fashion is certainly better than 50-50, said Mr. Rigell, who joined the call on Monday. The conference, members, et cetera, are bracing themselves for another salvo of this.
Mr. Trump seemed to acknowledge that possibility in Pennsylvania, commenting offhand in his speech that if more recordings were to emerge, he would respond with more personal attacks on Mrs. Clinton and her husband.
Mr. Trumps allies had hoped that the debate would halt the exodus of fellow Republicans from his candidacy, and they publicly implored members of the party on Monday to stick with him through Election Day. Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, Mr. Trumps running mate, punctured speculation that he might withdraw from the race by pronouncing himself proud to stand with Donald Trump in a visit to North Carolina.
Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trumps campaign manager, also offered an ominous warning for Republicans fleeing Mr. Trump. She noted on television that Mr. Ryan had been booed by Trump fans over the weekend in Wisconsin and said she knew of Republican lawmakers who had behaved inappropriately toward young women, and whose criticism of Mr. Trump was therefore hypocritical.
Just as telling as the frustration from outspoken conservatives in the House on Monday was the silence from so many mainstream Republicans in the chamber, who showed little appetite to argue for or with their embattled nominee.
Few anti-Trump voices weighed in on the call with Mr. Ryan. Representative Martha Roby of Alabama, who defected from Mr. Trump on Saturday, said she would contribute significant money to help Republicans hold their House majority. But she also said she would speak with colleagues in private about her decision to withdraw her endorsement in the presidential race.
Representative Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, a vocal critic of Mr. Trump, asked his colleagues if they were truly confident that there would be no more damaging disclosures. In any case, Mr. Dent argued that the race was effectively over for Mr. Trump.
No new prominent Republicans have withdrawn their endorsements since the debate, but there was a palpable fear throughout the party that Mr. Trump had been damaged beyond repair.
Representative Greg Walden of Oregon, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, urged members on the conference call to take polls in their districts to gauge the effect of Mr. Trumps political slide.
Photo Speaker Paul Ryan during the 1st Congressional District Republican Party of Wisconsin Fall Fest on October 8 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn, Wisc. Credit Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Mr. Walden said they should brace for a significant erosion of support for Mr. Trump and acknowledged that the shift could hurt congressional candidates, too. He asked the entire caucus to contribute quickly to the partys campaign arm, making it clear that they needed to strengthen their defenses across the country.
At a briefing for Washington lobbyists later in the day, Mr. Walden acknowledged to donors that Republicans were in uncharted territory and wholly uncertain of what would happen next.
Still, many members were pointed in expressing their dismay to Mr. Ryan, warning him of grave consequences, in November and beyond, if Mr. Trumps campaign collapses altogether.
Representative Billy Long of Missouri spoke up in Mr. Trumps defense, citing the danger of losing the Supreme Court if Mrs. Clinton wins.
Many of us commented that if Hillary picks the next two to four judges, it will change the fabric of our country of 40, 50 years, Mr. Long said later. Abortion and the Second Amendment, also, and lots of Supreme Court concerns.
Correction: October 10, 2016
An earlier version of this article misstated the number of women Donald J. Trump held a news conference with to accuse Bill Clinton of sexual misdeeds. It was three, not four. A fourth woman at the event criticized Hillary Clinton for providing legal representation for a man accused of raping a child.
