Cara Brown McCormick - Independent Voter News (Page 14)

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 16, 2025

On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike

Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center

In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April 15 to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. The election will be decided using ranked choice voting (RCV) and determine who leads the city through 2027, as Oakland faces mounting challenges.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 15, 2025

Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center

Barbara Lee Embraces Ranked Choice Strategy as Oakland’s Mayoral Race Enters Final Stretch

With Oakland’s high-stakes special mayoral election coming up on April 15, former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has released a video outlining a ranked choice voting (RCV) strategy — officially urging her supporters to rank multiple names on their ballots.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 14, 2025

Barbara Lee Embraces Ranked Choice Strategy as Oakland’s Mayoral Race Enters Final Stretch

Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground

California’s legal cannabis industry, long weighed down by high taxes and regulation, is facing new threats: steep federal tariffs on key imports and a proposed statewide ban on disposable vapes.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 11, 2025

Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground

Salt Lake City Keeps Ranked Choice Voting Alive for 2025

Salt Lake City will continue using ranked choice voting (RCV) in its municipal elections, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. The City Council reaffirmed their commitment to the system, following positive feedback from the 2023 elections.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 11, 2025

Salt Lake City Keeps Ranked Choice Voting Alive for 2025

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Declares Independent Bid for Re-Election to Skirt Ranked Choice Primary

Facing the risk of defeat in a competitive Democratic primary, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on April 3 that he is withdrawing from the June 24 ranked-choice contest and will instead collect signatures to run as an independent in the November 4 general election.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 8, 2025

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Declares Independent Bid for Re-Election to Skirt Ranked Choice Primary

As Markets Slide, Polling Shows Independent Voters Are Growing Wary of Economic Direction

The Nasdaq Composite has officially entered bear market territory—defined by a drop of 20% or more from its recent high—while the S&P 500 is nearing the same threshold today. Last week U.S. stock markets shed $6.6 trillion in value over a two-day span, triggered by President Trump’s larger-than-expe

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 7, 2025

As Markets Slide, Polling Shows Independent Voters Are Growing Wary of Economic Direction

Millions at Risk of Losing Energy Assistance after HHS Dismantles LIHEAP Oversight

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps millions of low-income families cover heating and cooling costs, faces serious disruption after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) laid off all federal staff overseeing the program.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 7, 2025

Millions at Risk of Losing Energy Assistance after HHS Dismantles LIHEAP Oversight

Same Election: Voter ID Wins Big; GOP Loses Big

Many have seen the story out of Wisconsin: Susan Crawford defied record-breaking spending by Super PACs to win the April 1 state Supreme Court election. “Crawford beat Musk,” is the headline after the world’s richest man poured millions into the race to defeat her, while liberal billionaires also op

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 3, 2025

Same Election: Voter ID Wins Big; GOP Loses Big

Skokie Is the Latest Illinois City to Embrace Ranked Choice Voting

Skokie voters went to the polls on April 1 amidst a closely watched mayoral election to decide whether or not to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV). With 100% of precincts reporting, 58% of participating voters said ‘Yes’ to changing how the city conducts elections.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 2, 2025

Skokie Is the Latest Illinois City to Embrace Ranked Choice Voting

Cory Booker Just Delivered the Longest Senate Speech in US History

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor, surpassing 24 hours in a sweeping protest against the policies of former President Donald Trump.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 1, 2025

Cory Booker Just Delivered the Longest Senate Speech in US History

Cannabis Rescheduling Remains Paused Despite Trump Support

A popular and game-changing rescheduling proposal backed by Donald J. Trump to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) remains formally active but administratively paused by a DEA judge.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 1, 2025

Cannabis Rescheduling Remains Paused Despite Trump Support