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Poll reveals alarming level of fear of whether 2024 elections will be ‘fair,’ ballot counting accurate

A new poll released Thursday revealed an alarming level of fear among Americans over whether the 2024 elections will be “fair” and if ballots will be counted accurately. According to the Suffolk University/USA Today poll, 46% of registered Republicans said they had no confidence ballots would be accurately counted and reported after people across the country head to the polls in November. When narrowed to those supporting former President Donald Trump, who argued the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from him, 52% said they lacked confidence ballots would be counted accurately. RFK, JR. MEETS REQUIREMENTS TO APPEAR ON FIRST 2024 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT AS CAMPAIGN SEASON HEATS UP The poll found a stark divide, however, when it came to registered Democrats, 81% of whom said they were “very” confident the 2024 elections would be “fair.” Just 14% of Republicans felt the same. MAINE DEMOCRAT WHO BARRED TRUMP FROM BALLOT SAID VOTER ID LAWS ‘ROOTED IN WHITE SUPREMACY’ It also found a large majority of voters (83%) worried about “threats to democracy,” but they are divided over what they see as the actual threat. A plurality of 18% said Trump was the greatest threat, while 10% pointed to government corruption and dysfunction and 8% cited immigration and open borders. When asked which party was more responsible for threatening democracy, voters were split with 40% blaming Democrats and 40% blaming Republicans. A 59% majority said it was “appropriate” for those participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol to face criminal prosecution, while 32% said it was inappropriate and should be reversed. Fewer Americans, however, placed blame for the riot on Trump nearly three years later. Forty-three percent said the former president bore “a lot of blame,” down from 48% in 2021. Twenty-eight percent of Americans in both years said Trump wasn’t to blame at all. BIDEN CONTINUES BLEEDING SUPPORT FROM KEY VOTER GROUPS AS DEMS SOUND ALARM OVER 2024: POLL Concerning prosecutions against Trump in Georgia, Washington, D.C., and New York, 52% said they were appropriate, a majority driven by the 96% of Democrats who agreed. Forty-three percent said the prosecutions were inappropriate and should be reversed, a number driven by 85% of Republicans who agreed. Independents were largely split 48%-42% that the prosecutions were appropriate, with 9% undecided. Trump held a slight edge (44-43%) over President Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, but that lead grew to 39-37% when voters were asked about a third-party option (17%). Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Mississippi Circuit Judge Buddy McDonald dead at 75

Claiborne “Buddy” McDonald IV, a judge who served on a circuit court in south-central Mississippi and was a longtime prosecutor in the area, has died. He was 75. McDonald died Monday at Forrest General Hospital after an undisclosed illness, said Beverly Kraft, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Judiciary. Known as “Buddy” to most people, McDonald was described as a fair and empathetic judge who firmly followed the law, said Prentiss Harrell, a fellow judge on the 15th District Circuit, speaking to The Hattiesburg American. NEAL BIGGERS, REAGAN-APPOINTED JUDGE IN KEY SCHOOL PRAYER, HBCU CASES, DEAD AT 88 “He cared about people and was compassionate to people who needed compassion, but he also upheld the law in a strong way,” Harrell said. “We’re going to miss him. He was a good judge.” A funeral Mass will be held Friday at noon at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune, the newspaper reported. McDonald took his seat in January 2016 in a newly created position on the court to help ease the caseload for the district, which covers Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Jefferson Davis and Lawrence counties. On Dec. 19, the Mississippi Supreme Court was informed that McDonald would be unable to attend or hold court for an indefinite time, and William E. Andrews III was appointed to fill McDonald’s seat. McDonald previously served as district attorney and assistant district attorney for the 15th district and held other public service positions including prosecuting attorney for Pearl River County and municipal judge and city attorney in Picayune. Supreme Court Presiding Justice Jim Kitchens of Crystal Springs, a longtime colleague, said McDonald was “a man of solid integrity, a dedicated servant of the law, and a reliable servant of the public.” “As a prosecuting attorney, he was fair and he was formidable. As a trial judge, he took his oath of office seriously and served with impartiality, patience and devotion to the rule of law. His years of honorable work in our state’s courts will be remembered and admired by all who knew him.” Pearl River County Court Judge Richelle Lumpkin recalled working with McDonald when he was an assistant district attorney and she was county prosecutor. As a judge, he was of impeccable integrity and dedication, she said. “He had a brilliant legal mind,” she said. “He was a well-read and well-rounded individual. Any subject that you wanted to talk about, he knew something about it. You didn’t have to talk to him long before you knew there’s no one else like Buddy McDonald. He was one of a kind.” His public service didn’t end in the courtroom, his friends said. Lumpkin said he quietly contributed his time and efforts through civic, church and charitable activities such as assistance for underprivileged children. “There is so much that Buddy did that people don’t know about,” she said. Survivors include his wife, Suzy Stockstill McDonald, four children and 13 grandchildren.

Louisiana Gov. Edwards to take law firm job after leaving office

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that once he leaves office next week he will join a New Orleans-based law firm where he will focus on renewable energy litigation. During Edwards’ past two terms as governor, which has spanned eight years, the Democrat has prioritized developing and expanding Louisiana’s renewable energy sources and reducing the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. Before entering the political world, Edwards, who was unable to run for governor again because of consecutive term limits, was a trial attorney who had opened a civil law practice in his hometown of Amite. “It has been the greatest honor of my lifetime to serve as governor of the State of Louisiana,” Edwards said in a news release Thursday. “I look forward to rejoining the legal profession and continuing to serve the state by establishing Louisiana as a leader in green energy while maintaining our commercial competitiveness.” OUTGOING LOUISIANA GOV. JOHN BEL EDWARDS PARDONS 56 INMATES, INCLUDING 40 CONVICTED MURDERERS Edwards will join Fishman Haygood LLP as special counsel when he leaves office on Jan. 8. He will work with the law firm’s business and litigation teams. “We are thrilled to have the governor join our team,” John Werner, a partner of Fishman Haygood, said in a statement. “John Bel has been a proven leader throughout his life, including his recent efforts to grow the renewable energy sector in Louisiana. We are excited that he has chosen to join us in this next phase of his career.” The law firm, which was founded in 1996, has been involved in negotiating complex land deals and corporate mergers as well as high-profile cases like the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme and the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement, The Advocate reported. Over the past two decades, Louisiana has had a front-row seat to the effects of climate change, with hurricanes making landfall more frequently, coastal areas being eaten away by erosion, subsidence and rising sea levels, and the Mississippi River reaching record-low water levels, causing barges with agricultural exports to get stuck. In addition, the state, which shares its southern border with the Gulf of Mexico, has tens of thousands of jobs tied to the oil and gas industry. Recently, efforts to expand Louisiana’s renewable energy opportunities have come to the forefront. Last month, the state’s first-ever wind energy operating agreements in offshore waters were approved. Edwards has long told reporters that after leaving the governor’s mansion he plans to move back to Tangipahoa Parish with his wife and go “back into private business.” While he has repeatedly said he has “no expectation or intention” to run for political office in the future, he hasn’t outright ruled it out. Edwards’ successor, Republican Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, will be inaugurated Monday.

Haley sparks strong reactions from caucus-goers after telling NH voters to ‘correct’ Iowa caucus

Former Ambassador Nikki Haley is facing criticism from her GOP opponents and some Iowans on the ground over a comment she made to a New Hampshire audience suggesting Iowa “starts” the election process and New Hampshire will “correct it.” Campaigning in Milford, New Hampshire, Wednesday, Haley told the large crowd listening to her that “we have an opportunity to get this right. And I know we’ll get it right, and I trust you. I trust every single one of you. You know how to do this. You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it.” That comment didn’t sit well with some Iowa caucus-goers leaning toward Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Rooted out of our history of hard-working Iowans, Iowa has always been a pulse of the nation, where the term heartland comes from,” Mark Putney of Fayette County, Iowa, said in response to Haley’s remark.  CHRISTIE SAYS HE WOULD ‘ABSOLUTELY’ SUPPORT DESANTIS OR HALEY, BUT INSISTS HE’S NOT DROPPING OUT OF 2024 RACE “Nikki Haley’s comments are an insult to Iowans like myself who take pride in being the first-in-the-nation caucus. The next president must be someone who appreciates Iowans, not belittles us due to her poor performance in the race.” Brenda Sandburg of Benton County, Iowa, said, “As an Iowan and a caucus-goer” she is “offended but not surprised. “Nikki Haley has shown herself to be completely out of touch with rural America, and she has no business being President of the United States.” “I am sick of elitist politicians who think they know better than the people who they are supposed to serve,” Lori Tiangco of Polk County, Iowa, said. “It’s Ms. Haley who needs to be corrected, not us, and our voices will be heard on Jan. 15.”  EX-OBAMA CAMPAIGN MANAGER URGES LIBERAL VOTERS TO SUPPORT NIKKI HALEY TO SABOTAGE TRUMP DeSantis addressed the issue in a radio interview with KFAB Thursday. “I think it was incredibly disrespectful to Iowans to say somehow their votes need to be, quote, corrected,” DeSantis said. “I think she’s trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well. You know, her allies and her have spent a huge amount of money here.  “A lot of this money is coming from liberal donors on Wall Street and California. These are people that have supported Liberal Democrats in the past, and they’re gravitating to Nikki Haley because they know she’s not going to change anything in Washington.  “She’s been governor for six years. What achievements did she have in South Carolina? Literally nothing. Her main achievement was being the No. 1 Republican governor for bringing Chinese investment into her state. It’s a huge contrast to a leadership of Gov. Reynolds or myself. But I thought what she said to Iowans was very disrespectful.” In response to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, the Haley campaign pointed to reactions from Iowa caucus-goers supporting Haley who were unfazed by the “lighthearted joke.” “It was a lighthearted joke playing up the rivalry between Iowa and New Hampshire,” Austin Harris, an Iowa state representative, said. “Her opponents are clearly desperate because she is rising in the polls, and they’re terrified. So, they will grasp at anything.” “This is what we like about Nikki – she’s a real person, she’s not scripted,” Emily Schmitt, general counsel at Sukup Manufacturing, said. “If her opponents are attacking her based on an offhand remark, that’s more proof of what we already knew, that she’s got the momentum and the support of Iowans.” “The media outrage on this – like most things – is completely detached from reality on the ground in Iowa,” Iowa state Sen. Chris Cournoyer said. “Nikki Haley continues to win over caucus-goers ahead of Jan. 15. She’s done over 70 town halls in the state, taking questions directly from folks. The bottom line, Haley is positioned to do very well on caucus day.” Haley is polling at 16.1% in Iowa with about two weeks before the Iowa Caucus, which puts her in third place behind former President Trump at 51.3% and DeSantis at 18.6%. Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report

Colorado voters seeking Trump ballot ban file response in effort to speed up Supreme Court decision

Colorado voters seeking to remove former President Trump from their state’s GOP primary ballot responded Thursday to the former president’s appeal, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to disqualify him from appearing on the ballot for another term. “The Court should decline Trump’s invitation to second-guess the Colorado Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Colorado Election Code,” the court filing said. The Supreme Court originally gave the Colorado voters until Feb. 5 to file their response to Trump’s appeal, but the voter plaintiffs want the court to hear and decide the issue quickly. The justices have not decided whether they will expedite consideration of the Colorado voters’ appeal. TRUMP ASKS SUPREME COURT TO KEEP NAME ON COLORADO BALLOT On Wednesday, Trump asked the justices to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling to disqualify him from the Republican primary ballot for engaging in an insurrection. In a statement to Fox News, Trump’s team said that if he is prevented from being on the Colorado ballot, it would be the first time in history such a thing has happened. GUNMAN ARRESTED AFTER BREACHING COLORADO SUPREME COURT, HOLDING GUARD AT GUNPOINT: COPS “Over 74 million Americans voted for President Trump in the 2020 general election, including more than 1.3 million voters in the State of Colorado,” Trump’s team said in a statement. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Yet, on December 19, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered President Trump removed from the presidential primary ballot — a ruling that, if allowed to stand, will mark the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate.”

Alabama judge puts medical marijuana licenses on temporary hold

A judge has temporarily blocked Alabama from issuing licenses to medical marijuana facilities amid an ongoing legal battle over how the state selected the winning companies. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The coveted licenses, which the commission planned to issue this month, will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process. ALABAMA GROUP PUSHES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM LAUNCH IN 2024 DESPITE LEGAL HURDLES Companies that were not selected to receive the licenses have challenged the selection process used by the commission. Anderson said he is sympathetic to concerns about delaying the availability of medical marijuana but said a pause on the licenses is merited. The restraining order is the latest development in a legal battle that has plagued the start of Alabama’s medical marijuana program. Alabama lawmakers voted to allow medical marijuana in the state in 2021. Commission officials are aiming to make the products available in 2024 after a series of delays. The Wednesday order only affects the licenses for the facilities that perform multiple functions from “seed to sale.” The judge last week put a hold on licenses for dispensaries in order to hear a similar challenge. The commission has issued licenses for growers, processors, transportation companies and laboratory testing.

Fox News Politics: 5 revelations from Epstein doc dump

Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail.  Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. What’s Happening?  – Expect more Epstein documents to drop… – Biden mocked over migrant crisis comments – Haley won’t rule out being Trump’s Vice President A federal court in New York unsealed dozens of documents relating to sex trafficker and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Here are five takeaways from the release:  1. ‘He likes them young’ – Epstein allegedly talked about former President Clinton’s tastes 2. Bounties for disproof – In a typo-filled email to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein offered a “reward” for any of Virginia Giuffre friends and family who could disprove Giuffre’s allegations 3. Dinner and a show – one alleged victim described David Copperfield, who was himself once accused of sexually assaulting a teen model, as a friend of Epstein who performed at the financier’s home 4. Royal connections – she also alleged that Prince Andrew groped her while she was sitting in his lap with a Prince Andrew puppet 5. Trumped – Epstein once said he’d call up Donald Trump (before he was president) when his flight had to be rerouted to Atlantic City because it couldn’t land in New York, according to court testimony CLINTON CONNECTION: Top deputy for Special Counsel Jack Smith helped scuttle FBI investigations into the Clintons …Read more ‘TOO DISTASTEFUL’ FOR SOME: Ex-Obama campaign manager calls for liberal voters to sabotage GOP primary …Read more SENATE SUPPORT: GOP lawmakers throw support behind Trump in Colorado ballot dispute …Read more ONE AND DONE: North Carolina shuts out Democratic primary challengers, makes Biden only candidate on ballot …Read more ‘BANK YOUR VOTE’: RNC launches ‘Bank Your Vote’ websites in 16 languages in all 50 states ahead of primaries …Read more ‘I’M IN’: Georgia Republican senator joins race for congressional seat …Read more GOING ON ATTACK: Biden looks to double down on Jan. 6 attacks against Trump after ‘Bidenomics’ struggles …Read more NOT HAPPY: Union boss meets privately with Trump, vexing liberals …Read more IOWA DUST-UP: DeSantis accuses Haley of ‘insulting’ voters ahead of first 2024 caucus …Read more ‘SECURE THE BORDER’: Biden mocked or saying ‘We gotta do something’ when asked about migrant crisis …Read more DISSENTING LETTER: Biden campaign staffers issue letter protesting Israel-Hamas war, call for cease-fire, end of aid to Israel …Read more LOSING GROUND: House GOP majority to shrink again in time for potential government shutdown showdown …Read more ‘DIDN’T DO IT’: Ex-Michigan House speaker aides plead not guilty to embezzlement …Read more ‘THREATENING CALLS’: Florida man arrested for threatening to kill Eric Swalwell and his kids …Read more OIL BAN: New Mexico lawmakers consider ban on oil and gas production near schools …Read more SOUND OF SILENCE: Obama’s support not enough to keep Claudine Gay as Harvard president …Read more CALIFORNIA EXODUS: California exodus continues as U-Haul moving list reveals large net loss for fourth year in a row …Read more IMMIGRATION BATTLE: DOJ sues Texas in battle over immigration law …Read more HE’S BACK: Scandal-ridden Andrew Gillum re-emerges with podcast after political career fell apart …Read more PARTY IN ‘PERIL’: Democratic Party’s appeal to young voters ‘in ruins,’ liberal columnist warns …Read more DEATH PENALTY CONTROVERSY: UN experts look to stop Alabama from carrying out first US nitrogen gas execution …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

International bridge projects get speedier approval process with push from Texas lawmakers

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, led the effort to set a maximum 120-day timeline for the president to decide whether to approve a permit for new international bridge projects. The previous process could have taken years.

New York City sues bus companies that Texas hired to transport migrants

More than 33,000 migrants have arrived from Texas since August 2022. The city wants bus companies to pay more than $700 million.

Indiana Democrat foregoes reelection in favor of county judge bid

Indiana state Rep. Ryan Hatfield, an Evansville Democrat, announced Thursday he will forgo reelection in the fall to instead run for a county judge position. Hatfield, who has represented House District 77 in southern Indiana since 2016, said he is running for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court judge. “Serving as Circuit Court Judge provides a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the fair and just resolution of legal matters that impact the lives of individuals and families in our community,” Hatfield said in a statement. 2 GEORGIA DEMOCRATS RETIRE AFTER DISTRICTS REDRAWN Hatfield serves as the ranking minority member of the Indiana House Judiciary and Employment, Labor and Pensions committees. Prior to his position in the General Assembly, Hatfield was a deputy prosecutor in Vanderburgh County. “This decision to run for Judge is deeply personal for me, driven by a profound commitment to fostering a legal system in Vanderburgh County that reflects the values and needs of our community,” Hatfield said in his statement. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta called Hatfield’s departure a “loss.” “Since his election in 2016, Rep. Hatfield has used his extensive legal expertise to serve the people of Evansville and Hoosiers throughout the state,” GiaQuinta said in a statement. Hatfield is the latest in a series of Indiana state lawmakers who have said they are not seeking reelection in 2024. Two Republican state representatives, Denny Zent and Randy Lyness, separately disclosed their intention to forgo reelection in December. In November, Republican state Rep. Bob Cherry, of Greenfield, announced his intention to retire after 25 years. Carmel Republican Rep. Donna Schaibley said in October she will not seek reelection shortly after longtime lawmaker Rep. Jerry Torr, who also represents Carmel, announced his intention to retire after 28 years in the House. In August, Republican state Sen. John Crane, of Avon, announced he will not seek reelection after the 2024 legislative session. At least three other Republican lawmakers resigned this year. In September, state Sen. Jon Ford, of Terre Haute, said he would resign effective Oct. 16 from his western Indiana district. A Republican caucus chose Greg Goode, the state director for Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young, to finish out the remainder of Ford’s term. Republican Sen. Chip Perfect, of Lawrenceburg, resigned in late September from his southeastern Indiana seat. A caucus chose businessman Randy Maxwell to complete Perfect’s term. In July, state Rep. Randy Frye, a Republican from Greensburg, resigned from his southeastern Indiana district due to health issues. Attorney J. Alex Zimmerman was chosen to complete Frye’s term. After Republican state Sen. Jack Sandlin unexpectedly died in September, former Inspector General Cyndi Carrasco was sworn into the Senate in November to fill the Indianapolis seat.