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Bennett, Lapid, and the bromance that could decide Israel's next election
On paper, Bennett and Lapid had no business being allied. However, the personal trust between them is the central campaign promise.
2 former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement under a prior coalition government, now plan to merge into a single faction.
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Game Director Benoit Richer Exits Ubisoft Just Months After Departure of Previous Creative Director
Ubisoft’s mysterious Assassin’s Creed Hexe project seems to be going through a rough patch, as game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure from Ubisoft.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s biggest rivals merge Israeli political parties
Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid combine forces ahead of this year’s election
'Michael' moonwalks to $97 million opening, shattering record for music biopics
“Michael,” the big-budget Michael Jackson spectacle, shrugged off bad reviews and a troubled production to launch with $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday, shattering a record debut for music biopics | WBEN
Two former Israeli prime ministers join forces against Netanyahu
Two Israeli political heavyweights say they plan to join forces in upcoming elections in a united effort by their parties to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
5 Ryobi Products That Fix Problems You Didn't Realize You Had
Discover five standout Ryobi tools, including a stowaway bench, scrubbers, a foam cutter, a pump, and a cutter, built to fix common frustrations.
Spring hiking offers health benefits, Rochester trails to explore
As spring arrives, discover the health benefits of hiking and explore easy trails near Rochester to get outdoors.
Bend residents weigh in on push for universal health care in Oregon
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Health care reform took center stage at Trinity Episcopal Church this week, where Central Oregon residents gathered for a town hall focused on the future of universal coverage in the state. The discussion, hosted by Health Care for All Oregon, comes as lawmakers and advocates explore ways to make care more
San Carlos Earth Day celebration brings entertainment and education to community
The San Carlos Earth Day event on Laurel Street drew crowds on April 19, as attendees explored booths from sustainability groups, public safety officials, and local agencies promoting environmental action, waste reduction, and health and safety. Held next to the weekly farmers market, the event benefited from heavy foot traffic and offered educational and engaging...
Patients taking weight-loss drugs often make 5 critical mistakes, doctor warns
Experts say GLP-1 drugs offer benefits beyond weight loss, but common mistakes like skipped labs and poor nutrition can undermine results or cause harm.
Health fair aims to boost healthier lifestyles and awareness of services in South Bend
A health fair empowering the South Bend community to take charge of their health was held Saturday.Gentlemen & Scholars, in partnership with Rise Up Academy, h
Business owners struggle to log into tariff refund portal
“I still can’t log in, so I can’t file for my claim yet,” Beth Benike, CEO of Busy Baby, said.
MAXDropshipping Launches Enhanced Fulfillment Solution for Scaling E-commerce Brands
NEW YORK, April 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAXDropshipping, a global dropshipping fulfillment partner, has announced the enhancement of its fu...
What a 15 Minute Walk Outside Actually Does to Your Brain
Feeling overwhelmed? A quick walk in nature has benefits for your overall health — all in just 15 minutes. An expert explains how.
Scientists just discovered Africa is closer to breaking apart than we thought
Beneath East Africa’s Turkana Rift, scientists have found the crust is thinning to a critical point, suggesting the continent is gradually breaking apart. This “necking” process marks an advanced stage of rifting that could eventually lead to a new ocean forming millions of years from now. Surprisingly, the same geological forces that are splitting the land may also explain why the region holds such a rich fossil record. Instead of being the birthplace of humanity, Turkana may just be where the story was best preserved.
Sheridan College to Host Lecture on Careers in Medical Science Liaison Field
Sheridan College will host a public lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, featuring Jenny McDonald, Ph.D., director and medical science liaison at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The event is free and open to the public. The presentation, titled “From Bench to Industry: The Role of Medical Science Liaison,” will take place in Room 153 of […]
Michigan governor hopeful pressed on past SPLC work after DOJ indictment: 'What did Jocelyn know?'
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces GOP pressure over her past SPLC ties after the group was indicted on fraud-related charges this week.
The Planet Needs Prosperous Forests. These Scientists Are Planting More Than 33,000 Trees to Find the Perfect Blend of Species
Forests provide myriad benefits, including timber, wildlife attraction, local cooling and climate resilience. At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, ecologists are testing which tree combinations might create flourishing woodlands
Play can improve health. Tech is making that happen.
A new grant from the Flinn Foundation is allowing computer scientist Jared Duval to expand his work around making healthcare technology both effective and fun. Duval, an assistant professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, won the two-year, $300,000 grant to support his work in health-related research that benefits Arizona. His far-reaching work, which includes everything from helping…
Florida manufacturing firms have benefited the most from SBA loans
Here's how the Small Business Administration has played a role in local manufacturing.
Ron DeSantis taunts Hakeem Jeffries while delaying sending Legislature a redistricting map
Democrats plan to target GOP incumbents in November.
The Planet Needs Prosperous Forests. These Scientists Are Planting More Than 33,000 Trees to Find the Perfect Species Blends
Forests provide myriad benefits, including timber, wildlife attraction, local cooling and climate resilience. At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, ecologists are testing which tree combinations might create flourishing woodlands
Could your beer have health benefits? Here’s what new research says
A casual beer might come with an unexpected perk. Drinking the occasional pint could provide “substantial levels” of vitamin B6, an essential nutrient that supports brain function, blood health and…
Popular weight loss drug linked to key benefits for patients undergoing TAVR, PCI
Two separate studies explored the value of treating heart patients with tirzepatide.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. absent from Congress for weeks over a 'personal health matter'
The vulnerable Republican incumbent is facing re-election in a district rated a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report.
Entertainment: Flood Benefit Concert
More than 7,000 people packed a grassy lawn at Ko Olina for the "Aloha In Action" benefit concert last night.
Benjamin Shobert
United Healthcare has named Benjamin Shobert as their Chief Operating Officer for Clinical Services.
As Trump Officials Pushed Health Savings Accounts, RFK Jr. Aide Ran Wellness Company Poised to Benefit
Calley Means remained president of a company that relied on health savings accounts last year as the Trump administration developed policies to expand them.
Gianluca Prestianni: Benfica winger handed six-match ban for discriminatory conduct towards Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior alleged he was racially abused during the knockout play-off round match between the sides in Lisbon on February 17; Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a six-match ban for discriminatory conduct; UEFA requested FIFA extend the ban worldwide
Virginia Public Schools’ Mental Health Misstep
The harms of universal screenings for mental disorders far outweigh the benefits.
Bremerton's Anderson named among country's top small business leaders
The third-generation owner of a downtown Bremerton engineering firm was named Washington state's small business leader of the year.
How Elon Musk Used SpaceX to Benefit Himself and His Businesses
The rocket maker has been a useful financial tool for Mr. Musk, providing the billionaire with loans and aiding his struggling companies, a Times examination found.
How Elon Musk Used SpaceX to Benefit Himself and His Businesses
The rocket maker has been a useful financial tool for Mr. Musk, providing the billionaire with loans and aiding his struggling companies, a Times examination found.
Truro man rebrands car to raise awareness of mental health
Ben Drew gave his Kia Ceed a makeover to help "end the stigma" after losing two friends to suicide.
Scientists find perfect fossils in rust beneath Australian farmland
Beneath the dry farmland of New South Wales lies a hidden window into a lost rainforest teeming with life from 11-16 million years ago. At McGraths Flat, scientists have uncovered fossils preserved in astonishing detail—not in typical rock like shale or sandstone, but in iron-rich sediment once thought incapable of such preservation. Tiny iron particles filled and captured entire cells, preserving everything from insect organs to fish eye pigments and delicate spider hairs.
Changes to Wisconsin's FoodShare program set to take effect this year
Work requirements are being expanded for participants, along with certain products being banned from the program.
Trump is facing an increasingly patient Iran
The war may have benefitted Iran’s regime politically, at least for the moment, despite the assassinations of senior figures and heavy U.S.-Israeli bombing, sources tell NBC News
Two Primaries to Test Trump’s Grip on Republican Politics
The president is backing opponents of two Republican incumbents in primaries.
Meta plans to layoff 10% of its entire staff in May
Meta told employees it plans to lay off 10% of staff in May, citing efficiency and rising costs. Staff will get severance and extended benefits.
How Many Prunes Should I Eat for Constipation? A GI Doctor Explains
Prunes are an age-old remedy for constipation. Is it healthy to eat them every day? Experts discuss the potential benefits.
The surprising health benefit that could be in your pint
Drinking the odd pint of beer can provide "substantial levels" of an essential brain-boosting vitamin in your diet, according to new research in a respected journal.
Sheridan teachers’ strike tensions ratchet over health care benefits
The strike stretches into its third week as Gov. Polis continues to press both sides to come to an agreement.
Youth Sports and Mental Health to be Discussed at OSU-Cascades Science Pub on May 12
Youth sports and mental health will be the topic of Oregon State University – Cascades’ Science Pub on May 12. The talk, titled “The Stolen Game,” will be given by William Massey, a kinesiologist and associate professor in OSU’s College of Health. Massey is also the director of the Psychosocial Physical Activity Laboratory, known as […]
Texas Railroad Commission candidates campaign on contrasting issues
Incumbent Jim Wright has a tough primary runoff battle against former Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French.
Indiana hospital systems meet benchmark on direct-to-employer health care deals
The report comes as Indiana hospitals attempt to address widespread criticism — including from state leaders — over high prices.
Blacknut Levels Up: Select Activision Publishing and Blizzard Entertainment Games Now Streamable on Blacknut
Cloud gaming hits new heights with Diablo® III, Spyro® Reignited Trilogy, Crash Bandicoot® N. Sane Trilogy, Warcraft® I: Remastered, Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II, and more via Ubisoft+ Premium on Blacknut Activision-Blizzard Games Now Streaming on Blacknut Cloud gaming hits new heights with Diablo® III, Spyro® Reignited Trilogy, Crash Bandicoot® N. Sane Trilogy, Warcraft® I: Remastered, Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II, and more via Ubisoft+ Premium on Blacknut Paris, France, April 23, 202
Scene One Entertainment opens Market Arcade 8
Scene One Entertainment, alongside Benchmark Management Group, opened the Market Arcade 8 on Wednesday in downtown Buffalo - the latest for the Schenectady-based entertainment company, and its first foray in Western New York.
Structure, Agency, and Structural Reform: The Case of the European Central Bank -
Structure, Agency, and Structural Reform: The Case of the European Central Bank By Benjamin Braun, London School of Economics and Political Science, Donato Di Carlo, The London School of Economics and Political Science, Sebastian Diessner, [...]
NFL Draft Day 1 news and pre-draft discussion
Give us your thoughts on what the Bengals should do this year in the draft.
Justice Department jumpstarts process to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order Thursday reclassifying state-licensed marijuana as a less dangerous drug, changing a policy that has for decades made the drug’s potential medicinal benefits more difficult to research.
Youtility Decision Science Raises Seed Funding for Decision Science Platform That Predicts Customer Behavior
Strategic investment from a consortium including Silver Falcon Capital, Fyllo and National Media supports development of behavioral AI technology designed to help companies understand and predict customer decisionsRICHMOND, Va. and LONDON, April 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Youtility, a pioneer in behavioral AI for consumer engagement focused on why consumers make decisions, today announced the second close of its seed round, bringing total funding to $4.2M. The round was supported by a consorti
Cityblock Health Appoints New Chief Health Officer to Advance Technology-Enabled Clinical Care Model for Government Programs
/PRNewswire/ -- Cityblock Health, a value-based healthcare provider for Medicaid and dually eligible beneficiaries, announced the appointment of their new...
NFL insider predicts Anthony Richardson gets traded to the Steelers
Kay Adams was right on the money predicting Dexter Lawrence getting traded to the Bengals… does lightning strike twice with her prediction of the Steelers getting Anthony Richardson?
Indiana hospital systems meet benchmark on direct-to-employer health care deals
Nonprofit hospital systems are required under Indiana law to offer direct-to-employer arrangements at or below 260% of Medicaid pricing.
6 foods with hidden health benefits — including a 'surprisingly nutrient-dense' fan favorite
Ben Roberts-Smith planned to leave Australia and researched buying wellness business in Spain, court documents show
Partner of soldier accused of war crimes says the couple discussed possibility of moving overseas to ‘create some normalcy in our lives’
New issue: Mirrorlife | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Mirror life could end all life on Earth. That sounds dramatic, but senior biologists have raised the alarm about experiments happening all around the world. It sounds like something in a Doctor Who plot, but no – mirror life is a real possibility. So why do scientists want to create something that’s potentially apocalyptic? Well, it could also have huge benefits (think back to splitting the atom). The first thing to say, however, is that mirror organisms are still a little way away yet – but only decades, not centuries. So far, scientists have only made mirror molecules, one of life’s building blocks. What for? Life works because its building blocks fit together. Imagine drilling a screw into a piece of wood. The screw cuts a hole with a thread that snugly matches its own. If, for some reason, the Doctor showed up and handed you a mirror version of the screw, its thread would be in reverse. It wouldn’t twist into the hole you’d just made as the threads wouldn’t match. That said, the mirror screw would still work; you’d just have to create a mirror hole for it. Mirror molecules, including DNA, work a bit like that. They follow the same principles as the biology around us, but they’re entirely incompatible with traditional biological functions. In medical terms, this means they’re effectively invisible to your body’s systems. Our biology doesn’t have the tools to recognise these molecules and break them apart. And if someone took these mirror molecules and put them together to make a cell and then an organism… you’d have mirror life. But we don't have any way of breaking it down. If it escaped the lab, we’d just have to hope it didn’t have an appetite.
Jason Campbell Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 Top 100 Lawyers List
Winston partner Jason Campbell was named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2026 Top 100 Lawyers list. This honor recognizes lawyers who not only set the standard for excellence in law but also…
Scientists discover hidden forces are warping Earth deep beneath the surface
Scientists have mapped how Earth’s deepest mantle is being deformed—and the results point to long-lost tectonic plates buried thousands of kilometers underground. Using a massive global dataset of seismic waves, they found that most deformation happens in regions where these ancient slabs are thought to reside. The findings confirm long-standing theories but, for the first time, show the pattern on a global scale. It’s a major step toward understanding how the planet’s interior slowly churns over time.
Keldon Johnson wins NBA Sixth Man of the Year after breaking Manu Ginóbili's Spurs record for bench points
The 2020 Draft pick found a valuable role for himself off the bench
New hotel marks latest business opening along ever-growing Benner Pike corridor
Benner Pike corridor --- latest new business
Tai chi and the health benefits of gentle movement
Learn how tai chi supports balance, strength, joint health, and mental calm. This gentle, full‑body practice delivers benefits that add up.
Benavidez vs. Ramirez Start Time, Full Fight Card
Event: David Benavidez vs. Zurdo RamirezDate: Sat., May 2, 2026Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NevadaStart Time: DAZN PPV main card start time at 8 p.m. ET Benavidez vs. Ramirez Main Event on DAZN PPV: 200 lbs.: David Benavidez (31-0) vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1) for WBA and WBO Cruiserweight titles Benavidez vs. Ramirez Main […]
The Benefits of Beet Juice For Women’s Health
Beets, and by extension, beet juice, are packed with nutrients that benefit different stages of women's health, including menstruation, pregnancy, and post-menopause.
MIT affiliates elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026
MIT professors Isaiah Andrews, David Atkin, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, and Benjamin Weiss, along with 13 additional MIT alumni, were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026.
Brewers finally get great injury news on Quinn Priester
Milwaukee could benefit from this soon.
Defensive line rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft
Our final defensive line rankings our live and they are headlined by Rueben Bain Jr.
Scientists discovered a mysterious ‘golden orb’ two miles beneath the surface of the ocean. Now they’ve worked out what it is
Sorry, but it’s not an extraterrestrial egg...
Integrated Modeling Virtual Institute (IMVI)
A framework for NASA's state-of-the-art Earth system models to advance Earth understanding and deliver actionable insights for societal benefit
Shena White, Founder of Your Pocket CFO and Pretty Smart Business, Launches “Pretty Smart Money” to Help Women Turn Revenue Into Real Wealth
Denver, Colorado, USA, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The business coaching industry has a secret: most programs excel at selling inspiratio...
Color-Changing Bees: Citizen Science Photographs Help Researchers Explore Bee Coloration In Response To Humidity
"Whether the colour change happens to benefit the bee in any way is still an open question that we’d love to explore," lead author Madeleine Ostwald told IFLScience.
Inspired Entertainment Secures Alberta iGaming Supplier Registration, Expands North American Presence
NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems and solutions, today announced that it has been approved by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) and has obtained registration as an iGaming Goods or Services Supplier – Critical Gaming Systems (IGCS). This approval positions Inspired to support operators in Alberta’s soon to launch regulated iGaming market,
Monroe County hosting another town hall Wednesday on SNAP work-rule changes
Wednesday's town hall is happening at the Edgerton R-Center on Backus Street from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
7 foods cardiologists love that won't bore you to tears — including some very clever swaps
You don't have to give up bacon and fries entirely, but occasionally swapping them for healthier foods or changing the way you prepare them can benefit your heart.
Avalanche fans shatter glass behind Kings bench after save on penalty shot, causing lengthy delay before Avs win in OT
Dustin Poirier: Zuffa Boxing not an option for UFC fighters
In recent years. several former or retired UFC fighters have extended their combat sports careers by transitioning to boxing. Former champions Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Francis Ngannou have. Ben Askren, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvial, Mike Perry and Darren Till also have, among others. Former ...
They retired early to travel the world — then came decision fatigue
Retirement travel exposed Kelly Benthall and her husband to decision fatigue. Structured trips now bring them more satisfaction and less stress.
Stetson Bennett’s bid to succeed Matthew Stafford takes a hit
The Rams don't sound too convinced Stetson Bennett can takeover for Matthew Stafford.
Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #23: 4/21 vs. White Sox
Today’s Lineups WHITE SOX DIAMONDBACKS Andrew Benintendi – DH Ketel Marte – 2B Munetaka Murakami – 1B Corbin Carroll – RF Miguel Vargas – 3B Geraldo Perdomo – SS Colson Montgomery – SS Adrian Del Castillo – C Everson Pereira – RF Lourdes Gurriel – LF Sam Antonacci – LF Jose Fernandez – DH Chase […]
Morrisey holds ceremonial signing for Small Business Growth Act
CHARLESTON – Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial signing Tuesday for a bill – the first to pass the West Virginia Legislature during the recent session – that focuses on benefiting existing small businesses in the state. Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday afternoon for Senate Bill 1, creating the West Virginia First Small […]
Here's how Utah could benefit from now-permanent 20% small business tax deduction
The Qualified Business Income deduction allows Utah small businesses to deduct up to 20% of their business income from federal and state taxes.
Connor Sports expands to WNBA courts
The workers at Connors Sports feel proud to have UP wood, effort and sweat make it on the world stage. Supporting people from beneath their feet.
Speakers reflect luncheon’s ‘Timeless’ theme in words, actions
MILE HIGH UNITED WAY Denver News: The theme for the Mile High United Way’s 47th Women United Luncheon was “Timeless,” and Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen, president/CEO Christine Benero and honoree Arlene Hirschfeld thoughtfully and purposefully shared how the actions of today create ripples of change that can last forever. “One of the best ways to be outside your comfort zone is to volunteer,” Steenburgen said. “Saying yes to something is […]
Bentley Named Among the Top Graduate Business Schools in U.S. News Ranking
Bentley University is ranked a top U.S. graduate business school by U.S. News & World Report. Discover how the program prepares graduates for today's job market.
Health insurers raise questions about Medicare program that will offer GLP-1s to seniors for $50
Some health insurers are pushing back against a new program that will allow Medicare beneficiaries to pay $50 per month for GLP-1 medications for weight loss.
Clemson 2026 NFL Draft Player Preview: Adam Randall
Position: RB Height: 6’3” Weight: 232 40 yd Dash: 4.5 Shuttle Time: Unavailable Vertical Jump: 37” Broad Jump: 10’4” Bench Press: 26 reps College Performance: One of Clemson’s more intriguing players in the draft, Adam Randall started life at Clemson as a WR before converting to RB late in his career. His time as a […]
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition review: Tons of cache for tons of dollars
There are some practical benefits to this $899 chip, but not many.
Lions 4 remaining free agency contract details reveal more savings
Breaking down the full contract details for Lions free agent signings Teddy Bridgewater, Ben Bartch, Avonte Maddox, and Chuck Clark.
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
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