Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters saw a record number of school referenda on their ballots in 2024 and approved a record number of the funding requests, according to a report released Thursday. The Wisconsin Policy Forum study found that school districts asked voters to sign...

A voter-approved Maine limit on PAC contributions sets the stage for a legal challenge

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine residents this week overwhelmingly approved a referendum to limit donations to political action committees that spend independently in candidate elections, setting the stage for a legal showdown over caps on individual contributions to so-called super PACs that spend...

Judge blocks larger home permits for tiny community of slave descendants pending appeal

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A judge has blocked a Georgia county from approving larger homes in a tiny island community of Black slave descendants until the state's highest court decides whether residents can challenge by referendum zoning changes they fear will lead to unaffordable tax increases. ...

Moldovans are voting in a pivotal presidential runoff. But voter fraud threatens its democracy

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovan historian and politician Octavian Ticu remembers when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, a seismic event that enabled him to become one of the first amateur boxers to fight for his country at the pinnacle of his sport: the Olympic Games. ...

Voters in Liechtenstein withdraw state funding from the country's public radio broadcaster

BERLIN (AP) — Voters in Liechtenstein have voted to withdraw state funding from the tiny country's public radio broadcaster, a decision that leaves the station's future in doubt. In a referendum on Sunday, 55.4% of participants voted to scrap legislation that grants state funding...

Congo's president announces plans for a new constitution. Opposition worried about term limit change

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo's President announced a national commission will be set up next year to draft a new constitution for the central African country, raising concern among the opposition over possible altering of the presidential term limit. Felix Tshisekedi was reelected...

King Charles III ends first Australian visit by a reigning British monarch in 13 years

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — King Charles III ends the first visit to Australia by a reigning British monarch in 13 years Tuesday as anti-monarchists hope the debate surrounding his journey is a step toward an Australian citizen becoming head of state. Charles and his wife, Queen...

Moldovans narrowly chose 'yes' in a referendum to secure the country’s EU path, electoral authorities say

Moldovan president appears set to win 1st round of presidential race, but EU vote could be rejected

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s pro-Western president early Monday looked set to win the first round of a presidential race but accused “criminal groups” of undermining a referendum asking voters to decide whether to secure a path toward European Union membership, which risked being...

Qatar's ruler says his nation will vote on abandoning legislative elections after just one poll

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar's ruling emir said Tuesday his small, energy-rich nation will hold a referendum on ending a short-lived experiment in electing members of the country's advisory Shura Council. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani offered no immediate timeline...