Alfonso Ribeiro, co-host of the popular ABC reality show Dancing With the Stars, has responded to comments made by former contestant Alexa PenaVega regarding the show's voting system. PenaVega, who competed in season 21 of the show in 2015, shared on her LexLos podcast that fellow contestant Hayes Grier had suggested the show was 'rigged' during their time on the program. Grier, described as 'the sweetest kid' by PenaVega, reportedly told her that he believed the show was fixed because he had more votes than other contestants despite being a younger, less experienced participant. PenaVega explained that she understood Grier's votes came from his large social media following, which made it easy for fans to text in votes. Ribeiro commented on a social media clip of PenaVega's remarks, stating 'No chance. We want everyone who's popular to stay on. It's basic logic.' PenaVega later clarified that Ribeiro's comment 'picks up mid story' and that she was sharing a story about Grier's perspective. During her podcast discussion, PenaVega elaborated on the show's voting system, noting that while viewer votes matter, the producers also play a significant role in determining the winner. She explained that the show's producers 'know their demographic' and 'know the story they want to tell,' indicating that the outcome is influenced by both audience voting and production decisions. The Independent has sought comment from ABC regarding these claims. Ribeiro, who was crowned champion of season 19 of Dancing With the Stars, currently co-hosts the show alongside Julianne Hough for season 35, which features celebrities including Julia Stiles, Jackson Olson, Jenna Dewan, and Harry Shum, Jr. The competition recently concluded a Dedication Night episode where all couples were saved from elimination, leaving ten couples competing for the Mirrorball Trophy. The show continues to air on ABC and Disney+ with new episodes airing Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET.

via Home - CBSNews.com — President Trump went to extraordinary lengths for Tina Peters, a former election official convicted of helping to breach the very voting system she swore to protect.

via Home - CBSNews.com — The midterms are just two weeks away, and President Trump is using his power to intimidate the people who run our elections, putting the voting system under remarkable stress. 60 Minutes' Lesley Stahl reports tonight.

Politiek podcast · Notes on economics and more paulkrugman.substack.com

Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, has announced that Labour will campaign in the next general election on a commitment to reform the UK's voting system. In his first party conference speech as Prime Minister, Burnham outlined plans for a national commission to explore electoral reform options, inviting other parties to collaborate to ensure 'everyone's vote counts, and everyone's voice is heard'. He has previously advocated for a proportional representation (PR) model, stating at last year's conference that 'PR's time has come'. The current first-past-the-post system, which elects candidates with the most votes in each constituency, has faced increasing scrutiny as the UK political landscape has become more fragmented. This debate intensified after Labour secured a large parliamentary majority with only a 34% vote share in the 2024 election. Around 100 Labour MPs recently supported a parliamentary amendment to establish a commission examining alternative voting systems, a move Burnham endorsed when he was Mayor of Greater Manchester. Burnham emphasized that continuing with the current system would risk allowing a government to take power with less than 30% of the vote, which he described as a failure in public duty. He also highlighted the need to address political turbulence that has characterized recent years. While the Liberal Democrats support electoral reform, the Conservatives are expected to resist changes to the first-past-the-post system. Within Labour, there is some internal disagreement, with Deputy Leader Lucy Powell acknowledging that 'parts of the Labour Party' are not in favor of reform. Powell noted there are 'lots of models' available for consideration, including the single transferable vote (STV) system used in Scottish council elections and the additional member system employed in the Scottish Parliament. The Welsh Senedd recently adopted a closed-list proportional representation system for its elections. Burnham's announcement comes as Labour seeks to position itself as a party committed to democratic reform, though the path to implementing any changes remains uncertain due to potential opposition from other parties and internal party divisions.

The article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding Quebec's electoral system, specifically the first-past-the-post (FPTP) method, which has been under scrutiny for years. Political parties and voters in the province have long called for a more representative voting system that better reflects the population's diversity. Despite this, no significant changes have been implemented to replace the current FPTP system. The piece highlights that the discussion has intensified as election season approaches, with various political actors emphasizing the need for electoral reform. The article references related stories, including discussions about French-only voter information mailouts and concerns regarding potential federal interference in Quebec's elections. However, the main focus remains on the persistent calls for changing the voting system to make election results more proportional and reflective of voter preferences. The CBC article serves as a reminder of the longstanding issue in Quebec's political landscape, where the current system has been criticized for producing outcomes that do not accurately represent the electorate's will. The piece does not provide specific details on proposed alternatives but underscores the growing sentiment among some political groups and citizens that the status quo is no longer acceptable. As the province prepares for upcoming elections, the question of whether meaningful reform will occur remains unanswered, with the current system continuing to dominate Quebec's political process.

Ahead of Germany's state elections in September, rumors began circulating on social media claiming that postal voting is not secure — claims that have also been made about other elections. Here's why ...

As Germany heads into three elections in September, rumors are circulating on social media claiming that postal voting is not secure — claims that have also been made about other elections. Here's why...

Dear Andy Burnham: it’s time to scrap First Past the Post. Our voting system only breeds instability and chaos, and poisons our political culture. We know you agree. Now is the time to fix our demo...

I ask the Government to set up a National Commission on Electoral Reform, as advocated by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections. It should be an independent, time limited, expert led re...

TikTok video by 8life4uli