Monday, September 23rd, 2024 - Early voting begins; Voter suppression updates; TX maternal mortality rise; Robinson & Gaetz scandals

Today’s Headlines: Election Day is just 42 days away, but early voting has already started in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia. Most states offer early voting, except for Alabama, New Hampshire, and Mississippi (which has some exceptions). Meanwhile, Georgia's Board of Elections has sparked controversy with a rule requiring counties to hand-count millions of ballots—raising concerns about delays and errors. Other red states, like Texas and Oklahoma, continue voter suppression efforts, purging hundreds of thousands of voters and closing polling locations in minority areas. In Texas, the maternal mortality rate jumped 56% after its abortion bans, hitting Black and Hispanic women the hardest. And in North Carolina, Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson is facing backlash over racist and offensive comments, leading key campaign staff to resign. Finally, Congressman Matt Gaetz is once again under fire—this time, with fresh allegations involving a minor at a sex party, adding to his ongoing House Ethics investigation. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Rock The Vote: Nationwide Early Voting  WA Post: Pro-Trump Georgia election board votes to require hand counts of ballots The Guardian: Network of Georgia election officials strategizing to undermine 2024 result  NBC News: A dramatic rise in pregnant women dying in Texas after abortion ban WA Post: Porn site user linked to Mark Robinson also praised Hitler's Mein Kampf New Republic: New Docs Reveal Horrific Extent of Matt Gaetz’s Creepy Sex Scandal Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices