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Tucson Agenda

@tucsonagenda.bsky.social
385 followers 20 following 309 posts

Your daily guide to Tucson’s politics, policies and power players. tucsonagenda.com

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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Contractors for the Border Patrol kill the grandmother cottonwood in Lochiel, arrest protesters on Monday as they start work on a second border wall. 
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Border Patrol loses its cool
Who do you trust? … Space Force in Sierra Vista … And a salary bump for the city manager?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
You're gonna want today's edition when that ballot hits your mailbox.
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Introducing: The Elections Agenda
Sort out your ballot ... Water stations in the crosshairs ... And an "amazing" turnout.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
City assures Tucsonans: Everything is fine!
tucsonagenda.com
Tucson’s Colorado River Rubicon
Starting the “year” off with a bang.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
More deleted tweets, House Speaker Mike Johnson is coming to stump for Ciscomani, and dear God, more ads.   Here is the latest off the #AZ06 campaign trail.
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Mike Johnson protects his gavel
VIPs, deleted tweets and more ads ... Just what Marana needs ... And Tucson’s the new Minneapolis.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
TEP spent how much on Proposition 421? Check out what $1.5 million buys you in a local election.
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Paid for by TEP for Tucson
Politicians let TEP pick up the tab … Border walking is not a crime … And we paid for our own argument, thank you.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The good news for Tucsonans is you don’t have to worry about an individual billionaire controlling your daily newspaper anymore, at least for the time being.
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Out of the frying pan, and into the fire
It’s like Flock for newspapers … ION … And.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
How the heck are you supposed to know which Pima County judges to keep on the bench? It’s a weird, difficult task, that’s for sure. Good thing you can hear what lawyers, juries and witnesses have to say about them. 
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Have you heard of Judge Alan Goodwin?
Lots of judges on the ballot … The “courageous” Ciscomani … And do you love me now, Elon?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Kicking the water can Tucson’s too-large water use ordinance? How much water is too much?
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Kicking the water can
Tucson cracks down on large water users — sort of.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Pima County hit pause on new data centers for 120 days — but the only two projects on the table, Project Blue and Project Gravel, are exempt. So what is the moratorium actually stopping?
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A moratorium for no one
No more data centers (except those) … Substitute teachers are teachers too … And AI can’t give you a job.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Pima Community College can't keep patching things with band-aids and one-time funding forever. Now they're asking voters to approve a $250M bond. Here's what's inside Prop. 430.
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Pima College makes its case
What’s inside PCC’s $250M bond request … The public enters the chat … And keep an eye out for that billboard.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s voting record is 100% aligned with Trump. His campaign website? Not so much. We counted just four mentions — all buried in press releases from 2022.
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Don’t talk about Donald
Ciscomani’s campaign avoids POTUS … School’s out (not in a good way) … And proclaiming a proclamations policy.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We’ve got the receipts on Project Gravel, the other proposed data center in Pima County. (No, not in the one in Sahuarita.) We’re talking about it, since we never signed the NDA. 
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What is Project Gravel?
What public records tell us about the other data center proposal in Pima County
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Everything you wanted to know about water in the Southwest, but were too afraid to ask.
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Knowledge is (hydro) power
A water glossary for the new era
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tucson was poised to rename a city park for Chicano civil-rights leader Sal Baldenegro. Then 50-year-old newspaper reports alleging domestic violence resurfaced. Now the vote — and possibly the city’s broader park-renaming process — is on hold.
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Reckoning with the past
Council stops renaming parks (for now) … Kerfuffle in Sahuarita … And she might have a point.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
With Election Day near, some of the Tucsonans who filled the streets this year are trading protest signs for canvassing clipboards. Here's where all that #NoKings energy went. Full story in bio 🔗
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
U.S.–Mexico relations are fraying under Trump's mass deportations and retreat from international commitments. But in one arena, the two countries still find common ground: water.
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A border runs through it
With friends like these … Crosby gets creative … And gambling through the apocalypse.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We watched the debate. Then we Slacked each other about it in real time. Here's the unfiltered commentary from the cheap seats.
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Live-Slacking the debate
Our commentary from the cheap seats … The Chamber <3s Prop 421 … And Doom enters the chat.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
TEP wants Tucson voters to sign off on a 25-year deal — amid fights over rate hikes, data centers and power lines. Here's what Prop. 421 does — and doesn't do.
tucsonagenda.com
TEP tests its political power
The electric company makes its case (again) … Hobbs v. Mayes, data center edition … And the guy behind Evil Torta.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
We polished our newsroom-issued knives, then put them away. Here are the serious questions we’d like Juan Ciscomani and JoAnna Mendoza to answer Thursday night.
tucsonagenda.com
The questions we’d ask in CD6
Tomorrow's debate has our attention ... The LD18 debate was spicy ... And did Elon forget to add a zero?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Pima County’s CEO is about to hand the reins to her successor. She’s got a notebook full of advice — and a list of headaches — for whoever ends up getting the job.
tucsonagenda.com
Jan Lesher’s secret notebook
She’s writing it for her successor … It’s just paper cuts … And the name’s Hoffmann, David Hoffmann.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Another data center is in the works near Sahuarita — hidden for over a year behind a Pima County NDA. Now supervisors are looking at how to close the loophole.
tucsonagenda.com
Another secret data center
Can you un-sign an NDA? … Sending someone else’s kid to Salpointe … And wait, Trump is campaigning in Tucson?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Arizona has plenty of sun and proposed data centers — but not enough water. AG Kris Mayes wants a statewide pause on new data center projects until the governor and lawmakers set the rules.
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A golden goose and a gold rush
Data centers are bad (for you) ... Questions for voters, but not by voters ... And a bonkers cautionary tale.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Tucson-area lawmaker Stephanie Stahl Hamilton lost her primary in July, which came as a surprise to some. Now, she’s charting her post-Legislature path. 
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Stahl Hamilton speaks up
She lost her primary, but not her ambition … What’s a “good” industry? … And a match made in heaven (or hell).
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
A new plan for the Colorado River has arrived, and a new dawn in river management awaits — one of collaboration, conservation, innovation and mutual responsibility.
tucsonagenda.com
A new Colorado River paradigm?
The next era of an old conflict on the American Nile.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
You ever wonder where news stories about public meetings come from? No, there isn’t any magic tree reporters can shake. They have to make choices about how to cover those meetings, and today we’re going to walk you through some of them. 
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Choose your own (reporting) adventure
Lots of ways to skin a public meeting … Border Patrol SWATs a sovereign nation … And we’ve all been there.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We’ve got some good news for Agenda readers today. Our little team is expanding, which means you’re about to become the most interesting (or annoying) person at your next cocktail party. 
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Some good news for Arizona water
Say hello to our new water guy … A macabre job … And that quail doesn’t look old enough to drive.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
We went through every item on the agenda of today’s Pima County Supervisors meeting, warts and all.  It got a little weird, in a nerdy kind of way.
tucsonagenda.com
Crafting an artful agenda
The Supes meeting, done right … Kelly’s stock is rising … And Sinema’s is falling.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The post-primary honeymoon is over, and a wild general election is underway. But not for everyone — for some Southern Arizona candidates like Miranda Lopez, the general looks like a breeze (though she's still campaigning to the end).
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Miranda Lopez looks ahead
You won a primary! Now what? … Rocque vs. Alma, Round 2 … And neat signs, Dougster.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Big Brother is watching. Well, not yet. Tucson City Council told him to come back in 60 days. It put a controversial license plate reader agreement with a state task force on hold for 60 days.
tucsonagenda.com
Big Brother waits at city hall
Council wary of surveillance agreement … Lee rules out a third term … And a very Tucson political sign.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Tucson's new rules make it nearly impossible to build a data center next to Raytheon. Missiles? Different story. We dug into the 31-year-old deal that left the City Council wondering if it could even say no.
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Tucson’s three-decade-old Raytheon promise
The Council inherited a deal that they may not love, but don’t dare break.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Tucson's new plan for justice system frequent fliers swaps jail for treatment. Sounds great — but some people don't fit neatly into a system where treatment works or jail deters.
tucsonagenda.com
A plan for repeat offenders
Tucson wants treatment, but it won’t be simple. … Kash weighs in on Guthrie case … And Reddit weighs in on Empire Pizza.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Marana voters split the difference, Oro Valley embraced change and South Tucson stuck with its incumbents. Here’s what Tuesday’s results mean for local governments across Pima County.
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Calling the local races
Who won across Pima County … Even more local races … And see you soon, Rodney.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Southern Arizona voters backed the status quo Tuesday — except in Marana, where challengers against a data center and ICE facility surged. The day's biggest disruption? A swarm of bees.
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Tucson voters resist calls for change
Hernandez wins as Southern Arizona voters (mostly) favor incumbents
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Six months of campaign signs, misleading ads, Twitter feuds, vicious attack videos and one candidate text we can never unsee. Before Southern Arizona’s primaries end, we’re looking back at all of it.
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Our primary election highlight reel
The best and worst of primary season … Contributions to end the prosecutions … And endorsements at the buzzer.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Tomorrow’s the big day! After all the ballots are counted, we’ll be able to see what the next few months of Southern Arizona politics will look like. Warts and all.
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Showing up matters
No such thing as a small election ... More fun than the World Cup ... And free Fitz!
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Yes, congressional candidates can pay themselves from campaign funds — it's been legal for 20+ years. But that hasn't stopped Republicans from hammering Democrat JoAnna Mendoza for taking a $35,000 salary from hers.
tucsonagenda.com
Following the CD6 money
Mendoza's campaign paycheck ... Bus drivers still driving buses ... And Juan helps one lucky family.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The message from local election officials was refreshingly simple: Vote. If someone tries to make that difficult, they've got lawyers, police and a game plan.
tucsonagenda.com
Pima County's election message: Relax
Officials brace for election day … Keep an open mind … And a savory and savvy strategy.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Local politicos weighed in on the post-scandal appointment of a Pima County treasurer. One candidate is clearly the favorite, but we won’t know anything for sure until Tuesday.
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Whose endorsements matter?
The next treasurer is about to find out ... Did Tucson get a new mountain range? ... And long live one-liners.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
You’ve heard of data centers. But what about the people pushing them from afar? Say hello to the Titans of the AI Industry.
tucsonagenda.com
Looking beyond data centers
Meet the movers and shakers … Ciscomani’s burning that campaign cash … And that probably won’t help his chances.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
It's one of the nastiest races in Southern Arizona this year. Doxxing. Anti-Semitism. Vandalized signs. Political violence.
tucsonagenda.com
LD20 rivals, in their own words
Dispatches from inside a toxic race … Welcome to the party … And the power of tiny signs.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Nobody asked us who should be Pima County's next treasurer. We're answering a different question: What qualities should the Board of Supervisors demand after everything that's happened in the office?
tucsonagenda.com
Choosing the next treasurer
Don't rush this appointment, supervisors … man paralyzed after swatting incident … And introducing the 61st member of the Arizona House?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Marana's town council race isn't just about who gets four-year terms. It's become a referendum—of sorts—on whether the town should embrace sprawling data centers.
tucsonagenda.com
Marana's proxy referendum
The data center ballot ... Vouchers on your ballot ... And we apologize in advance for the simile.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
They say time flies when you’re having fun.  Well, the Agenda is hitting its three-year mark this weekend and all we can say is “here’s to three more!”
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Three years, and counting
Choose your own adventure … That’s one skeezy official … And he’s a one-man “kingmaker.”
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Think the election ends on July 21? Not even close. Here are the races, ballot measures and political storylines that will shape Southern Arizona through November and beyond.
tucsonagenda.com
Cue the attack ads
The primary is a warm-up … No special session = more ballot questions … And they said no in the nicest way possible.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
It turns out changing zoning laws doesn't transform a city overnight. But four years after Tucson embraced backyard casitas, more homeowners are taking the plunge. We checked in on the city's ADU experiment.
tucsonagenda.com
Casitas are catching on
Backyard living at it’s finest … Adios, 22nd Street bridge … And that's not Alma!
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Southern Arizona's nastiest Democratic primary goes beyond attack ads. Inside the Hernandez–Perez fight: the controversies on both sides, and where they actually disagree on data centers, housing and more.
tucsonagenda.com
Arizona’s dirtiest Democratic primary
Her calls her a genocide supporter … She calls him an antisemite … And they both blame each other for rising political violence.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
After Arizona cut $1.5M from adult education at Pima Community College, the county is now stepping in to save a similar program inside the jail. The vote was unanimous — but it reignited the debate over who should pay for workforce development.
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Jail education gets a lifeline
It’s the opposite of a school-to-prison pipeline … More news on Guthrie search … And what do you have to do to get your name stripped off a pickleball complex?
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
All the world's a stage,  And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts. Breaking down Pima County's $1.81 billion budget with some inspiration from Shakespeare.
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A budget by any name
Much ado about $1.81 billion … Toledo’s new legal fight … And the joke Andy Biggs won’t tell if he is in the room.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Tucson ditched red-light cameras years ago. With a statewide measure threatening to close the door on photo enforcement, the city is racing to keep its options open — backed by a decade of deadly traffic data. 
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Tucson is rethinking red-light cameras
A ballot question is still a year away ... The Beale of misfortune ... And monsoon fantasy forecasting.
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Tucson Agenda @tucsonagenda.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
After saying they could handle the search for Pima County's next administrator themselves, supervisors decided they actually need some help.  Tomorrow, we will get a sense on what it costs.
tucsonagenda.com
Back to the drawing board
A secretive process for an important job … Go register to vote TODAY … And this website may eventually self-destruct.
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