local election officials

As crime dominates Brazil's election campaign, residents of Rio de Janeiro are taking matters into their own hands, finding local ways to confront the gangs that control parts of the city. With security a top voter concern, the story highlights the gap between official policy and life in communities where armed groups operate, fuelling debate over the candidates' competing approaches to public safety.

France is holding its senatorial elections today, with 178 of the 348 Senate seats being renewed. Voting is indirect: the grand electors, drawn from local elected officials, are choosing the new senators. The Rassemblement National is in a strong position in several areas, while the left expects little from the vote, as the chamber has long favoured conservative majorities given its electoral college.

Local officials are taking action to address election misinformation in their communities. The effort focuses on countering false claims that could confuse voters ahead of elections, with authorities working to ensure residents have accurate information about voting procedures and results.

The Supreme Court has issued a ruling favouring the Trump administration's push for voter citizenship checks, a decision reported as having little practical effect for voters in Vermont. The state's existing registration procedures already align closely with what the ruling requires, so local election officials and voters are not expected to see significant changes in how they register or cast ballots.

A special election in Townsend has been postponed following a problem with the ballots. Officials pushed back the vote after the ballot issue came to light, though details on the nature of the problem and the new election date have not been fully outlined. The postponement affects voters who were set to cast ballots in the race.