usatoday--2020-11-05--With Biden winning the popular vote, here's how America could end the Electoral College

DENVER – As the presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden focuses increasingly on a few swing states that will determine the winner , millions of Americans are asking why their votes are essentially being taken for granted .
Now , a long-running effort to make the nation 's presidential election a `` one person , one vote '' system is gaining favor among partisan Democrats still angry that Trump won the 2016 presidency despite losing the popular vote by more than 2.8 million votes .
Anxious voters continued waiting Thursday for results , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump with a significant amount of both popular and Electoral College votes .
Colorado is the latest state to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact , which seeks to essentially abolish the Electoral College without going through the near-impossible task of amending the U.S. Constitution .
Coloradans on Nov. 3. approved the measure 52.1 % to 47.8 % , according to preliminary results .
The idea of abolishing the Electoral College has been around for decades , but the current proposal became more popular after Al Gore lost the 2000 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their electoral votes to whoever wins the overall popular vote for president , rather than dedicating their votes to the candidate who won their individual state .
Unlike most elections in the U.S. , the presidency is decided not directly by voters but by members of the Electoral College , who are assigned based on the results of the popular vote in each state .
Colorado now joins 14 states and Washington , D.C. , as members of the compact , which takes effect once states with a total 270 electoral votes sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the total to 196 .
Supporters say the measure would force candidates to campaign in states that today are often taken for granted because they vote so reliably Democrat or Republican that they can be safely ignored .
The proposal received new attention after the U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled that Electoral College electors in 32 states are legally obligated to cast their vote for the winner of their state 's vote , rather than selecting someone else .
While the plan 's longtime backers have pushed it in large part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have hopped aboard in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the 2000 and 2016 elections , where Republicans George W. Bush and Trump lost the popular vote but still claimed the presidency .
Many of the former 2020 Democratic presidential candidates generally supported either abolishing the Electoral College entirely or just using the compact to make it obsolete .
Biden , however , has said he opposes changing the current system .
`` The 2016 election was a good reminder of our democracy and what we need to do protect every single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ramos , former executive director of the LGBTQ advocacy group One Colorado .
`` The conversation ( supporting the initiative ) seemed even more prominent given that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and Donald Trump still became the president . ''
Electoral College votes are generally distributed based on population , but highly populated states like California and New York , which tend to favor Democrats , have proportionally fewer votes .
That 's because the Electoral College system was also designed to give rural states a larger vote than they might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time with large populations of enslaved African Americans .
Today , California , for instance , has 40 million residents and 55 electoral votes , while Wyoming has about 560,000 residents and three votes .
That means Wyoming 's electors represent about 186,300 voters apiece , while California 's are proxy for more than 727,000 each .
In other words , Wyoming 's Electoral College votes count almost four times more than California 's on a per-person basis .
Each state has as many Electoral College votes as it does members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely cause some states to lose votes while others gain as the nation 's population shifts .
Because most states have a `` winner take all '' policy for awarding those electoral votes , a candidate who just barely loses a large state 's popular vote gets zero electoral college votes .
That means candidates are increasingly focusing on swing states they might win while largely ignoring states that will either reliably support them or their opponent .
In the 2020 presidential election , much of the focus has been on close races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
In the waning days , both Trump and Biden campaigned frequently in Pennsylvania in particular , which is still counting votes as of Thursday afternoon .
Neither has campaigned heavily in either California , which is firmly Democratic , or Wyoming , which largely votes Republicans .
The League of Women Voters , the nonpartisan elections advocacy group , has long called for the Electoral College to be abolished or changed , and it has backed the popular-vote compact for 50 years .
The league argues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of who it benefits politically , because the concept of `` one person , one vote '' is so central to the American ideal .
Among the states that have adopted the compact : Vermont , California , New York and Illinois .
`` We think elections should be done with 'one vote for one person ' for every election , right down to student council , '' said Ruth Stemler , president of the Colorado League of Women Voters .
`` We 're sorry that it 's taken us 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our democracy to take care of this now . ''
Supporters of a popular vote point out that whileindependent presidential candidate Ross Perot won 19 % of the overall vote in 1992 , he did n't collect a single electoral vote because he did n't `` win '' a single state .
And while generally the winner of the popular vote becomes president , the Electoral College picked someone else five times , in 1824 , 1876 , 1888 , 2000 and 2016 .
Some Democrats and Republicans want the popular vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year ago by Magellan Strategies found that support for joining the compact split largely along party lines , strongest among younger Democrats and opposed most strongly by older Republicans .
Former California Republican legislator Ray Haynes Jr. said he has always counted himself a fan of the Electoral College but now also supports the popular-vote compact because it would force candidates to campaign in more places .
Haynes , who served in both the California Assembly and Senate starting in 1992 and was chairman of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and the District of Columbia improperly makes candidates focus on `` a battleground precinct in a battleground city in a battleground county in a battleground state , '' giving residents in those areas a disproportionate amount of influence .
`` The party spends so much time to persuade these moderate Republicans in their battleground states that they lose the conservative message , '' said Haynes , who has campaigned for the popular-vote compact .
`` A lot of the national policy gets driven by very narrow slices of voters in very narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to listen to everybody . ''
Hayes said the Republican Party can overcome the natural inclination of urban residents to vote Democrat by offering a consistent conservative message : `` You get in the trenches , I get in the trenches and we battle it out over ideas . ''
In the 2016 general election campaign , half of all campaign events were held in just Florida , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Ohio , highlighting their importance in the Electoral College calculations , according to compact backers .
But critics say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat-dominated coastal cities in New York and California , where in 2016 Clinton ran up huge overall margins but still lost the Electoral College and therefore the presidency to Trump .
Under the popular vote , a Democrat could campaign more efficiently by focusing on large cities that already tend to lean liberal , counting on their support to overwhelm less-populated but more conservative areas .
In Colorado , conservative commentator Krista Kafer , who opposes the popular vote , said she 's convinced the current system forces more coalition-building .
Many conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two wolves and a sheep voting on what to eat for dinner .
`` Politicians would spend the season courting Californians , New Yorkers , Illinoisans and Floridians , '' Kafer said .
`` Those of us in flyover country and our concerns would be ignored . ''
Supporters of the current system say the Electoral College has served the nation well for generations by ensuring rural areas are heard .
`` The Constitution , in a lot of ways , is designed to make sure we do n't have big cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , director of Oklahoma-based Save Our States , which opposes the popular-vote compact .

With Biden winning the popular vote, here's how America could end the Electoral College
Show Caption Hide Caption Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
DENVER – As the presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden focuses increasingly on a few swing states that will determine the winner, millions of Americans are asking why their votes are essentially being taken for granted.
Now, a long-running effort to make the nation's presidential election a "one person, one vote" system is gaining favor among partisan Democrats still angry that Trump won the 2016 presidency despite losing the popular vote by more than 2.8 million votes. Anxious voters continued waiting Thursday for results, which at the time showed Biden ahead of Trump with a significant amount of both popular and Electoral College votes.
Colorado is the latest state to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which seeks to essentially abolish the Electoral College without going through the near-impossible task of amending the U.S. Constitution. Coloradans on Nov. 3. approved the measure 52.1% to 47.8%, according to preliminary results.
The idea of abolishing the Electoral College has been around for decades, but the current proposal became more popular after Al Gore lost the 2000 election. It hinges on states agreeing to dedicate their electoral votes to whoever wins the overall popular vote for president, rather than dedicating their votes to the candidate who won their individual state.
Unlike most elections in the U.S., the presidency is decided not directly by voters but by members of the Electoral College, who are assigned based on the results of the popular vote in each state.
Colorado now joins 14 states and Washington, D.C., as members of the compact, which takes effect once states with a total 270 electoral votes sign on. Colorado's nine electoral votes take the total to 196.
Supporters say the measure would force candidates to campaign in states that today are often taken for granted because they vote so reliably Democrat or Republican that they can be safely ignored.
The proposal received new attention after the U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled that Electoral College electors in 32 states are legally obligated to cast their vote for the winner of their state's vote, rather than selecting someone else.
Clinton's 2016 loss emboldened Electoral College critics
While the plan's longtime backers have pushed it in large part on a philosophical basis, some frustrated Democrats have hopped aboard in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the 2000 and 2016 elections, where Republicans George W. Bush and Trump lost the popular vote but still claimed the presidency.
Many of the former 2020 Democratic presidential candidates generally supported either abolishing the Electoral College entirely or just using the compact to make it obsolete. Biden, however, has said he opposes changing the current system.
"The 2016 election was a good reminder of our democracy and what we need to do protect every single piece of it," said Daniel Ramos, former executive director of the LGBTQ advocacy group One Colorado. "The conversation (supporting the initiative) seemed even more prominent given that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and Donald Trump still became the president."
Electoral College votes are generally distributed based on population, but highly populated states like California and New York, which tend to favor Democrats, have proportionally fewer votes. That's because the Electoral College system was also designed to give rural states a larger vote than they might otherwise be entitled to, especially those at the time with large populations of enslaved African Americans.
Today, California, for instance, has 40 million residents and 55 electoral votes, while Wyoming has about 560,000 residents and three votes. That means Wyoming's electors represent about 186,300 voters apiece, while California's are proxy for more than 727,000 each. In other words, Wyoming's Electoral College votes count almost four times more than California's on a per-person basis.
Each state has as many Electoral College votes as it does members of Congress. The 2020 Census will likely cause some states to lose votes while others gain as the nation's population shifts.
Race to White House hangs on swing states
Because most states have a "winner take all" policy for awarding those electoral votes, a candidate who just barely loses a large state's popular vote gets zero electoral college votes. That means candidates are increasingly focusing on swing states they might win while largely ignoring states that will either reliably support them or their opponent.
In the 2020 presidential election, much of the focus has been on close races in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In the waning days, both Trump and Biden campaigned frequently in Pennsylvania in particular, which is still counting votes as of Thursday afternoon. Neither has campaigned heavily in either California, which is firmly Democratic, or Wyoming, which largely votes Republicans.
The League of Women Voters, the nonpartisan elections advocacy group, has long called for the Electoral College to be abolished or changed, and it has backed the popular-vote compact for 50 years. The league argues every vote should be weighted the same, regardless of who it benefits politically, because the concept of "one person, one vote" is so central to the American ideal.
Among the states that have adopted the compact: Vermont, California, New York and Illinois.
"We think elections should be done with 'one vote for one person' for every election, right down to student council," said Ruth Stemler, president of the Colorado League of Women Voters. "We're sorry that it's taken us 50 years, but it's time for our democracy to take care of this now."
Supporters of a popular vote point out that while independent presidential candidate Ross Perot won 19% of the overall vote in 1992, he didn't collect a single electoral vote because he didn't "win" a single state. And while generally the winner of the popular vote becomes president, the Electoral College picked someone else five times, in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000 and 2016.
Some Democrats and Republicans want the popular vote to pick the president
A poll in Colorado a year ago by Magellan Strategies found that support for joining the compact split largely along party lines, strongest among younger Democrats and opposed most strongly by older Republicans.
Former California Republican legislator Ray Haynes Jr. said he has always counted himself a fan of the Electoral College but now also supports the popular-vote compact because it would force candidates to campaign in more places.
Haynes, who served in both the California Assembly and Senate starting in 1992 and was chairman of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, argues the winner-takes-all approach used by 48 states and the District of Columbia improperly makes candidates focus on "a battleground precinct in a battleground city in a battleground county in a battleground state," giving residents in those areas a disproportionate amount of influence.
"The party spends so much time to persuade these moderate Republicans in their battleground states that they lose the conservative message," said Haynes, who has campaigned for the popular-vote compact. "A lot of the national policy gets driven by very narrow slices of voters in very narrow slices of certain states. You ought to listen to everybody."
Hayes said the Republican Party can overcome the natural inclination of urban residents to vote Democrat by offering a consistent conservative message: "You get in the trenches, I get in the trenches and we battle it out over ideas."
In the 2016 general election campaign, half of all campaign events were held in just Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio, highlighting their importance in the Electoral College calculations, according to compact backers.
But critics say the measure would actually give more power to Democrat-dominated coastal cities in New York and California, where in 2016 Clinton ran up huge overall margins but still lost the Electoral College and therefore the presidency to Trump. Under the popular vote, a Democrat could campaign more efficiently by focusing on large cities that already tend to lean liberal, counting on their support to overwhelm less-populated but more conservative areas.
In Colorado, conservative commentator Krista Kafer, who opposes the popular vote, said she's convinced the current system forces more coalition-building. Many conservatives joke that direct democracies are the equivalent of two wolves and a sheep voting on what to eat for dinner.
"Politicians would spend the season courting Californians, New Yorkers, Illinoisans and Floridians," Kafer said. "Those of us in flyover country and our concerns would be ignored."
Supporters of the current system say the Electoral College has served the nation well for generations by ensuring rural areas are heard.
"The Constitution, in a lot of ways, is designed to make sure we don't have big cities just running everything," said Trent England, director of Oklahoma-based Save Our States, which opposes the popular-vote compact.


usatoday--2020-11-05--Sephora's huge Holiday Savings Event is here with sitewide discounts for all Insiders

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Although Sephora is a hotspot for everything hair- , skin- and makeup-related , the retailer is rarely one to have sitewide discounts .
That 's why beauty fanatics will be stoked to know that the Sephora sale to top all Sephora sales—the Holiday Savings Event , which sees discounts on all the makeup , skincare and hair tools you can handle—has officially begun .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at any time .
Similar to the retailer ’ s annual VIB sale , you have to be a Sephora Beauty Insider to shop these price drops ( if you ’ re not already a member , sign up for free here to become one ) .
Through Monday , November 9 , regular Beauty Insiders will snag 10 % off .
Sephora VIB members , who have spent at least $ 350 at the store since signing up , will get 15 % off , and Rouge members , who have spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , will get 20 % off .
Regardless of your status , you ’ ll need to use promo code HOLIDAYFUN to get your markdown .
The best deals from Sephora ’ s Holiday Savings Event There are a ton of products eligible for this holiday discount , so finding the best ones can be a mission in and of itself—especially if you ’ re hunting down stocking stuffers .
While there are certain exclusions , including products from The Ordinary and NUDESTIX anti-bacterial hand sanitizer gels , there 's still plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you , we 've already rounded up the most exciting things to pick up for less .
Note that you ca n't use these markdowns on sale items , in-person services , gift cards , gift wrapping or previous purchases .
The Dyson Airwrap Styler is , in short , an incredible hair tool— hence why we dubbed it our best splurge pick for curling irons .
While it normally has a lofty price tag of $ 549 , you can nab this baby for as low as $ 439.20 today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you nearly $ 110 in savings !
In testing , we were thrilled with its hybrid functionality of curling iron-meets-hair dryer .
We were also wowed by its whopping 12 included attachments , which include a round volumizing brush and two 1.6-inch Airwrap barrels .
You can even use it on damp hair , which is particularly helpful for mornings where you 're running late or simply do n't want to use two separate products .
Another one of our favorite Dyson hair tools ?
The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer , which earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its bladeless design and ability to rapidly dry hair without frizz .
This high-tech hair dryer was also notably lighter and quieter than the other options we tested—and Rouge members can grab it for $ 319.20 , which is nearly $ 80 off its retail price of $ 399 .
• Get the Dyson Airwrap Styler from $ 439.20 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 54.90 to $ 109.80 ) • Get the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for $ 319.20 from with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 39.90 to $ 79.80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fenty Beauty , entered the market , beauty fanatics lost their minds , and the Pro Filt ’ r soft matte longwear foundation is one of the brand ’ s most popular products—especially because of its large shade range .
There 's an impressive 50 hues to choose from .
Complete with more than 15,000 reviews and a 4.1-star rating , Sephora shoppers were impressed by the unique , climate-adaptive technology , which aims to stay put all day despite its lightweight formula .
The buildable foundation typically retails for $ 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for $ 28 .
Get the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt ' r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation from $ 28 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 3.50 to $ 7 ) There are two types of makeup wearers in this world : Those who use a Beautyblender , and those who don ’ t .
I 'm a huge fan of the bouncy sponge , and based on the 4.5-star rating from nearly 8,500 Sephora shoppers , I ’ m not the only one .
We reviewed this tool to find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the results largely matched up to the company ’ s claims that it would be reusable for up to three months when properly cleaned .
What 's more , if you use the “ wet , squeeze , bounce ” method that 's recommended by the brand , our tester found that you ’ ll use far less foundation than normal .
Although the cleaning process can be a bit time-consuming , our resident beauty expert , Jess Kasparian , also loves the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 , noting that any built-up product rinses right out with use .
Overall , we found the Beautyblender to be 100 % worth the spend at its normal price , and right now , you can nab it for $ 16 to $ 18 instead of its usual $ 20 .
Get the Original Beautyblender Makeup Sponge from $ 16 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 2 to $ 4 ) Sephora is not only home to cosmetics and skincare , but hair tools , too .
In fact , Sephora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curling iron , the ghd Curve creative curling wand , as part of this holiday savings event for $ 159.20 to $ 179.10 , which is a nice chunk of change off its usual $ 199 .
In testing , we found hardly any flaws with this wand .
Jess found it to be incredibly versatile , as it provided her with the ability to give herself super-tight ringlets , soft beach waves and classic-yet-voluminous coils , depending on how she used it .
We liked its uniquely shaped barrel , which tapers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it helpful for styling imperfect , fun curls .
Additionally , this tool heats up in just six seconds , with its highest temperature hovering around 365-degrees Fahrenheit .
Get the ghd Curve Creative Curling Wand for $ 159.20 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 19.90 to $ 39.80 ) Winter will be here before you know it , and with it will come dry , cracked and dehydrated skin .
This year , however , the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum cream for your bottom might be able to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nourished form .
This body care must-have has a collective 4.3-star rating from more than 6,000 Sephora shoppers , who were seriously impressed by the thick formula of this lotion .
This fast-absorbing cream is ideal for all skin types and contains ingredients that the company claims will smooth and tighten the skin .
Additionally , the scent of this product is reportedly divine , containing notes of salted caramel and vanilla , with one buyer even writing that the purchase is worth it just for the fragrance alone !
Sol de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retails for $ 45 , but Sephora shoppers can get it for $ 36 to $ 40.50 with the coupon code at checkout .
Get the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream from $ 36 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 4.50 to $ 9 ) Regardless of what your daily beauty routine looks like , makeup gurus know that liquid eyeliner can be tough to nail without the right product .
Some have too-dry formulas , while others have fussy brush tips that refuse to provide a sharp cat-eye .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best , we ultimately landed on Stila 's Stay All Day liquid eyeliner as our top pick .
Available in 11 different colors that range from midnight blue to classic black , this waterproof formula was a big winner for us .
Our tester even said that she would trust it in sweaty , humid climates , on sick days or during allergy-prone weather .
She found that it never budged once it was applied , plus , the felt-tip pen made it easy to use ( or , as easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The product normally sells for $ 22 , and right now , Rouge members can snag it for as low as $ 17.60 .
Get the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner from $ 17.60 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN ( Save $ 2.20 to $ 4.40 ) Fresh is a fan-favorite brand best known for its incredible skincare products that smell absolutely amazing .
Jess is a huge fan of the company 's Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask , once $ 92 in the 3.3-ounce size and on sale from $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling totally refreshed .
The company says that it works for all skin types , and the hydrating , whipped formula aims to instantly soften and improve complexion .
Jess is n't the only fan : It has a collective 4.3-star rating from nearly 900 Sephora shoppers , with one buyer writing that , while this mask is on the more expensive side , it makes their skin “ feel taught , smooth and soft.
” Jess also recommends the brand 's Fresh Rose Face Mask ( from $ 49.60 with the code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with concerns of dryness and uneven texture .
She says that it feels cool on her skin and gives an instant hydration boost thanks to ingredients such as pure rosewater , which soothes and tones , and aloe vera gel , a natural source of moisture .
It ’ s even made from real rose petals to provide a gorgeous , calming scent perfect for evenings of self-care .
Get the Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask from $ 73.60 ( Save $ 9.20 to $ 18.40 ) Get the Fresh Rose Face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.20 to $ 12.40 ) When Selena Gomez set out to debut her makeup line , Rare Beauty , she wanted to create “ breathable and airy ” products that provide a fresh finish .
Jess tested out the 14-item line exclusive to Sephora upon its release and found the brand ’ s Soft Pinch liquid blush to be one of her favorites .
She tried out hues Joy ( a dewy finish , currently sold out ) and Bliss ( a matte finish ) , and was thrilled with the way they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one offered a healthy flush of color to the cheeks , and she only needed one or two dots of the pigmented formula to achieve an intense pop of color .
There are eight shades available , each of which normally retail for $ 20 , but drop between $ 16 to $ 18 with the code .
Jess also loved the company 's With Gratitude Dewy lip balm , once $ 16 and now $ $ 13.80 to $ 14.40 with the code , which offers a creamy salve with more amplified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lip cream , usually $ 20 but $ 16 for Rouge members , a hydrating liquid lipstick that never crusted or flaked off , as matte formulas often do .
Get the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush from $ 16 ( Save $ 2 to $ 4 ) Get the Rare Beauty With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm from $ 12.80 ( Save $ 1.60 to $ 2.20 ) Get the Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream from $ 16 ( Save $ 2 to $ 4 ) The product experts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

Sephora's huge Holiday Savings Event is here with sitewide discounts for all Insiders
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Although Sephora is a hotspot for everything hair-, skin- and makeup-related, the retailer is rarely one to have sitewide discounts. That's why beauty fanatics will be stoked to know that the Sephora sale to top all Sephora sales—the Holiday Savings Event, which sees discounts on all the makeup, skincare and hair tools you can handle—has officially begun.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Similar to the retailer’s annual VIB sale, you have to be a Sephora Beauty Insider to shop these price drops (if you’re not already a member, sign up for free here to become one).
Through Monday, November 9, regular Beauty Insiders will snag 10% off. Sephora VIB members, who have spent at least $350 at the store since signing up, will get 15% off, and Rouge members, who have spent $1,000 at the store since signing up, will get 20% off. Regardless of your status, you’ll need to use promo code HOLIDAYFUN to get your markdown.
The best deals from Sephora’s Holiday Savings Event
There are a ton of products eligible for this holiday discount, so finding the best ones can be a mission in and of itself—especially if you’re hunting down stocking stuffers. While there are certain exclusions, including products from The Ordinary and NUDESTIX anti-bacterial hand sanitizer gels, there's still plenty to be excited about, and lucky for you, we've already rounded up the most exciting things to pick up for less. Note that you can't use these markdowns on sale items, in-person services, gift cards, gift wrapping or previous purchases.
1. These super popular Dyson hot tools
The Dyson Airwrap Styler is, in short, an incredible hair tool— hence why we dubbed it our best splurge pick for curling irons. While it normally has a lofty price tag of $549, you can nab this baby for as low as $439.20 today, depending on your Insider status, giving you nearly $110 in savings! In testing, we were thrilled with its hybrid functionality of curling iron-meets-hair dryer. We were also wowed by its whopping 12 included attachments, which include a round volumizing brush and two 1.6-inch Airwrap barrels. You can even use it on damp hair, which is particularly helpful for mornings where you're running late or simply don't want to use two separate products.
Another one of our favorite Dyson hair tools? The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which earned high marks from us in testing for its bladeless design and ability to rapidly dry hair without frizz. This high-tech hair dryer was also notably lighter and quieter than the other options we tested—and Rouge members can grab it for $319.20, which is nearly $80 off its retail price of $399.
2. This cult-favorite foundation from Fenty Beauty
When Rihanna’s makeup line, Fenty Beauty, entered the market, beauty fanatics lost their minds, and the Pro Filt’r soft matte longwear foundation is one of the brand’s most popular products—especially because of its large shade range. There's an impressive 50 hues to choose from. Complete with more than 15,000 reviews and a 4.1-star rating, Sephora shoppers were impressed by the unique, climate-adaptive technology, which aims to stay put all day despite its lightweight formula. The buildable foundation typically retails for $35, but Rouge members can currently snag it for $28.
Get the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation from $28 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN (Save $3.50 to $7)
3. Everyone’s favorite makeup sponge
There are two types of makeup wearers in this world: Those who use a Beautyblender, and those who don’t. I'm a huge fan of the bouncy sponge, and based on the 4.5-star rating from nearly 8,500 Sephora shoppers, I’m not the only one. We reviewed this tool to find out if the soft sponge applicator was worth the money and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the results largely matched up to the company’s claims that it would be reusable for up to three months when properly cleaned. What's more, if you use the “wet, squeeze, bounce” method that's recommended by the brand, our tester found that you’ll use far less foundation than normal.
Although the cleaning process can be a bit time-consuming, our resident beauty expert, Jess Kasparian, also loves the company’s liquid Blendercleanser, $18, noting that any built-up product rinses right out with use. Overall, we found the Beautyblender to be 100% worth the spend at its normal price, and right now, you can nab it for $16 to $18 instead of its usual $20.
Get the Original Beautyblender Makeup Sponge from $16 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN (Save $2 to $4)
4. Our No.1 pick for curling irons
Sephora is not only home to cosmetics and skincare, but hair tools, too. In fact, Sephora Rouge shoppers can grab our all-time favorite curling iron, the ghd Curve creative curling wand, as part of this holiday savings event for $159.20 to $179.10, which is a nice chunk of change off its usual $199. In testing, we found hardly any flaws with this wand. Jess found it to be incredibly versatile, as it provided her with the ability to give herself super-tight ringlets, soft beach waves and classic-yet-voluminous coils, depending on how she used it. We liked its uniquely shaped barrel, which tapers from 1-inch to 0.9-inches, and found it helpful for styling imperfect, fun curls. Additionally, this tool heats up in just six seconds, with its highest temperature hovering around 365-degrees Fahrenheit.
Get the ghd Curve Creative Curling Wand for $159.20 with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN (Save $19.90 to $39.80)
5. This incredible body cream with rave reviews
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Fresh is a fan-favorite brand best known for its incredible skincare products that smell absolutely amazing. Jess is a huge fan of the company's Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, once $92 in the 3.3-ounce size and on sale from $73.60, because it leaves her skin feeling totally refreshed. The company says that it works for all skin types, and the hydrating, whipped formula aims to instantly soften and improve complexion. Jess isn't the only fan: It has a collective 4.3-star rating from nearly 900 Sephora shoppers, with one buyer writing that, while this mask is on the more expensive side, it makes their skin “feel taught, smooth and soft.”
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-11-05--Meet the new mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky: Wilbur the French bulldog

CINCINNATI – There 's a new mayor in the most dog-loving town in Kentucky .
On Tuesday night , the mayoral election in Rabbit Hash , Kentucky was called for Wilbur Beast , a French bulldog , in a landslide victory .
While it is n't technically a real election , the winner of the popular fundraising event will be crowned mayor of the beloved river hamlet in Boone County .
Wilbur received 13,143 votes , the highest winning total ever .
Overall , there were 22,985 votes , the highest total ever for a Rabbit Hash election , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Thank you for the vote of confidence from local supporters and people from all over the world !
It ’ s an exciting adventure and a deeply meaningful cause to preserve the river Hamlet town of Rabbit Hash , Kentucky , '' Wilbur 's campaign said in a statement to The Cincinnati Enquirer , part of the USA TODAY Network .
Wilbur beat out incumbent Mayor Brynn , a pit bull who has spent the last four years in office .
Two of the runners-up — Jack Rabbit , a beagle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will become official Rabbit Hash Ambassadors , joining Ambassador Lady Stone , a border collie who earned her title after the 2016 election .
`` The Rabbit Hash Historical Society can not thank all the candidates enough for their hard work and dedication , '' officials said .
Over the past 22 years , the election has been the biggest fundraiser for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society , the nonprofit that ensures the preservation and upkeep of the historic town .
Organizers claim to run the `` only honest election in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash in the mayoral election that traditionally goes to the dogs .
`` The town welcomes visitors and will continue to provide fun events for all ages to come experience the nostalgia and charm we have to offer , '' Wilbur 's campaign said .

Meet the new mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky: Wilbur the French bulldog
CINCINNATI – There's a new mayor in the most dog-loving town in Kentucky.
On Tuesday night, the mayoral election in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky was called for Wilbur Beast, a French bulldog, in a landslide victory.
While it isn't technically a real election, the winner of the popular fundraising event will be crowned mayor of the beloved river hamlet in Boone County.
Wilbur received 13,143 votes, the highest winning total ever. Overall, there were 22,985 votes, the highest total ever for a Rabbit Hash election, according to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence from local supporters and people from all over the world! It’s an exciting adventure and a deeply meaningful cause to preserve the river Hamlet town of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky," Wilbur's campaign said in a statement to The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Wilbur beat out incumbent Mayor Brynn, a pit bull who has spent the last four years in office.
Two of the runners-up — Jack Rabbit, a beagle, and Poppy, a golden retriever — will become official Rabbit Hash Ambassadors, joining Ambassador Lady Stone, a border collie who earned her title after the 2016 election.
"The Rabbit Hash Historical Society cannot thank all the candidates enough for their hard work and dedication," officials said.
Over the past 22 years, the election has been the biggest fundraiser for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, the nonprofit that ensures the preservation and upkeep of the historic town.
Organizers claim to run the "only honest election in the country." The town trades votes for cash in the mayoral election that traditionally goes to the dogs.
"The town welcomes visitors and will continue to provide fun events for all ages to come experience the nostalgia and charm we have to offer," Wilbur's campaign said.


usatoday--2020-11-05--Pennsylvania still counting ballots: 'the closer the race is, the longer it takes'

Pennsylvania still counting ballots : 'the closer the race is , the longer it takes' Pennsylvania voting officials insist their @ @ @ @ @ time to thoroughly count ballots as the race narrows .

Pa. on counting ballots: 'the closer the race is, the longer it takes'
Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar insists her 67 counties are taking their time to thoroughly count ballots as the race narrows.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-06--Too few late-arriving Pennsylvania ballots to affect final outcome of Trump-Biden race, secretary of

YORK , Pa. – Mail ballots that arrive in election offices up to three days after the election are not expected to change the results , Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said Thursday .
Some smaller counties reported receiving zero ballots , and some larger ones received about 500 the day after Election Day .
That 's not many , Boockvar said .
Under the three-day extension , which was challenged in court , mail ballots postmarked Nov. 3 can arrive in election offices until 5 p.m. EST Friday .
President Donald Trump 's campaign asked the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segregated .
`` Unless it 's super close , I do n't see them making or breaking this one way or another , '' Boockvar said during an interview on CNN .
She said about 550,000 ballots were being counted .
Election challenges live updates : Georgia , Michigan judges toss Trump suits over ballots as lawsuits are filed in Nevada and Pennsylvania Trump 's campaign is pursuing a few legal battles in Pennsylvania .
It moved to intervene in last week 's U.S. Supreme Court decision letting stand a Pennsylvania Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadline to receive mail ballots .
The extension was not part of voting regulations enacted by Pennsylvania lawmakers last year .
Absentee and mail ballots received after the polls closed Tuesday were to be segregated from those received earlier to allow for court challenges .
In another Pennsylvania case , a Republican congressional candidate withdrew a claim filed on Election Day alleging officials with the Montgomery County Board of Elections , near Philadelphia , improperly opened and inspected mail ballots received before Tuesday .
The case had been filed on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran and author .
It claimed those officials gave some voters whose ballots had errors that would have invalidated their votes an opportunity to `` cure '' them and file provisional ballots on Election Day .
The suit sought a temporary restraining order against the county that could have spoiled about 93 ballots .
Thursday , court documents filed on behalf of Barnette said a restraining order at this point `` will be ineffective in addressing the matters covered . ''
The polls were wrong – sorta : But is it too soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

Too few late-arriving Pennsylvania ballots to affect final outcome of Trump-Biden race, secretary of state says
Show Caption Hide Caption Pa. on counting ballots: 'the closer the race is, the longer it takes' Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar insists her 67 counties are taking their time to thoroughly count ballots as the race narrows. USA TODAY
YORK, Pa. – Mail ballots that arrive in election offices up to three days after the election are not expected to change the results, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said Thursday.
Some smaller counties reported receiving zero ballots, and some larger ones received about 500 the day after Election Day. That's not many, Boockvar said.
Under the three-day extension, which was challenged in court, mail ballots postmarked Nov. 3 can arrive in election offices until 5 p.m. EST Friday. President Donald Trump's campaign asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. Those ballots are segregated.
"Unless it's super close, I don't see them making or breaking this one way or another," Boockvar said during an interview on CNN.
She said about 550,000 ballots were being counted.
Election challenges live updates: Georgia, Michigan judges toss Trump suits over ballots as lawsuits are filed in Nevada and Pennsylvania
Trump camp tries Supreme Court on balloting deadline
Trump's campaign is pursuing a few legal battles in Pennsylvania. It moved to intervene in last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision letting stand a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that upheld a three-day extension of the deadline to receive mail ballots. The extension was not part of voting regulations enacted by Pennsylvania lawmakers last year.
Absentee and mail ballots received after the polls closed Tuesday were to be segregated from those received earlier to allow for court challenges.
In another Pennsylvania case, a Republican congressional candidate withdrew a claim filed on Election Day alleging officials with the Montgomery County Board of Elections, near Philadelphia, improperly opened and inspected mail ballots received before Tuesday.
The case had been filed on behalf of candidate Kathy Barnette, a U.S. military veteran and author. It claimed those officials gave some voters whose ballots had errors that would have invalidated their votes an opportunity to "cure" them and file provisional ballots on Election Day.
The suit sought a temporary restraining order against the county that could have spoiled about 93 ballots. Thursday, court documents filed on behalf of Barnette said a restraining order at this point "will be ineffective in addressing the matters covered."
Contributing: Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY; Chris Ullery, Bucks County Courier Times
Follow reporter Teresa Boeckel on Twitter: @teresaboeckel
The polls were wrong – sorta: But is it too soon to 'blow up' the polling industry?


usatoday--2020-11-05--If both of Georgia's Senate seats head to runoffs, they could decide the balance of power

If both of Georgia 's Senate seats head to runoffs , they could decide the balance of power These races @ @ @ @ @ in the makeup of the new Senate , though it appears Republicans are likely to @ @ @ @ @

Georgia runoffs will decide who controls U.S. Senate
Millions in campaign contributions are rolling into Georgia as its Senate races have national implications.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--Joe Biden stresses every vote must count and asks for 'a little patience'

Joe Biden stresses every vote must count and asks for ' a little patience' Joe Biden projected confidence and said @ @ @ @ @ as he spoke from Wilmington , Delaware .

Biden stresses every vote must count, 'asks everyone to stay calm'
Joe Biden projected confidence and said every vote must be counted as he spoke from Wilmington, Delaware.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--Georgia voting official says accuracy is their biggest priority as 'it's a close vote'

Georgia voting official says accuracy is their biggest priority as 'it 's a close vote' The Georgia Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ update on the status of ballots being counted in the state .

Election 2020: Georgia's results take time in 'close' vote
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office delivered an update on the status of ballots being counted in the state.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--An election season of many 'firsts': Here are newly elected officials making history nationwide

Although voters nationwide are still waiting for concrete results from some of Tuesday 's biggest races , multiple victories that have already been confirmed are making history .
This election season marked many `` firsts '' for representation in decision-making bodies on a state and national level .
In Delaware , the nation 's first openly transgender state senator was elected .
New Mexico became the first state to give all of its U.S. House of Representatives seats to women of color .
And Missouri elected the state 's first Black congresswoman .
Here 's a look at some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their communities and across the country .
Sarah McBride , national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign , made history Tuesday night when she was elected to Delaware 's state senate – becoming the first openly transgender state senator in the country .
McBride is also the first openly-transgender individual to ever be elected to office in Delaware .
And as a state senator , she will be the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official nationwide .
`` We did it .
We won the general election , '' McBride wrote on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her supporters .
`` I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them , too . ''
NM becomes first state to elect all women of color to the House New Mexico has become the first state in history to elect all women of color to the U.S. House of Representatives .
Early Wednesday , the state confirmed victories for incumbent Rep. Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , Yvette Herrell ( Republican ) and Teresa Leger Fernandez ( Democrat ) in New Mexico 's three congressional districts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pueblo of Laguna and made history in 2018 when she became one of the first Native American congresswomen .
Herrell is a member of the Cherokee nation and former N.M. state representative .
Leger-Fernandez is the first woman and Latina to ever represent northern New Mexico in U.S. Congress .
`` The people of New Mexico have chosen to protect what we love – our democracy , our planet , our families and communities , our health care and our future , '' Leger Fernandez wrote on Twitter .
`` With this victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courageous action that this historic moment demands .
Muchísimas gracias ! ''
In Oklahoma , Mauree Turner made history as the first Muslim to be elected for the Oklahoma Legislature and the first nonbinary legislator in America .
Turner is nonbinary , meaning their gender identity is not strictly male or female .
They are also Black and queer .
Prior to their campaign , Turner worked as the regional field director for the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Campaign for Smart Justice .
`` For me , this means a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have lived my whole life in the margins . ''
First openly-gay , Afro-Latino and Black men to serve in U.S. Congress Ritchie Torres is one of the first openly-gay Black men to serve in Congress and the first openly-gay Afro-Latino person to serve in Congress .
Torres was the first LGBTQ person to represent the Bronx in the New York City Council , where he was also the city ’ s youngest elected official .
`` Tonight , we made history , '' he wrote in a tweet Tuesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifetime to represent the essential borough , the Bronx . ''
Also in New York , attorney Mondaire Jones joins Torres as one of the first Black openly-gay men to serve in the House of Representatives .
`` I 'm running to be a transformational figure in American politics , '' he told The Rockland/Westchester Journal News , part of the USA TODAY Network , in an interview in June .
Protest leader and activist Cori Bush won the election to Missouri ’ s 1st Congressional District , making her the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastor and single parent who spent several months living out of a car , Bush rose to prominence as a protest leader after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown , a Black 18-year-old , in Ferguson , Missouri , in 2014 .
She continued to speak out against police brutality and racial discrimination as nationwide protests erupted in the wake of George Floyd 's death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer .
`` Thank you for electing me as your first Black congresswoman here in the state of Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bittersweet because , you know , it 's 2020 : Why am I the first in the whole state ? ''
First transgender person to serve in Vermont state legislature In Vermont , Taylor Small will be the first transgender person to serve in the state legislature .
She won nearly 30 % of total votes , enough to nab one of two Chittenden 6-7 district seats in the state House of Representatives .
Small works as a director at the nonprofit Pride Center of Vermont , which helps LGBTQ people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her drag queen persona , Nikki Champagne , when she lead children ’ s reading sessions .
`` I 'm not doing it for myself , '' Small told the Burlington Free Press , part of the USA TODAY Network .
`` It 's about being community-centered . ''
First trans , Native American to hold office in the country Stephanie Byers will become the first ever trans Native American woman to serve in the country if early results in the election for the Kansas Legislature are confirmed .
Byers , a retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howerton – leading by nearly 500 votes in unofficial results , according to the Wichita Eagle .
Byers ' victory wo n't be official until mail-in votes and provisional ballots are counted .
She told the newspaper , `` If Kansas , the big red Republican state , can elect a trans person to a state legislator , the doors open up in a lot of other places for people . ''

An election season of many 'firsts': Here are newly elected officials making history nationwide
Show Caption Hide Caption First openly transgender state senator elected in Delaware She becomes the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in America. USA TODAY
Although voters nationwide are still waiting for concrete results from some of Tuesday's biggest races, multiple victories that have already been confirmed are making history.
This election season marked many "firsts" for representation in decision-making bodies on a state and national level.
In Delaware, the nation's first openly transgender state senator was elected. New Mexico gave all of its U.S. House of Representatives seats to women of color. And Missouri elected the state's first Black congresswoman.
Here's a look at some of the newly-elected officials who are trailblazing in their communities and across the country.
First openly transgender state senator
Sarah McBride, national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, made history Tuesday night when she was elected to Delaware's state senate – becoming the first openly transgender state senator in the country.
McBride is also the first openly-transgender individual to ever be elected to office in Delaware. And as a state senator, she will be the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official nationwide.
"We did it. We won the general election," McBride wrote on Twitter Tuesday night, announcing victory and thanking her supporters. "I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too."
— Wyatte Grantham-Philips, USA TODAY; Natalia Alamdari, Delaware News Journal
NM elects all women of color to the House
New Mexico has elected all women of color to the U.S. House of Representatives, for the first time in the state's history.
Early Wednesday, the state confirmed victories for incumbent Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., Yvette Herrell (Republican) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat) in New Mexico's three congressional districts.
The first U.S. state to have an all women of color House delegation was Hawaii in 1990, when Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Pat Saiki (R-Hawaii) took office.
Haaland is an enrolled citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna and made history in 2018 when she became one of the first Native American congresswomen. Herrell is a member of the Cherokee nation and former N.M. state representative. Leger-Fernandez is the first woman and Latina to ever represent northern New Mexico in U.S. Congress.
"The people of New Mexico have chosen to protect what we love – our democracy, our planet, our families and communities, our health care and our future," Leger Fernandez wrote on Twitter. "With this victory, I promise you I will take the courageous action that this historic moment demands. Muchísimas gracias!"
First Muslim, nonbinary state legislator
In Oklahoma, Mauree Turner made history as the first Muslim to be elected for the Oklahoma Legislature and the first nonbinary legislator in America.
Turner is nonbinary, meaning their gender identity is not strictly male or female. They are also Black and queer.
Prior to their campaign, Turner worked as the regional field director for the American Civil Liberties Union’s Campaign for Smart Justice.
"For me, this means a lot," Turner said. "I have lived my whole life in the margins."
— Carmen Forman, The Oklahoman; Joshua Bote, USA TODAY.
First openly-gay, Afro-Latino and Black men to serve in U.S. Congress
Ritchie Torres is one of the first openly-gay Black men to serve in Congress and the first openly-gay Afro-Latino person to serve in Congress.
Torres was the first LGBTQ person to represent the Bronx in the New York City Council, where he was also the city’s youngest elected official.
"Tonight, we made history," he wrote in a tweet Tuesday night. "It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx."
Also in New York, attorney Mondaire Jones joins Torres as one of the first Black openly-gay men to serve in the House of Representatives.
"I'm running to be a transformational figure in American politics," he told The Rockland/Westchester Journal News, part of the USA TODAY Network, in an interview in June.
— Joshua Bote, USA TODAY; Mark Lungariello, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Missouri's first Black congresswoman
Protest leader and activist Cori Bush won the election to Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, making her the state's first Black congresswoman.
A nurse, pastor and single parent who spent several months living out of a car, Bush rose to prominence as a protest leader after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, a Black 18-year-old, in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. She continued to speak out against police brutality and racial discrimination as nationwide protests erupted in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.
"Thank you for electing me as your first Black congresswoman here in the state of Missouri," she said. "That's bittersweet because, you know, it's 2020: Why am I the first in the whole state?"
— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, William Cummings, USA TODAY.
First transgender person to serve in Vermont state legislature
In Vermont, Taylor Small will be the first transgender person to serve in the state legislature. She won nearly 30% of total votes, enough to nab one of two Chittenden 6-7 district seats in the state House of Representatives.
Small works as a director at the nonprofit Pride Center of Vermont, which helps LGBTQ people in the state. She made headlines with her drag queen persona, Nikki Champagne, when she lead children’s reading sessions.
"I'm not doing it for myself," Small told the Burlington Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "It's about being community-centered."
— Brent Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press, Joshua Bote, USA TODAY.
First trans, Native American to hold office in the country
Stephanie Byers will become the first ever trans Native American woman to serve in the country if early results in the election for the Kansas Legislature are confirmed.
Byers, a retired teacher, claimed victory over Republican Cyndi Howerton – leading by nearly 500 votes in unofficial results, according to the Wichita Eagle. Byers' victory won't be official until mail-in votes and provisional ballots are counted.
She told the newspaper, "If Kansas, the big red Republican state, can elect a trans person to a state legislator, the doors open up in a lot of other places for people."
— Joshua Bote, USA TODAY.


usatoday--2020-11-05--Why is the 2020 presidential election so close? - States of America

Why is the 2020 presidential election so close ?
- States of America USA TODAY reporters check in on the @ @ @ @ @ in the 2020 presidential election .
What is taking so long to declare a winner @

Election 2020 enters day three of vote counting
USA TODAY reporters check in on the third day of vote counting in the 2020 presidential election. What is taking so long to declare a winner?
States of America, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--Votes are being counted in battleground states with the election too close to call

Votes are being counted in battleground states with the election too close to call USA TODAY reporters join States of @ @ @ @ @ 're seeing in battleground states as the election remains too close to call .

Election 2020: USA Today reporters weigh in on battleground results
USA TODAY reporters join States of America to share what they're seeing in battleground states as the election remains too close to call.
States of America, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--Nevada still counting election votes, promising 'accurate' instead of 'fast'

Nevada still counting election votes , promising 'accurate ' instead of 'fast' Nevada election officials say they will not complete @ @ @ @ @ a number of days .

Nevada will be counting for days but promises accuracy
Nevada election officials say they will not complete their mail-in ballot counting for a number of days.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-05--Georgia solidifies its swing-state status thanks, in part, to Stacey Abrams

With the nation 's eyes on Georgia 's ballot count , former Vice President Joe Biden continues to cut into President Donald Trump 's narrow lead in the state , giving Democrats the best chance of winning there since 1992 .
Republican Sen. David Perdue 's vote tally against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff had dropped below 50 % Wednesday .
Without a majority of the vote , that race would join a separate runoff between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Rev .
Raphael Warnock scheduled for Jan. 5 .
The results underscore the new political reality in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only four years ago .
The state , which has trended more blue in the past decade , is indisputably purple – and is likely to shade even further blue in the future .
Election 2020 : Results are trickling in for battleground Georgia .
Here 's what we know .
While most of Georgia 's shifting political landscape can be attributed to changing demographics , especially in the Atlanta metropolitan area , progressive activists can be credited for quickening the state 's leftward tilt .
In the run-up to the Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden , Sen. Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama all made high-profile stops in the state .
Joining Biden and Obama was Stacey Abrams .
`` We know that 10 years ago they wrote off the state of Georgia , '' said Abrams , the former minority leader of the state 's House of Representatives and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee .
`` But since that time we have been growing and growing ... and now we 're grown !
We are ready to be the blue state that we were meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election 2020 : Biden takes Michigan , putting him one swing state away from victory Abrams is one of the most influential progressive leaders in the state , many say , and for years has said it could go blue .
`` Whatever happens in Georgia , everyone should get on their knees and thank strong Black women like the fearless @ staceyabrams and so many who slog away without appreciation , '' Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash. , tweeted .
Abrams founded The New Georgia Project in 2013 , an initiative focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to broaden the electorate .
In her 2018 run for governor , Abrams championed a strategy of increasing voter turnout among groups – most importantly from communities of color – who were already amenable to a Democratic platform .
Abrams lost the race by only 1.5 % to Republican Brian Kemp in a contest that left conservatives alarmed and progressives embittered .
Abrams refused to concede the election , accusing Kemp , then the secretary of state who oversaw the election , of fostering voter suppression and causing an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state had `` failed its voters . ''
“ Let ’ s be clear : This is not a speech of concession , because concession means to acknowledge an action is right , true or proper , ” Abrams said .
“ As a woman of conscience and faith , I can not concede that.
” After the loss , Abrams also claimed that she would `` certainly '' run again .
`` When I decided not to concede the election , I acknowledged the legal sufficiency of the numbers .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the tote board , and I challenged the legitimacy of a system that could permit voters to be denied their rights , '' Abrams told Vox .
In February , Abrams told USA TODAY that `` the best way to defeat voter suppression is by having such a high turnout that the barriers to voting have limited effect . ''
After her 2018 defeat , Abrams founded Fair Fight , a progressive group with a goal similar to the New Georgia Project of registering voters nationally and combating voter suppression in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Fair Fight and Fair Fight 2020 is to ensure that people know about the obstacles that are being placed in their way , but ( are encouraged to ) vote in even larger numbers to overwhelm the intention of the system , '' Abrams told USA TODAY .
The organization raised $ 32 million by October 2020 , much of which it directed to state Democratic parties to increase registration and grassroots organization .
The group has also spearheaded lawsuits over the 2020 election and lobbied for state and federal legislation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose 2017 special election in Georgia 's 6th district already set records as the most expensive House race in history , again put up record-breaking fundraising numbers in his Senate run against Purdue .
With the balance of the Senate potentially in the balance , election watchers expect that Georgia 's potential double-Senate runoff in January will also draw massive amounts of funding from both camps .
More : Trump sues to stop vote-counting in Michigan , Pennsylvania ; claims late ballots mixed with others in Georgia For years , Georgia has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen the state 's trending demographics as reason for optimism .
The growth of Atlanta has attracted an increasingly educated workforce from other parts of the country , especially potential younger Asian , Black and Latino voters .
Election 2020 : Latinos for Trump , Arizona vote for Biden shows diversity of Hispanics in US Once-Republican strongholds , such as Cobb and Gwinnett counties , have become favorable ground for Democrats as they 've diversified .
Georgia 's 6th district , which once reliably sent Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich to Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black woman whose son was shot to death by a white vigilante in Florida in 2012 .
Georgia 's 7th district , which encompasses much of Gwinnett , remains too close to call .
Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux slightly leads Republican Rich McCormick by 2.4 % with only Democratic-leaning mail-in-ballots left to be counted .
Bourdeaux has declared victory , though The Associated Press and other outlets have not yet called the race .
Georgia 's competitiveness underscores not just Abrams ' organizing efforts since her 2018 defeat but a culmination of organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Peach State .
Progressive leaders around the country have been thanking Abrams for that work .
`` Stacey Abrams did an incredible thing in GA and across the country , '' author Roxane Gay wrote on Twitter .
`` After losing her election due in large part to voter suppression , she continued to organize and work to ensure voting rights to the most disenfranchised people . ''
More : Election results bring out protests across the US

Georgia solidifies its swing-state status thanks, in part, to Stacey Abrams
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia has become a true battleground for Trump, Biden and Senate Georgia has become a battleground state for President Trump and Joe Biden as well as Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. USA TODAY
With the nation's eyes on Georgia's ballot count, former Vice President Joe Biden continues to cut into President Donald Trump's narrow lead in the state, giving Democrats the best chance of winning there since 1992.
Republican Sen. David Perdue's vote tally against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff had dropped below 50% Wednesday. Without a majority of the vote, that race would join a separate runoff between Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock scheduled for Jan. 5.
The results underscore the new political reality in a state that Republicans still considered safely red only four years ago. The state, which has trended more blue in the past decade, is indisputably purple – and is likely to shade even further blue in the future.
Election 2020: Results are trickling in for battleground Georgia. Here's what we know.
While most of Georgia's shifting political landscape can be attributed to changing demographics, especially in the Atlanta metropolitan area, progressive activists can be credited for quickening the state's leftward tilt.
In the run-up to the Nov. 3 election, Democrats heavily invested in Georgia. Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama all made high-profile stops in the state. Joining Biden and Obama was Stacey Abrams.
"We know that 10 years ago they wrote off the state of Georgia," said Abrams, the former minority leader of the state's House of Representatives and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
"But since that time we have been growing and growing ... and now we're grown! We are ready to be the blue state that we were meant to be," Abrams said.
Election 2020: Biden takes Michigan, putting him one swing state away from victory
Abrams is one of the most influential progressive leaders in the state, many say, and for years has said it could go blue.
"Whatever happens in Georgia, everyone should get on their knees and thank strong Black women like the fearless @staceyabrams and so many who slog away without appreciation," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., tweeted.
Abrams founded The New Georgia Project in 2013, an initiative focused on registering minority voters in the state in an effort to broaden the electorate. In her 2018 run for governor, Abrams championed a strategy of increasing voter turnout among groups – most importantly from communities of color – who were already amenable to a Democratic platform.
Abrams lost the race by only 1.5% to Republican Brian Kemp in a contest that left conservatives alarmed and progressives embittered. Abrams refused to concede the election, accusing Kemp, then the secretary of state who oversaw the election, of fostering voter suppression and causing an “erosion of our democracy," arguing the state had "failed its voters."
“Let’s be clear: This is not a speech of concession, because concession means to acknowledge an action is right, true or proper,” Abrams said. “As a woman of conscience and faith, I cannot concede that.”
Stacey Abrams acknowledges Brian Kemp as next Georgia governor Democrat Stacey Abrams says she isn't conceding, but she isn't going to drag on the Georgia governor's race any longer. USA TODAY
More: Joe Biden makes history with total votes received, beating Barack Obama's record
After the loss, Abrams also claimed that she would "certainly" run again.
"When I decided not to concede the election, I acknowledged the legal sufficiency of the numbers. I challenged the system that permitted those numbers to be the tote board, and I challenged the legitimacy of a system that could permit voters to be denied their rights," Abrams told Vox.
In February, Abrams told USA TODAY that "the best way to defeat voter suppression is by having such a high turnout that the barriers to voting have limited effect."
Analysis: A fiercely contested presidential election reinforced the nation's divide. What's next?
After her 2018 defeat, Abrams founded Fair Fight, a progressive group with a goal similar to the New Georgia Project of registering voters nationally and combating voter suppression in states like Georgia.
"Our goal through Fair Fight and Fair Fight 2020 is to ensure that people know about the obstacles that are being placed in their way, but (are encouraged to) vote in even larger numbers to overwhelm the intention of the system," Abrams told USA TODAY.
The organization raised $32 million by October 2020, much of which it directed to state Democratic parties to increase registration and grassroots organization. The group has also spearheaded lawsuits over the 2020 election and lobbied for state and federal legislation that would expand voting rights.
Ossoff, whose 2017 special election in Georgia's 6th district already set records as the most expensive House race in history, again put up record-breaking fundraising numbers in his Senate run against Purdue.
With the balance of the Senate potentially in the balance, election watchers expect that Georgia's potential double-Senate runoff in January will also draw massive amounts of funding from both camps.
More: Trump sues to stop vote-counting in Michigan, Pennsylvania; claims late ballots mixed with others in Georgia
Diversity has helped Democrats in Georgia
For years, Georgia has been an enticing target for Democrats who have seen the state's trending demographics as reason for optimism. The growth of Atlanta has attracted an increasingly educated workforce from other parts of the country, especially potential younger Asian, Black and Latino voters.
Election 2020: Latinos for Trump, Arizona vote for Biden shows diversity of Hispanics in US
Once-Republican strongholds, such as Cobb and Gwinnett counties, have become favorable ground for Democrats as they've diversified.
Georgia's 6th district, which once reliably sent Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich to Congress, reelected Democrat Lucy McBath on Tuesday, a Black woman whose son was shot to death by a white vigilante in Florida in 2012.
Georgia's 7th district, which encompasses much of Gwinnett, remains too close to call. Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux slightly leads Republican Rich McCormick by 2.4% with only Democratic-leaning mail-in-ballots left to be counted.
Bourdeaux has declared victory, though The Associated Press and other outlets have not yet called the race.
Georgia's competitiveness underscores not just Abrams' organizing efforts since her 2018 defeat but a culmination of organizers' efforts for the past decade in the Peach State.
Progressive leaders around the country have been thanking Abrams for that work.
"Stacey Abrams did an incredible thing in GA and across the country," author Roxane Gay wrote on Twitter. "After losing her election due in large part to voter suppression, she continued to organize and work to ensure voting rights to the most disenfranchised people."
The fact that Georgia is basically a toss up right now is...just stunning. Speaks to the work, activism and organization of Black voters and @staceyabrams's leadership in particular. — Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@WajahatAli) November 5, 2020
More: Election results bring out protests across the US


usatoday--2020-11-06--With Biden winning the popular vote, here's how America could end the Electoral College


usatoday--2020-11-06--Oprah Winfrey reveals her favorite things for 2020, including Telfar, Bychari, more Black businesses

Though this has been a tumultuous year for many , Oprah Winfrey is giving fans something to look forward to this holiday season : her favorite things list .
The annual list returns for 2020 , putting a spotlight on Black-owned businesses .
`` Black-owned '' and `` Black-led '' business tags denote items ranging from lipstick and blankets to dolls and foods .
The list will be featured in the December issue of O , The Oprah Magazine ( on newsstands Nov. 17 ) and at OprahMag.com .
`` This year the elves and I have worked overtime in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Winfrey writes .
`` And because Black lives – and Black businesses – matter , most of the items are from Black-owned or -led companies . ''
With 72 gifts , the list is slightly shorter than last year 's 79 and significantly decreased from 2018 's massive list of 107 items .
It features budget picks as well as luxury options , with items priced from $ 13 ( for aspirational puzzles from Puzzle Huddle ) to $ 3,500 ( for the Samsung television ) .
We broke the list down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a taste of the holidays , Oprah-style .
Dubbed the `` Bushwick Birkin '' because of its accessible luxury and `` It bag '' status in New York , these bags have been carried by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , `` Real Housewives of New York '' star Sonja Morgan and Solange Knowles .
The boxy , vegan leather bags with handles and shoulder straps available in multiple color options are the staple accessory from designer Telfar Clemens , who won the Council of Fashion Designers of America 's American accessories designer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold out , despite frequent restocks .
$ 202 Telfar wins big : The CFDA Fashion Awards unveil 'most diverse ' group of winners in 39-year history Everyone will want to get their hands – well , technically , fingers – on these personalized stackable rings .
If Bychari rings a bell , it 's because Michelle Obama wore the brand during the 2020 Democratic National Convention , where she sported Bychari 's simple gold necklace that spelled `` V-O-T-E. '' $ 60 Michelle Obama 's 'VOTE ' necklace : Everyone 's obsessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Is there anything more adorable than a puppy wearing a sweater ?
Rhetorical question – the answer is always no , and Oprah clearly knows that .
These fleece dog hoodies from House Dogge will keep your furry friend warm and stylish on those crisp walks as winter approaches .
$ 75 Snuggling up on the couch ( because where else are we going to go ? )
just got even cozier with these E Marie Travel blankets .
Both the Big Boss and ribbed travel sets recommended by Winfrey come with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quick nap .
$ 98 to $ 148 per set Another staple for couch living is this luxe television , which can function both indoors and outdoors .
The TV is designed to withstand all types of weather , including rain , snow and extreme heat , making it durable enough for open-air movie nights .
$ 3,500 Cooking at home has become more of a necessity for many families during the pandemic .
This air fryer promises to do it all and make the process a little easier , from frying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cake .
$ 150 If 2020 has shown us anything , it 's that pretty much anything can go wrong .
Enter Judy to save the day with its emergency preparedness kits .
The Safe features 24 potentially life-saving items to support a family of four for 72 hours , including gloves , water packets , dust masks and wet wipes , all wrapped up in a waterproof case .
$ 250 It 's not an Oprah list if there is n't something truffle-related .
Get your truffle fix with these black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for adding bold flavor to your holiday meals .
$ 60 Though the honey is n't from Beyoncé 's recently revealed beehives , this honey gift bundle from Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm gets the Oprah stamp of approval .
The brand features wildflower honey blends with lavender , ginger , matcha and more .
$ 50 With all the extra-thorough hand washing happening this year , these moisturizing hand and body creams can help keep your hands soft and hydrated .
The beauty butters , formulated with two types of shea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scents and are great for lovers of lotions and potions .
$ 80 Related:100 ways you can take action against racism right now

Oprah Winfrey reveals her favorite things for 2020, including Telfar, Bychari, more Black businesses
Show Caption Hide Caption Oprah's favorite things 2020 revealed: Telfar, Samsung, Yedi, more In a year filled with uncertainty, one mainstay is certain: Oprah Winfrey releasing her annual list of favorite things. USA TODAY
Though this has been a tumultuous year for many, Oprah Winfrey is giving fans something to look forward to this holiday season: her favorite things list.
The annual list returns for 2020, putting a spotlight on Black-owned businesses. "Black-owned" and "Black-led" business tags denote items ranging from lipstick and blankets to dolls and foods. The list will be featured in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine (on newsstands Nov. 17) and at OprahMag.com.
"This year the elves and I have worked overtime in search of fantastic treats for everyone," Winfrey writes. "And because Black lives – and Black businesses – matter, most of the items are from Black-owned or -led companies."
With 72 gifts, the list is slightly shorter than last year's 79 and significantly decreased from 2018's massive list of 107 items. It features budget picks as well as luxury options, with items priced from $13 (for aspirational puzzles from Puzzle Huddle) to $3,500 (for the Samsung television).
We broke the list down to 10 must-have items so you can get a taste of the holidays, Oprah-style.
Telfar medium shopping bag
Dubbed the "Bushwick Birkin" because of its accessible luxury and "It bag" status in New York, these bags have been carried by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, "Real Housewives of New York" star Sonja Morgan and Solange Knowles. The boxy, vegan leather bags with handles and shoulder straps available in multiple color options are the staple accessory from designer Telfar Clemens, who won the Council of Fashion Designers of America's American accessories designer award in 2020, and are often sold out, despite frequent restocks. $202
Telfar wins big: The CFDA Fashion Awards unveil 'most diverse' group of winners in 39-year history
Bychari initial rings
Everyone will want to get their hands – well, technically, fingers – on these personalized stackable rings. If Bychari rings a bell, it's because Michelle Obama wore the brand during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, where she sported Bychari's simple gold necklace that spelled "V-O-T-E." $60
Michelle Obama's 'VOTE' necklace: Everyone's obsessed — here's where you can get one
House Dogge fleece dog hoodies
Is there anything more adorable than a puppy wearing a sweater? Rhetorical question – the answer is always no, and Oprah clearly knows that. These fleece dog hoodies from House Dogge will keep your furry friend warm and stylish on those crisp walks as winter approaches. $75
Adorable dogs: 30 cute puppy photos to make you smile
E Marie Travel blanket sets
Snuggling up on the couch (because where else are we going to go?) just got even cozier with these E Marie Travel blankets. Both the Big Boss and ribbed travel sets recommended by Winfrey come with an accompanying eye mask, perfect for a quick nap. $98 to $148 per set
Samsung Terrace TV
Another staple for couch living is this luxe television, which can function both indoors and outdoors. The TV is designed to withstand all types of weather, including rain, snow and extreme heat, making it durable enough for open-air movie nights. $3,500
Yedi air fryer
Cooking at home has become more of a necessity for many families during the pandemic. This air fryer promises to do it all and make the process a little easier, from frying chicken in a healthier way to baking a cake. $150
Judy 'The Safe' kit
If 2020 has shown us anything, it's that pretty much anything can go wrong. Enter Judy to save the day with its emergency preparedness kits. The Safe features 24 potentially life-saving items to support a family of four for 72 hours, including gloves, water packets, dust masks and wet wipes, all wrapped up in a waterproof case. $250
Trufflin truffle sauces
It's not an Oprah list if there isn't something truffle-related. Get your truffle fix with these black truffle-infused Sriracha and ranch sauces, perfect for adding bold flavor to your holiday meals. $60
Zach & Zoë honey gift bundle
Though the honey isn't from Beyoncé's recently revealed beehives, this honey gift bundle from Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm gets the Oprah stamp of approval. The brand features wildflower honey blends with lavender, ginger, matcha and more. $50
54 Thrones African Beauty Butter Collection gift set
With all the extra-thorough hand washing happening this year, these moisturizing hand and body creams can help keep your hands soft and hydrated. The beauty butters, formulated with two types of shea butter, come in a variety of scents and are great for lovers of lotions and potions. $80
Reviewed: 10 things we recommend buying from Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2020
Related: 100 ways you can take action against racism right now