The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, chaired by former Attorney General Eric Holder, donated $150,000 each to “Spanberger, Abigail for Governor” and the Virginia “House Democratic Caucus,” according to records posted by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, fired off a letter earlier this week advising members to be in Richmond for special session “to consider matters properly before the ongoing session and any related business laid before the body.”

DEMS SUGGEST GOP REDISTRICTING HAS FORCED THEM TO PLAY PARTISAN POLITICS, REPUBLICANS ARGUE NOTHING’S CHANGED

Scott had the power to do so because a prior special session several months ago was never officially gaveled closed.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, did not respond to a prior Fox News Digital request for comment on the special session but namedropped President Donald Trump to other press and said the special session is intended to counter what he sees as successful pressure on Republican-led states to redraw maps.

House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Cumberland Gap, spoke to reporters after the news first broke – promising to do “everything legally … that we can to stop this power grab.”

VIRGINIA GOV. YOUNGKIN WARNS AGAINST DEM CANDIDATE’S CENTRIST LABEL, SAYS SHE’LL END COOPERATION WITH ICE

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Democrats, led by then-Sen. George Barker of Fairfax, passed a state constitutional amendment in 2022 to put the power of redistricting in the hands of a semi-independent commission. The commission did also have some weighty Republican support.

However, Democrats now appear prepared to either adjust or nullify the commission’s powers depending on the specifics of any forthcoming redistricting legislation.

A constitutional amendment would not be able to physically redraw the maps, but Democrats could use the amendment process to either edit or amend the state constitution in a way they see fit.

OBAMA ENDORSES SPANBERGER, ATTACKS REPUBLICANS IN VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S RACE ADS

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at a podium.  (John Gress/Getty Images)

The legislature would need to pass any amendment resolution with a simple majority before election day. Then, per state code, they would have to pass the same legislation again in January or February – as an intervening election for the House must take place as a form of public accountability.

Then, if successful this winter, the amendment would appear as a ballot measure for the electorate to weigh in on.

The donation to Spanberger’s campaign is notable, as the sitting governor has the power to schedule the election – which must go forth no matter what.

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Earle-Sears, if elected, would likely schedule it the same day as the 2026 midterms – which would ensure higher turnout. By contrast, Spanberger could schedule it any time in the summer or thereafter, which might be a time of lower turnout.

Earle-Sears’ campaign told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the move might also double as a ploy to pull her off the trail in the closing days of her battle against Spanberger.

On Holder’s PAC’s website, Spanberger’s photo is prominently posted alongside three Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices — David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty — who are up for retention this year.

The Pennsylvania court system has also involved itself in recent mapping battles in Harrisburg between Democratic governors and the partially-Republican-controlled legislature.

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. 

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. 

Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.

The post Obama’s ‘wingman’ dumps $300K into new Virginia redistricting fight as Dems call lawmakers back appeared first on My Blog.

What many don’t realize is that public voter registration data is one of the biggest tools fraudsters use. With elections coming up on Nov. 4, scammers are already scraping these records and using them to create targeted scams. If you’re a retiree or helping a parent or loved one prepare to vote, here’s how to stay safe.

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Why voter records are public and risky

HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

Every state in the U.S. keeps voter registration lists. These include personal details like:

Full nameHome addressPhone number (in some states)Political party affiliationVoting history (whether you voted, not who you voted for).

Scammers are targeting retirees with fake election messages and calls. (Getty Images)

While these lists are meant for transparency, they’re often made available online or sold in bulk. Data brokers scoop them up, combine them with other records and suddenly scammers have a detailed profile of you: your age, address and voting habits. For retirees, this exposure is especially dangerous. Why? Because seniors are less likely to know that this information is floating around, making scams seem more convincing.

You can easily check where your personal information is exposed with a free data exposure scanner.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web:Cyberguy.com

Scams targeting retirees before Nov. 4

Here are the most common election-season cons fraudsters are already running:

1) Fake “polling place” updates

You might get a call, text or email saying your polling location has changed. Scammers may then direct you to a fake site that asks for your Social Security number or ID details “to confirm eligibility.”

2) “Voter ID update” messages

Since some states require voter ID, scammers will pose as election officials, claiming your ID is “out of date” or that you must upload personal documents. These go straight into the wrong hands.

RETIREES LOSE MILLIONS TO FAKE HOLIDAY CHARITIES AS SCAMMERS EXPLOIT SEASONAL GENEROSITY

3) Donation scams

Criminals set up fake political donation sites with names resembling real campaigns. Retirees who are politically active or generous with causes are prime targets here.

4) Absentee ballot phishing

Scammers know many seniors vote by mail. They’ll send emails offering to “help” with requests or track your ballot while stealing your personal data in the process.

Red flags to watch out for

Public voter data can make it easy for fraudsters to create convincing scams. (CyberGuy.com)

Scammers use clever tricks to make their messages seem urgent and official. Here are the warning signs that should make you pause before responding.

Urgency: “Act now or lose your right to vote.” Scammers use deadlines to scare you.Unusual payment requests: No legitimate election office will ever ask for payment to vote or register.Strange links: If you’re asked to click on a link from a text or email, stop. Always go directly to your state’s official election website instead.Requests for sensitive info: Election officials don’t need your Social Security number or bank account details.

How retirees can stay safe this election season

Protecting yourself doesn’t mean opting out of civic life. It means taking a few smart steps:

1) Reduce your data footprint

This one matters most. The less personal data available about you, the fewer opportunities scammers have to trick you during election season. When they can view your age, address and even your voting history, they can craft messages that sound alarmingly real. The good news is you can take control and limit what’s out there.

Reaching every voter data broker or people-search site on your own is nearly impossible, and most make the process intentionally difficult. That’s why data removal services can help. They automatically send removal requests to hundreds of data-broker sites and keep monitoring to ensure your information doesn’t return. The result is fewer scam calls, fewer phishing emails and far less risk this election season.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy.These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

REMOVE YOUR DATA TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT FROM SCAMMERS

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visitingCyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web:Cyberguy.com

2) Confirm only through official sources

If you get a message about your polling place, ignore any links and call your local election office directly. Each state also has an official website you can trust.

3) Sign up for ballot tracking

Many states offer secure ballot tracking online. Use only the official election site, not third-party services.

4) Freeze your credit

Since scammers use voter data to impersonate you, a credit freeze stops them from opening new accounts in your name. Retirees who don’t need frequent new credit are especially good candidates for this protection.

Taking steps to remove your personal info online helps keep your vote and data safe. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

5) Be wary of political donation sites

If you want to donate, type the campaign’s official website into your browser instead of clicking a link in an email or social media ad.

Kurt’s key takeaway

Voting is one of the most important rights we have. But this year, scammers will use public voter data to exploit retirees like never before. Don’t let them steal your peace of mind. By spotting the red flags, sticking to official election sources and removing your personal data from the web, you can protect yourself and your vote.

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Have you or someone you know received a suspicious message about voting or donations? How did you realize or suspect that it was a scam? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

The post Scammers target retirees with election tricks and fake polling updates ahead of Nov 4 vote appeared first on My Blog.