According to cnn.com, President Jimmy Carter has told President Barack Obama to do one thing before he leaves office in January, recognize Palestinian statehood. President Carter is a proponent for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians and recently praised the Obama administration in a New York Times op-ed for its support for a "negotiated end to the conflict based on two states," but warned this work could be undone with the shift to a Republican administration. Carter wrote, "I am convinced that the United States can still shape the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before a change in presidents, but time is very short. The simple but vital step this administration must take before its term expires on January 20 is to grant American diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine." The former president also called for the UN Security Council to pass a resolution "laying out the parameters for resolving the conflict." Carter is one of Israel's most vocal American critics. In his book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," he compared Israel's military occupation in the West Bank to the apartheid system in South Africa. Obama has also been critical of Israel, calling in 2009 for a complete freeze on the building of Israeli settlements. President-elect Donald Trump's position, however, has thrilled many supporters of Israel, as well as Israel's political right wing. As a candidate, Trump promised to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capitol of Israel and re-negotiate the Iran nuclear deal, which has been criticized by Israel's leaders.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/29/politics/jimmy-carter-palestine-op-ed/index.html

The Senate has formal powers such as voting for VP if electoral votes are tied, ability to introduce laws and legislation revenue, advise and consent the president, holding impeachment trials, approve treaties with 2/3 vote, confirmation of high-level appointees, may determine the rules of their own proceedings, conduct investigations in Congress, and the power to be the judge of the "elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members.". They are formal powers because they are expressly stated in the Constitution. They also have informal powers such as filibustering and the power to cloture.

According to ladyfreethinker.org, a lawsuit was filed against a Wisconsin high school after the Kenosha School district told guidance counselors that trans students must wear bright green wristbands to watch their bathroom use. A young transgender student named Ash Whitaker, who was forced to wear one of these wristbands, was in the news earlier this year when he was denied the chance to run for homecoming king. Ash filed a discrimination lawsuit against Tremper High School previously and it was dropped just a week before the new lawsuit against the district was filed. The Transgender Law Center has filed the lawsuit against the school district on behalf of Ash. According to the lawsuit, "he felt his safety would be even more threatened if he had to wear this visible badge of his transgender status." The Kenosha School District denies all of Ash's allegations.
https://ladyfreethinker.org/transgender-students-forced-to-wear-wristbands-to-use-high-school-bathroom/

According to abcnews.com, current VP, Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Mike Pence met for lunch today, the 16th of November at the Naval Observatory. Each of their wives were in attendance as well as Pence's youngest daughter, Charlotte. After the meeting, Pence appeared in front of the press attempting to avoid the question of if the Trump administration is ready to take over in January saying, "No administration is ready for day one." Biden also met with the press afterwards saying, "I told Mike, the vice president elect, that I am available to him 24/7. I plan on being available to Mike as a told Mike, the vice president elect, that I am available 24/7. I plan on being available to Mike as senior staff for him as he moves. Biden's office told abcnews that during Pence and Biden's first meeting, they "spoke about their time working together in Congress and their friendship dating back many years. Biden talked with Pence about the key duties of the vice president, and discussed a number of specific policy portfolios that have been a crucial focus for him during his time in office, including NATO end eastern Europe and expanding access to the middle class."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-mike-pence-meet-lunch-naval-observatory/story?id=43584766

According to cnnnews.com, protesters hit the streets on Sunday marking the fifth day of protest against Donald Trump's election in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. A group gathered in Manhattan on Sunday to protest against Trump's immigration policies. "The main purpose is to tell Donald Trump he can't just deport 11 million undocumented people. They're here to stay and we stand in solidarity with them.", said Noelle Yasso. Protesters against Trump have expressed outrage on a number of his positions such as healthcare, the environment, LGBT rights, and many others. They have also expressed concern over his victory due to the fact that he won the electoral vote, but not the popular vote over Hillary Clinton. Over the weekend, protesters in LA grew to over 8,000. In contrast, the protesters on New York marched two miles peacefully to the Trump Tower, where they chanted "Not my president." While the protests in New York and LA have been mostly peaceful, Portland, Oregon has been the site of many violent acts pertaining to the recent election. Saturday, demonstrations ended in Portland with a shooting and the arrest of 71 people. After the incident, emotions changed as protesters calmly gathered for a vigil on Portland's waterfront at the Salmon Street Springs Fountain.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/13/us/protests-elections-trump/index.html

According to latimes.com, many California citizens skipped out on voting for senators this election year. The race was between California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Representative of Orange County Loretta Sanchez. Californians cast 1.1 million fewer votes in the Senate race than they did for president, according to results Wednesday morning with 99.4% of precincts reporting statewide in both elections. In comparison, in 2012 the margin between the presidential election and the U.S. Senate race between longtime Democratic incumbent Diane Feinstein and GOP challenger Elizabeth Emken was fewer than 500,000 voters. The Harris-Sanchez race was a major test of the state's relatively new open primary system where the top-two finishers, regardless of political party, advance to the runoff. This year was the first time since 1914 that there wasn't a Republican in the runoff.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-election-aftermath-updates-trail-many-californians-skipped-voting-in-the-1478709262-htmlstory.html

According to mcclathydc.com, after Hillary Clinton's second presidential upset, it is not likely that she will return to the front lines of politics. "I'm glad the Clintons came along. They have contributed greatly to the country and the world. I think they will both be willing to help in the search for new leadership." said Dolanld Fowler, a former Democratic Ntional Committee chairman who's close to the Clinton's. On Wednesday after the upset of Donald Trump's victory, Hillary made a speech to her supporters saying, "Many of you are at the beginning of your professional public and political careers. You will have successes and setbacks, too. This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it. It is worth it. And so we need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives." While Trump recieved the 270 electoral votes needed to win presidency, Clinton won the popular vote, a fact emphasized greatly by Democrats on Wednesday. Bill Clinton is one of the most naturally gifted politicians of his generation, creating a dynasty for him and his family. Hillary, like her husband, is persistant and well-versed in policy, but lacks his ease. Obama said about Hillary Clinton, "She lived an extraordinary life of public service. I'm proud of her. A lot of Americans look up to her. And I'm absolutely confident that she and President Clinton will continue to do great work for people here in the United States and around the world."
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article113778808.html

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According to local10.com, Incumbent Marco Rubio won back his seat in the Florida Senate with 52% of the vote versus his opponent's, Patrick Murphy's, 44%. After losing his home state in the Presidential primary to Donald Trump, Rubio said he would not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate,  but changed his mind early June. Murphy has criticized Rubio for endorsing Trump despite calling him a con man during the Presidential primary. Murphy received endorsements from both Hillary Clinton and President Obama, but it was not enough to overtake the incumbent.
http://www.local10.com/news/elections/marco-rubio-defeats-murphy-reelected-to-us-senate

According to foxnews.com, Lady Gaga turned to twitter to discus the upcoming election. Gaga has posted numerous tweets in the past about Donald Trump, but recently turned her attention to his wife calling her a hypocrite. "MELANIATRUMP to say u will stand for anti-bullying' is hypocrisy. Your husband is 1 of the most notorious bullies we have ever witnessed." The pop star recently changed her display name to #votehillary and urges her followers to vote for the Democratic candidate. "... I've been traveling the world. Our election is an international issue. If 'he' wins we will be in a weak position globally," Gaga write. "Young people listen up. We need to mobilize now, #VoteHillary and stop this dangerous man from continuing to divide and wreck our democracy.
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/11/07/lady-gaga-goes-after-melania-trump-during-political-twitter-rant.html

According to CNBC.com, two former Chris Christie were convicted on Friday of conspiracy and fraud in the 2013 plot known as "Bridgegate" to use the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge as a means of political retribution. The two convicted were Chris Christie's former Chief of Staff, Bridget Kelly, and his former Port Authority official, Bill Baroni and could be face 20 years in prison. The two were also convicted of working with former Christie aide, David Wildstein to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee for not endorsing the Republican governor's re-election bid. Christie has denied having any knowledge of the 2013 plan to close lanes on the bridge, but some of the testimony in the case implied that Christie was in fact aware of the plot before it took place. In a statement, Christie said he is "saddened by this case and the choices made by Bill Baroni, Bridget Kelly, and David Wildstein. Today's verdict does not change this for me." He also added, "But let me be clear once again, I had no knowledge prior to or during these lane realignments, and had no role in authorizing them. No believable evidence was presented to contradict that fact. Anything said to the contrary over the past six weeks in court is simply untrue." The sentencing for both Kelly and Baroni is set for February 21, 2017.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/04/two-ex-chris-christie-allies-found-guilty-on-all-charges-in-bridgegate-trial.html

According to foxnews, in at least four states in the U.S., it is possible for early absentee voters who have already voted to recast of cancel their ballots. Among these states are Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, but the rules vary from state to state. In Wisconsin, for example, absentee voters can change their ballots as many as three times before election day. Wisconsin GOP Rep. Sean Duffy fears that after the re-opening of the Clinton email investigation, that many absentee voters will change their ballots from Democrat to Republican. Roughly 22 million Americans have already cast their vote through absentee ballots, mail, or at the polls. Pennsylvania allows its absentee voters to change their mind by voting in person on election day. "The really important one is Pennsylvania because that is one of the states that Donald Trump says is a must-win for him," says political analyst Erin McPike. "That is the real state to watch." The fourth state, Michigan has voted Democratic every presidential election since 1976 and allows its absentee voters to cancel their ballot, request a new mail-in ballot, and vote in person before 5 p.m. on November 7 or vote on election day.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/01/early-absentee-voters-can-still-change-ballots-in-at-least-four-states.html