#voting-rights
#voting-rights

NYC politics

NYC council asks highest court to allow non-citizens to vote

Allowing noncitizen immigrants to vote in NYC elections faces legal challenges.

Advocates seek approval for noncitizen immigrants to vote citing civic engagement benefits. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Social justice

SCSJ saddened following passing of League of Women Voters US President

The Southern Coalition for Social Justice mourns the loss of Dr. Deborah Turner, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States.

Dr. Turner was a fierce defender of democracy and voting rights, and her legacy will continue as the fight for equal access to the ballot box continues. [ more ]

morecivic-engagement

#threats-to-democracy

Poynter

4 days ago

Media industry

Q&A: Are the democracy beat reporters OK? - Poynter

The rise of dedicated democracy beats in newsrooms post-2020 highlights a shift towards monitoring threats to democracy beyond individual figures like Donald Trump. [ more ]

ABA Journal

Law

Yale Law's Owen Fiss talks about threats to democracy and 'Why We Vote'

Owen Fiss, a professor at Yale Law School, discusses the importance of voting and threats to democracy in his new book.

He reflects on his experience working with the Department of Justice to implement civil rights and voting rights laws.

Fiss also discusses recent threats to the electoral system, including the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. [ more ]

morethreats-to-democracy

#new-caledonia

www.dw.com

6 days ago

France politics

France to lift New Caledonia's state of emergency DW 05/27/2024

The state of emergency in riot-hit New Caledonia is being lifted to allow for political dialogue after protests over voting rights amendments. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

France politics

Violent protests rage in New Caledonia amid growing civil unrest

The mass protests in New Caledonia are driven by concerns about voting rights and independence from France. [ more ]

Washington Post

France politics

Riots are flaring on a French archipelago in the South Pacific. Here's why.

France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia due to deadly riots over voting rights sparking unrest. [ more ]

www.dw.com

France politics

New Caledonia: 3 killed, scores wounded as riots continue DW 05/15/2024

Riots erupted in New Caledonia following a bill allowing French residents to vote, leading to casualties and ongoing violence. [ more ]

morenew-caledonia

#racial-gerrymandering

www.esquire.com

1 week ago

Social justice

Supreme Court Rules South Carolina Can Continue to Use Gerrymandered Voting Map

The conservative majority on the Supreme Court cleared the way for South Carolina's unconstitutional racial gerrymandering to continue. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

1 week ago

Black Lives Matter

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Unanimous Post-Trial Decision and Long-Settled Precedent, Allows South Carolina's Racially Discriminatory Congressional Map to Stand

The Supreme Court reversed the finding of an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in South Carolina's Congressional District 1, impacting Black voters' access to fair elections. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

Black Lives Matter

Supreme Court orders La. to use contested map for election

Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use a House map with a second mostly Black district for 2024 elections. [ more ]

Truthout

Black Lives Matter

Florida Senate's Tampa Bay Maps Are Racial Gerrymander, Residents Allege in Lawsuit

Black voters in Florida allege racial gerrymandering in state Senate districts, impacting their voting power. [ more ]

Miami Herald

NYC politics

Judge throws out Miami's 'unconstitutional' voting map over racial gerrymandering

A federal judge invalidated Miami's voting map over racially gerrymandered district boundaries.

The judge is considering special elections and redrawing the map, sparking discussions on voting representation in the city. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

moreracial-gerrymandering

Social justice

SC NAACP Urges Supreme Court to Allow Fair Maps in 2024 Elections

South Carolina may not use racially gerrymandered districts for upcoming elections.

Legal organizations oppose the stay request and advocate for fair redistricting to protect voting rights. [ more ]

#election-fraud

www.nytimes.com

1 week ago

US news

House G.O.P. Moves to Crack Down on Noncitizen Voting, Sowing False Narrative

Republicans are reinforcing Trump's false claims of widespread illegal voting by noncitizens through legislation that amplifies baseless election fraud narratives. [ more ]

Truthout

Law

Wisconsin Supreme Court Reconsiders 2022 Ban on Ballot Drop Boxes

The Wisconsin Supreme Court may overturn the ban on absentee ballot drop boxes, signaling a possible shift in decision-making. [ more ]

moreelection-fraud

#civil-rights

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Social justice

Galveston Community Stands Together for Review of Redistricting Case

The redistricting case Petteway v. Galveston County endangers Black and Latino residents' ability to elect representatives. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Law

Voting rights groups sue Alabama over blocking assistance for absentee ballots

Lawsuit filed against Alabama's new voter assistance law

SB 1 targets various assistance in the absentee voting process [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Social justice

SCSJ Endorses Federal Voting Rights Legislation

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act reintroduced by Senate Democrats and civil rights leaders to protect voters from discrimination and strengthen democracy.

Ryan Roberson emphasizes the significance of the Act in ensuring equal access to the ballot box and addressing erosion of voting rights in communities of color in the South. [ more ]

morecivil-rights

#criminal-justice-reform

www.nytimes.com

4 weeks ago

New York City

He Went From Prison to Politics. Now He Helps Others Get a Second Act.

Eddie Gibbs, a formerly incarcerated individual, shared a stage with the governor to sign a bill he fought for, highlighting the importance of giving rights to those who were previously incarcerated. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

morecriminal-justice-reform

New York City

Joseph Hayden, Who Fought for Voting Rights for Ex-Felons, Dies at 82

Joseph Hayden, a former Harlem drug gang member, turned his life around to become an activist for criminal justice reform and a well-known figure in Harlem.

Hayden filed a class-action lawsuit in 2000 to restore voting rights to prisoners and parolees, which ultimately failed but helped jump-start a powerful movement to win voting rights for released felons. [ more ]

#puerto-rico

Boston.com

Left-wing politics

Joe Biden wins Democratic primary in Puerto Rico

President Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential primary in Puerto Rico despite limited voting centers. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

#political-representation

Left-wing politics

Joe Biden wins Democratic primary in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico holds Democratic primary, symbolic election for president despite not being allowed to vote in presidential elections. [ more ]

morepuerto-rico

www.npr.org

Black Lives Matter

In new Congressional district, Black voters weigh what representation really means

Representation means diverse voices at the table for fair political decisions. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

morepolitical-representation

US politics

Alabama Democrats Swarm to a Rare Chance to Increase Their Power

Redistricting battle in Alabama impacted by Supreme Court decision

Newly reshaped Second Congressional District offers unique political opportunity for candidates [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

Europe politics

Trump & Mike Johnson hold bizarre press conference to introduce a law that already exists

President Trump defends Christian Nationalist Speaker Johnson by proposing a bill to ban non-citizens from voting, despite it being already banned by federal law. [ more ]

www.mediaite.com

Black Lives Matter

MAGA Influencers Forced to Cough Up Over a Million Bucks in Settlement With New York AG Over Robocalls Targeting Black Voters

The NY Attorney General reached a $1.25 million settlement with Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for their robocall scheme targeting Black voters during the 2020 election.

Wohl and Burkman faced legal consequences for transmitting false and threatening messages to discourage voting. [ more ]

#legislation

Truthout

Left-wing politics

Amid Threats to Workers and Voters, States Move to Restrict Guns at Voting Sites

Growing number of states considering restrictions on guns near voting sites for safety reasons.

At least a half-dozen states have introduced legislation to ban firearms at polling locations or expand existing restrictions. [ more ]

www.cnn.com

11 months ago

US politics

At least 11 states have enacted restrictive voting laws this year, new report finds

At least 11 states have enacted 13 restrictive voting laws this year, according to a new analysis from the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's law school.The Brennan Center said the 13 restrictive laws enacted so far this year is greater than the number of restrictive laws enacted in any year in the last decade with an exception to 2021 in which at least 14 states, during about the same time frame, had passed 22 restrictive laws following the 2020 election.

morelegislation

Truthout

Left-wing politics

Challenged Congressional Maps Will Remain in Place as Elections Loom

Voters in challenging districts face discriminatory congressional maps favoring Republican incumbents.

Legal battles around discriminatory gerrymandering impact voting rights, specifically for voters of color. [ more ]

www.aljazeera.com

Black Lives Matter

Overwhelmed in joy': Texas court overturns woman's voter fraud conviction

Court overturns Crystal Mason's voter fraud conviction due to lack of awareness about ineligibility.

Advocates see Mason's case as emblematic of voter disenfranchisement efforts targeting people of color. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Law

Woman Who Received 5-Year Sentence in Voter Fraud Case Is Acquitted

Texas appeals court acquitted woman sentenced for illegal voting in 2016 election.

Case highlights the importance of proving knowledge of ineligibility in illegal voting prosecutions. [ more ]

#supreme-court

www.npr.org

Law

An appeals court says 'undated' Pennsylvania ballots don't count

Federal appeals panel ruled undated mail-in ballots in PA should not be counted

Legal battle about mail-in ballots could impact 2020 election results in swing state PA [ more ]

The Atlantic

US politics

How to Actually Guarantee the Right to Vote

The United States Constitution does not guarantee the right to vote and leaves voter qualifications to the states

The Supreme Court has repeatedly failed to protect voting rights [ more ]

Washington Post

Law

Supreme Court allows Texas voting map challenged by civil rights advocates

The Supreme Court allowed a Texas election to proceed under a voting map that was found to dilute the votes of Black and Latino residents.

The decision could have broader implications for challenges to election maps and the protection of voting rights nationwide. [ more ]

moresupreme-court

www.amny.com

Law

City Council will ask state's highest court to uphold noncitizen voting after lower court ruled it unconstitutional | amNewYork

City Council plans to appeal a ruling that struck down a law expanding voting rights to noncitizens.

Mayor Eric Adams's administration may not file its own appeal in the case. [ more ]

Washington Post

US politics

How to elect a Louisiana sheriff: runoff, recount, reversal, repeat

Residents face divisive sheriff's race in Caddo Parish

The prolonged election process creates disillusionment in the community [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Education

Left without a voice': October general election could leave students in UK unable to vote

Hundreds of thousands of students at risk of being disenfranchised in October election due to registration challenges

Concerns about students being left out of voting process due to new government rules [ more ]

LGBTQ Nation

LGBT

Trans folks in LA can safely cast their ballots at the country's first trans voting center

Transgender voting center opens in Los Angeles County for safe voting space

Promoting equity and inclusivity through dedicated voting spaces [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

California

Can I be turned away at the polls on Election Day? Here's what California law says

Eligible voters cannot be turned away if in line by polls close.

California offers same-day voter registration for those who missed the registration deadline. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

California

How late is too late to drop off a California ballot? What to know for Election Day 2024

You have the right to vote if you are in line when the polls close at 8 p.m.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within seven days after. [ more ]

#immigration

Poynter

NYC politics

Sean Hannity is wrong. 'Illegal immigrants' cannot vote in New York City's local elections - Poynter

Fox News host Sean Hannity falsely claimed immigrants in the U.S. illegally can vote in New York City elections.

The legislation allowing noncitizen New York residents to vote in municipal elections never took effect. [ more ]

Boston.com

Boston

City Council approves measure that would let immigrants with 'legal status' vote in Boston elections

The Boston City Council has approved a measure allowing non-citizen immigrants with 'legal status' to vote in municipal elections.

The measure still needs the approval of Mayor Michelle Wu and the state Legislature before implementation. [ more ]

moreimmigration

www.mercurynews.com

US politics

Attorney General Garland tells Alabama's Bloody Sunday service that voting rights are under attack

Voting rights are endangered in the U.S. due to recent court decisions weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Current legislative measures make it harder for eligible voters, particularly Black Americans, to vote and elect representatives. [ more ]

ABA Journal

Law

Longtime civil rights advocate Emmet Bondurant will receive this year's ABA Medal

Emmet Bondurant to receive ABA Medal for civil rights advocacy

Significant cases: Wesberry v. Sanders, Rucho v. Common Cause, and Fleming v. Zant [ more ]

#democracy

Harvard Gazette

Social justice

Black America as canary in coal mine of democracy - Harvard Gazette

Rise in white supremacy and birtherism impacting democracy

Erosion of voting rights and attacks on teaching about race and gender threaten democracy. [ more ]

www.dw.com

Germany news

How to found a political party in Germany DW 01/27/2024

Any adult in Germany can vote, join a party, stand for election, or found their own party.

Foreigners can establish a party in Germany, but the majority of the executive committee and members must be German nationals. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

EU data protection

Britons living abroad regain right to vote in UK elections as 15-year rule ends

Three million Britons living abroad for more than 15 years will regain their right to vote in all elections in the UK.

The change brings the UK in line with other major democracies that allow lifelong voting rights. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

EU data protection

Britons living abroad regain right to vote in UK elections as 15-year rule ends

Three million Britons living abroad for more than 15 years will regain their right to vote in all elections in the UK.

The change brings the UK in line with other major democracies that allow lifelong voting rights. [ more ]

moredemocracy

New York Post

Law

NYC law that would have allowed 800K non-citizens to vote struck as unconstitutional by appeals court: 'Enacted in violation'

The New York City law allowing non-citizens to vote was deemed unconstitutional by a state appeals court.

The decision cited the state constitution's reference to only citizens having the right to vote in elections. [ more ]

POLITICO

Law

NYC's non-citizen voting law ruled unconstitutional on appeal

The 2022 law allowing noncitizens to vote in NYC local elections faced legal challenges.

Opponents argued the law could lead to voter fraud, while progressives saw it as making politics more representative. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

San Francisco

SF re-examines its procurement process after business ban on 30 states backfires

San Francisco's ban on doing business with 30 states that had laws undermining LGBTQ and voting rights as well as blocking abortion access ended up hurting the city more than those states.

The ban resulted in higher costs for San Francisco, such as paying $1.7 million for a public toilet instead of a cheaper option from a company in Nevada. [ more ]

www.thelocal.dk

Europe politics

UK and Denmark agree on voting rights for UK nationals in Danish local elections

The UK and Denmark have signed a treaty allowing UK nationals living in Denmark to vote and run for office in local elections.

The treaty will also allow Danish citizens with 'settled status' in the UK to vote and participate in British local council elections. [ more ]

Axios

Artificial intelligence

Groups urge Congress to crack down on AI misuse in elections

Voting rights activists are calling for Congress to pass legislation to limit the misuse of AI in elections.

Computer-generated images, audio, and video are being used to confuse and mislead voters, including deepfakes and fake robocalls. [ more ]

#youth-voters

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

First photo ID, now votes for expats: the Tories are showing us exactly what election rigging looks like | Polly Toynbee

The Electoral Commission's key recommendations for permissible IDs were ignored in the Elections Act, potentially disenfranchising certain voters.

The requirement for photo ID at polling stations has deterred 4% of voters, particularly young people who are less likely to be Tory voters. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

California

Teenagers not yet 18 can preregister to vote in California. Here's are the details

California allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote

Youth voters have the potential to determine elections [ more ]

moreyouth-voters

Brooklyn Eagle

Education

Brooklyn Bar Association president-elect highlights voting rights issues at BHM event

Anthony Vaughn Jr. addresses voting rights at Black History Month event

Georgia's voter ID requirements disproportionately affect students at private HBCUs [ more ]

Truthout

US politics

2024 Election Has More Restrictions to Voting Than in 2020

Voting rights organizations are working to preserve voting rights amidst restrictive voting laws in several states.

Grassroots organizations like Black Voters Matter and Fair Fight are focused on increasing voter turnout and minimizing barriers to voting in core states. [ more ]

#redistricting

Truthout

Left-wing politics

Speaker Mike Johnson Tells GOP Lawmakers in Louisiana to Ignore Court Order to Draw Black District

Black voters compose a majority in just one of the state's six districts, despite making up a third of the population.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is urging GOP legislators in Louisiana to continue fighting against a federal court ruling that the state's congressional maps are unconstitutional and violate the voting rights of Black residents. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

7 months ago

Social justice

Judge rules Galveston County must redraw discriminatory 2021 map

Judge rules in favor of civil rights groups' argument that the 2021 Galveston County redistricting map discriminated against Black and Latino residents.

Galveston County ordered to redraw the 2021 map by October 20, 2023.

Civil rights groups express satisfaction with the court's decision and hope for a new map that ensures fair representation. [ more ]

moreredistricting

#democratic-party

The Nation

Left-wing politics

Even Without a Contest at the Top of the Ticket, Voting in the Democratic Primary Still Matters

Progressive activists should focus on changing the rules of the Democratic Party for economic and social justice.

The United States has low rankings in terms of voting rights and protections against the influence of money in politics. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

US politics

Democrats Set Ambitious Spending Plan for State Legislative Races

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (D.L.C.C) is planning to allocate its largest campaign budget ever in an effort to flip five chambers in swing states and defend three recently earned majorities.

State legislatures have become increasingly important, as they have the power to govern issues such as abortion access and voting rights. [ more ]

moredemocratic-party

Sacramento Bee

US politics

MLK Jr. holiday celebrations include acts of service and parades, but some take a political turn

Some Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events took on a political tone amidst the backdrop of the November presidential election.

Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney criticized Trump for not accepting his loss and threatening the foundations of democracy. [ more ]

www.france24.com

EU data protection

Millions of overseas Brits now eligible to vote in UK general elections

3.5 million Britons living overseas can now vote in UK general elections, following a change in the law.

The change is the most significant expansion of the electorate since 1928. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

Britons living abroad regain right to vote in UK elections as 15-year rule ends

Three million Britons living abroad for more than 15 years will regain their right to vote in all elections in the UK.

The change brings the UK in line with other major democracies that allow lifelong voting rights. [ more ]

www.thelocal.com

UK news

How Britons living in Europe can register to vote for UK election

The UK has scrapped the 15-year rule that barred many Britons living overseas from voting.

Britons living abroad will be able to register to vote from January 16th, 2024. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

New York City

In Newark, 16-Year-Olds With Skin in the Game' Are Set to Get the Vote

Newark's City Council is expected to grant 16-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections.

If implemented, Newark would be the largest community in the US to expand voting rights to younger residents since 1971. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Social justice

New Michigan law means people leaving prison will automatically be registered to vote

Michigan has expanded automatic voter registration to incarcerated people after they are released.

The goal is to improve access to voting for a historically disenfranchised population. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Social justice

Georgia Court Blocks Racially Gerrymandered Cobb County School Board Map

The U.S. District Court has blocked the use of a racially gerrymandered map by the Cobb County School Board in an upcoming election.

The injunction was granted in response to a lawsuit alleging that the map violated the Fourteenth Amendment and diminished the voting power of Black and Latinx voters. [ more ]

Chicago Tribune

US politics

Republican National Committee backs effort to block mail-in ballots received after Election Day

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is supporting an appeal in a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn an Illinois law that allows mail-in ballots to be counted up to 14 days after Election Day.

This comes as the RNC is promoting a 'bank the vote' program to encourage Republicans to vote by mail. [ more ]

#voting rights

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

7 months ago

Social justice

Civil rights groups file lawsuit against youth voting restrictions

SB 747 is facing a lawsuit for being an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote for young North Carolinians.

The lawsuit argues that SB 747 disproportionately affects young voters' ability to register and have their ballots counted.

The bill places the fate of a ballot cast using same-day registration on whether a single piece of mail reaches the voter. [ more ]

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Social justice

Civil rights groups ask Supreme Court to provide relief for Black, Latino Galveston County voters

The Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the Texas Civil Rights Project are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to address a racially gerrymandered map in Galveston County.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has granted an en banc review of the redistricting case in question.

The decision to delay the review jeopardizes the ability of Black and Latino residents in Galveston County to elect their preferred candidates. [ more ]

www.npr.org

US politics

Arizona GOP county officials face charges after refusing to certify election on time

Two Arizona Republican supervisors face criminal charges for delaying the certification of the 2022 midterm elections.

The delay raised concerns about the potential disruption of future elections and the disenfranchisement of voters.

The Arizona secretary of state's office called for an investigation into the supervisors' actions. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

US politics

It has to be done': can Reconstruction-era laws hold Trump and allies accountable?

Laws from the Reconstruction era are being used in lawsuits to hold Trump and his allies accountable for election subversion.

These laws are also being utilized to enforce voting rights and prevent discrimination in modern-era elections.

Section 3 of the 14th amendment is being used to keep Trump off the 2024 ballot and there is a novel approach to protecting the voting rights of people with felonies. [ more ]

Truthout

US politics

Federal Court Guts Enforcement of Voting Rights Act in "Catastrophic" Ruling

A conservative three-judge panel on the US federal court struck down the primary enforcement mechanism of the Voting Rights Act, which experts believe will be catastrophic for voting rights.

The ruling limits the ability of private litigants, like voting and civil rights groups, to bring lawsuits challenging discriminatory practices in redistricting and election administration under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The decision leaves the Justice Department as the main entity with the ability to bring lawsuits when electoral maps or changes to election administration rules have discriminatory effects on voters. [ more ]

Truthout

US politics

Federal Court Guts Enforcement of Voting Rights Act in "Catastrophic" Ruling

A conservative three-judge panel on the US federal court struck down the primary enforcement mechanism of the Voting Rights Act, which experts believe will be catastrophic for voting rights.

morevoting rights

#Voting Rights Act

The Nation

Social justice

A Rando Trump Judge Just Blew a Giant Hole in the Voting Rights Act

Judge Stras's decision makes the Voting Rights Act virtually unenforceable in seven states.

The Eighth Circuit ruled that private citizens could not sue to protect their voting rights.

If the ruling is upheld, only the attorney general can challenge states that violate voting rights. [ more ]

www.npr.org

Law

An appeals court has struck down a key path for enforcing the Voting Rights Act

A federal appeals court has struck down a key path for enforcing the Voting Rights Act, potentially limiting its protections for people of color.

The dispute centers around who is allowed to sue to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, with the lower court ruling that only the U.S. attorney general can bring such lawsuits.

This ruling may set up a Supreme Court fight and could further limit the reach of the Voting Rights Act's protections for people of color. [ more ]

moreVoting Rights Act

WSJ