A federal judge could rule as early as Friday on a request to ban groups that have been monitoring Arizona ballot drop boxes, in response to voters who testified Wednesday to feeling intimidated as they cast their ballots. Read more»
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U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a case that challenges an Alabama redistricting map and could potentially eliminate remaining federal safeguards against racial gerrymandering, further weakening the Voting Rights Act. Read more»
As the Supreme Court embarks on its new term with public approval at an all-time low and as the country contends with the fallout from blockbuster rulings upending years of precedent, the justices are preparing to put more long-established rulings on the chopping block. Read more»
In a case to be heard this year, the U.S. Supreme Court could decide that state legislatures have control over congressional elections, including the ability to draw voting districts for partisan political advantage, unconstrained by state law or constitutions. Read more»
A new law barring elections officials from accepting private grants was fueled by conspiracy theories about money donated by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg - but Arnold Schwarzenegger also gave money to help Maricopa County conduct elections. Read more»
There's no consensus about who or how many will be affected by Arizona's new "proof-of-citizenship" voting law — which is exactly how we want the state to target its power, right? (dripping sarcasm).
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Texas quietly using redistricting lawsuits to launch a broader war against federal voting rights law
Beyond the legal fight over Texas redistricting maps, another war is being waged against the Voting Rights Act that could constrict voting rights protections nationwide - and some Supreme Court justices have indicated agreement with arguments in a recent Arizona case. Read more»
A bipartisan group of senators is exploring legislation to overhaul how Congress counts Electoral College votes, but backers of stalled voting rights legislation are lukewarm on the effort as a substitute. Read more»
In one last split vote, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission certified the new legislative map - now, the new maps are on their way to the Secretary of State’s Office, the final step required to enshrine them as the districts the state will use through the 2030 election.
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The voting rights bill currently being considered by the Senate would standardize election laws across the country and restore provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But thanks to two Democratic senators, it doesn’t look like it’s going to pass. What does that mean for voting rights? Read more»
Arizona redistricting commissioners spent several hours airing accusations and grievances over the recently concluded mapmaking process but unexpectedly adjourned without certifying the final congressional and legislative districts. Read more» 1
No single issue convinced me the filibuster must go. Thinking about the structural problems that legislative barrier has created did the trick. But I have a way out that will let democracy continue to function without a breakdown.
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Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Thursday said during a Senate floor speech that she believed any changes to the filibuster would continue to create political division, appearing to end a drive by Democrats to pass major voting rights legislation. Read more»
Mitch McConnell lives in an alternate reality where principles, hypocrisy, irony, and lying your ass off only apply to Democrats. If a Republican changes his mind and does the exact thing he railed on and on against previously, then you’re not supposed to remember that. Read more»
President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday to push for the swift passage of two voting rights bills, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are applying pressure for action as well. Read more»
Political fortunes for a number of lawmakers shifted when the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission approved its final legislative map, granting a reprieve to some who were facing trouble and giving others new headaches as they head into their re-election campaigns. Read more» 1