Swipe, like, vote: the organizers using dating apps to boost turnout
Krisiti Johnson, the national press secretary for NextGen, an organization working to increase youth voter turnout, has begun using a new method to contact potential voters: online dating apps. Earlier this year, Johnson created a Hinge profile with prompts like “the key to my heart is being pro-choice” and “together we could vote on April 4th and get drinks after.” The goal behind Johnson's efforts was to match with men on dating apps, and when they messaged her she would ensure that they were
Far-right influencer convicted in 2016 voter suppression scheme
Douglass Mackey, a right-wing influencer from West Palm Beach, Florida, was convicted last week on charges that he allegedly conspired to deprive citizens of their right to vote in the 2016 presidential election. Mackey, along with several other internet influencers, spread fraudulent messages to Hillary Clinton supporters encouraging them to vote via text message or on social media, knowing that these votes would not count in the election. Mackey even edited his social media posts to mirror real advertisements and posts put out by
Voters with disabilities often overlooked in voting battles
Many voters with disabilities face barriers at the polls that politicians and the public at large rarely consider. A missing ramp or doorknob can turn into a significant struggle for disabled voters, and a lack of empathy or assistance from poll workers can compound these issues. Since 2016, the Department of Justice has entered over 30 agreements or settlements to force better access for disabled voters in cities and counties across the country under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visit Associated Press to learn moreImage
Youngkin changes Virginia’s voting rights restoration process
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has changed the process of how Virginians with a felony conviction can regain their voting rights. Previously, citizens who had committed a non-violent felony received their civil rights like voting, running for office, and serving on a jury automatically after they had served their sentence. Under the Republican Governors new policy, citizens with a felony conviction must now apply to regain civil rights after being released, and these applications will be considered on an individual basis. Visit 8News to learn moreImage
Pennsylvania judge dismisses latest GOP mail ballot lawsuit
A Pennsylvania judge, on Thursday March 23rd, has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee that attempted to prevent counties from helping voters make sure their ballots count by fixing minor, technical issues on mail ballot envelopes. The judge said county courts, not statewide courts, have jurisdiction. Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler agreed with the state’s Democratic administration in the ruling, emphasizing that the counties themselves have the authority under state law to make rules, regulations and instructions necessary to run an