Biden says he’s open to eliminating filibuster to pass voting-rights ‘and maybe more’ issues
Following Republican Senators’ most recent rejection of a modified voting rights reform proposal, President Joe Biden has told anchor Anderson Cooper in a town hall interview that he is willing to consider supporting revisions to the filibuster - and possibly even supporting its elimination. However, President Biden maintained that he would prefer to make the filibuster harder to execute, perhaps by requiring Senators to physically hold the floor and speak, as was customary in the past Biden also expressed the fear that if he
GOP ‘Colorblind’ Map Drawing Tactic Tests Voting Rights Act
Republican legislatures have adopted a new method for drawing electoral maps that excludes the use of any racial data. Critics of the technique argue that while no racial data is employed in drawing districts, the legislators still know full well when they have drawn a map that dilutes the power of voters of color. However, legal experts suspect that this new method may nevertheless deter voting rights advocates from bringing lawsuits against gerrymandered maps. An increasingly conservative judiciary has shown itself to be repeatedly
Schumer, McConnell headed for another collision over voting rights
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) has issued an open letter announcing his intention to file for a vote to end debate on The Freedom to Vote Act, a piece of legislation crafted by Senators Manchin (D-WV) and Klobuchar (D-MN). Republicans are expected to refuse to advance the bill. The Freedom to Vote Act was crafted by Democrats as a compromise, after Senator Manchin refused to support the For The People Act, which has passed the House of Representatives. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch
Worcester, minority residents settle voting rights lawsuit
The city of Worcestor and a coalition of its Black and Latino Residents have agreed to a settlement over a lawsuit which charged that the city’s method for electing school committee members diluted the Black and Latino vote. Although more than half of Worcestor’s students identify as Black or Latino, every member of the school board is currently white. The suit alleged that the city’s at-large electoral system discriminated against populations of color and violated federal law. Visit Boston.com to learn more. Image Credit: John Phelan (CC
Senate Judiciary squares off over John Lewis voting rights bill
The Senate Judiciary Committee has held a hearing on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has introduced. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke testified before the committee, urging passage of the bill and reinstatement of the Justice Department’s “preclearance” authority over changes made to election laws at the state and local levels. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) expressed skepticism, calling the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act a “disaster.” Though the Senate has engaged in much activity