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
Ron Desantis’ donors and allies question if he’s ready for 2024
After a surge in support following the recent midterm election, Florida Governor Ron Desantis now remains significantly below Donald Trump in polling for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. At a luncheon following the annual Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach, Florida, several prominent republicans expressed skepticism regarding Desantis’ ability to win the nomination. One supporter of the Florida Governor said they believe, “on balance that his long-term future was better without him trying to take Trump head on” further adding that if he chooses
Voting rights effort targets those held in jails across US
While many people serving time for felony convictions lose their right to vote, detainees awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences retain their voting rights, but face barriers to exercising it in many parts of the United States. Advocates are now working with jail officials in Cook County, Illinois; Denver; Harris County, Texas; Los Angeles County; and the District of Columbia to improve voting access. Expanding jailhouse voting is a recent step in an effort to combine voting rights with criminal justice changes. Voting rights
Trump and GOP attempt to reverse course on mail-in voting ahead of 2024
Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans are working to change course on mail-in voting ahead of next year's presidential and congressional elections. At the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month Trump told attendees specifically that it is time to “change our thinking” on early and mail in voting. This comes after years of Trump and his allies claiming mail in voting is riddled with fraud. Visit CNN to learn moreImage Credit:Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)