Judge considers suppression claims in broad Georgia voting rights suit
A federal judge is considering claims from a voting rights organization that Georgia’s election laws and practices disenfranchise voters, especially African-American voters, and that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is responsible for the problems these laws create. Attorneys for Raffensperger counter that changes to election law made since 2018 and the record turnout in the 2020 election illustrate that claims of voter suppression are unfounded.Visit the Atlanta Constitution Journal to learn more. Voter Education Week Young adults will be the nation’s largest voting bloc in the
Bills limiting payday loan rates, expanding voting by mail advance in Illinois House
A bill which permanently extends mail-in voting expansions adopted in response to the coronavirus pandemic has advanced in the Illinois State Legislature. The Democratic-sponsored bill allows election officials to set up drop boxes for mail-in ballots and curbside voting if they choose. Republicans legislators have expressed concerns that the language around the security of the drop boxes is too vague.Visit the Chicago Sun Times to learn more.Image credit: Daniel Schwen (CC BY-SA 3.0) Voter Education Week Young adults will be the nation’s largest voting bloc in
Local legislators co-sponsor ranked-choice voting bill
Two Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to bring ranked-choice voting to Washington State. Visit KGMI to learn more. Voter Education Week Young adults will be the nation’s largest voting bloc in the upcoming election and the National Voter Education Week plans to equip them with the tools and information they need to cast a ballot this fall. Visit Website More Than A Vote A voting initiative started by several Black athletes and artists combatting systemic and racist voter suppression. This initiative aims at educating, energizing, and protecting the Black
Cuomo proposes changes to NY absentee ballot counting, early voting
Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to push a number of election reform proposals in New York. These include allowing no-excuse absentee voting, extending the time voters have to request absentee ballots, extending early voting times, requiring early voting sites to stay open later, and allowing absentee ballots to be processed as they are received. The latter-most proposal would help speed up the counting and reporting process for absentee ballots.Visit the Auburn Citizen to learn more.Image credit: Pat Arnow (CC BY-SA 2.0) Voter Education Week Young adults
Virginia Democrats push to end constitutional rule stripping felons of voting rights
Virginia is one of three states, along with Kentucky and Iowa, whose laws allow for permanent disenfranchisement of people convicted of felonies. Several high-profile Democrats in Virginia, including Governor Ralph Northam, are seeking to change that by pushing for a state constitutional amendment which restores voting rights to convicted felons upon their release from prison. There is an alternative amendment being proposed by some Virginia state legislatures which would allow felons to vote while in prison. Currently, only Vermont, Maine, and Washington, D.C. allow