The University of Florida bars professors from testifying in a voting rights case
Three professors who specialize in voting rights law have been denied permission by their employer, the University of Florida, to testify in a lawsuit. This suit has been filed against the state of Florida after the recent passage of a bill which the plaintiff’s claim unfairly limits voter access. Critics of the University’s decision to forbid their employees’ participation in the case argue that this is a violation of the professors’ academic freedom and First Amendment rights. The professors’ lawyer claims that "it's unprecedented
Democrats’ biggest push for voting rights fails with no Republicans on board
Despite adopting compromises proposed by conservative-leaning Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Democrats in the Senate failed to win a single Republican vote in favor of the Freedom to Vote Act. Because 60 votes are still needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate, the Democrats appear to have run out of options for achieving voting rights reform beyond changing the rules of their legislative body. Senator Manchin had rejected the earlier voting rights bill put forward by his fellow party-members, but as
Biden Says He Will Ramp Up Push To Expand Voting Rights, And Puts Harris In Charge
During his speech to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, President Joe Biden announced that he has selected Vice President Kamala Harris to lead White House efforts to defend voting rights. According to the President, the voting rights of Americans are under an “unprecedented assault” by Republican state legislatures. The White House Press Secretary says that Vice President Harris, herself, asked President Biden for the assignment.Visit NPR to learn more.Image Credit: Joe Biden photo by Adam Schultz / Biden for President
Newsmax Issues Retraction and Apology To Dominion Employee Over Elections Stories
Newsmax has issued a retraction and offered an apology to Ed Coomer, a Dominion Voting Systems employee. The right-wing media outlet had spread rumors, without evidence, that Coomer had falsified results in the 2020 election. After outlets such as Newsmax had amplified unsubstantiated accusations of election fraud from the Trump campaign, Coomer faced death threats and lived in hiding for six months. Newsmax’s statement of apology acknowledges that it has subsequently “found no evidence that Dr. Coomer interfered with Dominion voting machines or voting
After Georgia: Here Are 4 States To Watch Next On Voting Legislation
Since the end of the 2020 election, states have taken wildly divergent approaches to voting reform legislation. While some, including Georgia and Iowa, have passed laws which critics claim will reduce access to the ballot box, others, including Maryland and Massachusetts, are expanding access. In this report, NPR highlights four states where restrictive measures are being considered and have a strong chance of becoming law: Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Michigan.Visit NPR to learn more. Voter Education Week Young adults will be the nation’s largest voting bloc in