Voting
State judges across the U.S. face growing GOP pushback against rulings in election cases
In mid-December, Texas’ highest criminal court revoked the state attorney general’s ability to use his office to prosecute election-related cases without the request of a district or county attorney. In an 8-1 opinion, the all-Republican court weakened Attorney General Ken Paxton’s power to independently go after perpetrators of voter fraud, a problem he says is […]
Commentary: Citizens drew fair redistricting maps, so why can’t the Legislature do the same?
Redistricting should result in voting districts where elected officials represent the everyday concerns of their voters. Your representative should be your advocate, focused on your school district, your health and safety, your water systems, and your local economy. Your representative should advocate for the interests of your town, city, and county. The redistricting proposals of […]
Citizens and advocates join Sununu in asking Senate to change maps
Citizens and advocates are pushing the New Hampshire Senate to change redistricting maps they say are gerrymandered – and they’re now wielding Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent comments on the maps to make their case. Sununu told WMUR in late January that he had asked senators to change the maps currently before them. “I told them: […]
States weigh how to shield election officials from threats, harassment
Following the turmoil of the 2020 election, a photo of Washington state Election Director Lori Augino marked with crosshairs, her address, and the words “your days are numbered” was posted on a website alongside photos of numerous other state election officials described as “enemies of the people.” Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman said in […]
U.S. Senate blocks change in the filibuster for voting rights bills
WASHINGTON – Every Republican in the U.S. Senate and two Democrats on Wednesday night rejected a proposed change in the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation, dealing a major blow to attempts in Congress to counter restrictive voting laws passed in the states. In a 48-52 vote, two Democrats – Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona […]
Republican senators propose bill to void ballots of voters who don’t prove domicile
Since 2020, the effort to tighten voting procedures has swept statehouses nationwide. Now, New Hampshire Senate Republicans are seeking a new target to overhaul: same-day voter registration. A bill unveiled last week would require voters who register to vote on Election Day without sufficient documents to mail copies of those documents to the Secretary of […]
Seven states to watch in the 2022 push to restrict voting rights
WASHINGTON – Republican state lawmakers across the country are ramping up their drive to enact voting and election-related laws in time for crucial 2022 midterm elections. As federal legislation that would limit state-level voting restrictions appears stymied in Washington, Republicans in the states are moving forward with new proposals and revisiting old ones that Democrats […]
Congressional Black Caucus calls for Senate action on voting rights
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday to push for the swift passage of two voting rights bills, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are applying pressure for action as well. During a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, caucus Chair Joyce Beatty said that members […]
Redistricting listening sessions did little to influence House-approved maps
The New Hampshire House last week approved the Republican-backed plans for redistricting the congressional, House of Representatives, and county commissioner districts. Nonpartisan watchdog groups have decried the congressional maps for gerrymandering: making the 1st Congressional District more friendly to Republicans and the 2nd District more firmly Democratic. And criticism has also been leveled at the […]
Activists on right and left prepare for fierce school board elections
For parents considering a run for school board next spring, 603 Alliance is ready. The conservative activist group is setting up candidate trainings across the state over the next few weeks. But first, candidates will have to answer a few questions. “They have to be accepted,” said Fran Wendelboe, managing director of the group. “They […]
Commentary: New Hampshire’s congressional districts must be competitive – not rigged monopolies
“That’s all we’re asking for: an end to the antidemocratic and un-American practice of gerrymandering congressional districts. … The fact is, gerrymandering has become a national scandal.” – President Ronald Reagan As someone who believes in the power of competition and the free market, I am appalled by the proposed map for New Hampshire’s congressional […]
In drawing new House maps, a divide over the definition of fair
The maps that will shape elections for the next decade made their way out of a special committee last week and are heading to the full House for a vote. But while the dramatic changes to the congressional maps have taken center stage, nonpartisan observers have their eyes on issues with the House maps that […]