Delaware Passes Law Restoring Voting Rights to Felons With Outstanding Court Debts

By EditorJul 18, 2016

Delaware - Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday signed a bill that allows felons to vote before they have paid all fines, fees and restitution. Previously, all fines, charges, fees associated with a conviction had to be satisfied before restoration of voting rights. The Delaware legislature recently removed a 5 year waiting period requirement for felons that served their sentences. According to the Washington Post, Delaware had been one of only 3 states requiring financial restitution as a condition of voting privilege restoration.

Redistricting, Redistricting Race RulesDelaware, felons, rights, voting

Group Sues Over Louisiana Ex-Felon Voting Law

By EditorJul 13, 2016

Baton Rouge, LA - Ex-felon voting rights will depend on a turn of phrase as a voting rights group sues to have the state's law barring ex-felons from overturned. The plaintiffs in the case contend that Louisiana's state constitution only always denial of the franchise for those who are imprisoned, on probation or on parole, they seek to overturn a 1976 law that bans ex-felons of any status from voting. Read more here.

Uncategorizedex-felon, louisiana

Judicial Watch to Defend Voters Challenging Constitutionality of Maryland’s Congressional Redistricting Maps

By EditorJul 12, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC--( July 08, 2016) - A special, three-judge panel will consider a constitutional challenge to Maryland's gerrymandered congressional district map on Tuesday, July 12. Judicial Watch Attorney Robert Popper will appear before the panel on behalf of voters from each of Maryland's eight congressional districts. The plaintiffs challenging Maryland's congressional district plan include Maryland Delegates Neil C. Parrott and Matt Morgan, and former Maryland legislator and gubernatorial candidate Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit on June 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against Maryland's state administrator of elections and the…

Redistricting, Redistricting Gerrymanderscongressional, Maryland, redistricting

(Video) Court to Decide Illinois Redistricting Reform Fate Soon

By EditorJul 07, 2016

Illinois - Redistricting reform in Illinois will soon get a decision from a court on whether a proposed 11 member redistricting commission can be submitted to voters as a ballot initiative for an up or down vote. Listen to this local ABC news station interview a representative from the reform group behind the ballot measure on its prospects. http://abc7chicago.com/video/embed/?pid=1411236

Redistricting, Redistricting Commissions, REFORMballot initiative, Illinois, reform

Colorado Redistricting Reform Fails

By EditorJul 06, 2016

Colorado - The State's Supreme Court has thrown out two constitutional ballot measures that would have changed how Colorado draws its congressional and state legislative maps. A 4-3 decision ruled that the measures were in violation of the state constitution's "single-subject" rule. The measures would have established a 12- member nonpartisan commission to redraw congressional and state legislative districts. Read more here.

Redistricting, Redistricting Commissions, REFORMballot initiative, colorado, reform

Book Review: Daley’s “Rat**cked” Tackles Redistricting Through the Decades

By EditorJun 27, 2016

New York - Pulitzer prize-winning writer Elizabeth Kolbert and staff writer for the New Yorker, reviews this book: "Ratf**ked," detailing the Republican party's Redistricting Majority Project or "REDMAP." This was a strategic effort beginning decades ago to realign the electoral map in favor the party. Written by David Daley, editor of Salon.com - the book describes its provocative title as an actual term of art, associated with dirty tricks for partisan advantage; gerrymandering was one of them. Spoiler alert: the Voting Rights Act helped their efforts, especially in the 1990's. Interestingly, Kolbert's article identifies Virginian Patrick Henry as the first person…

Redistricting, Redistricting Gerrymanders, REFORMBook Review, David Daley, national, New Yorker, Redistricting Majority Project, REDMAP

Virginia Mistakenly Restored Voting Rights to “Worst Sexual Predators”

By EditorJun 23, 2016

Virginia - Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe’s April restoration of voting rights to felons that have completed their full sentence, hit a snafu last week when it was discovered that a small group of "ineligible" people had been inadvertently put on the list of eligible voters; Sex offenders who have been civilly committed to a treatment facility. Read more at triblive.

RedistrictingVirginia, voter ID

In Kansas, Some May Only Vote for “Federal” Candidates

By EditorJun 22, 2016

Kansas - The federal lawsuit currently pending over Kansas's 2013 voter identification law has some voters able to vote only for federal candidates on the ballot. (more…)

RedistrictingKansas, voter ID

North Carolina Voter ID Law On Appeal

By EditorJun 21, 2016

North Carolina - The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled oral argument this week on the challenge to the state's Voter Identification requirement for registering to vote. The 2013 changes in the law include: a photo identification requirement a reduced early voting period elimination of same-day registration during the early voting period; and disqualification of ballots cast in the wrong voting precinct. A preliminary injunction is temporarily allowing out-of-precinct voting and same-day registration pending a court decision. Read more at WRAL.com.

RedistrictingNorth Carolina, voter ID

Prison Gerrymandering Decision Halted in Rhode Island

By EditorJun 19, 2016

Cranston, Rhode Island – A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a lower court decision and order to redraw the city’s legislative boundaries pending an appellate hearing. A U.S. District Court had found that the Cranston city ward map violated the equal population mandate required under the U.S. Constitution by including the local (nonvoting) prison population in one of the wards. Thus, an initial “win” for prison gerrymandering advocates has been put on hold. A state chapter of the ACLU initiated the original lawsuit on behalf of 4 Cranston residents. The lower court judge had ordered the City redraw its…

Redistricting, REFORMcity, Cranston, equal population, Prison gerrymandering, prisoner reallocation, Rhode Island