Meet Jess. 

Massachusetts has taken a big step into the 21st century by reforming its voting laws and practices. 

The Voting Rights Act has been critical for protecting voting rights since its passage in 1965. But as a recent case in Texas shows, preconditions that assume the use of single-member districts prevent the VRA from being used to its full effect.

An explicit right to vote in the U.S. Constitution would prevent future debates over voter ID law.

With the release of its interim report on February 24th, the task force has set ambitious goals for the county’s elections, including adopting automatic voter registration, preventing partisan redistricting, improving civic outreach, bolstering voter turnout, and expanding civic education programs. The group has also announced plans to explore expanded suffrage for youths and people with felony convictions, ways to reduce wait times at the polls, and more inclusive ballot access laws.

Yesterday, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to give new life to the Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the law last June. The bill creates a new coverage formula under Section 4, which, though not perfect, is a clear step in the right direction.   

In one Maryland town, November 5, 2013 was no ordinary Election Day: it marked the beginning of a trailblazing expansion of suffrage rights. Takoma Park is the first city in the United States to open its polls in a general election to residents after they turn 16. The result was remarkable, including a turnout rate that was double that of city residents 18 and over.     

In the center of a Nepalese restaurant in Queens, a dozen IVote organizers crowded around a cluster of tables. The topic of discussion: coordinating an upcoming mock election for New York City immigrants. 

If HB 589 goes into effect, it will be a huge step backwards for voters in North Carolina.

FairVote this week joined diverse organizations in affirming the continuing necessity of the fully implemented Voting Rights Act - the most critical piece of civil rights legislation.