Texas Congressional Redistricting: Beyond Last Week's Section 5 Ruling
Posted on What's New Drew Penrose on September 06, 2012
Texas has had problems with redistricting - yet again. Last week's federal court ruling that Texas's 2011 plans for congressional districts and state legislative districts had both the purpose and effect of further reducing the representation of Texas's already underrepresented racial minority populations is just the state's latest salvo in the redistricting wars. We show that there's another way: fair voting plans.
Read moreAmerica's Young Voters: Who They Are and Why They Matter
Posted on What's New Christina Grier on November 23, 2011
Young voters hold the key to the future of the country and are an important part of the electorate. Just like every other age group, they are frustrated with political officials. Yet despite this frustration, there has been a slight increase in youth voter turnout over the past few years. Even with the increase in turnout, young voters still vote at a lesser rate than voters of other age groups. It is a problem that needs to be addressed because the strength of our democracy depends on all voters participating.
Read moreRemember Young People in Maryland's April Primary
Posted on What's New Tyler Sadonis on November 07, 2011
17-year-old primary voting is a great way to start getting young people involved in the political process. Unfortunately, many election and party officials do not promote it.
Read moreWhy Settle? A Review of the Conference on "Creating the Voting Rights Act of 2012"
Posted on What's New Christina Grier on November 04, 2011
The electoral reform organization Why Tuesday? held a conference on November 7 to address existing voting barriers, and offered solutions on how to fix an electoral system that is still functioning under 20th century guidelines. Panelists presented information on issues such as restrictive voter ID laws, voter fraud, and ways to modernize the registration process.
Read moreModernizing Voter Registration: An Overview of the American Enterprise Institute Conference
Posted on What's New Christina Grier on September 06, 2011
Electoral reform experts gathered together on September 19th for a conference on modernizing voter registration. Panelists discussed the current registration system, and provided solutions that will bring voter registration into the 21st century.
Read moreThe Disappearing Vote: A Spotlight on the Disenfranchised Felon Population of the US
Posted on What's New Christina Grier on September 06, 2011
Securing voting rights for every citizen should be a primary goal of the government. Up to 5.3 million people in the United States previously convicted of a felony are currently disenfranchised. While disproportionately affecting African-American men, the lack of voting rights due to having a criminal history serves as a hindrance to a successful re-entrance into society.
Read moreThe Constitutional Right to Vote Blog: Rock the Blog!
Posted on What's New Jo Mckeegan on June 13, 2011
“The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.” While the language of the 26th amendment is intended to serve young people well, it still leaves open a loophole in Constitutional law- while young people cannot be discriminated against based on their age, they can be denied the chance to vote, or have their ability to vote abridged, for reasons that can also undercut voting rights for older citizens.
Read moreThe Right to Vote: The case of the people of our nation's capital
Posted on What's New Right To Vote Blog, Jo Mckeegan on April 14, 2011
Although the District has a delegate in the U.S. House (Eleanor Holmes Norton) who can propose legislation and serve on committee, she does not have voting rights in Congress. The District lacks even a delegate in the U.S. Senate, even though Congress can veto any bill passed by the District and often considers “riders’ on bills that would change laws governing the residents of the District – a classic case of “taxation without representation.”
Read moreCelebrating Democracy Day on March 23: Curriculum from Rock the Vote and FairVote
Posted on What's New Loqmane Jamil on March 04, 2011
Beginning on March 23rd, students across the country will have the chance to learn about something that many of us take for granted - and not enough of us exercise - our right to vote.
Read moreThe Constitutional Right to Vote Blog: Felon Disenfranchisement in Iowa
Posted on What's New Right To Vote Blog, Jo Mckeegan on January 20, 2011
Iowa is a poster child for what it means to fail to protect our right to vote in the U.S. Constitution: fundamental democratic rights can then be tossed around like a political football.
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