CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A coalition of pro-democracy groups in West Virginia is urging U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to support the "For the People Act," a broad measure in Congress to change voting, ethics and campaign-finance laws.

They're also calling on Sen. Manchin to reconsider his decision not to oppose filibusters in the Senate, which could block this voting-rights legislation.

Natalie Tennant served as West Virginia's secretary of state for eight years. She pointed out the act is especially timely, as the West Virginia Legislature considers a bill that would chip away at voting rights, following Georgia's lead.

"West Virginians want to be able to cast our ballots freely, safely and equally," said Tennant. "And if state lawmakers, county clerks and the secretary of state restrict our rights and our voting rights, West Virginians can turn to the For the People Act."

West Virginia's Senate Bill 565 would eliminate the popular Saturday before the election as an early voting day, and require a purge of voter rolls every two years instead of four.

Supporters say it would help ensure elections run smoothly. It easily passed in the state Senate and is now in the House Judiciary Committee.

The West Virginia bill also would set an earlier deadline to apply for an absentee ballot, and end the state's efforts to establish automatic voting registration at Motor Vehicle Administration offices.

Sam Hickman, executive director of the West Virginia chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said he thinks the bill would drive down the state's already low voter-participation rate.

"The results of our elections certainly do not point to any fraud or abuse having taken place," said Hickman. "West Virginia's Legislature is now also doing its best to restrict voter access in the name of preventing fraud and abuse and easing the burden on our county clerks, rather than making it easier for voters."

The For the People Act is popular across the country, with 67% of Americans supporting it, according to a national poll. And it has support across party lines, with 56% of Republicans and 77% of Democrats in favor.

Connecticut voters approved an amendment enshrining no-excuse absentee voting in the state's constitution.

Passing by a little more than 57% of the vote, the amendment opens up voting access to broaden ballot access. It comes a year after voters approved an amendment allowing for early voting.

Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, said it will make it easier for everyone in the state to vote.

"People have challenges in their lives from caretaking to child care to work that limit their ability to get to the polls," Quickmire pointed out. "They are ready for having another opportunity to submit an absentee ballot."

Though the amendment received mostly positive feedback from residents, some people were skeptical about its necessity given the state's existing early voting plan but the amendment will help people who cannot get to the polls during early voting to cast a ballot. The General Assembly will develop a rollout plan for no-excuse absentee voting in the next legislative session.

Some groups have ideas about implementing no-excuse absentee voting.

David McGuire, chairperson of the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC, wants to see a permanent absentee voting roll developed so people can automatically receive an absentee ballot every year. He admitted it would prompt plenty of challenges.

"There'll likely be conversations about logistics and resources but we come at this from the perspective that you really cannot put a price on democracy," McGuire explained. "We need to make sure that no-excuse absentee voting is a process that works well for people."

Beyond early and no-excuse absentee voting, McGuire argued enfranchising incarcerated people by giving them the right to vote would also help.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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New federal loan adjustments aim to ease financial burdens for farmers but advocates said lasting change requires legislative action.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced changes to the Farm Service Agency's farm loan programs. The changes are designed to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to become financially viable by offering improved financing options for operating expenses, land and equipment purchases.

Velisha Jackson, a farmer and member of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, said one of the most significant changes is the introduction of flexible repayment terms. She believes it is crucial for those who have struggled under the previous system.

"I think the flexible repayment terms, that is going to be major," Jackson emphasized. "You're talking about a population of farmers and landowners who often lost acreage because they missed a payment."

She noted another major benefit is having new guidance to help people navigate through the application process such as the addition of online tutorials and educational resources. As a part of the changes the Farm Service Agency is also offering debt refinancing options and limits how much collateral farmers need to provide, so they are not risking their homes and assets.

Jackson warned while the new rules are a step forward, they might not be permanent, which is why groups such as the National Family Farm Coalition and the Rural Advancement Foundation International are endorsing the Fair Credit for Farmers Act. The goal is to strengthen Farm Service Agency services further by improving access and accountability in farm loan services while bolstering farmer-borrower rights.

Jackson stressed passing the legislation is crucial for ensuring long-term support and equity in the agricultural sector.

"We have to have enough legislation to allow us to provide those food and food streams to support people," Jackson contended. "Whether it's in underserved communities where maybe they don't have access to food or even healthy or organic choices."

One way the legislation seeks to create better outcomes for farmers is by correcting the imbalance of power in the appeals process, shifting the burden of proof onto the Farm Service Agency rather than farmers.


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Wisconsin experienced its first election using the state's new competitive political maps, and experts said it made a significant difference in outcomes.

Although Republicans still have the upper hand, their supermajority is quashed and Democrats made some key gains in the Wisconsin Legislature, which they believe puts them in a better position to gain chamber control in 2026.

David Helpap, associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, said it lays the groundwork for changes in future policy proposals.

"As districts become more competitive, it makes it more difficult for those who are elected officials in those districts to really propose policies that are too far left or right of center," Helpap explained. "Simply because they know they're going to have to answer to voters that are more 'center' than they used to be."

He pointed out the new legislative maps leveled the playing field for legislators in a way Wisconsin hasn't seen in more than a decade, making it possible for Democrats to pick up key seats in districts covering the northern Milwaukee suburbs, the north side of Madison, as well as Richland and Sauk counties, the Green Bay area and much of the Fox Cities.

Until Gov. Tony Evers came into office, Republicans had free rein in choosing which policies to push forward, Helpap added. But Evers changed the dynamic overall, most recently with the new legislative maps.

One of the biggest upcoming policy issues is the next state budget. From K-12 education to funding local government, the University of Wisconsin system and corrections, Helpap emphasized it is where Wisconsinites could see the effect of the map changes the most, and the dynamic will be different.

"There's no doubt that Republicans still have the majority and they can sort of proceed in that fashion," Helpap observed. "But I think perhaps some folks will be thinking about the next election cycle and maybe the implications of specific decisions that they'll be making during this budget process."

Wisconsin also picked up a key Democratic win on the national level, with Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin winning a third term in the U.S. Senate by less than a percentage point.


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