Un juez federal ha bloqueado una ley de Arizona de 2022 que, según los defensores del derecho al voto, habría dificultado la votación de algunos Nativos Americanos. El proyecto de ley 2492 de la Cámara de Representantes exigía que todos los votantes registrados acreditaran una dirección física para poder votar. Pero el Fondo para los Derechos de los Nativos Americanos sostiene que más de 40,000 casas situadas en reservas no tienen una dirección física.

La abogada de Native American Rights Fund, Allison Neswood, dice que están satisfechos con la decisión, que garantiza que los ciudadanos que viven en comunidades tribales puedan votar.

"Asegurarse de que una nueva ley no perdiera de vista los problemas estructurales específicos que enfrentan los nativos americanos era realmente importante, creo que para las tribus que participaron en el caso, y para quienes plantearon el tema, querían asegurarse de que estas cuestiones no se perdieran," asegura Neswood.

Ella explica que la sentencia del juez significa que el requisito de dirección del proyecto de ley debe interpretarse de forma liberal, de modo que nadie esté obligado a tener una dirección estándar para poder votar. Esto también significa que la identidad de un votante puede verificarse en el colegio electoral utilizando un documento de identidad expedido en Arizona que incluya un apartado postal o cualquier documento de identificación tribal.

Neswood argumenta que casos como este demuestran que a los miembros tribales les importa mucho poder ejercer su derecho al voto, y que defenderán esos derechos cuando se vean amenazados. Añade que los Nativos Americanos de todo el país se enfrentan a lo que ella denomina "barreras superpuestas", que pueden dificultar la participación cívica en estas comunidades.

"Estos problemas sistémicos apilados unos sobre otros dificultan el acceso de los Nativos Americanos en las urnas," explica Neswood. "Y luego, por supuesto, debido al trato histórico que han recibido, tenemos mayores índices de pobreza y de personas sin hogar, lo que aumenta las dificultades para superar todas esas barreras."

Sostiene que el uso de direcciones en el registro de votantes y en los procesos electorales ya dificulta la participación de los Nativos Americanos en las elecciones, incluso sin la nueva ley. El año pasado, el entonces gobernador Doug Ducey firmó la ley, citando los esfuerzos para inculcar la integridad electoral y prohibir los intentos de votar ilegalmente.



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By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he supports efforts to redistrict Indiana's U.S. House seats, and he's seen what could be redrawn maps floating around, but has not seen any official maps.

He shared his thoughts on Friday in a one-on-one interview with I-Team 8.

"People want to scream about gerrymandering. Listen, every state does it. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. I think what Republicans have kind of fallen into the trap of doing for many years in the establishment way of thinking is if we just play nice, they'll play nice, if and when they're in power. We found out that that doesn't happen. So, listen, we've got the ball. We need to run the ball down the field, and we should do everything we can to make big wins for Republican principles, constitutional concepts and I believe ... the Republican Party embodies those principles better than the other party does. So, I'm fully in support of President Trump and his offensive-minded strategy here."

Beckwith told I-Team 8 he does not know exactly what happened on Thursday in a closed-door meeting at the Statehouse with Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other top state lawmakers.

However, Beckwith said, he is aware of the taxpayer cost to calling a special session.

He says it's worth it.

"I think in the long run, if we can get the outcome that we're looking for, I think it will be certainly we're going to have to spend money. Yes, they are expensive. Nobody takes that lightly. That is certainly a conversation that needs to be had, and we need to look at that. But, I do think if we can take the 1st and 7th districts back, and really make Indiana a powerhouse red state, and then also give Washington a boost with a little bit more in the majority there. I think, economically, it will pay off in the long run, and I think we'll see our investment have big returns."/p<>


Kyla Russell wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


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Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.