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The Bureau of Land Management updates a proposed Western Solar Plan to the delight of wildlife advocates, grant funding helps New York schools take part in National Farm to School Month, and children's advocates observe "TEN-4 Day" to raise awareness of child abuse.

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Biden voices concerns over Israeli strikes on Iran, Special Counsel Jack Smith details Trump's pre-January 6 pressure on Pence, Indiana's voter registration draws scrutiny, and a poll shows politics too hot to talk about for half of Wisconsinites.

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Cheap milk comes at a cost for residents of Washington's Lower Yakima Valley, Indigenous language learning is promoted in Wisconsin as experts warn half the world's languages face extinction, and Montana's public lands are going to the dogs!

With survey data in hand, group pushes importance of SCOTUS in 2024 vote

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Tuesday, July 2, 2024   

Wisconsin voters are no strangers to messaging about the overlap between election outcomes and the judiciary and before voting in the 2024 presidential race, they will see more outreach about the effect of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Last year, Wisconsin voters were inundated with campaign ads for candidates in the high-profile state Supreme Court race. With the nation's high court under scrutiny, the group Stand Up America is educating voters with ad campaigns in battleground states about court dynamics and what lies ahead.

Sarah Harris, deputy communications director for the group, said as you prepare to vote on who will have a say in nominating future justices, it is important to not just think about immediate fallout.

"It's important to think about generations after us," Harris contended. "Many of the people who could potentially be put on the bench will be on there for 50 to 60 years potentially, as justices continue to be appointed younger and younger."

New survey data from Stand Up America reveals 64% of voters favor congressional action to set 18-year term limits for current and future justices. Separate polling from Gallup shows lower approval ratings of the Supreme Court, however, a majority of Republicans still have a favorable view of the court and its conservative majority.

Wisconsin is among the states where Stand Up America is ramping up its messaging. Beyond controversial opinions from the last couple of years, the Supreme Court has been caught up in an ethics scandal.

Harris argued the court has not shown an ability to police itself.

"Chief Justice Roberts and others put out a sort of suggestion list of ethics but it's not binding," Harris pointed out. "It sort of leaves other people on the court to decide if and when there is an ethical issue, and as we've seen ethical issues continue to happen."

Conservative justice Clarence Thomas defended himself after investigative reporters with ProPublica revealed he was often treated to expensive vacations paid for by Republican donors. Thomas said he did not disclose them because the donors are close friends but some legal experts take issue with the explanation.

Disclosure: Stand Up America contributes to our fund for reporting on Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Pol, Civic Engagement, and Civil Rights. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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