Decenas de miles de habitantes de Tennessee con condenas por delitos graves no podrán votar en las elecciones generales del 5 de Noviembre. Una investigación realizada por The Sentencing Project muestra que más de 399 mil habitantes de Tennessee se encuentran entre los cuatro millones de estadounidenses afectados por la privación de sus derechos por delitos graves. Nicole D. Porter de The Sentencing Project dice que Tennessee continúa marginando a estas personas después del encarcelamiento, principalmente debido a su complejo proceso para restaurar sus derechos. Señala que hay varias opciones para restablecer esos derechos, pero pocas logran superar los obstáculos involucrados.

"Las personas deben presentar solicitudes para la restauración de sus derechos. Tienen que pedir perdón para recuperar sus derechos. Y para ser elegible, no se trata solo de elegibilidad automática, sino que las personas deben pagar multas y tarifas, y en esas tarifas, incluir estar al día con los pagos de manutención de los hijos," dijo Porter.

El informe dice que a menos de 3.500 habitantes de Tennessee se les restableció el derecho al voto entre 2018 y 2023. Porter agrega que The Sentencing Project quiere que Tennessee considere cambiar sus políticas actuales y permitir que las personas que aún están en prisión, independientemente de su delito o condena, puedan votar. Los críticos de esa idea dicen que quienes son condenados por delitos graves deberían perder su derecho al voto.

Porter dice que la privación de derechos afecta tanto a personas encarceladas como a personas no encarceladas en varios estados del sur, incluido Tennessee. El informe muestra que ha generado desigualdad racial y dice que, en todo el país, uno de cada 22 afroamericanos en edad de votar está privado de sus derechos. Añade que también se centra en el efecto desproporcionado de la privación de derechos sobre las mujeres.

"El informe también destaca las estimaciones de la privación de derechos de género en todos los estados, y eso es nuevo en el informe, donde estimamos el numero de mujeres con condenas por delitos graves que están privadas de sus derechos a nivel nacional y también dentro de los estados," Porter explicó.

Se estima que 764.000 mujeres representan poco menos de una quinta parte de la población total privada de derechos. Porter dice que los investigadores de The Sentencing Project esperan que el informe arroje luz sobre el persistente problema de la privación de derechos por delitos graves como obsoleto y racialmente sesgado.

El apoyo para este informe fue proporcionado por The Carnegie Corporation de Nueva York.


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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.