Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

Friday, July 19, 2024

Delegate says AZ GOP is 'united,' supports withdrawing Ukraine aid

More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will deliver her 'State of the Union' keynote address on Monday, July 22. (dragonstock/Adobe Stock}

Friday, July 19, 2024

Thousands of teachers expected in TX for their annual convention

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…

Alabama has approximately 4 million registered voters. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 18, 2024

ACLU of Alabama launches Project MOVE to boost voter turnout

The ACLU of Alabama launches a campaign to boost voter engagement. Alabama is grappling with one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country…

Student Fellows, Lorena and Camila, participating at a community event in Tyler, TX. (photo courtesy of Este Poder)

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

East TX nonprofit works to register young voters of color

The nonprofit Este Poder has a goal of helping more young people of color in rural east Texas exercise their right to vote. The organization holds …

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

UNLV sociologist not optimistic after Trump assassination attempt

Plenty of political and social leaders are calling for unity and condemning political violence after this weekend's assassination attempt on former Pr…

Sen. J. D. Vance, R-Ohio, is Donald Trump's vice presidential pick. Before his recent entrance into politics, he was perhaps best known as the author of a memoir about growing up in poverty in Appalachia. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Ohio group voices caution about Vance's record for helping working class

As the party announced Monday Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, is the vice presidential candidate on the GOP ticket, progressive groups said they are …

In the recent debate about the state of democracy, some political scientists said the donor class needs to shift more of its funding to nonpartisan foundations promoting healthy civic engagement. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

After Trump assassination attempt, defining democracy gets even harder

The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a focal point. Voters …

More than 500 people attended the 5th Annual Immigration Summit in Los Angeles, to plot a path forward after the November election. (USC Equity Research Institute)

CA leaders at immigration summit prep for November

Leaders at the 5th annual Immigration Summit, which wrapped up in Los Angeles Friday, have vowed to stand strong no matter what happens with the …

At the national level, researchers at Northwestern University estimate the nitrogen-dioxide-attributable mortality rate is 18% for Hispanic or Latino people. (Noemi Gonzalez/Chispa Arizona)

Monday, July 15, 2024

Poll: AZ Corporation Commission ranks poorly among Latino voters

New polling shows that less than 10% of Latino voters in Arizona believe the Arizona Corporation Commission is taking the state in the right direction…

The median monthly rent for all bedrooms and all property types in Las Vegas is $2,060, according to Zillow. (Adobe Stock)

Nevada leaders sound the alarm on housing crisis

Half of Nevada voters feel their political leaders are ignoring the housing crisis. Recent polling conducted by the Center for Popular Democracy and …

Monday, July 15, 2024

UT governor calls for unity following attempted Trump assassination

Gov. Spencer Cox is calling for unity as well as the condemnation of political violence in light of the assassination attempt on former President …

Washington state legislators passed a law in 2018 allowing voters to register up to and on Election Day. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

30-day residency requirement for WA voter registration struck down

A 30-day residency requirement to register to vote in Washington state will not go into effect, after a federal judge struck it down. Under the …

In virtually identical court declarations, professors involved in a lawsuit against the Biden administration said they will not honor any student's demands to be addressed by the singular pronoun

Monday, July 15, 2024

Texas professors wage war on Title IX, threatening students' rights to abortions

By Shoshanna Ehrlich for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

AZ senator: Many liberties at stake ahead of election

Abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, gun-violence and democracy itself are some of the issues Democrats said are at stake ahead of November's election. Sen…

Colorado hospitals and clinics have reported sharply increased numbers of uninsured people seeking care. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado posted 2nd-highest loss of Medicaid coverage in nation in May

In May, Colorado ranked second in the nation for the percentage of residents dropped from Medicaid health insurance rolls - including 500,000 who …

In a new AARP survey of Wisconsin voters, nearly two-thirds of older voters say Social Security is or will be a major source of their income. Pollsters said it underscores how big an issue the safety net program will be in the 2024 election. (Adobe Stock)

WI voters share election views in new post-debate poll

After the much-talked-about presidential debate, pollsters have a fresh snapshot of how Wisconsin voters feel about the leading candidates. Older …

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 that presidents are immune from prosecution for performing

SCOTUS presidential immunity decision puts democracy in peril, critic says

A U.S. Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity from prosecution is raising concerns about the power of the executive branch - and the future …

The Poor People's Campaign said if poor and low-income people voted at the same rate as those in higher income brackets, they would have the power to sway elections in every state. (AI/Adobe Stock)

Poor People's Campaign rallies in D.C. ahead of election

With chants of "We are the swing vote," poor and low-wage workers gathered in Washington, D.C., recently to rally and strategize ahead of the …

Around 67% of Nevada residents ages 50 and older think the country is headed in the wrong direction, according to AARP Nevada. (Adobe Stock)

AARP NV Poll: Older Nevada voters show stronger support for Trump

Former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden by 12 points among Nevada's older voters, according to a new AARP poll. Erin Neff, …

Ballot dropboxes have been used in elections since the 1980s in Wisconsin and other states.<br />(Felipe Sanchez/Adobe Stock)

WI high court rules ballot dropboxes will return

In a significant turnaround, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has reversed its stance on ballot dropboxes - making them legal again in a 4-3 ruling…

Stanford University researchers say immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than American-born people. (DragonImages/Adobe Stock)

Missouri committee to crack down on illegal immigrant crimes

The Missouri House of Representatives has formed a special committee to look into what the House Speaker refers to as crimes committed by immigrants l…

Around 68% of Arizona residents ages 50 and older think the country is headed in the wrong direction, according to AARP Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AARP AZ Poll: Women 50+ could tip the scale in November

Arizona's 50+ voters will be key in determining who wins the presidential election in November. A new AARP Arizona poll, which was commissioned …

According to the Stand Up America survey, abortion is the most important issue for Democrats and Independents, and there is a 30-point margin, 65%-35%, of voters believing abortion should be legal rather than illegal. (Drazen/Adobe)

New poll reveals Supreme Court appointments top concern for voters

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court awarded former President Donald Trump a significant win by giving him immunity from criminal prosecution for what …

Wyomingites aged 70-79 had the highest voter turnout rates in every general election from 2008 to 2022, according to data from the Secretary of State. (Adobe Stock)

WY candidates address older voters in online videos

Data show older voters are an influential demographic in Wyoming elections and a new series of videos asks candidates questions specific to the group…

By a 17-point margin, 53%-36%, voters favor Congress taking action to reform the Supreme Court and the way it operates, according to Stand Up America. (Adobe Stock)

UNLV law professor: SCOTUS has changed U.S. in 'dramatic ways'

A University of Nevada-Las Vegas law professor said the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court has issued major decisions dramatically …

Women's labor force participation would be 2.6% higher in South Dakota without the state's strict abortion laws, according to an analysis by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Jacob Lund/ Adobe Stock)

Report: Abortion restrictions cost SD’s economy $670 million annually

Abortion bans and restrictions limit women's participation in the workforce, according to a new analysis that quantifies the negative impacts on …

In a new survey from Stand Up America, 53% of voters embrace the idea of Congressional action to reform the U.S. Supreme Court and the way it operates. (Adobe Stock)

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

Wisconsin voters are no strangers to messaging about the overlap between election outcomes and the judiciary and before voting in the 2024 presidentia…

Over the years, acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. Shortly after the Civil War, the number of seats on the court was fixed at nine. (bbourdages)

Voting rights group targets MI in SCOTUS campaign

Polls consistently show Michigan as a critical battleground in this year's presidential election, with more than 8.3 million registered voters in the …

Around 50% of voters who supported Joe Biden in 2020 view the Supreme Court as a very important issue now, compared with just 37% of 2020 Trump voters, according to Stand Up America. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Voters say future SCOTUS appointments are top-of-mind issue

Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for placing three conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the court awarded him a …

By a 40-point margin, 64% to 24%, voters favor congressional action to set 18-year term limits for current and future Supreme Court justices. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court emerges as key election issue, according to survey

In the last election, Georgia tipped the scales with the smallest victory margin for President Joe Biden, but now a new battleground emerges: the …

The New Mexico Secretary of State says paper ballots are used in 100% of elections to ensure there's always physical ballots that can be recounted if necessary. (AdobeStock: PX Media)

Expert: America's erosion of democracy has accelerated

A political expert known for his research on authoritarian regimes says American democracy is threatened by minority rule, which is enshrined in the …

NV June primary shows high preference for mail ballots

Voting rights advocates say turnout for Nevada's June primary election was low overall but those who did vote did so mostly by mail. Just over 383,00…

Like New Mexico Senate candidate Cindy Nava, nearly one in 10 New Mexico residents is an immigrant. (Photo courtesy of Nava)

New Mexico 'Dreamer' sets sights on state legislature

A "Dreamer" running for the New Mexico Senate said a Biden administration plan to create pathways allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals bene…

In a Human Rights Campaign survey from 2019 of 4,000 LGBTQ+ adults, almost 17% overall, and nearly 32% of transgender respondents, said they opted not to vote out of fear of being harassed while voting. (yavdat/Adobe Stock)

NE LGBTQ+ group focuses on new voter ID law during Pride Month

For some LGBTQ+ voters in Nebraska, the state's new voter ID law brought up issues in the May primary election and could again in November's General …

Nearly one out of 10 adults in Mississippi is disenfranchised, constituting 9.36% of the population. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Eligible incarcerated people may request absentee ballots Monday in MS

A new bill that takes effect next Monday will allow incarcerated Mississippians to request an absentee ballot in time for the presidential election on…

The current American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State is being held this week, through June 29, at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. High schoolers interested in attending Girls State in the future should check missourigirlsstate.org. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

America's 'Radical Elders' continue their work for fairness, justice

Members of the group Radical Elders are participating in a Chicago tech conference this weekend to explain the impact of technology on older Americans…

About a quarter of Americans hold unfavorable views of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. (Christian Delbert/Adobe Stock)

Expert warns of upcoming threats to democracy across the nation

The Arizona Court of Appeals recently dismissed a case brought by Republican Arizona attorney general candidate Abraham Hamadeh, Republican Cochise …

The 2024 Summer U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City, Mo., will be under the leadership of its president, Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno, Nev., and host Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. <br />(SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

MI mayor shifts priorities at conference after mass shooting in his city

Some Michigan mayors are out of the office this week - but still working for their cities. They're at the 92nd meeting of the United States …

A new report from an independent think tank said 26 states have enacted restrictions that make it harder for local election offices to secure private grants to help cover their expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Bans on private funding for elections factor big in voting-law analysis

On the heels of its primary election, North Dakota has received a "fair" grade in an annual report examining voting laws for each state. The …

Authors of a new report examining election laws for each state say inconsistent federal funding has made operations harder for local election administrators. If states do not fill the funding gap, replacing aging voting equipment becomes more difficult. (Adobe Stock)

Automatic voter registration stands out in MN election-law analysis

This week, Minnesota leaders touted early numbers under a new automatic voter-registration law. The provision was among the highlights in a report …

New Hampshire House Republicans have advanced Bill 1569, which would require, for the first time, a birth certificate, passport or other proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in New Hampshire. The bill would also eliminate any exceptions to the state's voter ID law on Election Day. (Adobe Stock)

False claims of noncitizen voters spur federal, NH legislation

House Republicans are backing legislation to require proof of citizenship to register to vote in a federal election. Despite a lack of evidence…

Proposal 2 overwhelmingly passed in 2022, amending the Michigan Constitution to allow for certain voter rights, including early voting in federal and state elections. (Hunman/Adobe Stock)

MI voting group fights disinformation

As the 2024 presidential elections approach, the nonpartisan Michigan League of Women Voters is intensifying its efforts to combat disinformation …

Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens already is illegal in federal elections, and there is no indication it's happening anywhere in significant numbers. (Adobe Stock)

Groups debunk claims of 'skyrocketing' numbers of non-citizen voters

After a recent flurry of claims that Democrats are allowing immigrants into the country illegally in order to register them to vote in the upcoming U.…

Many of the rules governing oil and gas operations on Montana public lands had not been updated in a century. (Adobe Stock)

MT groups fight to preserve new BLM oil and gas rule

Montana groups are working to save a new Bureau of Land Management rule about oil and gas leasing on public lands. They have hand-delivered a …

While Wisconsin's Supreme Court blocked the use of mobile voting sites for absentee ballots, observers say they're not widely used compared with other types of alternative sites. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court provides clarity on early voting sites

Local election administrators have new guidance from Wisconsin's highest court on alternative early voting sites. A political expert says the timing …

Pew researchers said 79% of Americans favor maximum-age limits for federal elected officials. (Adobe Stock)

ND voters push age-limit debate into forefront

The age of both presidential front-runners has drawn extra attention in this year's race and meanwhile, North Dakota voters this week embraced …

Of more than 7,300 lawmakers nationwide, just 116, or 1.6%, currently or last worked in manual labor, service industry, clerical or labor union jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Working class missing in state legislatures

Half of Americans go to work every day in the service industry, doing clerical work or in construction and other manual labor jobs but fewer than 2% …

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Civic Engagement & Voting

Delegate says AZ GOP is 'united,' supports withdrawing Ukraine aid

Thousands of teachers expected in TX for their annual convention

ACLU of Alabama launches Project MOVE to boost voter turnout

East TX nonprofit works to register young voters of color

UNLV sociologist not optimistic after Trump assassination attempt

Ohio group voices caution about Vance's record for helping working class

After Trump assassination attempt, defining democracy gets even harder

CA leaders at immigration summit prep for November

Poll: AZ Corporation Commission ranks poorly among Latino voters

Nevada leaders sound the alarm on housing crisis

UT governor calls for unity following attempted Trump assassination

30-day residency requirement for WA voter registration struck down

Texas professors wage war on Title IX, threatening students' rights to abortions

AZ senator: Many liberties at stake ahead of election

Colorado posted 2nd-highest loss of Medicaid coverage in nation in May

WI voters share election views in new post-debate poll

SCOTUS presidential immunity decision puts democracy in peril, critic says

Poor People's Campaign rallies in D.C. ahead of election

AARP NV Poll: Older Nevada voters show stronger support for Trump

WI high court rules ballot dropboxes will return

Missouri committee to crack down on illegal immigrant crimes

AARP AZ Poll: Women 50+ could tip the scale in November

New poll reveals Supreme Court appointments top concern for voters

WY candidates address older voters in online videos

UNLV law professor: SCOTUS has changed U.S. in 'dramatic ways'

Report: Abortion restrictions cost SD’s economy $670 million annually

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

Voting rights group targets MI in SCOTUS campaign

Poll: Voters say future SCOTUS appointments are top-of-mind issue

Supreme Court emerges as key election issue, according to survey

Expert: America's erosion of democracy has accelerated

NV June primary shows high preference for mail ballots

New Mexico 'Dreamer' sets sights on state legislature

NE LGBTQ+ group focuses on new voter ID law during Pride Month

Eligible incarcerated people may request absentee ballots Monday in MS

Trending documentary features 500 MO teens learning about democracy

America's 'Radical Elders' continue their work for fairness, justice

Expert warns of upcoming threats to democracy across the nation

MI mayor shifts priorities at conference after mass shooting in his city

Bans on private funding for elections factor big in voting-law analysis

Automatic voter registration stands out in MN election-law analysis

False claims of noncitizen voters spur federal, NH legislation

MI voting group fights disinformation

Groups debunk claims of 'skyrocketing' numbers of non-citizen voters

MT groups fight to preserve new BLM oil and gas rule

WI Supreme Court provides clarity on early voting sites

ND voters push age-limit debate into forefront

Report: Working class missing in state legislatures