Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

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)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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 …

Monday, July 1, 2024

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…

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)

Monday, July 1, 2024

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 …

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% …

A new Colorado law provides local and tribal governments with science-based resources for siting and permitting new renewable-energy projects, including maps identifying sensitive wildlife habitat. (Adobe Stock)

New resources available to site CO clean-energy projects, protect wildlife

To reach 100% clean energy by 2040 - a move seen as critical for averting the worst impacts of climate change - Colorado must generate five times more…

Think Big is a national narrative learning community seeking to fill the gap in the progressive communications infrastructure. Think Big Alabama is powered by Topos Partnership in cooperation with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama groups launch training to increase community advocacy

Alabama groups are empowering residents to influence community policies with a new training program. Alabama Arise and Alabama Values are launching …

A 538 poll shows former President Donald is ahead of President Biden by almost 5.5 points in Nevada. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

NV progressive groups react to Trump Las Vegas campaign rally

Donald Trump held a rally on Sunday in Las Vegas - one of his first since being convicted by a New York jury late last month. The former president …

Controversial AZ immigration measure faces legal challenge

A controversial immigration bill could allow Arizona law enforcement to arrest people who are found to be illegally crossing the U.S. - Mexico border…

In 2023, college-age voters had a large presence in Wisconsin's high-stakes state Supreme Court election. This year, civic engagement groups believe the demographic will be even more active at the polls. (Adobe Stock)

Long-term strategies unfold to energize young rural voters

As the 2024 election inches closer, candidates and civic engagement organizers are likely to try and connect with younger voters but for college-age …

The Brennan Center for Justice reports voters in almost half the country will face new voting restrictions in the upcoming general election. (Adobe Stock)

Common Cause Indiana may challenge restrictive voting laws

An Indiana watchdog group said it is considering legal action in response to new state voting laws the group believes disenfranchise voters. Julia …

As of today, there are 154 days until the November General Election. (simbos/Adobe Stock)

In unseasonably warm temperatures, NM voters head to the polls

New Mexico voters are headed to the polls today, where all 42 state Senate and 70 state House seats technically are up for grabs - although many are …

With the online tool Ballot Builder, advocates are working to make voting easier, more accessible and efficient for Indigenous people living on Montana's seven reservations. (Adobe Stock)

MT goes live with online tool for Indigenous voters

Indigenous leaders in Montana have announced the release of an online tool to help Native voters learn about the issues and candidates on the ballot…

Nevada organization aims to mobilize Latino voters

Latinos make up a significant chunk of Nevada's population, and one local organization wants to encourage Latino voters in the Silver State to …

On the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 2022 Rural Poll, nearly 40% of rural Nebraskans reported they had volunteered at least a few times a month over the previous year. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska seeks nominees for highest state volunteer award

AARP Nebraska is looking for nominations for the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service. The award honors an individual or couple over age 50 …

Presidential elections in Michigan have been close lately, with Trump winning by about 11,000 votes in 2016 and Biden capturing the state by about 150,000 in 2020. (Ayman Haykal)

MI seen as 'must have' state for Biden or Trump win

Political experts have deemed Michigan a swing state, not knowing which way it's going to vote in this year's presidential election. They say …

The guilty verdict in Donald Trump's hush-money case will likely spur more debate about the former president being a frontrunner in the race for the White House, and how his legal issues may complicate the election. (Adobe Stock)

WI organizer: Trump verdict shows key institutions can still function

On the heels of Donald Trump's felony convictions Thursday, a civic-engagement organizer in Wisconsin says the court process that unfolded provides …

According to the Native American Rights Fund, more than 1 million eligible Native American voters in the United States are not registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Native organizations commemorate 100th anniversary of Citizenship Act

Sunday marks 100 years since the United States granted citizenship to all Native Americans. North Dakota voices are observing the milestone, and …

In a new poll issued by the North Dakota News Cooperative, 73% of Republican voters fear that if the United States moves away from Christian foundations, the country will be in peril. (Adobe Stock)

ND poll paints picture of how GOP voters feel about Christian nationalism

Ahead of the 2024 election, an undercurrent of Christian nationalism is lurking, GOP voters in North Dakota were recently polled about the dynamic …

The ballot initiative to enshrine some protections to abortion in the South Dakota constitution received about 20,000 more signatures than needed to get on the November ballot. (Adobe Stock)

New group asks SD abortion petition signers to rescind

South Dakota's Secretary of State received more than enough signatures to get a decision on abortion rights on the November ballot but some signees ar…

In Iowa, voters must be registered as Republican, Democrat or Libertarian, and vote on their party's ballot. However, they may change party affiliation at the polls. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa's older voters projected to decide primary election outcome

Advocates for Iowa's older population are calling on seniors to vote in Tuesday's primary election and have identified their priorities for candidates…

Nationwide, about 27% of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. (Adobe Stock)

MT's young, rural voters in spotlight

Get-out-the-vote advocates in Montana are spending more time and money than ever to get young people educated about the elections and get them to the …

Some counties in Nevada are required to provide language assistance in Spanish, Shoshone, Paiute or other Native American languages. (Abode Stock)

Early voting underway for Nevada Primary Election

Nevada's early voting started this past weekend and will run through June seventh - with the June Primary Election taking place on Tuesday, June 11…

Sixty-three percent of rural youth, 30 million people, are infrequent or uncommitted voters, according to Rural Democracy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push to mobilize young voters in rural Ohio

Ahead of November's general election, advocates in Ohio are working to boost youth voter participation. Gen Z voters are focused on climate change …

Election policy experts said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the movement for vote-by-mail and many voting jurisdictions have decided to use the option permanently. (Adobe Stock)

In some rural counties, voting by mail is king

North Dakotans have less than two weeks to send in their absentee or mail ballot to be counted for the June 11 primary. Despite some political …

Some 60% of Black eligible voters are under age 50, compared with 52% of all U.S. eligible voters, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Many Black Utah residents unable to vote

Black Americans account for 14% of eligible voters in the U.S., a figure which has slowly risen over the years but Utah is home to one of the …

Families say they agreed to the settlement with Uvalde because they did not want to bankrupt the city. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Remembering the Uvalde mass shooting; two years ago today

Two years ago today, a teenager killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The families of those shot and killed have …

Some 12% of Nevada's eligible voters are Black, according to Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Black voters in battleground states are a crucial voting bloc in 2024

Black voters will play a key role in determining who will win the 2024 presidential election. And while Black voters remain overwhelmingly …

Only seven states require a full year of civics instruction in high school while 13 states have no requirement at all. (Adobe Stock)

Civic engagement has different meaning for Gen. Z NYers

New research shows younger New Yorkers have different ideas about civic engagement. A Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement survey found …

Despite recent increases, Wyomingites pay some of the lowest property taxes in the country. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

WY governor to talk property tax shifts at 'TeleTown Hall'

Gov. Mark Gordon will address Wyomingites this week to detail new avenues for property tax relief. Following the pandemic, property values in …

A 2022 survey found that six in ten LGBTQ youths in Colorado reported experiencing symptoms of depression, and 45% seriously considered suicide. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado first in nation to offer free mental health care to youths

Amanda Dodson first noticed signs for a pilot program called "I Matter" at her ten-year-old daughter Hailey's school. After looking into it, she was …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 2, 2024

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Civic Engagement & Voting

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

NV June primary shows high preference for mail ballots

Expert: America's erosion of democracy has accelerated

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

New resources available to site CO clean-energy projects, protect wildlife

Alabama groups launch training to increase community advocacy

NV progressive groups react to Trump Las Vegas campaign rally

Controversial AZ immigration measure faces legal challenge

Long-term strategies unfold to energize young rural voters

Common Cause Indiana may challenge restrictive voting laws

In unseasonably warm temperatures, NM voters head to the polls

MT goes live with online tool for Indigenous voters

Nevada organization aims to mobilize Latino voters

AARP Nebraska seeks nominees for highest state volunteer award

MI seen as 'must have' state for Biden or Trump win

WI organizer: Trump verdict shows key institutions can still function

Native organizations commemorate 100th anniversary of Citizenship Act

ND poll paints picture of how GOP voters feel about Christian nationalism

New group asks SD abortion petition signers to rescind

Iowa's older voters projected to decide primary election outcome

MT's young, rural voters in spotlight

Early voting underway for Nevada Primary Election

Push to mobilize young voters in rural Ohio

In some rural counties, voting by mail is king

Research: Many Black Utah residents unable to vote

Remembering the Uvalde mass shooting; two years ago today

Black voters in battleground states are a crucial voting bloc in 2024

Civic engagement has different meaning for Gen. Z NYers

WY governor to talk property tax shifts at 'TeleTown Hall'

Colorado first in nation to offer free mental health care to youths