Democracy
NC Republicans lose US Supreme Court case on legislatures’ power over federal elections
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected North Carolina Republican legislators’ argument that the state courts cannot review laws legislatures pass governing federal elections. Republican legislators claimed the Elections Clause in the U.S. Constitution makes legislatures the sole state authorities on federal elections law,? including congressional redistricting. Critics said the high court’s endorsement of the independent state […]
Kentucky to remain with voter data system for a year while considering alternatives
Kentucky will remain with the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, for a year while reviewing possible alternatives to support voter rolls maintenance, Secretary of State Michael Adams said Wednesday.? Recently, seven Republican-led states have left ERIC, an interstate compact for sharing voter registration data. Some former members like Virginia and Texas plan to create […]
How much partisan gerrymandering does Kentucky’s Constitution allow?
A fight over Kentucky’s state House and U.S. congressional districts is now before the state Supreme Court, more than a year after new maps were adopted by the Republican supermajority that controls the General Assembly. On March 23, the high court agreed to take the challenge by state Democrats, bypassing the state Appeals Court, “in […]
States with low election turnout did little in 2023 to expand voting access
This year’s state legislative sessions are almost all wrapped up. And on voting and elections policy, the headlines have largely focused on a new wave of restrictive voting laws passed in big Republican-led states like Florida, Texas, and Ohio, as well as expansive laws approved in Democratic-led states like Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. But […]
On the campaign trail, Cameron vows to retire Beshear in governor race
SHEPHERDSVILLE — Republican Daniel Cameron’s stump speech Tuesday in Shepherdsville hit familiar themes — his Christian faith, conservative values, criticism of his rival, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.? But there was one big departure — the attorney general did not highlight his endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who was set to appear in a Miami […]
Ruling in Alabama case could boost suits increasing Black voters’ power in other states
In one sense, the Supreme Court’s surprise ruling striking down Alabama’s 2022 congressional maps maintains the legal status quo. By 5-4, the justices rejected the state’s attempt?to restrict the ability of the Voting Rights Act to block gerrymanders that suppress the power of minority voters. But that dramatically understates the impact of the case, titled […]
A top GOP lawyer wants to crack down on the college vote. States already are.
A top Republican election lawyer recently caused a stir when she told GOP donors that the party should work to make it harder for college students to vote in key states. But the comments from Cleta Mitchell, who worked closely with then-President Donald Trump to try to overturn the 2020 election, are perhaps less surprising […]
Some surprising new players in Kentucky politics are filling Beshear’s campaign war chest
FRANKFORT – The largest batch of contributions fueling the reelection ambition of Gov. Andy Beshear does not come from a personal injury law firm, a highway contractor or other traditional sources of money given to an incumbent Democratic governor of Kentucky. It comes from newcomers to the world of political giving and from a traditionally […]
Top contributors to Beshear and Kentucky Democratic Party
This article has been updated with information from the most recent campaign finance reports filed last week. ?FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party held a big early fundraising lead over Republicans at the outset of this year when Beshear stands for reelection. Beshear’s campaign manager Eric Hyers said that, because […]
April 17 is deadline to register to vote in Kentucky’s primary election
For those who plan to make a choice in Kentucky’s upcoming primary election, be sure to register to vote by Monday, April 17.? The primary election is Tuesday, May 16. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.? Registering can be completed online, via mail or by returning voter registration cards to your county clerk’s office. […]
More than 160,000 Kentuckians still cannot vote because of felony convictions
FRANKFORT — A voting rights group wants Kentuckians to decide on a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore the vote to convicted felons who have completed their sentences — a change that a recent poll found has strong public support. The League of Women Voters of Kentucky on Tuesday voiced support for Senate Bill 164, […]
Woman jailed for collecting 4 ballots in Arizona sparks fear of voting in majority Latino city
This story was produced in partnership with?Type Investigations, with support from the Fund for Constitutional Government.? SAN LUIS, ARIZ. – The small city of San Luis is tucked away in the far corner of Arizona, closer to Mexico than to any major U.S. city. The community is nearly 95% Latino and tight-knit — the type […]