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☆ Voting rule changes: Republicans push ballot measures in key battleground states
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Republican lawmakers and activists in several presidential battlegrounds are pushing ballot measures to change how elections are run in their states. And in Arizona, a so-called ballot referral moving through the Republican-controlled Legislature would upend the state’s widely used, no-excuse vote-by-mail system. Constitutional amendments in Wisconsin and ballot referenda in Arizona are not subject to the approval of governors in those states. “Wisconsin’s status as a swing state makes election integrity measures important locally, nationally and internationally.”If approved, the Wisconsin measures would be in effect for this year’s elections. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a raft of legislation – ranging from efforts to get rid of red-light cameras to prohibiting ranked-choice voting in the state’s elections.

Persons: ”, Jay Heck, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sen, Eric Wimberger, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Zuckerberg, Tony Evers, Will Flanders, –, who’s, Debra Cronmiller, Katie Hobbs, Hobbs ’, Alex Gulotta, “, Wendy Rogers, Rogers, Wisconsin’s, noncitizens Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Silver State, Tuesday ., White House, Center for Tech, Republicans, Democratic, National Conference of State Legislatures, Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty, Badger State, League of Women Voters of, Phoenix New Times, Phoenix, Clark County Republican Party, Wisconsin, New, New York City Locations: Wisconsin, Nevada, Silver, Arizona, Tuesday . Arizona, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Maricopa County, ” Arizona, Clark, New York City, York, New York

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters are set to decide next month whether to make it unconstitutional to accept private grant money to help administer state elections, one of two Republican-backed ballot measures that Democrats say are meant to make it harder to conduct elections in the presidential battleground state. The Wisconsin measures are supported by Republicans and conservative groups and opposed by an array of government watchdog and liberal groups including the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause Wisconsin, Wisconsin Conservation Voters and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Three courts and the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission rejected complaints challenging the legality of the grant money. It’s unclear how adoption of the amendment would change current practice, other than place requirements currently in state law into the constitution. Federal law already requires U.S. citizenship to vote in national elections and no state constitutions explicitly allow noncitizens to vote in state or local elections.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sen, Eric Wimberger, ”, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Biden, Zuckerbucks ”, ” Kyle Koenen, Zuckerberg, Chan, Tony Evers, Evers, noncitizens Organizations: —, Republicans, American Civil Liberties Union, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters of, Democratic, Center for Tech, Facebook, “, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, Democratic Gov, Wisconsin, Bureau Locations: MADISON, Wis, — Wisconsin, Wisconsin, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin

Gavin Newsom said would transform the outdated mental health system and address the ongoing homelessness crisis. Revenue from the tax, now between $2 billion and $3 billion a year, has mostly gone to counties to fund mental health services as they see fit under broad guidelines. It provides about one-third of the state's total mental health budget. Mental health treatment programs and support services such as rental assistance and vocational programs for this population also would see a boost. Opponents of the proposition include mental health and disability rights groups, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the League of Women Voters of California.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, it's, Scott Kennelly, Newsom, Howard Jarvis Organizations: —, Democratic Gov, Butte County Behavioral, National Alliance, Mental, Howard, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, League of Women Voters of Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, — California, Butte County, California, League of Women Voters of California

The commission voted 5-1 Thursday, with Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell opposed, to adopt the new guidance for absentee ballot envelopes with a “missing” address, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Under previous guidance, clerks were required to reach out to voters to correct absentee ballot envelopes that had “incomplete or insufficient” witness address information before those ballots could be accepted. Every vote is critical in Wisconsin, where each of the last two presidential elections in Wisconsin was decided by fewer than 23,000 votes. Ever since Trump’s defeat in Wisconsin in 2020, Republicans have been fighting in court to tighten the rules to limit how many absentee ballots can be accepted. State law requires absentee ballots to be submitted with a witness’s signature and address on the outside envelope that contains the ballot.

Persons: Bob Spindell, Spindell, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Dane County, Ryan Nilsestuen, Nilsestuen, ”, ” “ Organizations: Republican, Wisconsin State, Democratic, USA, The Marquette University Law, Rise Inc, League of Women Voters, Wisconsin Supreme, Legislative Locations: MADISON, Wis, The Wisconsin, Wisconsin

There's broad agreement that some kind of public comment time management is necessary in Virginia's sessions, which generally run no longer than 60 days. When the opponents' six minutes ran out after only three speakers, Watts attempted to cut the group off. Gilbert also suggested the limited public comment could have been by design in this instance. By the end of the public comment, then-sponsor Sen. Chap Petersen, a Democrat, threw up his hands and said: “Do what you want with the bill. She also questioned why the Senate is not taking online public comment in subcommittees or allowing the submission of written public comments.

Persons: —, “, ”, Sally Hudson, Del, Vivian Watts, Watts, Michael Grey, Melinda Wallin, Ryan Mehaffey, I'd, Wallin, We've, ” Watts, ” Wallin, legislates, capitols, can’t, Todd Gilbert, Gilbert, Sen, Chap Petersen, Megan Rhyne, Joan Porte, she’s, Creigh Deeds, Deeds, “ there's Organizations: Capitol, University of Virginia, GOP, Democrat, Delegates, Virginia Coalition, Open Government, League of Women Voters, Democratic Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Spotsylvania County, Richmond, Virginia

Ever since Trump's defeat in Wisconsin in 2020, Republicans have been fighting in court to tighten the rules to limit how many absentee ballots can be accepted. State law requires absentee ballots to be submitted with a witness’ signature and address on the outside envelope that contains the ballot. The local clerks are the ones who run elections and receive the absentee ballots that don’t always have all of the witness address information. Among those he wanted to not count were about 5,500 absentee ballots where clerks filled in missing information on the witness' address. The judge on Tuesday spelled out four ways a witness address could be accepted with some missing information.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Dane County, Ryan Nilsestuen, Nilsestuen, Kevin LeRoy, don’t, “ We’ll, Bellavia, ”, ” “ Organizations: Republican Legislature, Republican, Wisconsin Supreme, WEC, Rise Inc, League of Women Voters of, Legislative Locations: MADISON, Wis, Wisconsin, Waukesha County, Dane County, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Ambassador to Poland and longtime Tennessee Republican politician Victor Ashe sued state election officials on Wednesday over a law he claims is so vague that he could be prosecuted for voting in a Republican primary. They argue that Tennessee voters aren't registered by party, and the law does not define what it means to be a bona fide party member, to declare allegiance to a party or long that allegiance must last. The league also worries that volunteers could be subject to a separate law that punishes people who promulgate erroneous voting information. Tennessee voters often decide which primary to participate in based on campaign developments. The lawsuit names Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti as defendants.

Persons: Victor Ashe, ”, Ashe, “ Ashe, Phil Lawson, State Tre Hargett, Mark Goins, Jonathan Skrmetti, Goins, Skrmetti Organizations: Tennessee Republican, Republican, Knoxville News, Tennessee Republican Party, Democrat, The League of Women Voters, Democratic, Republicans, State Locations: Tenn, Poland, Nashville, Tennessee, Knoxville

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The more than two-year legal battle over the maps of Ohio Statehouse districts that were crafted in response to the 2020 Census may be over. In a 4-3 ruling late Monday, the Ohio Supreme Court cited unanimous, bipartisan passage in September of a new round of legislative maps in dismissing three long-running lawsuits brought by Democratic and voting-rights groups. Political Cartoons View All 1270 ImagesThe high court side-stepped additional constitutional questions on the maps, rejecting as moot the state’s requests that it vacate earlier rulings that found five straight rounds of Statehouse maps unconstitutional. The proposal would create a 15-member citizen panel of Republicans, Democrats and independents representing a geographic and demographic cross-section of the state, called the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, to replace the existing Ohio Redistricting Commission. “Only when Ohio bans politicians and lobbyists from rigging maps will voters have fair representation in Congress and the Ohio Statehouse.”

Persons: ”, Jennifer Brunner, Brunner, Maureen O'Connor, O'Connor, Jen Miller Organizations: Ohio Statehouse, Democratic, GOP, Statehouse, Democrats, Ohio, Commission, League of Women Voters Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

☆ Federal Judge Rules Undated Mail-In Ballots in Pennsylvania Must Be Counted
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Chris Cameron | More About Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled on Monday that mail-in ballots that are received on time but are undated should be counted, arguing that a state law rejecting such votes violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ruling was an opening victory for voting rights groups in a case with national implications heading into the 2024 election, as Republicans and conservative advocacy groups continue to push for stricter voting laws. “We applaud today’s court decision,” said Susan Gobreski, a vice president of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, which is a plaintiff in the case. She added: “Pennsylvania citizens must have complete and unfettered access to the ballot box, free from unnecessary obstacles or interference.”The ruling is likely to be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, where the court’s most conservative members have previously supported the state law that requires voters to write the date on the return envelope when sending in their ballots.

Persons: “, today’s, ”, Susan Gobreski Organizations: Civil, League of Women Voters Locations: Pennsylvania

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voting-rights groups moved to dismiss their lawsuit against Ohio's unconstitutional congressional map on Tuesday, arguing that prolonging the legal wrangling over where to draw district boundaries isn't in the best interests of Ohio voters. “Petitioners have no desire to launch another round of maps and challenges, given the recent history of map-drawing in Ohio,” the Tuesday filing said. That history included the court's rejection of two separate congressional maps and five sets of Statehouse maps — describing districts for Ohio House and Ohio Senate in Columbus — as gerrymandered in favor of the ruling Republicans. Political Cartoons View All 1145 ImagesSince the voting advocates' lawsuit was first filed early last year, the political landscape has grown only more conservative. Before Tuesday's filing, the Ohio Supreme Court had asked both sides in the lawsuit to file briefs explaining how a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June involving the Ohio map would impact the state case.

Organizations: —, Ohio voters, League of Women Voters, Ohio Supreme, U.S ., ”, Ohio House, Ohio, GOP, Statehouse, Supreme Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, — Ohio, isn't, Ohio, Columbus —, U.S, North Carolina

☆ A Florida judge struck down a DeSantis-drawn congressional map because it diminished the voting power of Black residents
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Florida judge has tossed the North Florida redistricting plan engineered by Gov. Judge J. Lee Marsh ruled that DeSantis' congressional map violated the state constitution. Lawson, who ran for reelection in 2022 and lost to Republican Rep. Neal Dunn in the conservative 2nd congressional district, praised the judge's ruling. "I am pleased the Court struck down the DeSantis congressional map, finding that his office and the Legislature violated the Constitution. My only goal right now is to ensure that fair representation is returned to the people of North Florida," he added.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Judge J, Lee Marsh, Al Lawson, J, DeSantis, Al Lawson's, Cord Byrd, Jasmine Burney, Clark, Duval County —, Lawson, Neal Dunn Organizations: Gov, Democratic, Service, Republican Gov, Black, GOP, Congressional, Republican, Florida Supreme, Politico, League of Women Voters, Jacksonville — Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, North Florida, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Lawson's, Duval County, Gadsden County

☆ Civil rights groups sue Tennessee over the state's GOP-drawn congressional and state Senate maps, calling the boundaries 'unconstitutional racial gerrymandering'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Civil rights and voting rights groups have sued Tennessee over the state's congressional map. The GOP-drawn map led to the elimination of a heavily blue district in one of the state's Democratic centers. Bill Lee and several top election officials over the state's congressional and state Senate maps, arguing that the boundaries are unconstitutional and violate the rights of minority voters. Tennessee district maps must preserve the ability for voters to express their shared interests and elect the political representation of their choice." At the heart of the matter is the creation of three Republican-leaning congressional districts that include parts of Democratic-heavy Davidson County but which all elected GOP members of Congress.

Persons: Bill Lee, Debby Gould, mapmakers, Philip Randolph, Jim Cooper, Steve Cohen, Memphis Organizations: Tennessee, Democratic, Service, Tennessee Republican Gov, Republican, Court, Middle, Middle District of, GOP, League of Women Voters, of Women Voters, Tennessee State Conference of, NAACP, Equity Alliance, Memphis, Philip Randolph Institute, American, of Tennessee Locations: Wall, Silicon, Memphis, Nashville, Middle District, Middle District of Tennessee, , Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Davidson, exurban, Davidson County, Shelby County

☆ A North Florida congressional district that was held by a Black Democrat before it was dismantled by Ron DeSantis could be restored in 2024 under a new agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An agreement could potentially restore a North Florida House dismantled by DeSantis, per Politico. The agreement wouldn't end the litigation over DeSantis' map, but would limit the scope of arguments against the lines. Ron DeSantis, who's currently running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, wasn't satisfied, submitting a map that dismantled the plurality-Black congressional district of then-Democratic Rep. Al Lawson. But an ongoing legal challenge to the state's congressional maps has produced an agreement that could restore Lawson's North Florida district for the 2024 election, according to Politico. Another lawsuit involving the congressional maps is currently in federal court.

Persons: Democrat Al Lawson, Ron DeSantis, who's, wasn't, Al Lawson, Olivia Mendoza, DeSantis, Cord Byrd Organizations: Florida House, DeSantis, Politico, Democrat, Service, Republican, Democratic, Florida Supreme, GOP, National Redistricting Foundation, Black, Gov, Florida Republican, League of Women Voters Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Lawson's, Orlando, Tampa Bay

☆ Ohio voters reject ballot measure in win for abortion rights advocates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The results in the special election were a crucial victory for abortion rights advocates, who would have faced the daunting prospect of securing a super-majority of voters this fall if the measure had passed. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. On Tuesday, abortion rights groups in Arizona, a key presidential swing state, launched an effort to put the issue before voters in November 2024. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent. Other groups supporting Tuesday's referendum collected funds from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and The Concord Fund, a conservative dark-money group.

Persons: Read, Ohioans, Joe Biden, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Dan Whitcomb, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Republican, Associated Press, U.S, Supreme, Republican Ohio, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Illinois, California, Lincoln

☆ Ohio special election could determine future of abortion rights in the state
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

If it passes, a super-majority of voters would be required to approve a November referendum that seeks to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Political groups on both sides of the abortion issue have poured millions of dollars into the state ahead of the vote. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. Voters in Kansas and Kentucky, both solidly conservative states, rejected measures last year that would have declared that their state constitutions do not protect abortion rights. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent.

Persons: Wade, Megan Jelinger, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: United States Supreme, Women's Health Organization, REUTERS, Republican, U.S, Supreme, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Columbus , Ohio, Dobbs, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, California

☆ Left-Leaning Groups Seek Florida Ballot Measure to Expand Abortion Access
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Katie Glueck | Nicholas Nehamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The NewsA coalition of organizations that support abortion rights is planning to spend millions of dollars in an effort to place a measure protecting abortion rights on Florida’s ballot next year. The coalition of groups includes Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Planned Parenthood’s Florida affiliates, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Florida Rising and Women’s Voices of SW Florida. Last month, a liberal Wisconsin judge won a crucial State Supreme Court race by a significant margin after running on her support for abortion rights. At the same time, if Mr. DeSantis runs for president as expected, he has clear incentives to defend the six-week ban he signed. A representative for Mr. DeSantis did not immediately respond on Friday when asked for comment on the ballot initiative plans.

WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice expressed support on Monday for a lawsuit filed by voting rights organizations in Arizona, which alleges that groups monitoring ballot drop boxes in the state are engaging in illegal voter intimidation. Among the activities that can be considered voter intimidation, it said, are photographing and video-recording voters, an activity that multiple conservative groups in Arizona have engaged in. The plaintiffs, which include the League of Women Voters of Arizona and the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, immediately appealed. Arizona officials earlier in the month asked the Justice Department to investigate a case of possible voter intimidation after a group of people followed and filmed a voter in Maricopa County, who was dropping off a ballot for the midterm elections. Since then, Arizona officials have said they have observed several more instances of voter intimidation.

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