Legislative Updates
Kansas: Sedgwick County Officials will Plan to Lobby their Legislative Delegation to introduce a Bill that will allow the County to Move to Vote Centers.
Maryland: The Town of Chevy Chase Council voted Unanimously to Extend Voting Rights to Non-Citizens in Local Elections. Those now Eligible to Vote must have Green Cards, be in the Country for Diplomatic Purposes, or those Working toward U.S. Citizenship. “One of the reasons I think we were sympathetic was that we heard from non-citizens who have been residents in town for a long time and are eager to participate in democracy,” Mayor Barney Rush said. “We care about having an inclusive community where people who wish to participate in our civic activities are able to do so, and this is one way people can contribute.”
Michigan: The Senate has Approved Legislation that would Gut a recently-Approved Voter Initiative. The Approved Bills would Cut-Off Voter Registration at 14 days ahead of Election, Allow a Resident to Opt-Out of Automatic Voter Registration, and would Force Voters to Show more Identification and Prove Citizenship before Voting.
The House Elections Committee has Approved a Bill that will Legalize Ballot Selfies. “The First Amendment right to free speech is primarily for political speech,” Sponsoring Rep. Steven Johnson (R-72nd District, Wayland) said. “In today’s day and age, social media is often how people support their candidates and their causes.”
North Carolina: A Bill shaping the Make-Up of the North Carolina State Board of Elections is on its way to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk. Under the Bill the Board would move back to Five Members, with All of them Appointed by the Governor. The Board will also be Split back into Two Parts, with an Ethics Commission taking on the Role of Ethics Enforcement.
Tennessee: Senate Minority Caucus Chairwoman, Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis), is Planning to Sponsor Legislation automatically Restoring the Right to Vote for People with Low-Level Felony Convictions.
Virginia: Delegate Charniele Herring (D-46th District) is Planning on introducing Legislation to Allow for No-Excuse Absentee Voting. “It’s already happening in 38 other states and it’s time for us to get rid of our old ways of doing things,” Herring said.
Legal Updates
Kansas: The ACLU has filed a Motion Opposing the Dismissal of its Voting Rights Case against Ford County Clerk Deborah Cox. “We aren’t asking for the moon,” said ACLU of Kansas Legal Director Lauren Bonds. “Our plaintiffs need, deserve and are legally entitled to an accessible polling place, in town. That’s more than reasonable.” Cox was Sued after she moved the One Dodge City Polling Location Outside of Town about a Mile from the Nearest Bus Stop.
Massachusetts: Chief U.S. District Judge Patti Saris has Dismissed a Lawsuit Challenging the Winner-Take-All system the Commonwealth uses to Assign its Electoral College Presidential Votes. The Judge Rejected the Challenge that it Violates the Principle of “One Person, One Vote.”
Mississippi: Canton Alderwoman Vickie McNeil has been Charged with Four Counts of Voter Fraud in the 2017 Canton Municipal Election. Courtney Rainey, Donnell Robinson, Jennifer Robinson, Desmand King, and Sherman Matlock have also been Charged with various Voter Fraud-related Charges. King is the Deputy Clerk for Canton.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
