Elections
In face of threats, election workers vow: ‘You are not disrupting the democratic process’
This story was originally published on Stateline. Hundreds of election workers in Washington state’s second-largest county were busy opening mail-in ballots earlier this month when one of them came across a plain white envelope. As she cut it open, white powder leaked out. She carefully took off her gloves, put them down, backed away and […]
How U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson helped derail a fight against election lies
Back in July, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. A federal court had recently granted a temporary injunction, in Missouri v. Biden, finding that the Biden administration had violated the First Amendment by coercing social media companies to remove content, related both to elections and the COVID-19 vaccine, that […]
Group appeals ruling by Michigan judge keeping Trump on the 2024 ballot
This story was originally published on Michigan Advance. A progressive legal advocacy group has followed through on its vow to appeal a ruling last week by a Michigan judge which rejected its claim that former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 primary and general election ballots. Free Speech For People on Thursday […]
New Hampshire sets Jan. 23 presidential primary date, the first in the nation
This story was originally published on New Hampshire Bulletin. Defying the wishes of the Democratic National Committee, Secretary of State Dave Scanlan announced Wednesday that New Hampshire will hold its 2024 presidential primaries on Jan. 23, the first state in the country scheduled to do so. Speaking at a press conference flanked by Republican and […]
Courts, state officials hesitate to keep Trump off 2024 ballots
This story was originally published on Stateline. Some scholars say a little-known, Civil War-era provision in the U.S. Constitution should prohibit former President Donald Trump from appearing on state ballots in next year’s presidential election. But it seems increasingly unlikely that he will be disqualified. Courts in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and elsewhere are considering […]
At least 21 candidates qualify for Alabama 2nd Congressional District race
The race to fill Alabama’s new 2nd Congressional District will be a crowded one. At least 21 candidates – 13 Democrats and eight Republicans – had entered the race by the time qualifying ended at 5 p.m. on Friday. As of 5 p.m. Friday, the Democratic candidates were: James Averhart, a retired U.S. Marine and […]
Sen. Merika Coleman to run in 2nd Congressional District
Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, will run for the 2nd Congressional District, the latest legislator to enter the contest. Coleman, an attorney by trade, said in a statement that she aimed to “amplify our shared values, break barriers, and build a future where every Alabamian’s voice is not just heard but celebrated.” “Together, let’s write […]
Sen. Kirk Hatcher won’t run for 2nd Congressional District
Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, said Friday he will not seek the Democratic nomination for the new 2nd Congressional District, a few weeks after becoming among the first Democrats to declare for the race. Hatcher, a member of the Alabama Senate since 2021, wrote in a text message Friday that he “ended an intense internal fight […]
State, local elections offer good news for democracy
The big news out of Tuesday’s elections was wins for Democrats and for reproductive rights in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. But small “d” democracy also had a good night: Virginians elected pro-voting majorities in both chambers, stymieing efforts to pass restrictive new voting laws. Ohioans turned out in large numbers to pass two popular […]
One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat
The last time America elected a president, it led to a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol and a failed coup that gravely damaged the political system and marred the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in U.S. history. A year from now, the nation’s voters will decide another presidential contest — likely […]
Stacy Lee George enters GOP primary for Alabama Senate District 9
Corrections officer and former county commissioner Stacy Lee George has qualified as a Republican candidate for special election in Senate District 9 in north Alabama. George, a two-time gubernatorial candidate, said in a Monday phone interview that he wants to eliminate the grocery tax and repeal the gas tax. “We have a surplus, in the […]
Attorney Caroleene Dobson to seek GOP nod for 2nd Congressional District
Caroleene Dobson, a real estate attorney at the Maynard Nexson law firm in Birmingham, said Wednesday she would seek the Republican nomination for the 2nd Congressional District. Dobson in her candidacy cited her family’s history of farming, her Harvard education, and a broad conservative platform. The release said she is a Montgomery resident. “As a […]