Voting Rights

An old, abandoned state penitentiary cellblock bathed in sunlight.
Shani Saxon  May 29, 2019 4:51PM EDT

How An Antiquated Reading of the Law Prevents the Formerly Incarcerated From Voting in Georgia

State officials maintain a strict interpretation of the law, which prevents voting by anyone convicted of a “felony involving moral turpitude.”
White prison bars with bright, florescent light shinning in the background.
Shani Saxon  Mar 21, 2019 6:00PM EDT

Florida House Advances Bill That Would Limit Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated

Will formerly incarcerated Florida residents be forced to pay fees before their voting rights are restored?
overhead shot of land with trees and four houses with white lines dividing the houses
catherine lizette gonzalez  Nov 2, 2018 4:38PM EDT

WATCH: New Doc Shows How Gerrymandering Suppresses Black Votes in North Carolina

“Crooked Lines” explains how lawmakers design voting districts to influence elections and keep Black voters from electing their preferred candidates.
White sign has a red adn blue American flag and the words "vote here" on it
Kenrya Rankin  Sep 13, 2018 3:15PM EDT

People Of Color Are Still Being Locked Out of the Democratic Process

A new report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reinforces what many already know: the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act made it easier for states to discriminate at the voting booth.
People stand behind white privacy screens that say, "vote"
Alfonso Serrano  Sep 6, 2018 12:00PM EDT

ICE Requests Millions of North Carolina Voting Records

State officials say complying with the request will prevent them from preparing for the general election. Critics say the request is brazen attempt to suppress voting rights for people of color.
Corporate logo with black text on orange wall
Sameer Rao  Jun 7, 2018 2:02PM EDT

Reject Racism Campaign Pressures Tech Giants to Skip North Carolina

“One way Amazon and Apple can demonstrate a real commitment to espoused values of diversity is by making it clear that they won’t move their headquarters to a state that is rapidly sliding backward on racial oppression and voting rights.”
Blackboard with "vote" written in white chalk
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 5, 2018 2:47PM EDT

How You Can Make the Most of the 2018 Midterm Elections

From registering to voting to advocating for the rights of others, these tools have you covered.
Prison Reforms
Alfonso Serrano  Apr 19, 2018 11:59AM EDT

New York Governor Restores Voting Rights to Parolees

An estimated 35,000 residents, overwhelmingly Black and Latinx, stand to benefit from Andrew Cuomo’s executive order.
People stand at voting booths, faces covered by black partitions
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 2, 2018 4:47PM EST

Federal Judge: Florida's Voting Ban for Formerly Incarcerated People is Unconstitutional

The judge said that civil rights cannot be withheld based on “partisan, religious or racial bias.”
Ten protestors blocked the George Washington Bridge around 8 a.m. EST today, which can have almost 9,000 cars heading to Manhattan between 8 and 9 a.m.
Yessenia Funes  Oct 26, 2016 1:12PM EDT

Immigrant and Voting Rights Activists Shut Down NYC-NJ Bridge in #SomosVisible Campaign

Ten people successfully blocked traffic on the George Washington Bridge during rush hour. 
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 25, 2016 4:15PM EDT

Virginia's Governor is Restoring Ex-Offenders' Voting Rights One by One

Terry McAuliffe: “The struggle for civil rights has always been a long and difficult one, but the fight goes on.”
Kenrya Rankin  Apr 22, 2016 3:15PM EDT

Virginia Gov Restores Voting Rights to 200,000+ Formerly Incarcerated

Governor Terry McAuliffe: “If we are going to build a stronger and more equal Virginia, we must break down barriers to participation in civic life for people who return to society seeking a second chance.”
Kenrya Rankin  Apr 7, 2016 1:48PM EDT

Lawsuit Says Ohio Secretary of State Illegally Disenfranchised Registered Voters

The ACLU and Demos allege that Jon Husted violated the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 when he purged 2 million people from the state’s voter rolls.
Miriam Zoila Pérez  Apr 4, 2016 1:29PM EDT

SCOTUS Unanimously Affirms 'One Person, One Vote' Principle

In an 8-0 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed that nonvoters should continue to be counted when dividing up congressional districts. This is a big voting rights win for people of color.
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 9, 2015 11:41AM EST

SCOTUS Just Heard 2 Cases That Could Redefine Voting Rights in America

If the challengers have their way, the “one person, one vote” principle will ignore millions of Americans.
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 12, 2015 2:23PM EDT

California Will Now Automatically Register Citizens to Vote

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla: “Citizens should not be required to opt in to their fundamental right to vote. We do not have to opt in to other rights, such as free speech or due process.”
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 24, 2015 2:25PM EDT

Virginia Governor Says Ex-Offenders No Longer Have To Pay To Restore Voting Rights, Likens Old Policy to Poll Taxes

Ex-offenders in Virginia no longer have to pay court costs and fees before regaining right to vote, hold office or serve on a jury.
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 5, 2015 4:49PM EDT

Hillary Clinton Calls For Sweeping Voting Reform

Hillary Clinton calls for an overhaul of American voting system, including automatic universal registration.
Carla Murphy  Mar 10, 2015 10:15AM EDT

[Video] John Oliver: The Other People of Color Barred From Voting

The racist roots of why people of color living in U.S. territories still can’t vote.
Jamilah King  Mar 6, 2015 10:20AM EST

50 Years After 'Bloody Sunday': Remembering the Activists Behind the Scenes

A look at the students and teachers who helped lead the fight for black voting rights in 1965.