Georgia is among the 19 states that enforce jail time for marijuana possession, resulting in a significant impact on the Black community, with the state ranking fourth highest in marijuana-related arrests. Despite similar usage rates across all races, Black people in Georgia are three times more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana than are white people. Consequently, advocates with a group called VIBE are pushing for cannabis reform and promoting civic engagement among Black men.

Scotty Gordon, VIBE associate organizer, said this effort is being carried out through the We Want All the S.M.O.K.E. Campaign.

"Being Black men and understanding how we are criminalized about certain things, but also can see where other states this is something where people have legalized and are able to openly and freely be themselves and not have to worry about losing a job or having to be drug tested for certain positions making it be criminal for something most people are doing recreationally," he said.

Currently, 31 states have decriminalized the simple possession of marijuana. Gordon added VIBE's goal is to not only decriminalize and legalize marijuana in Georgia, but also to expunge the records of those with cannabis-related convictions and establish equitable access to the state's medical cannabis industry. The group is seeking to collect 5,000 signatures across the state for the legalization in all cities.

Takia Tinsley, VIBE's lead organizer, said advocacy for marijuana reform is facing a significant challenge of combating negative stereotypes associated with its uses. To overcome this challenge, Tinsley pointed out that cannabis has been used medically in other states and advocates for education on the matter within the community. VIBE has already succeeded in its efforts to work with Camilla, Georgia's council members, resulting in legislation that prevents individuals from being incarcerated for simple possession.

"If it's possible down there where folks get elected by only eight votes and then they pass a majority ordinance that nobody was expecting, it's a lot easier to attain in towns where we have more of a pull in some of our city councils," Tinsley said.

According to the new regulation, possessing one ounce or less of marijuana results in a $35 fine and is deemed a civil violation. The campaign organizers also aim to engage men aged 18 to 35, a group typically uninvolved in politics, and emphasize the significance of participating in smaller scale elections. People wanting to learn more about the VIBE campaign and petition can visit newgeorgiaproject.org.

North Dakota's June 11 primary is inching closer and those running for legislative seats are trying to win over voters, including Native American candidates who are part of a movement energized by newly drawn political boundaries.

The organization North Dakota Native Vote said there are seven candidates with Indigenous roots seeking spots in the Legislature. Most are running in District 9, which was recently updated to reflect representation needs for two Native American tribes.

Natasha Gourd, a board member of North Dakota Native Vote, described them as a good mixture of candidates coming from both reservations in the area, with some running as Democrats and others as Republicans.

"We've seen an upturn in participation and just getting leadership development through Native candidates," Gourd observed.

The election wave comes after the state saw 10 Native candidates in legislative races two years ago. For her group, Gourd acknowledged the boost can be tricky because they cannot endorse everyone running. But she noted having greater assurances the areas will be represented by people from their community -- no matter if they have a different stance on certain issues -- is still a positive.

Gourd added trying to build on the momentum is also important for off-reservation districts.

"What they do at the state level, regardless of Native American people in North Dakota (being part of) federally recognized tribes, it does affect us," Gourd pointed out. "Most Natives in North Dakota do live off the reservation, so it does affect our populations."

Gourd stressed they need more Native voices at the state level speaking out about priorities within education, the housing crisis, energy issues and health care. She hopes the positive trends they're seeing inspire more civic participation among other racial and ethnic groups trying to get a seat at the policy table in North Dakota.

A new poll finds a near 20-year low in the number of voters who say they have a high interest in the 2024 election, with a majority saying they hold negative views of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. A group of Arizona elections officials and experts recently gathered to discuss the growing discontent with the state's current electoral landscape.

Stephen Richer, Maricopa County Recorder, said that if politicians are what he calls "single-minded seekers of re-election," he contends the state should change the political incentive structure.

"And if those incentives will change, then maybe we will be talking about more things in the Arizona Voter's Agenda and less things that are currently right now incentivized by what I still believe to be a minority, but a very passionate, very loud, and a minority that is definitely committed to acting on those issues," he said.

Richer added it is important to remember that despite Independent and unaffiliated voters being able to participate in the July 30th statewide primary, they were excluded from the state's March Presidential Preference Election, and that has caught the eye of some in the state. The bipartisan group Make Elections Fair Arizona is pushing for open primaries, but proponents of closed primaries believe they're crucial to maintaining the integrity of party ideals.

Amanda Burke, executive vice president with the non-partisan, nonprofit organization Center for the Future of Arizona, said more than half of unaffiliated voters do not feel they have leaders or candidates running who speak to the issues and causes they care about. She contends that then translates to who decides to show up at the ballot box and vote, and encourages Arizonans to imagine a different primary system if they want different outcomes.

"Otherwise we are going to continue to have some more outcomes in terms of people who are incentivized to speak to a small percentage of their base on either side who are really not representative of the larger views," she explained.

The Grand Canyon State allows voter-initiated amendments to the state constitution, but the Arizona Require Partisan Primary Elections Amendment would add the state's current primary practice to the state constitution, prohibiting future changes without another constitutional amendment. Make Elections Fair Arizona is still collecting signatures to get its measure on the November ballot.


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Wisconsin women have made progress in closing gaps when it comes to being elected to public office.

But some voices worry the movement might slow down as candidates see increasing levels of threats and harassment.

The Brennan Center for Justice recently issued findings that detail the threatening behavior those in the political arena are experiencing now.

Women were three to four times as likely as men to experience abuse targeting their gender.

Erin Vilardi, CEO and founder of the advocacy and assistance group Vote Run Lead, said this creates more unfairness in areas such as resource planning for a campaign.

"We see women candidates and incumbents right now having to pay for security," said Vilardi, "having to put in their budgets, in their campaign funds, in their line-items for their campaigns a security detail."

And Vilardi said because of the worsening climate, the threats are extending to almost all other candidates, including conservative white men.

She and other researchers called on party leaders to strongly condemn political violence. They also recommend that each state implement stronger protection for officeholders.

Vilardi said it's not just women candidates and incumbents having to deal with this behavior. Women working as top aides and political journalists are subject to more hateful rhetoric these days.

"This is something that permeates women in politics," said Vilardi, "not just for the folks that are stepping up to lead but for the ecosystem of women around them."

And if more women decide not to run or seek re-election as a result, Vilardi said this means there will be fewer opportunities for gender equality in leadership positions in state legislatures and Congress.

She urged constituents to send messages of support to women officeholders as they weigh these challenges and their political futures.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.



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