Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

Wisconsin's divided government, underscored by claims of gerrymandering, has often seen legal fights over redistricting. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 24, 2021

Redistricting: Taking It to the Virtual Streets

HUDSON, Wis. -- A day-long virtual lobby session will be led Monday by Wisconsin's Fair Maps Coalition, so people can share their concerns with state …

Final versions of revised New York congressional, State Senate, and Assembly district maps are expected to be ready by Jan. 15, 2022, at the earliest. Another 14 public hearings will be held before the end of December. (NYIRC)

Friday, September 24, 2021

NY Groups for Fair Redistricting Question Release of Two Draft Map Sets

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Some New Yorkers are voicing concerns about the creation of not one, but two draft maps for congressional, State Senate and …

North Dakota's redistricting committee meets next week on Tues., Sept. 28, and Wed., Sept. 29, and could make additional changes to a new voting-district map that advanced this week. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 24, 2021

ND Group: Redistricting Process Moving Too Fast

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota lawmakers in charge of redistricting have approved a preliminary draft of new legislative boundaries, but voters' …

Political canvassing across the country dropped dramatically during the 2020 election due to concerns over COVID-19 transmission via in-person door-knocking. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 23, 2021

WV Canvassers Brace for More Challenges as Pandemic Continues

LEWISBURG, W. Va. -- Political canvassers and organizers in the state are expecting they will continue to struggle with challenges to traditional …

Every 10 years, Florida legislators redraw political divisions or boundaries for state legislative and congressional districts. (DXR/Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, September 20, 2021

Advocates: Florida's Redistricting Process Needs More "Sunshine"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After census delays, Florida lawmakers kick off the complex, once-a-decade process of redrawing state legislative and …

Every 10 years, states, including Arizona, go through the process of using new census data to redraw the boundaries for congressional and legislative districts. (Wikimedia Commons)

Groups: AZ Redistricting Panel Excludes Communities of Color

PHOENIX -- Latinos and other communities of color showed their newfound muscle in the 2020 elections, helping to vote Arizona Democrats into the …

Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission has held three public hearings so far to gather resident's input on the redistricting process. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 20, 2021

PA Creates Redistricting Advisory Council to Help Prevent Gerrymandering

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A new Redistricting Advisory Council announced last week by Gov. Tom Wolf's office will focus on reducing gerrymandering as new …

A group of U.S. Senators has introduced a new voting-rights bill, known as the Freedom to Vote Act. (ungvar/Adobe Stock)

Groups See MO Proposals as Voter-Suppression Attempts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As lawmakers in Congress work to expand access to voting, members of the Missouri Legislature are proposing laws their critics …

A letter encourages Congress to raise taxes on wealthy people, including an additional tax on people with net assets of more than $50 million. (W.Scott McGill/Adobe Stock)

Wealthy Americans Encourage Congress to Raise Their Tax Rate

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wealthy Americans have a message for Congress: Tax us more. More than 200 high-income taxpayers and business owners have sent an …

Working Americans pay a higher tax rate on their wages than people who are wealthy pay for passive income gained through investments in stocks and bonds. (Adobe Stock)

Wealthy Coloradans Urge Congress to Raise Their Taxes

DENVER - Some 200 wealthy taxpayers and business owners, including 14 in Colorado, are asking Congress to raise their taxes. An open letter …

People confined in Pennsylvania jails are eligible to vote as long as they are not currently serving time for a felony conviction. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Lacks Universal Policy for Voting in Jails

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Many Pennsylvania county jails don't have clear policies to support voting access for people in jails, according to a new report …

A new report examined 15,221 miles of Colorado's rivers that currently lack any conservation designation, but that also met criteria for protections under state law. (Adobe Stock)

Report Spotlights Key Colorado Rivers for Protections

DURANGO, Colo. - Colorado's rivers and streams supply drinking water and outdoor recreation opportunities, and support biodiversity and wildlife…

In 2017, the Election Assistance Commission reported that nearly 60% of poll workers are at least 61 years of age. During the pandemic, that has resulted in more shortages for election offices due to health risks. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of 2022, ND Auditors Ponder Poll Workers, Mail-In Voting

CROSBY, N.D. -- North Dakota's county auditors are busy this fall preparing property tax bills, but they also have elections in the back of their …

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has one seat open after former Chief Justice Thomas Saylor hit the mandatory retirement age of 75. (Adobe Stock)

With Virtual Forum, Get to Know PA Judicial Candidates on Nov. Ballot

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvanians will vote this November to elect judges in the state's three appellate courts, and a virtual candidate forum next …

Municipal and school board elections in Iowa are scheduled for Nov. 2. (Adobe Stock)

Local Elections in IA to Include Voting Changes

ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- There is no federal or statewide race this fall, but Iowa voters in many cities will still head to the polls for municipal and …

Opponents of GOP-led election investigations in states such as Wisconsin say not only are they facing pushback from watchdogs and politicians from both parties, they also lack public support. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition: WI Headed Down Dangerous Path With Election Probes

MADISON, Wis. -- Arizona has received widespread coverage for its controversial audit of last year's presidential election, and now, a bipartisan …

The Oregon Legislature released two different maps, with Plan A above, for how to draw its six congressional districts. (Oregonlegislature.gov)

Short Period for Public Input on OR Voting Maps Begins

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A small window for public input is open to discuss the Oregon Legislature's proposed voting maps. After receiving detailed census …

Nine in ten Nebraskans told researchers that voter redistricting should be driven by 2020 census data, not by making deals that benefit a political party. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans Can Give Feedback on New Voter District Maps Next Week

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Next week, Nebraska lawmakers will hold three public hearings on how new voter maps should be drawn for the state's 49 districts…

Election envelopes for ballots in California are not uniform; they vary from county to county.(Pixelbot/Adobe Stock)

Fact vs. Fiction in CA Recall; Experts Address the Rumors

By Sameea Kamal for CalMatters.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service, reporting for the CalMatters - California News …

Since Native Americans protested the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016, multiple states have passed laws restricting protests. (Hrag Vartanian/Adobe Stock)

Anti-Protest Laws Could Jeopardize Native American Religious Rights

HELENA, Mont. - State legislatures across the country have passed laws criminalizing an essential part of civic participation in a democracy - …

Between 2020 and 2021, LGBTQ elected officials in the U.S. increased by 17 percent, with 986 now serving. (Ivan Burchak/AdobeStock)

MI Groups: Keep LGBTQ Communities Together in New Voting Maps

LANSING, Mich. -- Michiganders are drawing new voting-district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political …

Fifty-eight news segments mentioned Hurricane Ida's rapid intensification, going from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in less than 24 hours, a clear signal of a warming climate, but news outlets failed to report the connection. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Failure to Connect Extreme Weather to Climate “Media Malpractice”

LINCOLN, Neb. - New research suggests the nation's most trusted news sources are dropping the ball when it comes to helping voters in Nebraska and …

Marylanders who choose to use free software and create legislative redistricting maps must follow legal requirements before submitting them. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Marylanders who choose to use free software and create legislative redistricting maps must follow legal requirements before submitting them. (Adobe Stock)

Voting-Rights Groups Urge Marylanders to Help with Redistricting Maps

BALTIMORE, Md. -- As two competing Maryland redistricting commissions offer multiple chances for public input, voter-advocacy groups say technology …

New Mexico is one of a dozen states giving residents access to the software and web tools needed to participate in 2021 redistricting. (New Mexico Legislature)

Fairness, Transparency Urged as NM Redistricting Advances

SANTA FE, N.M. -- In less than two weeks, proposed maps will be available to New Mexico residents who are following the once-a-decade redrawing of U.…

The West Virginia Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting held its seventh public hearing at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office meeting room in Martinsburg, Aug. 17. (WV Legislature)

WV Legislature Holds Sept. Public Hearings on Redistricting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginians have two more chances to speak up in-person on the redistricting process at public hearings coming up this month …

Arkansas's Board of Apportionment, which draws state House and Senate lines, consists of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general. (Adobe Stock)

AR Advocates Want to Ensure Community Voice Heard During Redistricting

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas has less than a month until it receives user-friendly census data to help draw state and congressional district maps…

Nearly 240,000 Idahoans identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. census. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

ID Grows More Diverse, But Not Its Redistricting Commission

BOISE, Idaho - The redistricting process begins today in Idaho, and some are raising concerns that the commission overseeing it doesn't reflect the …

Census data from 2020 show Maryland's population moving to the center of the state, and fair-map advocates say district lines need to shift to represent the change. (maryland.gov)

MD Groups Hope Public Joins in New Redistricting Panel Meeting

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- One of Maryland's two competing redistricting commissions is holding an observation meeting for the first time tonight, and …

A recent poll finds 68% of Montanans have struggled to pay a medical bill, even while they had health insurance. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Montanans Eager to See Health-Care Costs Go Down

HELENA, Mont. - As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Montanans are thinking about the quality of their health care, according to new research. A poll …

Nearly three-quarters of Washingtonians say they're at least somewhat concerned about a surprise medical bill. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Washingtonians Seek Quality Health Care at Affordable Price

SEATTLE - The COVID-19 pandemic has put into sharp focus the quality of health care for Washingtonians. According to a new poll, more than three …

Grassroots organizations say thanks to widely available software, the public can apply more pressure to state-level redistricting committees to create fair political maps. (Adobe Stock)

Got Your Pen Handy? ND Residents Urged to Submit Redistricting Maps

BISMARCK, N.D. -- "Do-it-yourself projects" are usually associated with home improvements, and as redistricting unfolds in North Dakota, voter …

Minnesota is expected to have new political maps as early as next February. (Adobe Stock)

MN Lawmakers Pressed for Inclusive Redistricting

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota leaders are moving forward with redistricting now that new census numbers are in, and they're not just being asked to …

A death is reported at one out of 62 demonstrations where guns are identified as part of the event, compared with one in 2,963 protests where no gun possession is identified. (Flickr)<br /> — A death is reported at one out of 62 demonstrations where guns are identified as part of the event, compared with one in 2,963 protests where no gun possession is identified. (Flickr)

Report: Armed Protests, as Seen in VA, More Likely to Spark Violence

RICHMOND, Va. - Armed protests in the United States are six times more likely to turn violent as unarmed protests, according to a new report…

Plaintiffs in a lawsuit say despite an initial court filing last year, the State of South Dakota has yet to correct their concerns about voter-registration obstacles for Native Americans. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Over SD Native American Voter Registration Continues

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- In Congress, efforts are underway to boost the voting rights of Native Americans. It coincides with an ongoing lawsuit in South …

Language barriers make it difficult for New Mexico's immigrants and refugees to complete government forms, navigate the public school system and make use of computers and other technology. (Adobe Stock)

"Eligible But Excluded" – NM Families Left Out of Pandemic Relief

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Many New Mexicans seeking pandemic relief face an uphill battle due to language barriers, according to a new report. In addition …

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of LGBTQ elected officials serving across the U.S. increased by 17%. (michaklootwijk/Adobe Stock)

Census Lacks Key Data on LGBTQ Communities for Redistricting

CHICAGO -- Counties, towns and school districts across the state, and the Illinois Legislature, are drawing new voting district maps, with help from …

In dozens of states, legislatures are in charge of redistricting. Critics of that system say that creates fairness issues if one party has power over both chambers. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Still Seen as Model State for Redistricting

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa's political landscape is confronted with the same divisiveness seen elsewhere in the U.S., but pro-democracy advocates say …

Analyzing body camera footage from more than 100 police officers and 250 audio clips, a new study finds officers spoke to Black men with less warmth, respect and ease compared to white men. (Adobe stock)<br /> — Analyzing body camera footage from more than 100 police officers and 250 audio clips, a new study finds officers spoke to Black men with less warmth, respect and ease compared to white men. (Adobe stock)

New Virginia Research Center to Connect Police, People of Color

PETERSBURG, Va. - As Virginia law enforcement agencies adjust to a number of new policing laws this year, a new state think tank represents the first …

Native Americans living on reservations sometimes have to drive hours to get to a polling location. (Nathaniel Gonzales/Adobe Stock)

Bill in Congress Could Reshape Native American Voting Access

HELENA Mont. - A measure introduced in Congress could lower barriers to voting for Native Americans across the country. The Native American Voting …

Armed with new census data, Wisconsin leaders are moving forward with redistricting. The new political maps are expected to result in a court fight, but fair-map advocates cite some optimistic signs this time around. (Adobe Stock)

Politics Aside, WI Residents Can Submit Redistricting Input

MADISON, Wis. - Going into the current redistricting cycle, Wisconsin was viewed as a state where political tension would underscore new legislative …

Using data from the 2020 Census, Utah will draw new legislative districts for the 2022 midterm elections and the rest of the decade. (WScottMcGill/Adobe Stock)

Two Panels to Produce Maps for Utah Redistricting Process

SALT LAKE CITY -- Now that the Census figures are out, the once-a-decade redistricting process begins in earnest in Utah. It will be different this …

New census numbers show that 56% of Nebraska's population now resides in just three counties: Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraskans to See Narrow Window for Public Input on New Voting Districts

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As Nebraska lawmakers sort through new 2020 Census numbers to update voting districts, watchdog groups are encouraging all residents …

Two bills approved by the Arizona Legislature would drop certain people from the list to receive early ballots and make it more difficult to resolve a mismatched signature on a mail-in ballot. (Simone/Adobe Stock)

AZ Voting Rights Groups Sue to Block Election 'Suppression' Laws

PHOENIX -- A coalition of Arizona voting-rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block new voter-suppression laws enacted by the state Le…

South Dakota's redistricting effort involves redrawing 35 legislative districts. Because it has only one seat in Congress, no federal maps are involved. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Ballot Initiative Aims to End Gerrymandering in SD

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota lawmakers tasked with redrawing the state's legislative boundaries will soon meet following the release of census data …

Based on its 2020 census data growth, Texas will be one of six states to gain Congressional seats, and the only state to get more than one. (dixoncain/Pixabay)

2020 Census Data Puts Spotlight on Texas' Growing Suburbs

AUSTIN, Texas -- Many states have implemented independent commissions to oversee redistricting based on the 2020 Census count, but Texas is not one …

New state electoral district maps can impact how local public schools operate through school board elections. (Adobe Stock)

Watchdog Groups Work to Prevent Gerrymandered New Voting Districts

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Now that 2020 census numbers are in, groups in Wyoming are working to help voters keep an eye on lawmakers as they draw new voting-…

Pennsylvania's Legislative Reapportionment Commission has held public hearings in Harrisburg to gather input on redistricting based on 2020 census results. (Adobe Stock)

PA Groups Call for Public Comment to Be Part of Census Redistricting

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's population has grown to more than 13 million, according to new census data - and as the mapmaking process gets under …

New Hampshire's overall population has increased by 4.7% since 2010, and that might change the makeup of some of the state's districts. (Enrico Della Pietra/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups: Communities of Interest Key for Redistricting

CONCORD, N.H. - Community groups in New Hampshire are urging lawmakers to take community input into account as they draw new voting district maps…

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Civic Engagement

Redistricting: Taking It to the Virtual Streets

NY Groups for Fair Redistricting Question Release of Two Draft Map Sets

ND Group: Redistricting Process Moving Too Fast

WV Canvassers Brace for More Challenges as Pandemic Continues

Advocates: Florida's Redistricting Process Needs More "Sunshine"

Groups: AZ Redistricting Panel Excludes Communities of Color

PA Creates Redistricting Advisory Council to Help Prevent Gerrymandering

Groups See MO Proposals as Voter-Suppression Attempts

Wealthy Americans Encourage Congress to Raise Their Tax Rate

Wealthy Coloradans Urge Congress to Raise Their Taxes

Report: PA Lacks Universal Policy for Voting in Jails

Report Spotlights Key Colorado Rivers for Protections

Ahead of 2022, ND Auditors Ponder Poll Workers, Mail-In Voting

With Virtual Forum, Get to Know PA Judicial Candidates on Nov. Ballot

Local Elections in IA to Include Voting Changes

Coalition: WI Headed Down Dangerous Path With Election Probes

Short Period for Public Input on OR Voting Maps Begins

Nebraskans Can Give Feedback on New Voter District Maps Next Week

Fact vs. Fiction in CA Recall; Experts Address the Rumors

Anti-Protest Laws Could Jeopardize Native American Religious Rights

MI Groups: Keep LGBTQ Communities Together in New Voting Maps

Report: Failure to Connect Extreme Weather to Climate “Media Malpractice”

Voting-Rights Groups Urge Marylanders to Help with Redistricting Maps

Fairness, Transparency Urged as NM Redistricting Advances

WV Legislature Holds Sept. Public Hearings on Redistricting

AR Advocates Want to Ensure Community Voice Heard During Redistricting

ID Grows More Diverse, But Not Its Redistricting Commission

MD Groups Hope Public Joins in New Redistricting Panel Meeting

Poll: Montanans Eager to See Health-Care Costs Go Down

Survey: Washingtonians Seek Quality Health Care at Affordable Price

Got Your Pen Handy? ND Residents Urged to Submit Redistricting Maps

MN Lawmakers Pressed for Inclusive Redistricting

Report: Armed Protests, as Seen in VA, More Likely to Spark Violence

Lawsuit Over SD Native American Voter Registration Continues

"Eligible But Excluded" – NM Families Left Out of Pandemic Relief

Census Lacks Key Data on LGBTQ Communities for Redistricting

Iowa Still Seen as Model State for Redistricting

New Virginia Research Center to Connect Police, People of Color

Bill in Congress Could Reshape Native American Voting Access

Politics Aside, WI Residents Can Submit Redistricting Input

Two Panels to Produce Maps for Utah Redistricting Process

Nebraskans to See Narrow Window for Public Input on New Voting Districts

AZ Voting Rights Groups Sue to Block Election 'Suppression' Laws

Proposed Ballot Initiative Aims to End Gerrymandering in SD

2020 Census Data Puts Spotlight on Texas' Growing Suburbs

Watchdog Groups Work to Prevent Gerrymandered New Voting Districts

PA Groups Call for Public Comment to Be Part of Census Redistricting

NH Groups: Communities of Interest Key for Redistricting