Campaigns & Elections

Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights

Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.

  • By Andrea Noble

Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights

Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.

  • By Andrea Noble
Campaigns & Elections

Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights

Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.

  • By Andrea Noble

No African American Has Won Statewide Office in Mississippi in 129 Years—Here's Why

COMMENTARY | The structure of Mississippi elections may prevent minorities from winning offices.

  • By John A. Tures, The Conversation

Six States to Craft Election Security Plans Through National Academy

The National Governors Association-sponsored policy academy will help officials from Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada and Virginia devise communications and response plans to deploy if their election systems come under attack.

  • By Andrea Noble

Washington, D.C. Could Allow People in Prison to Vote

One council member will propose that the nation’s capital become the first place to restore voting rights to people who are currently serving time in prison.

  • By Emma Coleman

National Popular Vote Momentum Stalls in Two States

The push for a national popular vote has hit roadblocks in two states.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Nevada Governor Vetoes Popular Vote Effort

The bill would have directed Nevada's six electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential elections.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

More Americans Are Suing Over Gerrymandered State Maps—But the Supreme Court Is Not Likely to Step In

COMMENTARY | The public is more aware of partisan gerrymandering than ever – and less supportive of it.

  • By Nancy Martorano Miller, The Conversation

How to Change Policy Without Politicians

As Arkansas politics becomes more conservative, voters are using the ballot for progressive ends.

  • By Olivia Paschal, The Atlantic

How Voter Access Laws and Passion Brought People to the Polls

Ballot initiatives on issues like medical marijuana helped get out the vote last fall, as did measures like allowing same-day registration.

  • By Tim Henderson

Mueller Findings Raise Election Hacking Fears in States

Major breaches into state and local election systems worry election officials.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Feds Have More Information About Russian Hacking They Could Tell Florida, U.S. Senator Confirms

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Reorganization at the National Governors Association ... States consider bills that limit vaccine exemptions … Fire department looks into ‘bike medics’ as new emergency response option.

  • By Laura Maggi and Emma Coleman

Trump Alters Electoral College Debate in States

Since the 2016 election, Democrats in a number of states have been pushing lawmakers to adopt a compact to give a state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote. Will Republicans join the cause?

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Movement to Allow Campaign Funds to Pay for Child Care Dealt Setback in Connecticut

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Amazon to locate new offices across a very short bridge ... Arizona considers fining teachers for influencing student political views … St. Paul loses its bikes.

  • By John Tomasic

Voter ID Laws Don’t Seem to Suppress Minority Votes—Despite What Many Claim

COMMENTARY | States may have passed these laws with the aim of reducing turnout. But new evidence suggests that they have a minimal or nonexistent effect.

  • By Ben L. Pryor, James Davis and Rebekah Herrick, The Conversation

Purdue Pharma Settles With Oklahoma in Major Opioid Crisis Lawsuit

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | The states that would benefit most from Dreamer protections … What to wear to survey flood damage ... Importing drugs from Canada for prisoners.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Political Candidates Don’t Always Tell the Truth (And You Can’t Make Them)

States have tried to prohibit candidates from telling lies in political advertisements. But the experience in Montana and other states shows that isn't so easy.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Totally Not Recalled: In Election Night Twist, Embattled Mayor Loses and Wins

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | A new teen marriage law in Utah … A possible hit coming to health care in pension-crisis rocked Kentucky… A North Carolina mayor leaves office while decrying the “social disease” of social media.

  • By John Tomasic, Special to Route Fifty

Federal Cyber Chief Warns All Political Candidates 'Everybody's a Potential Target'

There’s no telling what races online adversaries might try to sway, says a Homeland Security official.

  • By Jack Corrigan

Elections Are Broken Because They Aren’t About the Voters

COMMENTARY | To improve our election system, let’s focus on who votes, not who wins.

  • By Amber McReynolds, Special to Route Fifty

Federal Judge Blocks Texas Counties From Purging Voters

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Flooding isolates Northern California cities … snowed-in Oregon town faces lengthy power outages … and boosting Alabama’s gas tax.

  • By Michael Grass

New York's Online Voter Registration Will Become Accessible to Blind Voters

Websites for the board of elections and DMV must be accessible by the end of the year under the terms of a lawsuit settlement.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram