Nov 04 Why Arabic ballots are now being offered in Michigan and what this means for voter access in the U.S. By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang Three days before the inauguration of President Trump, Nada Al-Hanooti's mother, who was born in a Syrian refugee camp and speaks very little English, was able to take and pass the U.S. citizenship test. Although she was able to naturalize… Continue reading
Oct 04 Watch 10:07 Supreme Court hears redistricting cases with major implications for future elections By John Yang, Lisa Desjardins The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a big case about the role of race in drawing congressional maps. The specific question at issue is whether Alabama's map violates what's left of the Voting Rights Act, which bars discriminatory practices… Continue watching
Oct 04 Justices mull latest challenge to landmark voting rights law By Mark Sherman, Associated Press Some of the Supreme Court's conservative justices seem sympathetic to Alabama's arguments in a case seeking to force the state to create a second Black majority congressional district. It's the latest showdown over the landmark Voting Rights Act. Continue reading
Oct 04 LISTEN: Supreme Court hears arguments on Alabama election redistricting By Mark Sherman, Associated Press The Supreme Court on Tuesday took up an Alabama redistricting case that could have far-reaching effects on minority voting power across the United States and seemed likely to divide the court along ideological lines. Continue reading
Feb 09 Civil rights groups worry Black districts may face increased GOP scrutiny after recent Supreme Court ruling on voting rights laws By Nicholas Riccardi, Brendan Farrington, Associated Press In Florida, GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis took the unusual step last month of asking the state Supreme Court whether a Democrat's plurality-Black congressional district could be broken into whiter — and more Republican — districts. Continue reading
Nov 25 New maps spark debate over majority-minority districts By David Eggert, Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Lawmakers in several states are debating precisely how many Black voters are needed in a legislative district to ensure they can elect the representative they want. Continue reading
Aug 17 Democrats unveil plan to update landmark voting law By Christina A. Cassidy, Associated Press The bill from Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama seeks to restore a key provision of the federal law that compelled states with a history of discrimination to undergo a federal review before changing voting laws. Continue reading
Aug 06 WATCH: Sen. Merkley and Texas House Democrats speak on 56th anniversary of Voting Rights Act By Associated Press Hours after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a third attempt at passing a GOP voting bill by calling another special legislative session to begin this weekend, Texas Democrats who left the state weeks ago say they'll keep fighting to protect… Continue reading
Jul 16 WATCH: Black Women's group meets with Harris at White House By Associated Press Members of the Black Women's Roundtable said they had a good meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday as they push to retain voting rights for all around the country. Continue reading
Jul 30 Watch 7:07 Remembering John Lewis, an American civil rights icon By Judy Woodruff, Jessica Yarvin The United States bid a final farewell to John Lewis in Atlanta Thursday, after more than a week of observations in his honor. A congressman and lifelong activist, Lewis endured threats, repeated imprisonment and physical violence to fight for civil… Continue watching