Introducing Civics 504, a field guide to democracy for Louisiana. Civics 504 will include useful context on the upcoming elections, a guide to state laws on voting and registration, statewide and local candidate lists and plain-language explanations of ballot propositions.
The Atlanta Voice covers the diverse interests of Atlanta voters during the presidential election and the community's roles in support of their candidate choice.
The conversation: Gen Z contextualizing the contemporary political landscape
Public Square Amplified
Public Square Amplified
As part of International Democracy Day 2024, Public Square Amplified (PSA) hosted a discussion on the current political paradigm with members of Gen Z, the generation now seemingly at the center of the “drive to the 2024 polls” for the electoral races afoot, and not just here in New Jersey.
The panel of a high schooler, three college undergrads and three post-graduates, moderated by Professor Dr. Jared A. Ball of Morgan State University, engaged in a provocative and rigorous discussion on political propaganda, third parties, democracy, and urgent public policy priorities.
The moderator and participants will return for a post-presidential town hall discussion.
https://youtu.be/NiibMjWQGWI?si=zptuJrewNMZMQHDG
9/15/2024
Issues
Misinformation
Candidates
Other
Education
Josie Gonsalves
info@publicsq.org
Formerly incarcerated individuals get candid about which leading presidential candidate — a former prosecutor or a convicted felon — has their support
Cydni Elledge
Outlier Media
They’ve all had to navigate a criminal justice system that has deeply affected their relationship with the democratic process — but their approaches to voting, democracy and advocacy are far from monolithic
How Harris, Trump are speaking to Detroiters’ priorities
Laura Herberg
Outlier Media
A survey commissioned by Outlier Media and conducted by the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study in April found inflation, health care and safety to be the top priorities Detroiters want federal officials to address. Let’s take a closer look at what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are saying about those issues.
Noah Johnson, former community reporter ; Teresa Martin, CEO
Lower Cape TV
PRODUCERS NOTE:
Hey, everyone! Noah Johnson here, former senior community reporter at Lower Cape TV and editor of the Town Meeting User Guide. Town Meeting is a cornerstone of local government in Massachusetts, but it can be awfully confusing.
I covered town meeting affairs at LCTV for about four years and found myself researching unfamiliar terms and procedures on a regular basis. After a while, I got to thinking: wouldn’t it be great if there was a resource that aggregated general town meeting information all in one place? Thus, the Town Meeting User Guide was born.
Broadly speaking, this guide serves to educate the public on what town meeting is, what happens at town meeting and why local leaders believe town meeting is important.
The project was spearheaded by myself and LCTV Executive Director Teresa Martin and produced with significant contributions from Rafal Kowalczyk, Susan Bloom and Susan Vaughn Harris.
Special thanks to town managers Jacqui Beebe (Eastham), Peter Lombar
On Democracy Day, support Spotlight PA’s free and fearless journalism
Christopher Baxter
Spotlight PA
Spotlight PA's President and CEO shares why he accepted the opportunity five years ago to build a news organization from scratch and why readers should support Spotlight PA's tough, investigative and public-service journalism on Democracy Day.
Voter eligibility: Make sure you know who can vote in WI
Amie Schaenzer
Racine County Eye
Because your vote is your voice, here is everything you need to know in order to vote in the 2024 presidential election — or any election — in Wisconsin.
The Current has compiled this resource page to help Coastal Georgia voters make informed decisions. This information page includes links to nonpartisan election reporting and access to tools that you can use to conduct your own research. It is a “living” page, and we’ll update it daily with new information. Questions? Send them to staff@thecurrentga.org
First thing: Check your registration status or register to vote. Then, figure out if you’ll need to vote absentee. We’ll update candidate information regularly through the year.
Elections error changed registration for 750 Delaware voters
Karl Baker, Nick Stonesifer
Spotlight Delaware
The Delaware Department of Elections said that state officials placed 750 voters, who had registered in the past year through an automatic voter registration system, into the wrong political party. A government transparency organization sent a letter to the state, seeking answers about why a “glitch” appeared to exist within the Division of Motor Vehicles’ new automatic voter registration system.
Delaware’s statewide primary election was on Sept. 10, and early voting began on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Spotlight Delaware published a Spanish translation of a previously explainer article so voters could learn more about how to vote in the primary election, where their polling place is, and navigate any questions they may have.
As the climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent or more intense globally, the rights of voters in disaster-prone regions become threatened, but the state of Georgia is not prepared to assist voters should there be a disaster on voting day.
In Mount Horeb, incumbent Republican Rep. Todd Novak passes on debate
Liam Beran
Isthmus Community Media
Elizabeth Grabe, a Democrat running for Wisconsin Assembly, answered questions about agriculture and farm practices at a Mount Horeb forum. But the Republican incumbent, Rep. Todd Novak, did not attend.
¿Podría la votación por orden de preferencia hacer que el Concejo Municipal de Vallejo sea más representativo?
Ryan Geller
The Vallejo Sun
La votación por orden de preferencia, también conocida como desempates electorales instantáneos, permite a los votantes elegir candidatos en orden desde su favorito a su menos favorito.
Tracking Competition and Dialogue in Assembly District 51
Abigail Leavins, Chali Pittman
WORT FM
Wisconsin has new voting maps this November. In collaboration with Isthmus newspaper, we examine how those new maps have spurred competition and organizing in advance of November.
Wisconsin’s close elections prove every vote matters in presidential races
Amie Schaenzer
Racine County Eye
RACINE, WI — Many people avoid going to the polls on Election Day because they believe their vote won’t significantly impact the outcome of local or federal races. However, in a battleground state, case studies, data, and anecdotal evidence from political experts suggest otherwise. With Wisconsin’s close elections, every vote matters.
"District 7 candidates weigh in on revitalizing 9th Avenue"
Kelly Waldron
Mission Local
This is one of our many "Meet the Candidates" questions, part of an ongoing series started months ago for the November 2024 election, in which we ask every supervisor candidate across San Francisco's open district seats a question every week, and publish their answers on the site. This one focused on District 7, and on plans to revitalize a corridor in the neighborhood.
Errors Remain in Mississippi’s Polling Place System Ahead of the 2024 Election
Ashton Pittman, Wiliam Pittman
Mississippi Free Press
Mississippi election officials changed four voting precincts between the August 2023 primaries and the Nov. 7, 2023, statewide general elections. A previous Mississippi Free Press investigation found that at least 92 voting precincts in the Statewide Election Management System had missing, incomplete, incorrect or old addresses during that period. Photo by Ashton Pittman
The state of Connecticut is offering early voting for the first time this year. Connecticut is uniformly applying the state's early voting requirements to all towns, putting a significant burden on small, rural towns such as Kent, Conn., which has a population of around 3,000.
PZC advised not to enforce political sign time limit
Kathryn Boughton
The Kent Good Times Dispatch
Following an erroneous ad hoc Facebook post from a new Planning & Zoning commissioner, and subsequent formal complaints from residents, the land use attorney for Kent, Conn., told the town's P&Z Commission that a local zoning regulation dictating how long temporary signs can be displayed (30 days), should not be enforced. This same legal opinion had been given in 2014 and 2018, but the rule had been overlooked when the zoning regulations were rewritten by the commission in 2018.
Haitians in Springfield: A tale of Black immigration in ‘Anytown USA’
Macollvie J. Neel
The Haitian Times
Despite the massive benefits Haitians have brought to Springfield, racial furor now threatens the Ohio town’s revitalization. The conflict reflects a battle about how America treats newcomers that is so old, yet expected, that it could have been avoided with forward-thinking from all levels of government and the established Haitian community.
Encouraging young voters: A call to action for the future of democracy
Maliq Hicks
Black Girl in CLE
Exploring the future of democracy through the eyes of young voters. This article examines their motivations, concerns, and views on the upcoming election. A call to action for experienced voters to empower the next generation. This article was written and fully produced by our high school interns, called the Clenagers.
Important Voter Registration Deadlines in New York for the 2024 Presidential Election
Suresh Shahi
NepYork
As the 2024 presidential election draws near, New Yorkers are encouraged to ensure they are registered to vote in this pivotal event. Voters will be selecting their next president, vice president, U.S. senators, representatives, and other key local officials. To participate, it is essential to meet the registration deadlines.
¿Nuevo en Carolina del Norte? Esto es lo que debe saber para votar en noviembre 2024
Nicolás Baintrub
Enlace Latino NC
Each year, more than 100,000 people move to North Carolina. If you're one of the newcomers, this guide will provide you with the steps you need to take to participate in the November 2024 elections, where key positions for the state and the country will be decided.
How Arizona tackles a language barrier to provide Navajo voters a ballot they can listen to
Jen Fifield
Votebeat
Around 71,000 Arizonans of voting age speak Navajo, and about 1 in 10 of them aren’t fluent in English. Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act requires places around the country to translate election information into specific languages if they have significant numbers of residents who share a common language and don’t understand English well, or if they meet other criteria. It’s a challenge to do these translations, and do them correctly, especially for counties such as those in Arizona that must translate historically oral languages.
Students Discuss Issues They Care About in 2024 Election
Kate Keith
The Daily Utah Chronicle
University of Utah students discussed the candidates’ use of social media and reproductive rights. They also discussed LGBTQ rights, the economy and gun control.
Utah Tech international students’ thoughts on voting, 2024 election
Alyssa Bayles
Sun News Daily
International students at Utah Tech University share their diverse perspectives on the 2024 U.S. presidential election, highlighting varied levels of engagement and interest.
What college students in Utah need to know about voting in the 2024 presidential election
Ashley Orduna
The Globe
With the historicity of this year’s presidential election in mind, it is important for first-time voters and other younger voters to know where to vote and how voting works in Utah. Students at Salt Lake Community College have expressed that they feel well-educated on the process of registering and voting, even though some research and sentiments claim that first-time voters and other college-aged voters can occasionally be underinformed about the process of voting.
How diversity bill is impacting Utah Tech students
Madisyn Bishop
Sun News Daily
When the Utah State Congress passed H.B. 261 and H.B. 257, students and faculty expressed concerns about the future of Utah Tech University. H.B. 261, the Diversity Bill or the Equal Opportunities Initiative, prohibits any institution of higher education, the public school system and government employers from discriminatory hiring practices, and promoting and engaging in certain practices of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Utah State legislature changes campus, students react
Malory Rau
The Utah Statesman
The Utah State Legislature enacted new policies affecting college students, including changes to housing regulations and academic program funding. Students at Utah State University expressed mixed reactions, with some concerned about potential impacts on their education and campus life.
How to protect yourself from misinformation in the digital world
Larry Vogel
My Neighborhood News Network
With the exponential growth of social media, online news sources (credible and otherwise), chat groups, and artificial intelligence (AI), more and more people are using the internet as their primary source of news and information. While much of this information is credible, much is not. The Friends of the Edmonds Library offered a Sept. 10 program aimed at helping us become more savvy in identifying and acting on misinformation.
Election season in Door County: clerks speak to process, challenges and voting security
Emily Small
Door County Knock
Clerks and election officials face some specific challenges ahead of Nov. 5, but local election processes and infrastructure should inspire confidence in local voters, according to Door County Clerk Jill Lau.
Democracy Day: Our annual reminder to hold power to account
Tobias Grabsch
The Signals Network
Whistleblowers and investigative journalists are crucial for holding governments and corporations accountable, yet they face severe legal and personal risks. The article thus calls for political responsibility and the support of whistleblower empowerment and press freedom organizations to protect those who speak truth to power.
Ohio’s new Mobile ID isn’t acceptable as a voting ID at your polling place
Reegan Davis Saunders
Signal Akron
Ohioans can now add a copy of their Ohio-issued driver’s license or ID card to their Apple Wallet. But don’t expect to use it as your ID when you go to your local polling place on Election Day. it won’t be accepted.
Frequency of Deception / Radiofrecuencia de engaños
Paulina Velasco
fi2w.org
Come November, an estimated 36 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in the U.S. presidential election. Across the nation, there are Spanish language radio stations invested in them as an audience — and content on those stations is targeting listeners with disinformation about the candidates, the parties and political issues.
In this special episode, host Kai Wright sits down with journalist Paulina Velasco to discuss “Frequency of Deception,” an investigation into the lies, rumors and propaganda that have been peppering Spanish language broadcasts in recent years. Velasco’s reporting includes egregious examples of attempts to manipulate listeners, ideas about who and what is behind these nefarious efforts, and a look at the ongoing push to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation among vulnerable communities.
This radio piece was produced in collaboration with WNYC’s Notes from America.
https://www.fi2w.org/frequency-of-deception-wnyc/
9/15/2024
Threats
Issues
Misinformation
Voting Rights
Federal
International
Communications
State
Mia Warren
mia@feetin2worlds.org
Democracy On The Street: What Is Democracy?
Lionel Getten
The Breeze
An article focusing on how community college students conceive of the term "democracy" and our political system.
Khalilah Worley Billy has been with Greater Cleveland Congregations since it was founded in 2011. As senior organizer, she heads up the interfaith coalition’s voter engagement efforts, which began in 2012. Billy talked to Signal Cleveland about how the organization has built on and refined those efforts, how they led to an ongoing project called the Battle for Democracy, and how everyone can apply what GCC has learned about “vote hurt.”
What's threatening democracy in Sioux Falls right now?
Lack of participation and civic engagement. Voter turnout is abysmally low (less than 8% of voters turned out in the last City Council election). That means a remarkably small percentage of the population is making decisions that affect everyone who lives here.
It’s no contest: In many Minnesota towns, some races in November will feature just one candidate — or none at all.
Ava Kian
MinnPost
Many communities in Minnesota are facing a dearth of local candidates. Civic leaders hope outreach and boot camps will help to cultivate a new generation of office holders and engage more people in local politics.
Election Experts Explain Why We Need Pre-Canvassing of Mail Ballots in Pennsylvania
Aidan Tyksinski
Bucks County Beacon
In May, PA Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to allow pre-canvassing seven days before the election. It passed 102-99, with no State House Republicans voting in favor. The bill is currently stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate, where no vote is expected before Election Day.
A loophole in progressives’ pledges to eschew corporate PAC donations means trade association PACs are still giving campaign cash to McGovern and others.
Voting in California? Here are 8 places to find unbiased election info and fact checks
Brianna Taylor
The Sacramento Bee, The Modesto Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Tribune, Merced Sun-Star (duped for all CA markets with site-specific seo/language)
Election season is in full swing in California, which means debates, discussions and plenty of mud-slinging. Here’s where to find fact checks, unbiased voter information and more as Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — nears.
Vote South Dakota forum aims to shed light on 'complicated' election
Stu Whitney
South Dakota News Watch
Students will team up with journalists to ask questions at the forum, which will feature PUC candidates and representatives from both sides of ballot measures to be decided in November. “This is going to be a complicated election,” said Allen, a professor of religion and philosophy. “There’s a lot to unpack, so when I heard about this event, it was a no-brainer. I knew we needed to be a part of it.”
Investigating State Attacks on Exiles: Lessons from The Washington Post’s ‘Repression’s Long Arm’ Series
Rowan Philp
GIJN
The international investigations team at The Washington Post is tackling the issue of transnational repression — an urgent and undercovered topic — in an ongoing series called Repression’s Long Arm. This GIJN exclusive offers useful lessons for others investigating similar topics.
Additional security will be in place for Jan. 6, 2025 certification of presidential vote
Jennifer Shutt
NC Newsline
National Special Security Events, or NSSEs, are somewhat expected for major events, like State of the Union speeches or presidential inaugurations. This, however, will be the first time that one has been issued for Congress’ certification of the Electoral College vote.
Utah’s three leading gubernatorial candidates took to the stage at Salt Lake Community College’s Grand Theater on Wednesday, engaging in a debate that covered topics ranging from bipartisanship to housing and energy.
What Would a Stronger Democracy Look Like in Rural America?
Julia Tilton
The Daily Yonder
We asked rural scholars and organizers to envision how we might get to a democracy that better engages and represents the needs of rural people and places. Here’s what they said.
A national network of Freedom Caucuses -- modeled on the combative conservative coalition in the House of Representatives -- has established a foothold in a dozen red states, training lawmakers and pushing to move even the most conservative states to the right. But in Idaho, political infighting has split the most conservative lawmakers into two competing freedom caucuses, threatening to dilute their influence even as it seemed to be growing.
Do newly competitive legislative districts in Wisconsin drive civic engagement?
Liam Beran, Steven Walters
Isthmus Community Media
Following Wisconsin's recent redistricting, Assembly District 51, which now stretches from Madison-area suburbs in Dane County in the east to the dairy farms of Lafayette County in the west, is newly competitive. Are voters aware and more engaged?
Commentary | Democracy Day: Oregon has often led the way
Randy Stapilus
Oregon Capital Chronicle
The state makes it relatively easy for Oregonians to participate in elections compared with many other states. But threats to democracy lurk elsewhere – outside the state – and that means Oregon has a special role to play in setting an example.
Commentary: Tennessee is getting away with delaying access to public records, sometimes for years
Deborah Fischer
Tennessee Lookout
Consider this: In both cases, if no lawsuit had been filed, two major government institutions would have simply kept delaying and refusing access to public records.
That’s a problem.
Democracy Day: For Vietnamese exchange student, democracy means helping others
Marissa Lindemann
Nebraska News Service
Lee said he sees voting as an important civil duty. He casts his vote for Vietnamese elections remotely from the United States and said he hopes to vote in U.S. elections if he gains U.S. citizenship after finishing his study abroad program.
Opinion: Learning how to step back from the abyss of political violence
Ron Barber & Don Henninger
Tuscon Sentinel
With worries of political violence and threats top of mind for millions of Americans, learning from leaders who have helped navigate conflict in other countries may give us insights for reducing polarization and maintaining peace here at home.
15% of registered Duval voters are inactive, a huge rise since state law changed
Will Brown
Jacksonville Today
The number of voters who are one missed election away from being removed from the rolls has risen sharply in Duval County since Florida changed its voting laws three years ago.
How Secure Are Polk County Elections? LkldNow Tried to Hack Them (Hypothetically). Here’s What Happened.
Cindy Glover
LkldNow
To find out how secure elections in Polk County are, LkldNow scoured the Internet for the most plausible-sounding theories about how voting could be hacked — then we spent an afternoon at the Supervisor of Elections Office to see if any might work.
Journalist John Nichols calls Project 2025 a threat to American democracy
Heather Asiyanbi
Racine County Eye
Project 2025 is more than a bureaucratic blueprint—it’s a comprehensive effort to reshape the U.S. government in a way that threatens civil liberties, union rights, LGBTQ protections, and the balance of power, says John Nichols, national affairs correspondent for The Nation.
Project 2025 was in the works for decades. Why did the mainstream media fail to inform readers of its threats to democracy?
Ray Levy Uyeda
Prism
The right-wing playbook’s larger aim is to control public knowledge, and journalists fell into the trap by producing media coverage that disempowers readers
Young Voters of Color Mobilized With Nomination of VP Kamala Harris
Trinity Kinslow
Howard University News Service
In the 2024 race for president, every vote counts. While young adults make up a sought-after demographic, polls show that overall they have been unenthusiastic about either side of the aisle. Candidates and voter groups are hoping to change that.
Local elections matter the most: Why low voter turnout has a bigger impact than you think
Amie Schaenzer
Racine County Eye
Local elections in Racine County and across the state have historically seen lower voter turnout than higher-profile races, like the upcoming presidential election. But many voters overlook that these local races and the people elected to these seats can significantly impact their day-to-day lives.
The Supreme Court has given Project 2025 an anti-democratic way to dictate policy
Kieryn Darkwater
Prism
The Supreme Court's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturned 40 years of legal precedent, shifting authority from federal agencies back to the courts and advancing Project 2025's agenda to eliminate the "deep state" and control Americans' personal lives. This decision, along with other recent rulings, allows organizations like the Alliance Defending Freedom and America First Legal to implement Project 2025's goals through the courts, bypassing the democratic process even if Trump isn't reelected.
DC Statehood: Washingtonians Call for Fair Representation in Congress
Demarco Rush
The Washington Informer
D.C. residents elect a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives who may sit on committees, participate in debates, and introduce legislation but cannot vote on the House floor. Unlike residents of U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, which also have nonvoting delegates, D.C. residents are subject to all federal taxes.
Nearly 100,000 Nepali Americans Eligible to Vote, with 35,000 First-Time Voters in US Presidential Election; Enthusiasm Levels Vary
Kishor Panthi
Khasokhas
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, nearly 100,000 Nepali Americans are eligible to vote, with about 35,000 participating for the first time, showcasing varied levels of enthusiasm and priorities across generations. First-generation voters focus on immigration and healthcare, while the younger generation leans towards issues like education and student debt, reflecting the diverse experiences and evolving political engagement within the community.
https://www.khasokhas.com/209795
9/15/2024
Issues
Access
Process
State
Federal
Local
Kishor Panthi
khasokhas@gmail.com
Getting ready to vote on the Outer Banks
Sam Walker
SamWalkerOBXNews.com
It's almost time to start casting ballots in the upcoming general election, and as part of our participation in Democracy Day 2024, we've got a primer for residents of the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina to make sure you are prepared to vote this fall.
Yakima County voter turnout lags the state. What can be done to boost participation?
Jordan Allyn
Yakima Herald-Republic
It's easy to vote in Washington, yet Yakima County usually is at the bottom of the state when it comes to voter turnout. Since registering voters isn’t enough, local groups are trying a variety of new approaches to get out the vote.
2024 Voting and Election Guide - Your Guide to Local Elections
Kyra Dosch-Klemer, Morgan Gardiner
Ridge View Echo
This is a special feature we published which features all the necessary information about the local elections in North Warren. It features Q&A with local candidates, what's on the ballot (coming soon), voter information, and ongoing election coverage.
VNN walks through the policies and actions the Trump-Pence administration made/took regarding Native American rights, sovereignty, and climate change policies impacting Native communities.
Poll Workers Play Important Roles This Election Day
Morgan Gardiner
Ridge View Echo
The role of non-volunteer poll workers leading up to and on Election Day. Poll workers contribute long working hours and facilitate the election on the local level.
Kamala Harris Declared Winner of First Presidential Debate With Trump
Jordyn Britton
Howard University News Service
Vice President Kamala Harris was declared the winner against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday in their first presidential debate — one of the most anticipated events of this year’s election cycle.
CivicStory takes you to Rocktoberfest 2024, where high school students champion sustainability through eco-friendly initiatives like reducing single-use plastics and promoting native plants. Hear from passionate Eco Ambassadors as they discuss the impact of small actions on big environmental issues like plastic consumption and CO2 emissions.
Howard Students Discuss Voting and Democracy at Watch Party for Presidential Debate
Madison Belo, Lemaria Stevens, Trinity Webster-Bass
Howard University News Service
Experience the energy of Howard students as they watch Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off for the first time. The students also share their hopes and fears about the future and democracy.
Commentary: Too many South Dakota officials willing to close the door on the public
Dana Hess
South Dakota Searchlight
As the nation celebrates Democracy Day, it’s a good time to be thankful for the freedoms that we have but also be wary of the threats that democracy faces. Those threats aren’t limited to Washington, D.C. They exist in the statehouse and the local courthouse as well.
Could ranked choice voting make Vallejo’s City Council more representative?
Ryan Geller
The Vallejo Sun
In 2022, Vallejo's City Council elections were split, with the winners receiving 37% of the vote or less. None of several Black candidates were elected.
Other Bay Area cities have adopted ranked choice voting. But could it help in Vallejo?
The GOP’s unquenchable crusade against noncitizen voting, which is already illegal
Greg Larose
Louisana Illuminator
The Republican Party’s persistent call for legislation to ban noncitizen voting is just as inexplicable as the raging popularity of those massive Stanley drinking cups.
Do you really need it?
Commentary: Beware the cry of fraud. That’s where American authoritarianism always starts.
Brian Lyman
Alabama Reflector
If American democracy ends, it will die as it did before: with entrenched lawmakers calling political results contrary to their world views "fraud" and throwing up as many obstacles to voting as they can.
Scorecard rates South Dakota members of Congress poorly on pro-democracy positions
Joshua Haiar
South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota’s three members of Congress scored zeroes and a one on Common Cause's new Democracy Scorecard, which evaluates congressional positions on democracy-related bills and resolutions.
Advocate launches voter guide to assist Arkansans with November election
Advocate Staff
Arkansas Advocate
On this Democracy Day, the Advocate is launching a nonpartisan voter guide to provide readers with the tools they need to participate in November’s election, including election-related stories, information about candidates, answers to frequently asked questions about the voting process.
How Maine is making it easier for voters with disabilities to participate in elections
Annmarie Hilton
Maine Morning Star
Following the 2023 election, Disability Rights Maine visited 160 polling places across all 16 counties and found that just about half of them weren’t in compliance with accessibility laws.
URI fall lecture series examines ‘Democracy in Peril’
Janine L. Weisman
Rhode Island Current
“Democracy in Peril,” as this year’s series of seven lectures is titled, reflects the creep of authoritarian rule observed around the world in places that have embraced xenophobic nationalism and attempted to promote individual freedom at the expense of social equality.
Commentary: Why the 2024 Election Is a Fight for Democracy and Civil Rights
Asia Alexander
Howard University News Service
The stakes couldn’t be higher for African American voters as we face a pivotal referendum on the future of our democracy on Nov. 5, Asia Alexander writes in this commentary. As we approach this historic election, it’s not just about electing the next president of the United States — it’s about safeguarding our civil rights and securing a future that values equality for all.
Georgia leaders worry mail delays could cause many absentee ballots to arrive too late to count
Stanley Dunlap
Georgia Recorder
The persistent mail delivery problems are hindering the ability for voters to receive critical voting information mailers, voter address confirmation cards, and absentee ballots.
Iowans will decide on two constitutional amendments in November. What to know
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Capital Dispatch
This year, Iowans will consider two amendment proposals: one that clarifies the gubernatorial line of succession, and another would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections.
Commentary: Indiana students have their say on democracy
Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle
On this Democracy Day, I want to highlight the VFW’s annual high school contest by sharing with you Indiana’s top three winners from Indiana last year.
Keeping it Real: Pope Blows Dog Whistle, Putting His Finger on Scale of U.S. Election
S. E. Williams
Black Voice News
Pope Francis has entered the American political fray with a “dog whistle” message to American voters that appears tailor-made for the nation’s Catholics. The Pope’s message can be perceived as unhelpful to the presidential campaign of V.P. Kamala Harris. The Pope’s stance on abortion is unwavering, and he considers Harris’ pro-abortion stance as evil. The Catholic Church has had and continues to have an unyielding position against abortion engrained in its tenents since the first century. The Pope’s statement has the potential to shift Catholic votes from Harris to Trump and to potentially sway undecided Catholics in the same way.
The Journey of An Election Ballot….Where Does Your Ballot Go Once It’s Cast?
Breanna Reeves, Aryana Noroozi
Black Voice News
The process of counting mail-in and early voting ballots involves sorting, signature verification, ballot extraction, counting (and adjudication), and tabulation. Security measures include keycard access-only rooms, large windows for observer viewing, and a two-person rule. The final stop for ballots is a gated storage section located on the second floor of the facility where ballots are stored in boxes and locked away for 22 months.
First-Generation Nepali Americans Make History in U.S. Politics, Inspiring the Second Generation, but the Second Generation Also Has Suggestions
Kishor Panthi
NepYork
The Nepali American community is rapidly growing in the U.S., with first-generation immigrants becoming more involved in politics at local, state, and national levels, inspiring future generations to engage and advocate for their communities. While second-generation Nepali Americans are motivated by these efforts, they offer important suggestions, such as understanding the complexities of U.S. politics and expanding engagement beyond their own communities.
San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Uses Ballot Mobile to Reach Unregistered Voters
Breanna Reeves
Black Voice News
San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters' BallotMobile is reaching out to unregistered voters ahead of the general election on Nov. 5. The van will travel to various events in October, including Victor Valley Community College, California State University, San Bernardino, and the San Bernardino Valley College Greek Theatre. The county election officials will mail ballots to each active registered voter for the 2024 general election starting on Oct. 7. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 21.
Democracy deniers target Colorado. Their bad faith must come with a cost.
Quentin Young
Colorado Newsline
Election denial has evolved into democracy denial, a movement focused not on the fairness of a single election but rather on rejecting the principle of fairness in any election, including the one in November.
Vote tally certification refusals could undermine 2024 election, experts warn
Sara Wilson
Colorado Newsline
Two months ahead of the November election, Colorado officials are warning that refusal by local election canvass board members to certify results fuels misinformation and threatens voter trust in the entire election process. Republicans on three local canvass boards voted against certifying the June primary results, a stance that occurred in the context of a growing national movement by conservative activists to use the once mundane, administrative task of verifying vote tallies to protest shortcomings they see in how elections are run.
Heading into the 2024 election cycle, the Amarillo Tribune wants to empower voters with the factual information they need to cast their votes confidently this November.
From laying down the patriotic tablecloths displayed underneath the voting systems during early voting to handing out the last “I Voted” sticker on Election Day, election workers play a role in every aspect of a voter’s experience.
Following the money: How to track endorsements, campaign funding and expenditures
Jo Early
Amarillo Tribune
Looking at who a candidate received funding from can clue voters into their policy priorities if they take office. It can also help those on the fence decide which candidate they’d like to support based on the values of others who support them.
Local Elections Administrators respond to Governor’s voter purge
Julie Thompson
Amarillo Tribune
County elections officials constantly maintain their voter rolls, canceling the status of those who have died, moved away, or are noncitizens. Election staff attempts to notify voters of their status so it can be maintained.
‘Voting feels like a battle’: In Mississippi, a group of Black women is reimagining voter turnout
Barbara Rodriguez
The 19th
The Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable has traveled around the state for “boot camps” aimed at better mobilizing Black women to get out the vote. They face roadblocks in a state with a deep history of voter suppression.
Wausau Pilot 2024 Voter Guide: What to know about Wisconsin’s elections
Shereen Siewert
Wausau Pilot & Review
This story offers details on how to register, where to vote, how to vote absentee, how to submit letters to the editor plus key election dates and more as the election approaches.
What is populism and how is it touching down in Utah?
Katie McKellar
Utah News Dispatch
A professor who has studied populism across the world and in Trump’s rhetoric unpacks populist indicators, possible threats to democracy, and how it is cropping up in Utah.
The fight for the survival of democracy will be won at the ballot box
Jay Heck
Wisconsin Examiner
Jay Heck of Common Cause Wisconsin describes the battle for democracy in Wisconsin, where new voting maps and a resurgence of grassroots activism are propelling a surge of energy ahead of the November election.
How to check for misinformation in election-related mailers
Justin Garcia
Tampa Bay Times
Ahead of November’s general election, voters across Florida are opening their mailboxes to candidate flyers and other advertisements and getting text messages from campaigns. Figuring out how to spot misleading or deceptive claims or disinformation can feel daunting.
The Tampa Bay Times talked to experts about how voters can scrutinize election-related material ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Here are their tips.
The election is approaching. Here’s how to fact-check campaign mailers before you vote
Shereen Siewert
Wausau Pilot & Review
As election season heats up in central Wisconsin, campaign mailers are pouring into residents' mailboxes. While these advertisements make bold claims, many mix facts with misleading information. This guide helps voters fact-check claims and make informed decisions.
College Students Face Voting Barriers in 2024 Elections
Daryn O’Neal, Madison Belo, Lemaria Stevens, Trinity Webster-Bass
Howard University News Service
Tune in at 4:28 on this episode of The HillTalks podcast and read the accompanying article to learn more about the voting challenges that college students are facing during this election season.
Emails detail police chief’s targeting of a local business after an employee criticizes officers
Pat Grossmith
InkLink News
A city resident who criticized the Manchester Police Department after a fatal officer involved shooting was fired from his job after police allegedly targeted his employer.
Kevin Martin was fired from his barista job at Hometown Coffee Roasters allegedly because of emails Police Chief Alan Aldenberg sent to his police contingent. The emails resulted in officers boycotting the Old Granite Street business. Once Martin was canned, the boycott ended.
National scorecard shows some Ohio Congress members ‘perfect’ in support of ‘pro-democracy’ reforms
Susan Tebben
Ohio Capital Journal
A new report card on support of pro-democracy reforms showed "perfect" scores for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, "near perfect" scores for Reps. Beatty, Kaptur, and Landsman, and "zero" for U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan, Warren Davidson and Sen. JD Vance.
Interview: ‘Christian Nationalism Is on the March’ and Is a Threat to Inclusive, Multiracial Democracy
Erin Flynn Jay
Bucks County Beacon
The Bucks County Beacon spoke with Americans United for Separation of Church and State's Rachel Laser about Project 2025 and Christian extremists' efforts to take away our freedoms.
Election officials from Maryland, Virginia and the District discussed their work to ensure that voting — and counting — goes smoothly, a job made harder by mail-in and early voting, and by election threats, misinformation and disinformation.
4 Michigan lawmakers get an ‘A+’ on Common Cause democracy scorecard
Jon King
Michigan Advance
More than a half-dozen Michigan congressional Democrats received either a perfect or near-perfect score for supporting voting rights, while three Republican members were given zeroes.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab works to build trust in elections in the face of skepticism
Grace Hills
Kansas Reflector
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab over the past four years has responded to concerns about election integrity by reinforcing policies that safeguard Kansas elections. His public education efforts and legislative changes he shepherded are aimed at preserving Kansans’ trust in election results and curbing skepticism.
Threats against public officials and election workers spike in July amid a ‘climate of hostility’
Jon King
Michigan Advance
Threats targeting election officials have been seeing an alarming rise in recent years, with indications that it might be getting worse heading into the November election.
Pennsylvania’s Latino Voters Could Have a Huge Impact on the Presidential Election
Pat LaMarche
Bucks County Beacon
The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) recently released data indicating that Pennsylvania’s 580,000 Latino voters could impact the national election, as well as specific state races.
‘This Is Our Lunch Counter Moment,’ Rev. Yearwood of Hip Hop Caucus Says
Trinity Kinslow
Howard University News Service
It’s important for students know that “this is our lunch counter moment for the 21st century,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., president and CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, a non-profit, non-partisan, multi-issue organization. Yearwood participated in the “Power of the Ballot” session at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago where he encouraged young people to become involved in the political process.
Tradition falls to suspicion as GOP candidates spurn forums hosted by League of Women Voters
McKenna Horsley
Kentucky Lantern
The League of Women Voters has a history of organizing debates and forums from elections for U.S. president to Kentucky governor to local school boards. But this year Republicans in Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city, are not accepting a local chapter’s invitations to appear on stage with their opponents.
Your right to know is at the heart of democracy. Here’s how to use Maryland’s public records law.
Susan Kim
The Business Monthly
Did you know that Maryland law gives you the right to inspect and copy some government documents? Maryland’s Public Information Act gives the public a right to records held by government agencies, though there are some records that are exempt from the law.
The Christian Right’s Playbook to Elect Donald Trump in November
Frederick Clarkson
Barn Raiser Media
For the past half century, the Christian Right has been mastering the tools of electoral democracy in order to erode and end it. The methods and the players have evolved over time, but the goal of societal dominion has not. Today, leaders of the Christian Right have amassed considerable political power in many parts of the country and in the Republican Party.
How we got here: Daniel Ziblatt on U.S.’s unique democratic backsliding
Jordan Wilkie
WITF News
Conversation between Harvard Professor Daniel Ziblatt and WITF News democracy beat reporter Jordan Wilkie on the democratic backsliding in the United States.
How we got here: Daniel Ziblatt on U.S.’s unique democratic backsliding
9/14/2024
Issues
International
Federal
Jordan Wilkie
jordan_wilkie@witf.org
Why do election experts oppose hand-counting ballots?
The Associated Press
WITF News
Explainer on why hand-counting votes is not a viable option for tallying up election night returns in the United States. The story is the first in a partnership between The AP and WITF News to provide Pennsylvanians with explainers on how elections are run.
Opinion: Wisconsin — laboratory or graveyard of democracy?
Steve Hanson
Eye On Dunn County
On this International Democracy Day we have many opportunities to defend democracy in Wisconsin, and nationally. And most importantly we can go to the polls on November 5 to speak up for our beliefs and interests. Let's work on saving democracy in Wisconsin.
In Maine, municipal clerks play a critical role in administering elections. This summer, between the June state primary and the November general election, The Maine Monitor sat with town clerks across the state to ask about their work safeguarding the right to vote in a changing political climate.
The November election is getting closer, Democracy Day is on Sunday, now is a great time to tell us how you feel. Instead of interviewing politicians, we are focusing on the community. Your concerns and ideas are what matters locally and beyond.
The consortium co-founder and former Nevada assemblywoman talks with The Objective about the importance of a robust Latino media ecosystem to a democracy and more.
Despite being home to numerous universities and colleges, Connecticut has never had voting access on campus. That will change this year with an early voting location at UConn's main campus in Storrs.
‘We don’t want people to be caught off guard’ — Campaign targets canceled WV voter registrations
Lori Kersey
West Virgina Watch
West Virginians for Clean Elections, a nonpartisan coalition led by Community Action Group, has mailed notices to thousands of residents whose voter’s registration has been removed because of inactivity.
WSIU-TV program previews regional event: "The Idea of Democracy in Southern Illinois, 1700 to Present"
WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU
Fred Martino talks with Carolyn Deane of Artspace 304 and Kay Rippelmeyer from the Jackson County Historical Society. The interview explores a variety of issues related to democracy and previews a local discussion.
Artspace 304 is hosting a free event on Sunday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Murphysboro Event Center. "The Idea of Democracy in Southern Illinois, from 1700 to Present" features ten of our region’s most distinguished historians. They will share the important – and very relevant – history about how the idea of democracy evolved through our region from the 1700s until today.
No byline but this was executed by Laryn Kuchta, Sanaa Littlejohn, Caroline Bissonnette, and Reid Williams
NowKalamazoo
NowKalamazoo answers frequently asked questions for voters in Kalamazoo County. Some of the questions are prompted by community members via a free text message service where they can submit any question for the NowKalamazoo election team to research and answer.
Missourians will get their say on abortion rights. Republicans, quit obstructing | Opinion
The Kansas City Star Editorial Board
The Kansas City Star
Politicians keep trying to thwart the democratic process over reproductive rights and other issues people want to vote on. That’s not how American government is supposed to work.
Fueled by Distrust in Government, Gen Z Still Wants to Fix America – or at Least Central Texas
Maggie Quinlan
The Austin Chronicle
People young enough to have experienced major brain development in the shadow of Donald Trump’s presidency have a complicated relationship with America and politics – Gen Z doesn’t trust institutions, but is motivated to try to fix them anyway. That’s tough. But the good news is, getting involved in local policy change is actually – like, actually – rewarding.
History of third-party votes in US presidential elections
Ben Popken, Elena Cox
Stacker
Stacker examined data from the Federal Election Commission, Pew Research Center, and other sources to explore the history of third-party candidates in U.S. presidential elections.
Our Voices: Democracy and Storytelling Q&A with Appalshop
Annaick Miller
Voice of Witness
Voice of Witness is hosting a new Q&A series called Our Voices: Democracy and Storytelling to highlight the work local organizations are doing to bolster democracy, civic participation, and narrative change with their communities. We’re kicking off with a spotlight on Appalshop, an education, economic development, media, and arts organization in Appalachia.
Your top questions about voting in the 2024 presidential election in WA answered
Daniel Schrager
The Bellingham Herald
McClatchy spoke with Washington’s Director of Elections, Stuart Holmes, from the Office of the Secretary of State, to answer all of your voting-related questions.
Here at The Austin Common, one of our main goals is to help grow our local democracy, by making it easier for more people to know how it all works and to get involved….
Which is why we’re so excited to announce a new partnership with Get It Games, a local trivia company that hosts quizzes at bars and restaurants across the city. Throughout the months of September and October, we’ll be teaming up with them to add local civic-related questions to their trivia nights.
Salt Lake Community College students share their thoughts on upcoming 2024 election
Bao Lam, Bonnie Fox, Teresa Chaikowsky at The Globe
The Globe & Amplify Utah
The Globe took to the Taylorsville Redwood campus to find out how students felt about the upcoming presidential election. Most students said the 2024 presidential election was more important than or just as important as previous ones.
Many political campaigns are shifting their language and strategy to resonate with young Americans as they recognize the critical impact they can have in the election, utilizing memes, pop culture and social media as a way to effectively connect with the younger generation. These Utah State students articulated their vote's importance in the upcoming election.
Utah Legislature Puts Initiative Changes on November Ballot
Josi Hinds, Utah Daily Chronicle
Daily Utah Chronicle & Amplify Utah
The Utah Legislature met in a special session to consider adding a measure to this year’s ballot that would affirm lawmakers’ right to repeal and replace voter initiatives.
Connecticut Ballot Measure Could Make Voting More Inclusive
Kelan Lyons
Bolts
Voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would set the stage to let everyone vote by mail without an excuse—an option that could expand access for voters with disabilities.
Democracy is defined as a form of government where the people have the power to participate in decision-making, often through voting in elections. The following will be a list comprised of seven myths surrounding the American democratic system.
To Confront Climate Change, Imagine Getting It Right
D. Peterschmidt, Ira Flatow
sciencefriday.com
Part of the reason it’s difficult to talk about climate change is that it can be hard to see a long-term positive outcome for people and the planet. But Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, argues that to prevent the worst effects of climate change, we have to start by asking ourselves, what if we get it right?
Fighting misinformation by tracking election falsehoods
Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard
News Literacy Project
Rumors that question the integrity of our elections arguably represent the clearest threat to American democracy. Learning how to spot misinformation will go a long way to ensuring you’re informed when you cast your ballot.
Vermont officials say voting systems are secure after potential vulnerabilities found in New Hampshire
Shaun Robinson
VTDigger
Vermont and some of its contractors have been “taking a closer look” at where the code they use to build election systems comes from, one official said, though maintained there was never a threat to election security in the state.
Civil Rights battleground Selma, Alabama continues push to register, educate voters in 2024
Angela Benjamin, Brad Fisher
Black Belt News Network
Selma, Alabama, where foot soldiers fought for the right to vote on Bloody Sunday in 1965, continues to lead the charge to get Black residents registered and educated about their voting rights. Foot Soldiers Park is hosting Voting Rallies throughout the year to get more minorities excited about using their right to vote.
From the voter registration deadline to how to track a mail-in ballot, Seminole County voters can learn everything needed in order to get their vote counted with Oviedo Community News' quick and handy guide.
Deportations, raids and visa access. How the presidential election could alter life for immigrant farmworkers.
Sky Chadde
Investigate Midwest
Senior reporter Sky Chadde’s story on the presidential election’s potential impact on immigrant farmworkers highlights the essential role these workers play in America’s food supply. The policies proposed by candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could significantly shape their livelihoods and the future of agriculture.
How we approach elections at the Athens County Independent
Corinne Colbert
Athens County Independent
Horse-race journalism robs us of the information we need to decide if a particular individual should get our vote. The Athens County Independent is on a mission to empower community engagement, including participating in democracy. That mission shapes how we cover elections and our relationship to politicians.
https://athensindependent.com/lfe_democracyday24/
9/11/2024
Local
Process
Other
Corinne Colbert
corinne@athensindependent.com
Community organizers debut the Forsyth Black Roundtable, an effort to inform the community about the 2024 election
Gale Melcher
Triad City Beat
Election education is a key focus for the newly-minted Forsyth Black Roundtable, an initiative led by Jimmie Bonham and local entrepreneur James Grace. While the roundtable’s main focus will be on disseminating information this election season, one of their goals is to get elected officials to work together.
Are censorship and lack of challenging books factors in why your teen can’t read? | Opinion
Yvette Walker
Kansas City Star
Banning books may hinder reading skills. How do we expect to raise a generation of citizens who can question ideas if we take away the books that can help develop young minds?
The Cattaraugus County Board of Elections is seeking election workers for several areas in the county. The board has scheduled poll inspector training classes in advance of the November general election
Olean Area Residents Share Presidential Debate Questions
Gannon Horning
TAPinto Greater Olean
Deflating inflation and questioning animosity between political parties are among questions Olean area residents would ask during Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Roll to the polls: Greensboro’s transit agency is offering free rides to voters on Election Day
Gale Melcher
Triad City Beat
The Greensboro Transit Agency is offering voters support this election season with Move To The Polls, the city’s “effort to eliminate information and transportation barriers for voting,” GTA’s Marketing and Communications Specialist Kevin Elwood explained in an interview. The program started in 2016 and is held every four years during presidential elections.
The Authoritarian Playbook: Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is targeting border nonprofits to swing the November election to Trump and authoritarianism.
Melissa del Bosque
The Border Chronicle
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton is targeting border nonprofits to swing the November election to Trump and authoritarianism.
There is a growing chorus of critics and current and former journalists pointing out all the things major news organizations are getting wrong. But what about a list outlining what journalism should be?
Project 2025 and Its Plans for the Nation’s Public Lands
Stephanie Woodard
Barn Raiser Media
Project 2025 promises massive deregulation of public lands that would provide a bonanza for extractive industries like oil and mining corporations. Beyond their goals for the White House, Congressional Republicans are already submitting bills to achieve Project 2025’s vision and are “fast-tracking polluter profits, no matter the human or environmental cost.”
On prices, production and employment, campaigns offer wildly different takes. Here are the facts for the Pittsburgh area.
Eric Jankiewicz
PublicSource
The Pittsburgh area is a swing region in an up-for-grabs state. Perceptions of the regional economy could decide the White House. The numbers say the region has done well, but has weaknesses.
With a consequential primary election coming on Sept. 10 in Delaware, we prepared a how to guide for voters entering the polls, including where to go, what to expect and how to troubleshoot issues that may come up.
Many so-called parents rights organizations supported by Project 2025 have positive-sounding names like Moms for Liberty (M4L) and Parents Defending Education (PDE). Look behind the curtain and you’ll see the investors: billionaires like Charles Koch, Betsy DeVos, Jeffrey Yass and Walmart’s Walton family who are out to replace community schools with voucher systems that decimate rural and small town schools, and subsidize private schools for the well-off.
Disillusioned, but not defeated: What young adults are looking for
Monique Curry-Mims
generocity.org
In the 2020 election, 18- to 29-year-olds proved to be a strong force. Four years later, the 18-to 29-year-old age group is showing signs of disillusionment.
American-ish Samoa: Debate persists over rights denied to millions from U.S. territories
Eshaan Sarup
Carnegie-Knight News21
Nearly 4 million people live in the five inhabited U.S. territories, but their ability to participate in American democracy is limited. When one American Samoan fought for more, he caused rifts across the islands.
Alabama illustrates America’s ongoing fight over voting rights
Abigail Beck
Carnegie-Knight News21
Since the 2020 census data was released, racially discriminatory redistricting processes and laws have spread across the nation’s courthouses. In the South, Black voters are faced with adversity and a cause: securing the equal vote.
The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in American history. Four people who were there gave News21 access to their daily lives to share the enduring impact of that day. “You don't want to tell people you’re a Jan. 6er,” one says. “It’s not something to be proud of.”
Hero or villain? Experts and voters consider Trump’s lasting impact on democracy
Lillie Boudreaux, Ismael Lele
Carnegie-Knight News21
It’s been a common refrain this election year: Democracy itself is at stake. Those assertions briefly abated after the July assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but a question nevertheless begs exploration: What is his lasting impact on American democracy?
As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy
Delaney Chase, Emily Richardson
Carnegie-Knight News21
With studies showing a decline in civics education and knowledge across the U.S., programs from Arizona to New York are working to engage the next generation in democracy.
Native Americans fight barriers to voting, 100 years after they were granted citizenship
Christopher Lomahquahu, Eshaan Sarup
Carnegie-Knight News21
The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 recognized Native Americans as U.S. citizens, yet for decades after, states blocked Indigenous people from voting. Today, experts warn that some states are once again restricting Native Americans’ access to voting and to democracy.
“We need to speak out and speak loud”: People of color battle targeted disinformation
By Eliana Alzate
Carnegie-Knight News21
Disinformation has surged in the U.S. and beyond and become an especially powerful threat during election years. Experts say immigrant communities and people of color are particular targets, as bad actors exploit political fears and ideologies and find these voters where they congregate – on messaging apps such as WeChat and WhatsApp.
‘This will not be tolerated’: Americans grapple with AI’s influence on elections
Kyle Chouinard
Carnegie-Knight News21
This year’s election marks the first amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, and that has regulators, lawmakers and voter advocates examining how best to regulate the technology to combat its misuse.
Advocates work to ensure citizens not fluent in English have equal access to elections
Celia Frazier
Carnegie-Knight News21
As demographics shift, advocates from Las Vegas to Alaska are fighting to make voting accessible for citizens who speak different languages. But challenges remain – from the cost of translating materials to outright resistance to the idea.
America confronts election intimidation as political violence surges
Peggy Dodd, Pierce Gentry, Shelby Rickert and Olivia Talkington
Carnegie-Knight News21
Election intimidation became the norm after the 2020 election. To shore up democracy’s defenses this year, officials across the country are increasing training and implementing new protections, such as erecting ceiling-high fences to safeguard workers.
Republicans and Democrats work to restore voter trust and faith in democracy
Romie Avivi Stuhl
Carnegie-Knight News21
From cross-partisan groups working in battleground states to off-the-record meetings of conservatives in Republican strongholds, new initiatives nationwide aim to restore trust in elections and shore up democracy.
Divided on abortion, inflation and immigration, Pittsburgh suburbs could swing 2024 presidential race
Charlie Wolfson, Stephanie Strasburg
PublicSource
Pittsburgh suburbs Shaler and West Mifflin split down the middle in the 2020 election. Voters there now are focused on familiar issues as they and their neighbors are set to cast crucial votes in November.
Why Do Governments Keep Information From the Public? A Veteran Journalist Weighs In
San Francisco Public Press Staff
San Francisco Public Press
Why would local governments withhold information from the public, rather than provide it on request — or even proactively?
Responding to requests can be time consuming, expensive and legally risky, said award-winning journalist Miranda Spivack, author of the forthcoming book, “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back.”
And, she added, sometimes the people with the information simply don’t know what the law requires them to disclose.
Spivack shared her thoughts in a recent interview with Lila LaHood, executive director of the San Francisco Public Press, at an event where they discussed government transparency. This excerpt from their conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
(photo of Miranda Spivack by Yesica Prado/ San Francisco Public Press)
SF Lawmaker Faces Growing Backlash for Supporting Great Highway Closure
Zhe Wu
San Francisco Public Press
Many of Supervisor Joel Engardio’s constituents, who live on San Francisco’s west side, said they felt caught off guard by his move to co-sponsor a ballot measure to permanently close the Great Highway to car traffic and turn it into a park.
They said he should have consulted them before backing the measure, and some are pushing him to alter or withdraw it from the ballot.
(Photo by Yesica Prado/ San Francisco Public Press)
Merchants Oppose Ballot Measure to Turn Great Highway Into Park
Zhe Wu
Sam Francisco Public Press
A group representing dozens of merchants in the Sunset District is objecting to a ballot measure that would close San Francisco’s Great Highway to cars and transform it into a park. The closure would hurt businesses on the west side of the city, the group said.
You can pay for child molesters. You just can’t ask about them.
Darrell Ehrlick
Daily Montanan
The laws that are meant to protect things like blueprints of a jail, or knowing which correctional officers are assigned to specific duties, I doubt were passed with the intent of allowing officials to not say why a person is in prison, or how they arrived there.
Editor’s notebook: Democracy requires the media to hold candidates, officials accountable
J. Holly McCall
Tennessee Lookout
As Tennessee Republican candidates dodge debates, media outlets must hold the line: Schedule the debate. If a candidate won’t participate, hold it anyway
Looking at why voting in West Virginia is so important on Democracy Day
Leann Ray
West Virgina Watch
The Republican Party in West Virginia isn’t allowing for transparency. There’s no floor discussion. There’s no chance for the public to call for a public hearing to speak out against bills. This is an important part of democracy we’ve lost because one party has the numbers to do what it wants.
What’s different about this year’s effort to legalize marijuana in Ohio?
Meghan Henry
Ohio Capital Journal
For this year’s election, Issue 2 would legalize and regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, testing and the sale of marijuana to Ohioans 21 and up. It would also legalize home grow for Ohioans 21 and up, and impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction.
Ohio Sec. of State LaRose’s office move amid U.S. Senate candidacy raises ethical questions
Marty Schladen
Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has decided it’s a good idea to both oversee Ohio’s U.S. Senate election as the state’s chief elections officer and house part of his campaign for the seat in the same building. The arrangement raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and other ethical problems.
The Democracy Story Project speaks to the importance of media freedom in democracy, peace, and human rights. The project supports ideas from across the political spectrum in pursuit of vibrant and diverse public dialogue, free and fair elections, and effective and accountable government. Each narrative reveals unique experiences, stories of resilience, and different visions for the future.
How ethics, finance complaint filed against Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto will proceed
Megan Gleason
Source New Mexico
The complaint was filed after a national coalition reiterated calls for Ivey-Soto’s removal from the Legislature following allegations from multiple women in 2022 about inappropriate behavior, which the senator has denied.
On Democracy Day, newsrooms unite for pro-democracy coverage
Zachary Roth
Kentucky Lantern
On Friday, States Newsroom is joining 135 news organizations for Democracy Day 2023, a nationwide pro-democracy reporting collaborative, launched last year, that’s organized by Montclair State University’s Center for Cooperative Media in New Jersey and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Democracy Day: Election workers in Oregon, elsewhere face growing toll
Paul Manson
Oregon Capital Chronicle
We tend to take the system that safeguards our votes for granted — and often fail to properly invest in it even at a time when it’s facing threats, with foreign actors seeking to disrupt our elections, a stark new level of political polarization and the rise of groups and individuals seeking to question every step of the process.
Teacher has passion for democracy, historical markers and students
Greg Childress
NC Newsline
Social studies teacher and historian Rodney Pierce has successfully submitted five applications to the state for historical markers commemorating Black historical figures, events and organizations. He sees the historical markers as a way to empower students
Balance of power at stake as judge sets pre-Thanksgiving timeline for Georgia redistricting ruling
Jill Nolin
Georgia Recorder
If federal Judge Steve Jones sides with the groups and Black voters who have brought the legal challenges, the case could affect the balance of power on the national level — and it could shrink the already tightening margins under the Gold Dome.
Democracy is at the core of the public sphere, and on this commemorative day, we reached out to Hoosiers of various stripes to ask what democracy means to them.
From elected officials to students working to make Indiana better, here is what they had to say.
Graying politicians across Kansas, U.S. hoard power. A volatile world warrants youthful leadership.
Clay Wirestone
Kansas Reflector
We need perspective from veteran politicians in government, no doubt. But our country tries to engage more young people in civic life, perhaps they deserve the chance to vote for folks who look like them.
Nebraska executive branch who’s who: state departments and governor’s cabinet
Zach Wendling
Nebraska Examiner
To help Nebraskans dissect the executive branch, The Nebraska Examiner is providing a breakdown of the who’s who in Gov. Jim Pillen’s cabinet helping direct the largest departments and help run the day-to-day operations.
Oklahoma lawmakers double poll worker pay to help address shortages
Janelle Stecklein
Oklahoma Voice
Starting July 1, 2024, poll worker pay will increase from $110 to $225 per day for election inspectors and from $100 to $200 per day for judges and clerks.
‘Where’s Celia?’ A conspiracy-addled mob hounds a former Arizona elections official
Jen Fifield
Votebeat & The Guardian
After Arizona's 2022 election, GOP activists searching for vote fraud evidence targeted an obscure elections official using public records. Here's the untold story of how a misinformation campaign led to a virtual manhunt in Maricopa County.
Nearly $2 million in ‘dark money’ pours into historic Virginia campaigns
Jimmy Cloutier
Open Secrets & Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism
Independent political groups backed largely by “dark money” organizations and wealthy donors have spent nearly $1.7 million on Virginia candidates this election cycle, raising concerns about transparency and the influence of outside money in the tightly contested battle for control of the General Assembly.
The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater (Washington state)
Hybrid reporting involves two or more journalists working to complete stories. These include researchers, writers, fact-checkers, photographers, illustrators and, of course, editors. Several of our reporters live in The Philippines.
MAD Gives Bright Spot and Hero Awards to Marion County Record
Brian H.
Media and Democracy Project Blog
The Media and Democracy Project voted to recognize the Marion County Record, a community paper serving Marion County, Kansas, as both their Media and Democracy Hero Of The Week and Local Journalism Bright Spot. The Bright Spot in recognition of a long and distinguished record of service to their community and the Democracy Hero for standing up to intimidation by local officials and police.
Meet the Shadowy Global Network Vilifying Climate Protestors
Amy Westervelt, Geoff Dembicki
Drilled
It’s no coincidence that the backlash against climate protest looks so similar from country to country. Not only are polluting industries sharing tactics across borders, but also the Atlas Network—a U.S.-based global network of nearly 600 libertarian think tanks—has been swapping strategies and rhetoric for decades.
https://drilled.media/news/trfst-atlas
9/12/2023
Threats
Issues
Misinformation
Federal
State
Communications
International
Amy Westervelt
amy@drilled.media
Special Election 2023: Rainbow, Fallbrook water districts detachment measure
Alexander Nguyen
www.kpbs.org
Here’s everything Fallbrook and Rainbow voters need to know about the water divorce measures on the ballot this Nov. 7, 2023.
Researchers say the lack of media literacy can make it easier for misinformation to create extremism and hate which can raise the risk for political violence and erode our Democracy. Now, California lawmakers are pushing a bill to make media literacy part of K-12 core curriculum.
Election Deniers Focus Recruitment in ‘Out of the Way Places’
Claire Carlson
The Daily Yonder
Experts worry that grassroots organizers questioning election integrity since the 2020 presidential election could hurt progress to civic infrastructure in rural America.
Prisons, policing, and cop cities: They cannot exist in a democratic society
Renee Johnston
www.publicsq.org
Organizing and educating about abolition provides a path back to true democracy and supports the restoration of marginalized communities unjustly fractured by over-policing and incarceration.
How are young people grappling with threats to democracy?
Jade Hindmon, Julianna Domingo
KPBS.org
The 2023 theme for International Democracy Day is “Empowering the next generation.”
In Wednesday's Midday Edition, we explore various threats to democracy and what it means for young people.
Plus, a look at these risks to democracy through an ethnic studies and critical gender studies perspective. And finally, why “educational intimidation” bills are spreading across the country — and what it means for students' freedom of expression.
"Nuevas reglas de votación en NC: lo que debe saber"
Aquí les compartimos las respuestas a sus dudas sobre el requisito de ID con foto para votar.
Carolina Public Press
Al votar este año en Carolina del Norte, se te pedirá un ID. Aun sin ID con foto, podrás votar gracias a una excepción. Muchos usarán su licencia de conducir, pero hay opciones si no tienes ID o está vencido. Aquí una guía rápida de las reglas y excepciones de la Junta Estatal de Elecciones.
Same-day voter registration for Iowa caucuses remains – for now
Robin Opsahl
Iowa Capital Dispatch
The ability of many Iowa voters to participate in the state’s influential 2024 presidential nominating contest, the Iowa caucuses, may come down to a matter of timing.
New NC voting rules: ID requested with exceptions – here’s what you need to know
Grace Vitaglione
Carolina Public Press
All North Carolina voters will be asked for their IDs when they check in to vote this year. They will still be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID under an exception. Most voters will use their North Carolina driver’s license, but there are ways to vote if you don’t have an ID or yours is expired. This is a quick guide to the rules—and the exceptions—from the State Board of Elections.
Let’s celebrate democracy every day, especially on Democracy Day
Eric Crump
Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle
Inspired by Democracy Day 2022, the Chronicle spent the past year paying attention to the state of local democracy, noting cases where government officials and residents work well together and some cases where they did not. This column includes Democracy Watch selections from our weekly newsletter.
“Hope at the door”: Greater Cleveland Congregations combines old-school canvassing with data analysis to reach “depressed” voters
Frank Lewis
Signal Cleveland
Voter participation in Cleveland goes down every year, “not simply because of voter suppression, but because of voter depression,” said Pastor Dr. Jawanza Colvin of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church at a forum earlier this year.
That theme informs the work of the Battle for Democracy, a 10-year voter engagement campaign that Greater Cleveland Congregations, a multi-faith organization, launched in 2021. The campaign combines relational organizing — one-on-one relationship building — with sophisticated data collection and analysis. The effort is supported by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a nonprofit organization that supports efforts “to solve our planet’s most pressing problems.”
Photo caption: GCC Senior Organizer Khalilah Worley (left) canvasses with Mimi Plevin-Foust and two youth organizers. Credit: Khalilah Worley
Michigan has made big strides on voting rights. Here’s what to expect next.
Kyle Davidson
Michigan Advance
Michigan has made strong progress in protecting voters’ rights and access to the ballot box in recent years, especially compared to other states, advocates say. However, state lawmakers and national voting rights advocates aren’t becoming complacent, as they’re continuing to push for solutions to fill gaps in voter protections.
Taxes, state parks, infrastructure: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments election
María Méndez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune Staff
The Texas Tribune
Texans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote.
Diverse Nebraskans share perspectives on U.S. democracy
Sophie Elias, Sarah Lawlor, Nathan Hawkins, Hallie Gutzwiller, Sam Cobb, Rukhshona Islamova, Teaghan Metcalf, Jennifer Torres, Jackson Reddick
Nebraska News Service
From a community organizer in Grand Island who encourages people to vote even though she can’t to a South Sudanese community leader in Omaha who fights against apathy, diverse Nebraskans share their perspectives about democracy, civic health and the American dream.
Democracy in action: inewsource launches Documenters program to promote transparency in local government
Lorie Hearn
inewsource
inewsource celebrates U.S. Democracy Day with a gift to the community. CEO and Editor Lorie Hearn introduces the launch of the inewsource Documenters, a new program based on a very old idea: Democracy works best when everyone is engaged and involved.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to open its primary elections to all voters
Kim Lyons
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania’s closed primaries keep most voters out of a key part of the decision-making process, namely which candidates will appear on the general election ballot.
It’s time for that to change.
What drives voters? The years with the biggest spikes in voter registration
Elena Cox
Stacker
Stacker examined U.S. Census data to show how registration changes depending on who's on the ballot and find which states had the lowest share of registered voters in the 2022 midterm elections.
Every Year 4 Million Americans Turn 18, But Less Than Half Of Them Vote
Jenny Stephens
Bucks County Beacon
Pennsylvania high schools play an important role in registering first-time voters, but could be doing more by actively supporting in-school voter registration drives.
Trump’s Georgia charges thrust Coffee county in to the spotlight. Its people seek accountability
Timothy Pratt
The Guardian
The Coffee county, Georgia, board of elections held its first meeting Tuesday after being mentioned more than 50 times in Fulton county’s indictment of Donald Trump and 18 others for allegedly participating in a criminal conspiracy to change the outcome of the 2020 election. Local residents, still frustrated over a lack of accountability for officials who may have known about the conspiracy, pressured the reluctant board for an independent investigation.
Local elections are coming up. Here’s how to fact-check campaign mailers before voting
Natalie Wallington
kansascity.com
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters in the metro will choose city officials in Johnson County, weigh in on ballot questions in Kansas City and vote on other local issues. The Star asked political science professor Bob Beatty of Washburn University in Topeka how to scrutinize campaign materials for yourself. Here are some of his top tips for voters.
The Idaho GOP Fears Ranked-Choice Voting Could Turn Idaho Blue
Daniel Walters
InvestigateWest
The Idaho GOP fears ranked-choice voting could turn Idaho blue. But Proponents — including the former Idaho governor — argue that it would make politics nice again. Versions of ranked-choice voting have been adopted in liberal San Francisco, independent Maine, and some cities in conservative Utah. There’s little evidence that the system is inherently biased against Republicans. But today, the Idaho GOP talks about this proposal in downright apocalyptic terms.
‘When is it going to be our time?’ Young Kansas voters jilted by candidates and election barriers
Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Kansas Reflector
Candidates for public office fail to recognize how important policy issues are for young voters, or are reluctant to invest time and money in a seemingly fickle voting bloc. But campaign ignorance is only part of the reason young voters shy away from elections. Local officials also influence voter turnout by making it easier or more difficult to cast a ballot — in advance of and on Election Day.
“Where’s Celia?” GOP activists target obscure Arizona elections official using public records
Jen Fifield
Votebeat
After Arizona's 2022 election, GOP activists searching for vote fraud evidence targeted an obscure elections official using public records. Here's the untold story of how a misinformation campaign led to a virtual manhunt in Maricopa County.
Nearly $2 million in 'Dark Money' Pours into historic Virginia campaigns
Jimmy Cloutier
vcij.org
Independent political groups backed largely by “dark money” organizations and wealthy donors have spent nearly $1.7 million on Virginia candidates this election cycle, raising concerns about transparency and the influence of outside money in the tightly contested battle for control of the General Assembly.
The outside spending groups have poured more than $1.4 million in efforts to elect Republican candidates and $245,000 to support Democrats, paying for campaign ads, mailers, phone banks and door-to-door canvassing to support their preferred candidates, according to independent expenditure reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.
Should the ballot box be 18-plus? Maryland advocates are pressing for a lower voting age in local elections
Will Ford
MarylandMatters.org
Across Maryland, advocates are encouraging local officials to allow more young people to vote in local elections.
Among Maryland’s 157 municipalities, seven allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections, and more could be added to the list soon.
In November, Rockville residents will decide a referendum on whether to lower the voting age.
From disinformation to attempts to de-list a growing political party, members of the establishment in Guatemala have waged a series of attacks against president-elect Bernardo Arévalo. In a saga that resembles the aftermath of the U.S. 2020 election, and with thanks to dedicated grassroots supporters, democracy has held -- so far.
Democracy demands less time behind closed doors for local governments
Dana Hess
South Dakota Searchlight
The state’s laws governing executive sessions — those times when local boards and commissions can discuss issues behind closed doors — is an area of frequent complaint by reporters and editors. Often it’s left to journalists to raise the issue of open meetings violations because they are likely to be the only members of the public in attendance.
'Future' of voting unrealized: Few counties adopt vote centers and e-poll books
Makenzie Huber
South Dakota Searchlight
Vote centers and electronic poll books were touted as the future of voting in South Dakota more than a decade ago. Yet the technological wave has been slow to build; only nine of South Dakota’s 66 counties switched to vote centers, and only 10 counties use electronic poll books.
What Reporters Can Do When Candidates or Officials Ice You Out
N/A
Hearken's Medium
Reporters are increasingly being demonized and denied access by candidates and public officials. But there are ways they can still provide answers to the public and keep those aiming for or in power accountable! Check out these techniques.
Ranked-choice voting comes to Boulder: What you need to know ahead of the 2023 election
John Herrick
Boulder Reporting Lab
In the City of Boulder's first direct election of mayor on Nov. 7, 2023, voters will trial a new process where they rank candidates by preference rather than choosing just one. The method is seen by advocates as more democratic than the typical winner-take-all system.
Property taxes divide Allegheny County executive candidates, and Philadelphia’s experience looms large
Charlie Wolfson, Rich Lord
PublicSource
Allegheny County’s property tax assessment system will effectively be on the November ballot as political and governmental calendars align to give voters a clear choice on the future of the problematic property levy.
Even as the system appears ripe for change amid litigation and criticism that it unfairly taxes lower-income communities and new homebuyers, voters are set to choose a new county executive for the first time in 12 years this November.
Four ways to make Pennsylvania's elections better right now
Special contributor Jeff Greenburg
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
We are heading into a second presidential election cycle since the enactment of Act 77, the no-excuse mail voting law, and very basic election issues remain unaddressed by the General Assembly. That is unconscionable.
Four relatively easy fixes would benefit all county election officials and thousands of voters in our Commonwealth.
Your election questions answered: 2023 Election mailbag
Cassie Miller
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The Capital-Star’s voters’ guide aims to answer the most commonly asked election questions, but we recognize that our guides might not answer every question readers have about the election or the voting process in Pennsylvania.
As violent political rhetoric escalates, Colorado election workers keep democracy going
Quentin Young
Colorado Newsline
Violent political rhetoric is escalating in Colorado and around the country. Some county election officials have continued to face harassment from local MAGA activists, and they are concerned about the outbreak of political violence as a tumultuous 2024 presidential election approaches. But in the face of such adversity, election workers continue to keep the mechanics of democracy going.
Under DeSantis, FL has become the bellwether state for voter disenfranchisement
Michael Moline
Florida Phoenix
It’s misguided to see the voting restrictions separately from other attacks on marginalized people, including immigrants, LGBTQ people, not to mention public-school book bans.
Pennsylvania Voting Rights Groups Are Working To Expand Ballot Access Through Education And Advocacy
Catherine Caruso
Bucks County Beacon
Amid ongoing attacks on democracy and the state’s electoral process, groups like Common Cause Pennsylvania and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania are focused on expanding access to the ballot and ensuring that voters are well-informed and engaged in local elections.
Elecciones municipales en Carolina del Norte: ¿Qué se elige, por qué son importantes y cómo votar?
Nicolás Baintrub
Enlace Latino NC
Todo lo que necesita saber sobre los comicios en los que se elegirá a los funcionarios que gobernarán en su ciudad durante los próximos años en Carolinas del Norte.
Prepárese para nuestro programa especial del Día de la Democracia en “Behind the Byline,” donde le presentamos detrás de escena del periodismo de investigación de Carolina Public Press. Esta semana, junto con Enlace Latino NC, hemos preparado un episodio único para el Día Internacional de la Democracia. Este día es reconocido por las Naciones Unidas el 15 de septiembre y es un día para tomar el pulso de la democracia en todo el mundo.
En Estados Unidos, más de 400 organizaciones de noticias celebran este importante día cubriendo temas de democracia a nivel local, estatal y nacional. Carolina Public Press es una de esas organizaciones, junto con Enlace Latino NC, que participan en el Día de la Democracia, ¡y lo hacemos de forma bilingüe!
¡Así es, en español!
Únase a nosotros para una conversación dinámica con Walter Gomez de Enlace Latino NC y Grace Vitaglione de Carola Public Press. La conversación se centrará en la participación de los votantes latinos y la democracia en Carolina d
Get ready for our special Democracy Day Show with “Behind the Byline,” where we bring you behind the scenes of Carolina Public Press’ investigative journalism. This week, in tandem with Enlace Latino NC, we’ve put together a one-of-a-kind episode for the International Day of Democracy. This day is recognized by the United Nations on Sept. 15, and it is a day to check in with democracy worldwide.
In the United States, more than 400 news organizations mark this important day by covering issues of democracy on the local, state, and national levels. Carolina Public Press is one of those newsrooms participating in Democracy Day, and we’re doing it bilingually!
¡Así es, en español!
Join us for a dynamic bilingual conversation featuring Walter Gomez from Enlace Latino NC and our very own Grace Vitaglione. The conversation will focus on Latino voter participation and democracy in North Carolina. Walter will also share the work of Enlace Latino NC‘s work within the Latino community over th
"La disminución del voto latino en Carolina del Norte: Por qué ocurrió y por qué algunos latinos están votando al Partido Republicano"
Grace Vitaglione
Carolina Public Press
Comprender la postura política de los votantes latinos no es tan simple como etiquetarlos de izquierda o de derecha: los activistas latinos señalaron el cambio de prioridades desde las elecciones de mitad de período de 2022 entre los inmigrantes, los latinos conservadores, aquellos con fuertes creencias religiosas y el voto juvenil. Los defensores se están preparando para alentar a más votantes latinos a participar en las próximas elecciones después de la disminución de la participación de este grupo en 2022. El desafío en las acciones para convencer a la gente para que salga a votar, dicen los activistas, es la falta de información confiable para los votantes, requisitos de votación más estrictos y relativamente pocos representantes latinos en la política.
Latino votes drop in N.C.: Why it happened and why some Latinos are voting Republican
Grace Vitaglione
Carolina Public Press
Understanding Latino voters’ political stance isn’t as simple as labeling them left or right. Latino activists pointed to shifting priorities since the 2022 midterm elections among immigrants, conservative Latinos, those with strong religious beliefs, and the youth vote. Advocates are gearing up to encourage more Latino voters to participate in the coming elections after turnout dropped among this group in 2022. The challenge for get-out-the-vote efforts, activists say, is a lack of trustworthy voter information, stricter voting requirements, and relatively few Latino representatives in politics.
The Georgia indictment: How falsehoods can put freedom at risk
Deanna Troust
Truth in Common newsletter
A deep look at the Georgia indictment of former president Trump and others through the lens of disinformation -- in particular, a false story about surveillance footage that led to coercion and threats to election workers' safety.
Oviedo Community News is collecting voter questions about an upcoming local election. We're also drawing voters' attention to a new Florida law that wiped out past vote-by-mail voters’ preferences so those who want to submit their ballots by mail must fill out a new request form, even if they’ve submitted requests in prior years.
Charlotte City Council likely violated NC meetings law with manager raise, attorneys say
Mary Ramsey
The Charlotte Observer
The Charlotte City Council likely violated state law last month when it voted to give the city manager a raise in closed session, legal experts told The Charlotte Observer. The council did not vote on the raises in open session at the meeting.
Nepali Americans and Other Minority Voters in New York Face Discouragement
Kishor Panthi
NepYork
New York is a Democratic stronghold, and some candidates, confident of their victory, may have disregarded the concerns of these voters. Consequently, Nepali American voters have grown disheartened and discouraged from visiting the polling stations and casting their votes.
People of Color continue to make modest gains in Bay Area’s halls of power
Kiley Russell, Bay City News
Local News Matters
Over the past few election cycles, people of color have generally continued to make modest gains in the halls of power across the region but are still proportionally underrepresented compared to their share of the population, according to numbers compiled by the Bay Area Equity Atlas.
Are Republicans dishonest? Democrats immoral? Why toxic polarization threatens democracy.
Tim Swarens
USA Today
The nation needs more Americans who understand that winning short-term political points is a losing game if we sacrifice our nation's long-term civic health.
How Guatemalans are mobilizing to defend their fragile democracy
Jeff Abbott
Waging Nonviolence
A multipronged movement in Guatemala is rising to defend the surprise election of a progressive president who is under attack from the corrupt old guard.
The Nepali Community’s Struggle for Representation and Resources in New York
Kishor Panthi
NepYork
The Nepali Community in New York faces unique challenges, including language barriers and limited representation, hindering their access to local resources. This report explores their struggle for recognition, linguistic justice, and empowerment in the diverse landscape of New York City.
About 40% of our country's native bee species live in California. Sign the petition to convince California's Governor Gavin Newsom to support getting rid of some of the worst bee-killing pesticides.
“An Occupying Force”: Florida Troopers Descend on Texas Border Communities
Melissa del Bosque
The Border Chronicle
This summer, at least 13 Republican-led states, in addition to Florida, have deployed law enforcement and National Guard to Texas. It’s the second time in three years.
Experts say the college vote is being intentionally suppressed — here’s what to know about gerrymandering in college towns
Lydia McFarlane, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
With many students registering to vote where they go to college, the youth vote is large in college towns. The youth and college educated vote has historically leaned Democratic, and was essential in propelling President Biden to victory in the 2020 presidential election. But as states redraw their legislative maps, many college campuses fall victim to the practice of gerrymandering, which is the manipulation of districts to favor one political party over another.
Opinion: It’s time for Americans to take a stand on Puerto Rico’s status
Alberto C. Medina, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico. Since 1898, the island has existed in a political limbo: neither a state of the union nor a sovereign nation. To this day, Puerto Ricans remain, essentially, colonial subjects: living under U.S. rule without meaningful rights or representation in the U.S. government.
Stealth money is crippling democracy, authority on financial crime argues
Alex Katsomitros, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
When Raymond Baker went straight from Harvard Business School to Nigeria in 1961, he was astonished by the mix of corruption, despotism and post-colonial greed that condemned parts of Africa to perpetual poverty. In 2006, after a long career in business that had taken him to the planet’s most remote corners, he decided to do something about kleptocracy, founding Global Financial Integrity, an organization that campaigns against illicit financial flows.
Ranked choice voting’s boom in popularity met with aggressive bans in recent years. What is it? And why are the major parties trying to stop it?
Kristine Villanueva, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
Ranked choice voting is a system in which voters can choose multiple candidates in a race. If no one wins the majority of votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. A candidate is declared the winner after a majority of votes is won through a series of elimination rounds. If no candidate wins the majority of first preferences, the candidate with the fewest first preferences is eliminated and those ballots transfer to the voters’ second-ranked candidates. The process repeats until a candidate wins the majority of ballots.
Meet Sarah Blahovec and Neal Carter, the nonprofit founders empowering people with disabilities to run for office
Marisa Wright, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
Sixty-one million Americans — that’s one in four — have some form of disability. In contrast, there are few elected officials, campaign staffers, and public leaders with disabilities, and civic engagement remains largely inaccessible for people with disabilities. Addressing this problem is the goal behind Disability Victory. Co-founded by Sarah Blahovec and Neal Carter earlier this year, the nonprofit seeks to empower people with disabilities to actively participate in the civic process by running for office, joining campaign staffs, and more.
Opinion: When fighting for democracy, don’t ignore faith communities
Kevin Singer, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
As American democracy faces a new slate of challenges and imagines new solutions, an underused resource for many of those advocating for a strengthened democracy is faith communities. They represent a robust social service sector of 350,000 congregations and 228,000 faith-inspired organizations that support America’s food banks, refugee resettlement and housing programs, 12,875 houses of worship that serve as polling places, and tens of thousands of Black Church leaders and interfaith clergy advocating for civil rights.
Opinion: What the traditionalist party takeover of Poland’s public service channel can teach the U.S about media freedom
Tomasz Lesniara, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
We’re all used to consuming news and entertainment from different types of media, but even the most open-minded TV watchers have that one channel they consider to be the best. Sometimes it depends on the way a particular newsroom approaches certain topics or the presenting style of their anchors. We put trust in the people who deliver our news — even if there is an obvious bias, or when the channel relies on advertisers to operate efficiently.
Opinion: Democracy starts in the classroom — a parent’s dive into elementary school journalism
Meredith Cummings, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
Across the country K-12 school journalism is important. It is elementary schools where students first form an inkling of the word “media,” so often used as a catch-all for everything from a local radio station to a national advertisement for a corporation.
The complicated reality of voting as an American abroad
Jeana Whitaker, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
Every year thousands of Americans move abroad. Some are students studying in universities, others are retirees stretching their retirement money, military members and their families stationed around the world and digital nomads or workers for globalized companies. The precise number of American citizens residing outside the country is unknown. The U.S. State Department estimates the figure at 9 million people, with only 7.8% participating in the 2020 election.
Equity vs. tradition: The double-edged sword of modernizing town meetings
Elise Young, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
When the pandemic shut down the town meetings that govern New England municipalities, residents improvised with outdoor gatherings, Web streams and mailed ballots. Some of those temporary workarounds, though, have potential to become permanent — endangering almost 400 years of pure democratic tradition, critics say.
Opinion: From Modi to Trump: Radical politics and its impact on democracy
Ankita Rao, freelancer
Center for Cooperative Media
Trump and his political allies waged a persistent campaign to vilify the media, and then turned to creating a parallel universe where the guardrails of ethical reporting do not exist. Whereas India struggled with outright censorship, millions of Americans found themselves facing an onslaught of unverified information, which was then used to promote an extreme political agenda.
Little understood civil grand juries labor in obscurity to hold government accountable
Katy St. Clair, Bay City News
Local News Matters
Unlike criminal grand juries that can hand down indictments, civil grand juries report on the workings of public agencies and make recommendations to improve efficiencies. California is one of the few states to continue with a practice that has its roots in 12th century England yet remains largely misunderstood by the public.
Bay Area’s young voters are registering at lower rates. Organizers are combating this ahead of 2024 election
Catherine Allen, Bay City News
Local News Matters
As voter registration rates among youth in the Bay Area decline, several organizations are pushing efforts to boost political engagement and voting in the youth sector. The main goal for these collaborative initiatives is to make sure “that we don’t lose the vote of young people” as the 2024 Presidential Election approaches, said Alex Lalama, lead student organizer for San Francisco Rising.
Here's how you can participate in democracy, even if you didn't vote
Tamara Keeler
Democracy is not just about electing officials, but rather everyone doing their part to help govern. Regardless of voting, I’m going to show you what other things you can do to participate in democracy and obtain transformative change in your home, neighborhoods, and City.
Local
State
Communications
Other
Access
Process
Issues
Tamara Keeler
Tamara.Keeler@gmail.com
Examining What Democracy Day Means
Jan Wondra
Ark Valley Voice
This year, for the first time, Democracy Day is being celebrated in the United States by newsrooms across the country. Our purpose? To shine a light on threats to democracy and what action is needed to protect it.
There is some irony attached to this effort.
This is a note to introduce our new community calendar for government meetings of all types across the 6 counties we cover. We spent about 6 months pulling together the data scrapers and meetings. It debuted last week and was formally announced at Democracy Day. After all, democracy isn't a spectator sport.
Mail-in voting has been a frequent target of those who want to raise doubts about the integrity of our elections. Some try to claim that voting by mail is vulnerable to fraud and manipulation. So how secure is Hawaii’s mail-in voting system? Here’s Deputy County Clerk James Krueger with the answer.
Ensuring trust in the voting process is essential, if we want to avoid another January 6th insurrection. But with Hawaii’s recent switch to a mail-in voting system, some residents were left wondering how the new process works. So we thought it would be a good idea to find out more about mail-in voting, and how Maui County collects and verifies each ballot.
Dan OBrien, Akaku Production Director & Maui Daily News Director/Producer
dan@akaku.org
Local journalist becomes poll worker
Hank Stephenson
Arizona Agenda
Reporters write a lot about elections. But we rarely get a chance to see how they work from the inside. Becoming a poll worker allowed one local journalist a chance to see how everything runs at a polling site.
A team of correspondents is currently working on a series of stories to spread civic knowledge about how elections work in Kansas and potential dangers to them. But we're also seeking questions from our audience that we can answer between now and Nov. 8.
California’s open meeting law treads fine line between free speech and disruptive behavior
Katy St. Clair
Local News Matters
In August, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1100 into law, clarifying parts of the Brown Act to more explicitly define what behaviors are permitted during public meetings. Specifically, it defines what constitutes a “disruption” to a meeting. But who decides what is “disruptive,” and does the new law raise First Amendment issues?
Fewer candidates are running for city council — is the switch to district elections to blame?
Tony Hicks
Local News Matters
At least five Bay Area cities have canceled entire or partial city council elections this year because of a lack of candidates, opting to appoint the only people filing. Danville, Lafayette, Hillsborough, Mill Valley, and Cotati canceled their whole council elections.
Silencing student media is silencing our communities
Carrie Graham
el Don
It should not be this hard for the press to obtain critical public information. The district’s communication policy of prior restraint is having a chilling effect on our student media and stifling free speech at a public institution.
Editorial: We Build Democracy By Telling The Truth About Power, Our Diverse Community and Ourselves
Annelise Pierce
Shasta Scout
At Shasta Scout, we’re working one tip, one document request, one interview, and one story at a time, to strengthen our local community and our democracy.
How San Jose City Hall transitions of power happen
Joseph Geha
San José Spotlight
Even though the San Jose mayoral election is nearly two months away, preparations are already well underway inside City Hall to ensure a smooth transition of power at the end of the year.
How Doug Mastriano uses faith to fend off criticism — even from other Christians
Jack Jenkins
Religion News Service
‘They’re actually supposed to pray for me and support me as their government leader,’ Mastriano said, referring to the Lutheran pastors who criticized him. ‘I’m over them politically. I’m their senator.’
Who Is Responsible For What In Atlantic City? And How Can Citizens Have Their Say?
Elinor Comlay
Route 40
An informational piece on who is responsible for what in Atlantic City (it’s not always easy to tell!) and how residents and citizens can take part in democratic processes.
Arizona has been arguing about and experimenting with education funding for what seems like decades.
The state has been in the national spotlight at times for being a leader in school choice, for a teacher strike, and other times for being last, or next to last, in per-pupil funding among states.
Education funding is complicated and hard to understand, especially if you’re new to Arizona. Mix in politics and it can be really messy. It's also a top issue for voters who agree on some of the basics. So what can voters do? Start with this guide.
Editorial: Our lawsuit could defend democracy in San Jose—and beyond
Moryt Milo
San José Spotlight
Our nonprofit digital news outlet filed suit against the mayor and city after officials claimed emails didn't exist—when we had copies—and failed to turn over records, delayed releasing documents and excessively blacked out messages.
How to become a poll worker and other ways to encourage voting
Madison Troyer
Stacker
Stacker compiled information from websites for government, civic organizations, voting rights, and voting information on how you can become a poll worker and various other resources to encourage and empower voting.
Non-voters decide elections and Arizona’s pool may be expanding. Here’s how that can change.
John Washington
azluminaria.org
As the 2022 general election approaches, we take a look at some of Arizona's disinclined and disenfranchised voters, a pool expanding because of disinformation. At the same time that the state is expanding vote centers, meant to make it easier to cast a ballot, as well as increasingly relying on mail-in and early voting, the Arizona state legislature attempted, with over 100 proposed bills just this year, to further restrict voting access.
A federal judge will hear Jacksonville’s racial gerrymandering case Friday
Andrew Pantazi
The Tributary
A federal court will hear arguments over whether the Jacksonville City Council's redistricting plan illegally packed Black voters. The lawsuit followed months of reporting into the redistricting plan by The Tributary.
Lamar University Department of Communication and Media hosts Democracy Day event focusing on voter registration and changes in Texas voting requirements.
“Come back to where you came from and make it better”: How 2 new Santa Ana Councilmembers joined politics
Carrie Graham
el Don
When most people think of politicians, they think of stuffy people in suits whose lives are so vastly different from their own, they might as well be a different species. But two of the newest Santa Ana councilmembers, Jessie Lopez and Johnathan Hernandez, are young locals standing up for democracy in their community.
What, to the Young Black American, is "democracy"?
Kési Felton
Better to Speak
Kési Felton, writer and founder of Better to Speak, reflects on the ideal of American democracy, and Black Americans, Black youth and Black media's role in helping to proctect it.
www.bettertospeak.org/stories/democracy-day-2022
9/15/2022
Threats
Other
Kési Felton
kesi@bettertospeak.org
Native voters worried they won’t have a say in the midterm election
Shondiin Silversmith
Arizona Mirror
Arizona’s newly drawn congressional and legislative maps are officially in use this election cycle and are still a cause of concern for advocates because they could dilute the voting power of Indigenous people in the 2022 midterm election.
Jack Aviles, Luke Brennan, Kristen Dansereau, Jocelyn Jackson, Emily Rosen, Natalie Klier, Jimmy Sadowski, and Sam Elwell
Hawks' Herald
Some of the most marginalized communities in Rhode Island have long been ignored by the very people meant to represent them. This is the first story of a series that aims to bring their priorities to the decision-makers in the state and hold them accountable to address them.
KBMT12 promoed the event our students were hosting for Democracy Day
Lamar University Department of Communication and Media students in collaboration with the University Press, Jefferson County Texas County Clerk's office and the Press Club of Southeast Texas hosted a voter registration and voter information event.
New law expands threshold for providing multilingual ballot services in Colorado
Lindsey Toomer
Colorado Newsline
In the November 2022 election, 20 Colorado counties will be required to provide Spanish language voting materials thanks to a new state law lowering the population thresholds to support multilingual voters
Election 2022: How to find the money trail in San Jose campaigns
Tran Nguyen
San José Spotlight
Navigating campaign filings in San Jose can be complicated. Here's how you can make sense of local finances, who is funding the mayoral candidates and how they are spending money to sway voters.
Reflections on Democracy: Nonprofits pitch in to bolster American democracy
Paige Ellis
Local News Matters
Bay City News asked national and local Bay Area nonprofits for their views on the state of our democracy – what is working, what is not and what we all should be considering as we approach the November midterm elections in a time of great division among Americans and the American electorate.
On the "Sound of Ideas" public affairs talk radio show, we talked about Democracy Day and asked for listeners to share their questions about voting. To end the hour, we wanted to ask some questions about voting access this fall, and how you can learn more about the candidates and issues on the ballot. To help us out, we invited Jen Miller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio to answer listeners questions about voting.
Philly’s voting machines faced major scrutiny in 2020. Where do things stand now?
Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
Billy Penn at WHYY
The voting machines Philadelphia will use in the 2022 midterm elections were once the center of massive controversy — and involved in an ongoing lawsuit. But the ExpressVote XL has worked smoothly in three elections since, and local officials stand by their choice.
In this episode of First Amendment Unscripted: Youth Journalism, we are joined by fellow educators and journalists Aralynn McMane, Katina Paron, and Jackie Majerus. The three discuss the state of youth journalism on a global scale and their work in encouraging young people to engage with their freedom of the press and creating good stories.
https://youtu.be/cHbFg_BFtQI
9/15/2022
Communications
Access
Issues
Meghan Sylvester
msylvester@firstamendmentmuseum.org
10 Tips to a Civil Conversation—and, Actually Change Someone’s Mind
Staff
First Amendment Museum
Our democracy was founded on our ability to have productive debates over pertinent issues. With these ten tips, you can have honest discussions on important issues with those who disagree.
Solano sheriff, DA incumbents won broadly in low-turnout June election
Scott Morris
The Vallejo Sun
Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams and Sheriff Tom Ferrara won their respective races for reelection in June with broad support in all areas of the county, but voter turnout in the election was low, even for a June primary outside of a presidential election year.
Former Solano law enforcement officers seek to expand political power in November
Scott Morris
The Vallejo Sun
Two former law enforcement officers are running for powerful political positions in Solano County this November. If they win, it will be a substantial expansion of the governing power of current and former law enforcement officers, some with an oversight role over their former departments.
Could the Moore v. Harper SCOTUS Case Radically Alter U.S. Democracy?
Patrick J. Kiger
HowStuffWorks.com
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Moore v. Harper case this session. It could give state legislators almost complete control over federal elections, which some experts fear could establish one-party rule and endanger democracy.
Pa. midterm elections: We’re answering your questions about the voting process
Staff
WITF
As part of our affiliation with America Amplified, we're answering voter-participation questions from the public, and we've noted that part of protecting democracy is to participate in it.
In this Q&A, Linda McDonald Carter, a community-based attorney and former professor and director of Paralegal Studies at Essex County College, and Gloria J. Browne Marshall, a Pulitzer Center grantee and Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College, weave their way through American democracy’s relationship to war and civil rights, social institutions, the press, and the bubbling undercurrent of crisis in our democracy.
Omaha leader Preston Love Jr. has a message for Nebraska's youth
Bousaina Ibrahim
Nebraska News Service
Preston Love Jr., a former campaign manager for presidential candidate Jesse Jackson in 1984, is as active as ever in Omaha. These days, the 80-year-old is focused on inspiring the younger generations to challenge the lack of democracy in their own communities and beyond.
To carry out the ideals of Democracy Day, the News Literacy Project has brought together resources focused on the midterm election to help everyone find reliable information and avoid falsehoods.
Texas Students Are Again Battling the Closure of a Campus Polling Place
Michael Barajas
Bolts
Local officials’ decision to eliminate early voting at one of the nation’s largest universities underscores the perennial fight to get or keep campus polling places in Texas.
How did gerrymandering begin in North Carolina? Consider Vance County.
Shelby Harris
Carolina Public Press
In 1881, the North Carolina Legislature approved taking pieces of the three North Carolina counties to establish Vance County. It was an effort to concentrate Black voters and maintain white, Democratic power in Franklin, Granville and Warren counties. Some say the impacts of this ‘blatant example’ of gerrymandering can still be felt today.
We need an inspiring culture of democracy: Start by making International Democracy Day a holiday
Yordanos Eyoel and Akunna Cook
Keseb
Making election day in November a U.S. national holiday would be an important step in voter enfranchisement, but democracy is about more than voting. It’s about building a national and international culture of democracy that promotes civic education, cultivates strong social fabrics, and incentivizes a shared commitment to contribute to the vision of inclusive democracies that deliver for people.
Counterintelligence and U.S. Democracy: an inconvenient truth
Kelly Harris
Public Square Amplified
As we reflect on democracy in America, we should consider the local grassroots organizers of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, subscribers to Black newspapers, Black intellectuals, and the Black Church were all victims of counterintelligence. COINTELPRO also targeted the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement with devastating efficiency.
The Public Square Amplified turns its lens to street protests as a center of the struggle for democracy. Claiming space in the public square has been the right of citizens throughout history—grassroots organizers in NJ march in the legacy of those who have long fought against tyranny.