Voting Rights

Unpacking North Carolina’s Ballot Initiative Shortfall

February 26, 2024

. . . voting measures are opportunities for citizens of a state to propose a change in legislation or a state constitutional amendment. Ballot initiatives are commonly viewed as a pure form of democracy and may be utilized by those who feel underrepresented by their state or local politicians. ...[Continue Reading]

The continued institutionalization of the new Jim Crow

June 5, 2017

With the Supreme Court denying to review the decision that found the North Carolina legislature had discriminatory intent in passing its election law, what does this mean for the future of North Carolina’s elections? ...[Continue Reading]

A win for voting rights or a battle for another day?

May 2, 2016

Although the Supreme Court holds that the Constitution does not require voting district apportionment be based only on voting age citizens, it does not address the issue of whether voting age based apportionment itself is even allowed under the 14th Amendment. ...[Continue Reading]

Will gerrymandering in North Carolina ever come to an end?

February 29, 2016

Given North Carolina’s history with redistricting and its continuous struggle with gerrymandering district lines, a recent lawsuit regarding the 2011 redistricting forced North Carolina legislators to take another look at the district lines. ...[Continue Reading]

Fifth Circuit rules strict Texas voter ID laws violate Voting Rights Act

August 10, 2015

A federal appeals court found that exceedingly strict voter ID laws in Texas violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 due to the laws’ disparate impact on minorities. ...[Continue Reading]

The end of “one person, one vote”?

June 15, 2015

U.S. Supreme Court will decide if representation should reflect the number of eligible voters or overall population ...[Continue Reading]