Wednesday, July 31

THE SCOREBOARD

Ohio Republican governor bashes redistricting ballot initiative

• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) publicly opposed a November ballot initiative that aims to end gerrymandering in the state by establishing a citizen-led redistricting commission, claiming the measure would result in more unfair maps.

Trump-appointed judge delivers loss for voters in Georgia

• A federal judge upheld Georgia's shortened deadline for voters to apply for absentee ballots, keeping the law in place for the 2024 election. Theater workers alleged that the deadline violated the Voting Rights Act (VRA).

The latest on Pennsylvania and Utah mail-in voting cases

• Pennsylvania appealed court rules that images of completed absentee and mail-in ballots are public records under state election law, but images of completed in-person ballots are protected by state election law.

  
  

• A Republican candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District asked the state Supreme Court to count over 1,000 mail-in ballots he claims were wrongfully rejected in the GOP primary due to postal delays. A federal court previously denied the request.

Victory for voters in Tennessee

• A Tennessee court struck down an anti-democratic law that would force Nashville to cut the size of its city council in half, ruling the law violates the state constitution. Plaintiffs argued the law would cause "unprecedented disenfranchisement."

Hearings held today in pro-voting lawsuits in Alabama and New Hampshire

• An Alabama court held a hearing today in a challenge to the state's new law making it illegal for most people to help voters submit their absentee ballots. Civil rights groups argue that the law violates the First Amendment and VRA.

  
  

• A hearing was held in New Hampshire today in a lawsuit over a robocall scheme that used AI to impersonate Biden and urged Democrats not to vote in the state’s primary. Voters argue that the calls intimidated voters, violating the VRA.

  
  

Why a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 is crucial in 2024

• After the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gutted enforcement of the VRA in seven states last year, Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 — also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act — is becoming one of the most vital laws for voters to protect their rights. Here's what you should know about the law.

Biden calls for major reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court

• President Joe Biden proposed multiple reforms to the Supreme Court, including term limits, an enforceable code of ethics and a constitutional amendment to limit the presidential immunity that the Court granted in July.

  
  

• In a new YouTube video, Democracy Docket’s Sophie Feldman discusses Biden’s proposals and whether the president supports a more controversial reform: expanding the Court.