Hi John,
Welcome to the latest New PA Project Education Fund (NPPEF) newsletter! Focusing on civic education is more important than ever. Below we highlight recent news about voting rights, federal workers, and more! |
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from @nppef
We're kicking off #PrideMonth by spotlighting Marsha P. Johnson - an icon for LGBTQ+ rights. #MarvelousWomenMonday
She was a Black and transgender activist who led the Stonewall Uprising and Gay Liberation Movement.
The Stonewall Uprising was a series of protests that were the cornerstone for gay rights in the Unites States during the 1960s.
Known for her smile and generosity, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those affected by H.I.V. and AIDS, and gay liberation.
She once said, "you never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”
We agree. |
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Historically, lawsuits filed by the Justice Department’s voting section have almost exclusively aimed to expand voting access, rather than to restrict it or enforce stricter rules.
The new Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has appointed Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer with a history of supporting anti-voting litigation and election denialism, as head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
Another recent addition to the voter suppression team is Maureen Riordan. Until recently, Riordan was an attorney and activist for a leading anti-voting legal group that has worked for years to spread fear about illegal voting and press election officials to tighten voting rules.
From 2021 until this month, Riordan served as litigation counsel at the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF). This organization specializes in pressuring states and counties to more aggressively remove voters from the rolls.
These appointments represents just one of the ways in which the Department of Justice has shifted from an organization that largely and consistently defends voting rights to instead working actively to undermine them. |
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Federal Agencies:
The Trump administration filed its 18th emergency application to the Supreme Court, this time asking justices to halt a lower court order limiting mass firings at federal agencies.
In a significant win for the independent civil service, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals asked a lower court to determine if Trump’s aggressive assault on civil service protections has effectively removed federal workers’ ability to challenge illegal personnel practices.
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Due Process:
A Trump-appointed judge blocked the Trump administration from carrying out Alien Enemies Act (AEA) removals without due process against migrants in the Los Angeles area. However, unlike other judges who have ruled against AEA removals, Judge John Holcomb said he believes the act grants the president “close to unlimited” authority to determine if an invasion or predatory incursion has occurred against the U.S. But he still blocked removals over due process concerns.
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| Checks and Balances:
On Tuesday a federal judge in D.C. approved lawsuits challenging Elon Musk’s position in the federal government and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as unconstitutional.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said 14 states and a group of advocacy organizations plausibly argued that Musk and DOGE’s efforts to slash the government violate the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. The creation of DOGE was done without statutory or constitutional basis. The judge said Musk appears to lack the legal authority to direct alterations to the government because he is not a Senate-confirmed official and DOGE was never authorized by Congress. |
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Let's provide civic education together!
We're looking for people passionate about voting rights in Philadelphia, Allegheny, Erie, Lawrence, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware County to help us shape the future of Pennsylvania.
Join our team and help us provide civic education in our communities and register folks to vote!
Positions start at $20 an hour.
Interested? Contact [email protected]
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REAL ID. The deadline to get one was supposed to be May 7. But just days before that, the Department of Homeland Security hit pause, again.
Twenty years after Congress passed the REAL ID Act, too many people still didn't have the right kind of ID, so enforcement was delayed — as it has been multiple times. So what does this have to do with voting?
Trump's recent executive order on elections called for requiring voters to show documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It lists passports, birth certificates, and military IDs as acceptable forms of identification, but not much else.
Meanwhile, federal and state bills to require proof of citizenship all have slightly different versions of what would constitute acceptable documents. Supporters of these laws describe them as a commonsense step, and a minimal burden, to ensure that only eligible voters cast ballots. But the REAL ID saga shows that a proof-of-citizenship requirement might not be such a simple step. And it's not just voters who might have trouble with it.
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| The Primary is Over, Now What? |
On May 31st, NPPEF welcomed community members our listening session to talk through how they are feeling post primary election, what’s next on the ballot, and why continued civic engagement is essential. |
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| Post Primary Community & Candidate Cookout |
The Community & Candidates Cookout brought together neighbors and candidates. We had thoughtful conversation over some good food and music. |
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In Delaware County, Daniel and Bridgette had great conversations with the students at the Chester High School Union Resource fair.
We were able to register students to vote and provide information that they will need to exercise their right to vote for the first time this November! |
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| We love when our conversations on the ground lead to people committing to vote in the general election!
This voter signed a pledge to vote card for the 2025 general election. This year, focusing on civic engagement and education is more important than ever. |
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Our Director of Programs, Dyneco, was ready to speak to the new young voters at the resource fair at Ben Franklin High School. |
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Super voters vote twice a year, every year! |
Thank you for doing your part to stay informed and engaged! |
Last day to register to vote for the General Election: Monday, October 20th
Last day to request mail-in ballot: Tuesday, October 28th
General Election: Tuesday, November 4th |
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Voter Hotlines:
Voter Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
DOS PA Voter Hotline: 1-877-VOTESPA Spanish/English Hotline: 1-866-VE-Y-VOTA
Asian Languages Hotline: 1-888-API-VOTE Arabic/English Hotline: 1-844-YALLA-US |
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Paid for by the New PA Project Education Fund
New PA Project Education Fund
PO Box 453
West Chester, PA 19381
United States |
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