Battle for the Ballot
U.S. Senate Republicans again block debate on voting rights legislation
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the advance of voting rights legislation Wednesday, the second time this year—thwarting again Democrats’ attempts to pass federal protections for voters amid a slew of new state elections laws. “When we are faced with a coordinated effort across our country to limit the freedom to vote, we must stand […]
Taking a swing at gerrymandering again, Republicans give themselves a black eye
On Friday, lawyers for the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a federal lawsuit over Wisconsin’s next set of voting maps. In their petition, Republicans describe the federal lawsuit, brought by voting rights groups and Democrats, as “an affront to Wisconsin’s sovereignty.” They said it is an effort to usurp the […]
Kaul, 21 AGs tell congressional leaders to guard against voter suppression, possibly reform the filibuster
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with 21 other attorneys general, on Monday sent a letter to bipartisan congressional leaders urging them to pass legislation protecting against both voter suppression and election subversion and possibly reform the filibuster. “Following the 2020 presidential election, we witnessed something many of us considered unthinkable: an attempt by the then-sitting President of the United States […]
Wisconsin Legislature follows a nationwide systemic push against voting rights
Republican-led legislatures across the country continue a systematic push to pass laws they claim are aimed at ratcheting up election security. The policy debate over voting rights and election integrity has exploded in state houses, ignited by last year’s contentious elections where more people voted — particularly by absentee and mail-in ballot — than ever […]
Wisconsin Elections Commission debates future of voter rolls while issue still before Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) began a debate Wednesday over future ways to keep voter registration lists up-to-date — a controversial issue in the past, with a lawsuit over the matter currently pending before the state Supreme Court. States are required to keep their voter lists updated by removing voters who have died and updating […]
Dems move to strip committee assignments from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Rules Committee is set to meet on Wednesday to consider a resolution that would strip Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of her two committee assignments. If approved for debate by the panel, the resolution would move to the floor of the Democratic-controlled House for a vote. It is included […]
Virginia senator floats Trump censure as Senate prepares for impeachment trial
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine says he’s been talking privately with his Senate colleagues about censuring former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, told Capitol Hill reporters on Wednesday that he views censure as a possible “alternative” to Trump’s upcoming impeachment trial […]
Seven U.S. Senate Democrats call for ethics probe of Sen. Josh Hawley
for unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in connection with the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.
Dozens of GOP lawmakers to reject certifying Biden as president
WASHINGTON — The final step in a turmoil-filled 2020 presidential election is set for Wednesday, when Congress will certify election results showing that Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump. But a series of objections from GOP legislators is expected to stretch that routine process into a much lengthier one — and one that is dividing […]
Georgia’s costly U.S. Senate showdowns roil ahead of rally finales
Soon after the Nov. 3 general election it was clear Georgia voters set up two U.S. Senate contests for this week and it seemed unlikely the presidential result would threaten to overshadow the high stakes battle at the ballot for control of the federal government. But as President Donald Trump campaigned for fellow Republicans and […]
Josh Hawley vows to contest certification of Joe Biden’s victory
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced Wednesday that he will object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory when Congress convenes next week to ratify the results of the 2020 election. The move, which is largely symbolic, guarantees that both chambers will be forced to debate the results and vote on whether […]