Pennsylvania voters scored a clear victory Tuesday when the state Supreme Court returned a voter ID law to a lower court. “The Court was right to express skepticism that this sweeping new voter ID law can be implemented so close to an election,” said the Center’s Wendy Weiser. “It is wrong for politicians to try to manipulate the system for their own benefit by rushing through new voting requirements at the last minute.” The Pennsylvania case is just one in a series of legal battles that could determine who can and cannot vote this November. Read more at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Daily Beast.
New Update Highlights Justice Program Work
The Brennan Center is proud to share the inaugural edition of the Justice Update. The newsletter provides a snapshot of our justice work and latest developments in the field. The first issue highlights recent work on the Supreme Court challenge to the University of TX at Austin's…
Empowering Small Donors in Federal Elections
The Brennan Center and Democracy 21 offer a new plan to counter big money and super PAC-spending in our campaign finance system. The plan lays out how a small donor matching program would encourage a broader base of voters to participate in funding elections. Read more...
Supreme Court Should Protect Diversity in Higher Ed
The Brennan Center and the League of Women Voters filed an amicus brief in the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin affirmative action case, urging the Supreme Court to uphold the university’s efforts to encourage diversity in its classrooms. Read our analysis for SCOTUSblog.
Rick Hasen on the Voting Wars
UC-Irvine Law Professor Rick Hasen joined the Brennan Center Monday for a discussion of his new book, “The Voting Wars,” which examines the increasingly partisan world of election administration since the 2000 Florida debacle. See video and photos.
New Guide Explains Rules for Registration Drives
In recent years, state legislatures have increasingly made it harder for voter registration drives to operate. State Restrictions on Voter Registration Drives is the first comprehensive review of state laws governing community-based voter registration drives.
Events
A roundup with the latest news highlighting the corrosive nature of money in New York State politics — and the need for public financing and robust campaign finance reform.
PA Voter ID Opponents Optimistic Law Won’t Survive to November
(MSNBC, 09/18/12)
Voter Suppression: Coming to a State Near You?
(Mother Jones, 09/17/12)
Campaign Money Patterns Entering New Phase in 2012 Judicial Races
(National Law Review, 09/17/12)
Groups Race Against Time to Get Florida Voters Registered
(Reuters, 09/16/12)