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A study in contrasts: Low-turnout runoffs vs. Alaska's top-four, all-mail primary

David Meyers

June 23, 2022 |

The Fulcrum |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alaska

Alaska’s first primary election since it instituted a “top four” election system that places all candidates – regardless of party –on the same primary ballot, resulted in a less partisan campaign because people have to appeal to a more diverse group than their base in order to win. The all-mail primary also led to higher voter turnout, the highest since 2014.

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D.C. Residents Are Voting from Prison This Week

Kira Lerner

June 20, 2022 |

Bolts |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, District of Columbia

In July 2020, the District became one of three places in the country to grant people who are incarcerated the right to vote. Officials have conducted outreach to people in DC jails to make sure the are aware of their rights and the Board of Elections has provided staff with information and documents they need to ensure people can register to vote.

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Villagers in western Tamil Nadu dislodge polluting charcoal mills after decade-long fight to save groundwater

Gowthami Subramaniam

June 07, 2022 |

101 Reporters |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Kangeyam, Tamil Nadu

After years of protesting, attending public grievance meetings, and appearing as plaintiffs in court cases, the residents of Kangeyam, India, gained enough attention to shut down the charcoal industries that were polluting the groundwater.

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Imagine Living in a Country Where Voting Is Mandatory

Louise Scarce

May 20, 2022 |

Teen Vogue |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

Voting in Australia became mandatory at the national level in 1924, and voter turnout has not fallen below 90% since. Voters can also cast their ballot at any polling place in their home state, with many polling places offering snacks and fundraise for local schools or churches. The atmosphere on election day, which is held on a Saturday, is festive and party-like. Mandatory voting has ensured that all groups have their voices heard.

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How independent map-drawing commissions are transforming redistricting

Frances Nguyen

April 19, 2022 |

Prism |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Many states are trying independent redistricting commissions to take politics out of the process and draw fair maps. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has a rigorous process to select its 14 members and holds all commission deliberations during public hearings with lots of time for public comment built into the process. The state’s new election maps were unanimously approved and about one third of the new districts are Latino-majority.

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Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, many look to state solutions

Frances Nguyen

April 18, 2022 |

Prism |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Virginia

Virginia’s VRA protects voters from suppression, discrimination, and intimidation and has effectively stopped racial gerrymandering and intimidation. Its pro-voting measures include requiring materials in multiple languages, the provision of accessibility accommodations, and requiring public review of any local level voting changes. The legislation also creates a pathway for Virginians to bring civil lawsuits if a procedure negatively impacts economically disadvantaged communities or communities of color.

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Could the highly political redistricting process be more independent? San Antonio may find out

Megan Stringer

April 17, 2022 |

San Antonio Express-News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

San Diego’s independent redistricting commission has aimed to take politics out of drawing district maps since 1992 by preventing City Council from drawing or approving its own map. Instead, nine commissioners from over 100 applicants were chosen based on background and qualifications by three randomly selected retired judges. The member selection process, rules for transparency, open public engagement and no tolerance for conflicts of interest are keys to its success. There is more equitable infrastructure investment and greater voter turnout now, which are two positive signs of reduced gerrymandering.

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Shiny new ballots: Record number of states eyeing ranked-choice voting

Amanda Pampuro

March 25, 2022 |

Courthouse News Service |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Alaska

More states and cities are adopting ranked-choice voting system, which are said to be friendlier and more inclusive. In a ranked-choice system, voters rank multiple candidates in order of preference and a winner must get over 50% of the votes. This often occurs by being a voter’s second choice, so many argue there is less political vitriol since, rather than ignoring voters committed to other candidates, politicians must appeal to them as at least their second choice. Data in the six California cities that use the system show slight increases in the number of women and people of color running for office.

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Democracy Comes to Michigan

David Byrne

March 21, 2022 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Michigan

A grassroots campaign ended gerrymandering in Michigan by passing an initiative requiring districts be drawn by citizen-commissions rather than politicians. The all-volunteer campaign went door-to-door collecting enough signatures to get the initiative on the ballot and used creative voter-engagement techniques to sustain the support. Once the ballot initiative passed, 9,300 people applied for the first commission. A third-party firm ultimately selected four Democrats, four Republicans, and five non-partisan people as commissioners, who worked together very well to redraw districts.

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The secret sauce behind Wichita's success in distributing emergency housing vouchers

Celia Hack

March 18, 2022 |

The Wichita Beacon |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Wichita, Kansas

A federal voucher program is seeing huge success in Wichita, Kansas with almost 70 percent usage rates. Coordination between nonprofits and the housing program are required for the success of the initiative, something that the city had in place prior to the program. Wichita also had a supply of affordable housing available for people experiencing housing instability. A lack of housing stock has been a huge barrier in the success of the federal program in other part of the country.

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