Millions of young Americans turn 18 each year, yet under a third are registered to vote due to systemic barriers. Low youth turnout stems not from apathy, but from a lack of access and support within current registration systems, which often exclude those without driver’s licenses or proper online registration options. A practical solution involves integrating voter registration into high school education, a universal touchpoint for young citizens, to ensure a more equitable and accessible path to democratic participation. This approach has proven effective in states that have prioritized empowering young voters.
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Hawaii lawmakers have passed a bill to prohibit corporations from spending money in state elections, aiming to return power to individual citizens. This landmark legislation challenges the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, arguing that as states create corporations, they can limit their political spending. Despite concerns about potential legal challenges and taxpayer costs, supporters believe it is crucial for states to take a stand against the influence of corporate money in democracy and to protect the voices of the people.
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Virginia has joined a growing national effort to ensure presidential election winners are determined by the national popular vote, rather than the Electoral College. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill enacting the National Popular Vote Compact, an agreement that commits participating states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote nationwide. This brings the total to 18 states and the District of Columbia, representing 222 electoral votes, though the compact only takes effect once it reaches the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency. Supporters argue this change will make every vote relevant and protect American democracy, while potential legal challenges loom if the compact achieves its goal.
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It appears that former President Donald Trump has voiced his opinion against ranked-choice voting, specifically calling for its repeal in Alaska. This is an interesting development, and it raises a lot of questions about why he feels so strongly about this particular voting system and what it signifies for the broader political landscape.
When we look at ranked-choice voting, or RCV as it’s often called, it’s a system designed to ensure that candidates win with a majority of the vote. Instead of simply voting for one person, voters rank their candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins an outright majority on the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the next preference on those ballots.… Continue reading
The recent pronouncements from Democrats regarding the SAVE America Act signal a determined effort to prevent its passage in the Senate, with some vowing to give it the “death it deserves.” This strong stance comes amidst concerns that the bill, as currently proposed, could fundamentally alter election procedures and potentially shift power away from the Democratic Party’s broader interests. There’s a palpable sense of urgency and a desire to avoid a repeat of past legislative battles where, some feel, Democratic opposition ultimately proved insufficient.
The core of the opposition appears to stem from the perceived negative implications of the SAVE America Act on democratic processes and voter access.… Continue reading
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has reversed his long-held stance on the Senate filibuster, now indicating he will support necessary rule changes to pass President Trump’s priority election overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act. This shift comes as Cornyn faces a competitive Republican runoff and Trump has withheld his endorsement, emphasizing the importance of the legislation. Cornyn’s op-ed argues that the Democrats’ actions have fundamentally altered the political landscape, justifying the potential reform of the filibuster to overcome obstruction and pass the bill. Despite Cornyn’s previous strong defenses of the 60-vote threshold, he now suggests reforms such as a “talking filibuster” could be considered.
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Senator Lisa Murkowski has become the first Republican to publicly oppose the SAVE Act, a proposed federal election bill strongly backed by President Donald Trump. Murkowski highlighted the hypocrisy of Republicans now supporting federal election mandates after vehemently opposing similar Democratic efforts in 2021, arguing that states should retain authority over election administration. She further cautioned that imposing new federal requirements so close to Election Day would disrupt state preparations and negatively impact election integrity, asserting that federal overreach is not the solution for building public trust.
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Following a series of Democratic victories in statewide elections, former President Donald Trump called for sweeping changes to the election system on Truth Social. His demands included strict voter ID laws, the end of mail-in voting, and opposition to expanding the Supreme Court and granting statehood to Washington D.C. or Puerto Rico. The Democrats saw wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City, as well as ballot initiatives in other states. These victories led to a renewed Republican concern over electoral prospects, with some Republicans blaming flawed campaigns and strategic missteps.
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Trump’s redistricting push could bring decades of Republican rule to the US House, and it’s a concerning possibility. The essence of the issue is simple: Republicans are strategically redrawing electoral maps to favor their party, a process often referred to as gerrymandering. The goal? To solidify their control over the House of Representatives for years to come.
This isn’t just about political strategy; it’s a fundamental shift in how elections are conducted. It’s been noted that the goal seems to be less about winning on the merits of policy and more about manipulating the rules of the game. While “election reform” is often mentioned, some believe that the immediate need is to counteract this gerrymandering before it fundamentally alters the balance of power.… Continue reading
H.R.3040, a bill aiming to prohibit ranked-choice voting (RCV) in federal elections, is a deeply concerning piece of legislation. It represents a blatant attempt to undermine a voting system demonstrably shown to improve voter representation and reduce the dominance of the two-party system. The bill’s proponents appear motivated by the inherent disadvantage RCV presents to their party, preventing them from employing tactics that rely on suppressing or manipulating voter choices.
This proposed legislation seems to fly in the face of established norms regarding electoral procedures. States traditionally hold the authority to regulate their own elections, making a federal mandate on voting methods a potential constitutional overreach.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood