democracy reforms Archives | Page 3 of 3 | American Democracy Minute

Minnesota Takes More Big Steps in Expanding and Protecting the Right to Vote, Including Passing the Minnesota Voting Rights Act

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024

May 17th, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an omnibus democracy reform bill which included the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, on the heels of 2023’s Democracy for the People Act and restoring voting rights to 55,000 of its formerly incarcerated citizens.

Oklahoma Becomes the 7th State to Ban Ranked Choice Voting, While Pro-Voter States Consider Its Adoption

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024

After a 2023 resolution by the Republican National Committee, GOP state legislators have pushed legislation to ban ranked choice voting. April 29th, Oklahoma became the seventh state to ban RCV. But other states are considering its adoption.

Michigan Case Which Used the ‘Independent State Legislature Theory’ to Challenge Voting Rights Ballot Questions is Thrown Out

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024

We reported last October that 11 Michigan GOP legislators used the “Independent State Legislature” theory to challenge two Michigan ballot questions expanding voting rights. A federal judge dismissed their case April 10th.

Democracy News Wasn’t All Bad in 2023; MI, MN, NM, CT, PA, & NY All Passed Substantial Pro-Voter Legislation

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024

While some state legislatures are making it harder to vote, a 2023 recap from Voting Rights Lab shows a few states passed legislation to help people register to vote and to make voting more accessible to all citizens.

Michigan a Democracy Bright Spot as it Implements Proposition 2 Constitutional Amendment Protecting and Expanding Voting Rights

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023

In November 2022, Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment enshrining voting protections and expanding ballot access. Throughout 2023, the legislature codified those mandates, and passed additional reforms, making Michigan one of the year’s democracy bright spots