Laws

New Voting Laws Pose Challenges for Disabled Voters, Risking Millions of Votes in Upcoming 2024 Election

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New Orleans, LA — Amidst rising concerns over election security, a series of new laws in Louisiana and other states aimed at safeguarding the integrity of upcoming elections are paradoxically making it harder for more than 40.2 million American voters with disabilities to exercise their right to vote. These laws, enacted in response to unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, restrict assistance for mail-in voting—a crucial method for many voters with disabilities. The legislative changes include limiting the type of help voters with disabilities can receive, such as assistance from … Read more

Maryland’s New Juvenile Justice Laws to Lower Age for Serious Charges, Increase Transparency and Accountability

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Baltimore, Maryland – A sweeping set of changes to Maryland’s juvenile justice laws came into effect on Friday, marking a significant shift in how the state handles young offenders. The new law, part of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act signed earlier this year by Governor Wes Moore, includes provisions that allow for younger children, ages 10 to 12, to be charged with certain serious offenses including illegal gun possession, auto theft, animal cruelty, and third-degree sexual offense. Previously, the minimum age to charge children with these crimes was 13. The legislation aims to tackle the … Read more

Striving for Inclusion: New Initiatives Target Voter ID Challenges for Transgender Americans Amid Tightening Laws

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WASHINGTON — As the U.S. heads into another election season, tighter voter ID laws across nine states have raised concerns about the potential disenfranchisement of transgender voters. These laws could particularly impact voter turnout in key battleground areas, where some races are predicted to be extremely close. With recent changes possibly leaving hundreds of thousands of trans individuals facing barriers at the polls, the implications for the electoral outcomes in states like North Carolina and Ohio are profound. According to Jazmynne Cruz, communications director of Equality North Carolina, many transgender community members may face challenges … Read more

Eureka’s Measure F: A Head-On Collision Between Local Parking Preservation and State Housing Laws

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Eureka, Calif. — Tensions are rising in Eureka where a local measure intended to preserve parking spaces throughout the city is facing challenges from state laws designed to expedite housing development and improve public transit infrastructure. At the heart of the controversy is Measure F, a proposal aimed at maintaining parking spaces in 21 city-owned lots, potentially interfering with several planned affordable housing projects and a new transit hub. City Manager Miles Slattery has expressed concerns over the measure, suggesting that its objectives may ultimately be unachievable due to overarching state regulations. Despite local support … Read more