Alabama Organizations Permitted to Support Out-of-State Abortion Travel After Recent Judicial Ruling

Birmingham, Alabama — In a pivotal ruling by a federal judge, organizations in Alabama have received the go-ahead to assist residents in traveling out-of-state to access abortion services. This judgment comes as a crucial response to Alabama’s stringent abortion laws, reaffirming the rights of local groups to offer support despite local restrictions on the procedure. The ruling, issued this week, allows groups such as the Yellowhammer Fund, which provides funding and support for those seeking abortion services, to continue to aid Alabama residents in traveling to clinics in neighboring states where abortion remains accessible. This … Read more

New Voting Hurdles for Ohio College Students: State Law Changes ID Requirements, Impacting Out-of-State Voter Participation

Columbus, Ohio — Voting in Ohio for out-of-state students is becoming increasingly challenging due to newly implemented ID requirements under a law introduced in 2023. Previously, attending the polls required minimal effort from these students, who could use various documents as proof of residency. Now, the acceptable forms are restricted to Ohio state IDs, driver’s licenses, passports, and military-related IDs. Under the umbrella of Republican-sponsored HB 458, these changes mark a significant pivot from former leniencies that assisted student participation in elections, which included frequent shuttle services provided by campuses to usher students to polling … Read more

Maine Introduces Sweeping Legal Reforms: Cracks Down on Prostitution Patronage, Welcomes Out-of-State Banks

AUGUST, Maine — On Monday, the Maine Legislature passed a groundbreaking slate of 113 new laws that cover a wide spectrum of policy areas, ranging from penalisations for those engaging with prostitution to favorable conditions that may attract out-of-state banks to the state. These measures mark a transformative day in Maine’s legislative history, observers say. With bipartisan support, the Legislature’s rigorous session highlighted a significant shift in Maine’s approach to combatting human trafficking and sexual crimes. One of the key laws enacted, commonly referred to as the “johns” law, places stringent punitive measures on individuals … Read more