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Campaign Finance Reformers Hope to Convert Their First State to Democracy Vouchers

Spenser Mestel

February 02, 2023 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle's democracy voucher program allows residents to donate to political candidates of their choice using public funding, which has greatly diversified local races and made them more competitive. Now, governments in New Hampshire and Minnesota are considering implementing statewide versions of the program.

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Efforts to Expand Ballot Access in Washington State Jails Face Local Pushback

Khawla Nakua

January 23, 2023 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Washington lawmakers allocated $2.5 million in grant funding to help jails improve voting access for people incarcerated there, which resulted in a big spike in ballots cast in one facility that participated. But only five counties applied for the grant program, and jail officials interested in participating have faced opposition from political representatives in some areas.

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To Boost Turnout, Some Cities Just Synced Up Their Local Elections With National Cycles

Alex Burness

November 22, 2022 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ann Arbor, Michigan

To boost turnout in local elections that often see low participation, cities such as Berkeley, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. have shifted their election cycles to match up with higher-profile presidential contests. Researchers found that moving municipal elections to sync up with presidential elections boosts turnout by an average of 29 percent, and at least 11 communities approved similar measures this year to make the switch to even-year elections.

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In North Carolina, a Rush to “Restore Hope in the Vote” in People with Felony Convictions

Kelan Lyons

November 04, 2022 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Bern, North Carolina

A Superior Court ruling in North Carolina restored voting rights to people with felony convictions who are no longer in prison, giving up to 56,000 residents the opportunity to return to the ballot box. Organizations participating in the "Unlock Our Vote" movement are working to connect with and register disenfranchised voters, and people who have been re-enfranchised say reclaiming their rights has given them new hope that they can help effect change.

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Nevada Voters Consider Bringing Ranked Choice Elections to a Swing State

Spenser Mestel

September 27, 2022 |

Bolts |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Alaska

Alaska recently held its first high-profile election using ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to select a second- and third-choice candidate to transfer their vote to if their first-choice candidate doesn't get enough votes to advance. Democrat Mary Peltola was elected in an upset over Republican Sarah Palin after receiving a higher percentage of second-choice votes transferred from the third candidate in the race, and this fall, a number of other states, including Nevada, will consider whether to implement ranked-choice voting.

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In the Netherlands, Safe Drug Consumption Sites Are Saving Lives. The U.S. Is Resisting.

Jaisal Noor

September 14, 2022 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

In the Netherlands, safe consumption sites provide a clean, supervised space for drug users to go without worrying about legal ramifications. The sites not only help prevent overdoses, with zero overdose deaths reported at safe consumption sites, but also connect patrons with harm-reduction information, alternatives such as methadone, supportive housing, mental health treatment, and other social services.

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In California Cities, a New Frontier for Public Financing of Elections

Spenser Mestel

July 13, 2022 |

Bolts |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

To give less affluent political hopefuls a fighting chance in local races, Seattle's "democracy vouchers" program provides each resident with four $25 vouchers to donate to candidates of their choice. The initiative has nearly doubled the number of candidates running for city positions since 2015, and those using the vouchers are more likely than cash donors to be young and low-income, leading other cities, such as Oakland, Calif., to consider adopting similar programs.

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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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In French Presidential Election, Thousands More Vote from Prison

Cole Stangler

April 21, 2022 |

Bolts |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France

Outside pressure and legal reforms made it easier for people who are incarcerated to vote. The small nonprofit, Robin des Lois, fought to install regular voting booths in prisons, just like any other precinct. After a long public and legal battle, French legislators approved measures allowing in-person voting in prisons, which significantly increased voter turnout.

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