How the Filibuster Has Already Undermined Democracy

The recent attacks on reproductive rights reveal another reason to let the filibuster burn

"...empowered by arcane, reactionary Senate rules. Most recently, the VRA has been effectively gutted by the Supreme Court, the..."

May 6, 2022 News Feature by Michael King

Texas Primaries Loom as Redistricting Lawsuits Drop

New maps and new challenges

"...white voters. This retrogression used to be a no-brainer VRA violation that GOP mapmakers would go to lengths to..."

Oct. 29, 2021 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Austin at Large: One Step Forward, Two Steps ...

The Texas Democrats walk back their walkout amid hard feelings, flashes of hope

"...– again, if the Senate agrees – restores the VRA "pre-clearance" provisions struck down in 2013 that would allow..."

Aug. 27, 2021 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Once Again, Redistricting Looms in Texas

Republicans hold all the power to draw new lines, but there's more attention on the process than ever before

"...endgame that has, for every single cycle since the VRA was passed, accompanied Texas redistricting, both when it was..."

Feb. 12, 2021 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

So You Want to Redistrict Austin?

The process – and what’s at stake – with redrawing our City Council districts

"...which cultural groups (i.e., Black or Latinx under the VRA) can elect their preferred candidates. Right now there are..."

Sept. 18, 2020 News Feature by Lilli Hime

Texas' Big, Bad Week for Voter Suppression and Gerrymandering

Within two days, courts reject second election map, voter ID bill

"...rules did not resolve either purposeful violations of the VRA, or related constitutional issues...."

Aug. 25, 2017 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Hearing on Gerrymandering Set for April 27

A hearing on congressional redistricting is set for April 27

"...2013, which were redrawn at the time because of VRA violations around Dallas. The question now is whether the..."

April 21, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Court Rules: Texas Voter ID Still Racist

Second ruling finds GOP deliberately suppressed minority vote

"...sufficient evidence to prove a deliberate violation of the VRA. After all, the state could simply have meant to..."

April 11, 2017 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: Circle the Firing Squad

When you look for villains, look in the right direction

"...helped set the stage for the undermining of the VRA. Ultimately, the Supremes would later rule (in Chief Justice..."

Nov. 18, 2016 News Column by Michael King

Interim Voter ID Rules Put in Place for November Election

State still requires photo ID, but relaxes restrictions

"...seem designed to meet the minimum standard under the VRA, and while it seems unlikely that photo voter ID..."

Aug. 19, 2016 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Block the Vote

If you can't beat 'em, disenfranchise 'em

"...put a stop to that. Section 5 of the VRA required that before any change in voting law could..."

April 22, 2016 News Feature by Amy Kamp

Du Bois v. Washington?

Jeff Travillion formally enters Pct. 1 Commissioners Race

"...federal Voting Rights Act when the Legislature violated the VRA by gerrymandering black and Latino voters out of their..."

Oct. 30, 2015 News Post by Michael King

Road Ahead Murky After Voter ID Ruling

County says ruling won't impact November elections

"..."My concern is that the constitutional rights under the VRA don't apply to most citizens. They apply to all..."

Aug. 14, 2015 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Zimmerman's Latest Lawsuit

Is Zimmerman trying to keep the media from looking into his personal life?

"...that the ballot wording for the bond violated the VRA because its language was too confusing to be understood..."

Dec. 12, 2014 News Feature by Amy Kamp

Voter ID: Battle Lost, War Goes On

Litigants respond to SCOTUS ruling, pledge continuing challenge

"...fix what SCOTUS broke last year, and revamp the VRA. Calling Friday's ruling "a huge disappointment," Leadership Conference on..."

Oct. 18, 2014 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Biden Joins Fight to Revive Voting Rights Act

Bill would require Texas to get federal clearance

"...that ruling came down last summer, I knew the VRA must be fixed before the next election and any..."

Jan. 24, 2014 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Congress Putting Teeth Back in Voting Rights Act

New Section 4 would put Texas back under preclearance

"...whole preclearance mechanism defined in Section 5 of the VRA. Instead, the justices left Section 5 in place, and..."

Jan. 16, 2014 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: It's a Map, Not a Revolution

We have districts – we'll still need citizens and community

"...it's an anachronism. However, please be reminded that the VRA is about voters, not candidates – it enforces the..."

Nov. 15, 2013 News Column by Michael King

Point Austin: A Moment of Celebration

It's a long road, but we can walk it together

"...effect of minority votes had been challenged under the VRA, which requires "preclearance" of election changes that might discriminate..."

June 28, 2013 News Column by Michael King

Headlines

"...› In the wake of the VRA decision -- meaning Texas doesn't need "preclearance" of voting..."

June 28, 2013 News Feature

SCOTUS Punts on Fisher vs. UT, Lifts Part of Voting Rights Act

Two major rulings from the Supreme Court

"...in court for violations of Section 2 of the VRA, the key provisions relating to racial discrimination in voting..."

June 28, 2013 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

SCOTUS Guts Voting Rights Act

Roberts court rules that VRA so successful, no longer necessary

"...Roberts Supreme Court (striking down Sec. 4 of the VRA) means that -- failing new and unlikely coverage standards..."

June 25, 2013 News Post by Michael King

US Supremes Speak on UT, No Word on Voting Rights

Admissions policy goes back to court, but DOMA, section 5 still out

"...overturn the preclearance components of Section 5 of the VRA. And thirdly, a pair of cases on gay marriage:..."

June 24, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: 'No Bueno'

Court says the Lege still trampling on voting rights

"...better luck with justices audibly itching to gut the VRA. In the meantime, for November we'll be stuck with..."

Sept. 7, 2012 News Column by Michael King

Up Too Early

Google Streetview fashion critique from Mt. Bonnell Road

"...Here’s the bottom line: If Channing Tatum hit the..."

July 11, 2012 Chronolog Post by The Luv Doc

Welcome to the Circus!

The redistricting fight and the grassroots politics of chaos

"...the D.C. federal court requesting that the court deny VRA preclearance to the interim map, and the new district..."

March 9, 2012 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Why You're Not Voting Today

How gerrymandering took Texas out of Super Tuesday

"...crowbar through maps that they knew would never pass VRA muster – lit the fuse on this process, and..."

March 6, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Federal Judges Still Want April Primary

Worst Valentine's Day ever for redistricting attorneys

"...Aside from the plaintiffs still citing VRA and Constitutional violations, he also faces an unusual coalition..."

Feb. 13, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Behind Closed Doors

As the Feb. 6 redistricting deadline gets close, what cost unanimity?

"...violate the preclearance terms of Section Five of the VRA. There are undoubtedly voices in the room suggesting that..."

Jan. 30, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Judges to State: Fix Your Maps Now

New districts by Feb. 6 or primary shifts

"...Amendment. This court will not be dealing with the VRA Article Five preclearance issues, which are still being hammered..."

Jan. 29, 2012 News Post by Richard Whittaker

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