Democracy
The Democracy Program seeks to change the ways in which citizens participate in their government by fixing the systems that discourage voting, hinder competition and promote the interests of the few over the rights of the many.The challenge is great. Built-in obstacles bedevil our democracy. A patchwork of federal, state, and local laws govern campaigns and elections, creating a labyrinth of administrative barriers to voting. And money spent to elect candidates increases with each election cycle. District boundaries, drawn by incumbents who often elevate their personal and partisan power over the interests of their diverse constituents stifles the possibility of meaningful competition between can dates.
Our program collaborates with grassroots groups, advocacy organizations and reform-minded government officials to eliminate these obstacles. We strive to ensure that public policy and institutions reflect the diverse voices and interests that make for a rich, energetic democracy. The Center will advance these goals using tools of research, policy analysis and publications, media outreach and public education, legislative counseling and advocacy and legal action.
Four goals animate our work towards comprehensive reform:
- A voting system in which every vote counts, all citizens are registered, eligibility rules are expansive and turnout increases dramatically. Our voting reform work aims towards universal voter registration.
- An electoral redistricting system that protects civil rights, promotes partisan balance, and preserves real communities.
- A campaign finance system that reduces the role of big money in elections by providing voluntary public financing at the national, state and local levels.
- Fair, impartial courts that protect equal justice, individual rights and the checks and balances essential to the rule of law and promotion of standards to hold judges accountable for unbiased, reasoned and transparent decision-making.
with Garima Malhotra
introduction by Charles Ogletree
In Kirk v. Carpeneti, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will determine if Alaska’s judicial selection system violates the federal Equal Protection Clause. The Brennan Center filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit, defending Alaska’s merit selection system.
In Doe v. Reed the Supreme Court will decide if the state of Washington can mandate the disclosure of the names of citizens who sign petitions for ballot initiatives. In an amicus brief that supports neither side, the Brennan Center for Justice urges the Supreme Court to craft a resolution to the case without impinging upon existing constitutional doctrine regarding disclosure laws in the sphere of money in politics.
Common Cause of Colorado, et al. v. Buescher
A coalition of voting rights groups sued the Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman (who, upon leaving office, was replaced by Brian Buescher) claiming he illegally removed over 27,000 voters from the rolls. They filed a temporary restraining order to get those names reinstated and to ensure additional names cannot be removed before Election Day.
Restoring voting rights to millions
Today Congress is listening to 4 million silenced Americans. Leaders of the House Judiciary Committee are holding a hearing on the Democracy Restoration Act, legislation that seeks to restore the right to vote to people with a criminal records who are out of prison, living in the community. This bill would eliminate the last blanket barrier to the franchise, and reverse decade of discrimination create by laws firmly rooted in our country’s Jim Crow history.
Shareholder Consent is Key in Political Spending
In a Thursday Congressional hearing, corporate law experts debated how best to improve corporate governance. Most of the experts agreed: Current laws don’t protect shareholders.
Kentucky’s Disturbing Disenfranchisement Numbers
A new report by the KY Commission on Human Rights finds that nearly one-in-four African Americans has lost the right to vote in Kentucky. It is time for Kentucky to restore these rights.
Illustrations by Risko
House Leaders Weigh Restoring Voting Rights for Millions
Today, the House Judiciary Committee meets to consider the Democracy Restoration Act, a bill that would restore the right to vote to nearly 4 million American citizens with a criminal conviction, who are now living and working in the community.
New York’s Felon Voting Bar has Deep Roots in Jim Crow
A new study of New York’s constitutional history traces the state’s current felony disenfranchisement law to a century-long effort to keep African-American citizens out of the voting booth.
Advocates Commend Census Bureau for Enhancing States’ Access Prison Population Data in 2010
This week, the Census Bureau has agreed to produce a new data product that will assist state and local governments in avoiding prison-based gerrymandering, whereby districts that contain prisons are given extra representation in the legislature.
Testimony of Prof. Burt Neuborne in Support of H.R. 3335, The Democracy Restoration Act
Legal Director and Inez Milholland Professor of Civil Liberties at NYU School of Law, Burt Neuborne, testifies in support of the Democracy Restoration Act before the House Judiciary Committee, Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Subcommittee.
Testimony for the House Subcommittee on Corporate Governance after Citizens United
Testimony submitted 3/11/10 to the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
Testimony of Adam Skaggs on MD Judicial Elections and Senate Bill 833
The subject of today’s hearing on Senate Bill 833, would conform the selection of Maryland’s circuit court judges with the selection system used to choose other judges in Maryland. In particular, Senate Bill 833 would replace contested elections with a system of appointment and retention elections.
Choosing California’s State Redistricting Citizen’s Commission
Guidelines for choosing the state redistricting auditors for California. Process, Powerpoint presentation, and criteria….
Like the Lochner v. New York decision from 1905, Citizens United is similarly driven by a particular brand of conservative ideology to achieve a certain result.