The chairman of the New York State Democratic Party is pushing a proposal that would essentially neuter almost all third parties, crippling one of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s biggest political nemeses but also potentially helping conservatives.
Alabama’s strict abortion ban was blocked by a federal judge today, less than three weeks before it would have gone into effect. It was the last of the strict abortion bans enacted in nine states this year to face judicial action. All but one have been blocked by federal courts. Louisiana’s ban remains on hold and has yet to take effect.
Mississippi’s gubernatorial election is in November, but it’s possible the outcome won’t be decided until January. The reason? A Jim Crow-era law presently being challenged in federal court. It requires a two-step process for a statewide candidate to be elected, similar to the federal Electoral College system.
New Mexicans who identify as transgender, nonbinary and intersex can now confirm their gender on their birth certificates. New Mexico is the fourth state to include a gender-neutral sex designation on birth certificates.
With a mobile ID, Oklahoma residents have an option to carry their state-issued identification on their smartphones. It’s an official document that can be used when interacting with government agencies or private retailers.
A federal judge is being asked to impose more than $300,000 in sanctions against Georgia over its reluctance to turn over election databases, a request that state attorneys say is unjustified because they need to protect election information.
More branches of New Jersey state government will have to consider current and future impacts of climate change when making decisions on development and planning across the state, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced.
Uber, Lyft and DoorDash unveiled a California ballot measure to exclude many of those they pay for work from being considered benefits-earning employees. The proposal states that an “app-based driver is an independent contractor.” A new law taking effect in January applies rigorous new tests a company must meet before excluding workers as employees.
A bill up for consideration in the upcoming legislative session could make voting easier in Washington state for thousands of people convicted of felonies. If passed, it would expand voting rights to those in community custody, people out of prison but still being supervised by the Department of Corrections.
Petitioners are challenging Oregon’s new law allowing people without proof of citizenship to obtain driver’s licenses. The proposed initiative would require those seeking a driver’s license to have a Social Security number.
The fight between Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP lawmakers escalated as the two sides sparred over the governor’s power to shift money. Whitmer allies transferred $625 million earlier this month within a Republican-approved budget.
The Ohio Supreme Court seldom grants motions for reconsideration, and maintained that stance in an appeal in an abortion-related case. The fate of a Dayton-area abortion clinic now rests on the ruling of a federal judge.
