Voting Rights

Redistricting reformers scored big wins in Michigan and Missouri last week.

“Judge Drain’s decision makes clear that the Michigan legislature intentionally discriminated against African Americans for partisan political purposes,” said Common Cause president, Karen Hobert Flynn.

Today a federal judge struck down a 2015 bill passed by the Michigan legislature and signed by Governor Snyder to ban straight-ticket voting. Common Cause joined the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Democratic Party of Michigan, and Michigan voters challenging the law in court.

Karen Hobert Flynn, the president of Common Cause, which joined in the lawsuit along with some black voters, called it a "big win for Michigan voters. The evidence in this case and Judge Drain's decision makes clear that the Michigan legislature intentionally discriminated against African Americans for partisan political purposes."

"Our plaintiffs clearly have standing and have suffered real harm by the legislature's extreme partisan gerrymandering," Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, said in a release. "This case is key to protecting the constitutional right of citizens in North Carolina and across the nation to have a voice in choosing their representatives."

It was almost two years ago that we first became aware of attacks on our election system by Russia. As we approach 2018, Americans understandably want to know about cybersecurity, what is being done to strengthen the integrity of our elections. Today, a congressional briefing with leading experts makes these complex issues accessible and understandable. A link to a Facebook Live recording is available for you to watch and share with others.