Many of us have that aunt (or uncle) who eagerly brings up the most controversial political topic she can think of at family gatherings over the holidays. That topic this year will ... Keep Reading
nc general assembly
Democrats oppose bill to remove non-citizens from voter rolls
Three months ago, I asked "should NC courts continue to withhold lists of potentially ineligible voters from election officials?" Apparently, Democrats in the General Assembly ... Keep Reading
Can court-ordered nonpartisan redistricting survive in the current political climate?
After a slow start, NC legislators are progressing on drawing new district maps per a court order Just under half of Senate and House districts need to be redrawn Tensions ... Keep Reading
Left smells blood, wants to kill bipartisan redistricting reform proposal
There have been a host of redistricting reform proposals submitted in the General Assembly this session. While most are remarkably bad bills that have only narrow partisan support, ... Keep Reading
Bad bill watch: Digital communication bill would restrict political speech without protecting elections
House Bill 700 seeks to impose restrictions on online political speech that would mostly affect political newcomers and challengers Overseas troll factories and dark money ... Keep Reading
Rucho v Common Cause is not even the beginning of the end of the redistricting fight
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that “(p)artisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts”. The 5-4 decision followed precedent ... Keep Reading
2020 is looking like another close election
Close elections have become as North Carolinian as barbecue. Based on (an admittedly very early) Civitas/Harper poll, it appears that we are going to be in store for more of the ... Keep Reading
William Barber’s trespassing conviction: democracy versus mob rule
Rev. William Barber II was found guilty on Thursday, June 6, of trespassing in the North Carolina Legislative Building in 2017. Although he and I are on opposite ends of just about ... Keep Reading
Balancing voters’ convenience with children’s safety
With growing concerns about school safety, should schools be forced to open their doors to hundreds of unchecked adults? Under current North Carolina law, election officials can ... Keep Reading
The Newest Redistricting Commission Proposal
State Rep. John Hardister (R-Guilford) joined Robert T. Reives II (D-Durham, Chatham) , Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), and Brian Turner (D-Buncombe) as the primary sponsors of the a ... Keep Reading