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After April's election difficulties, would a vote-at-home system make more sense for Wisconsin?

Patricia McKnight

May 20, 2020 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

States that use universal voting by mail can be models for all states to protect voters amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Voting by mail can also increase voter turnout. After sending 2020 primary ballots to all registered voters, two Wisconsin districts had voter turnout about twice that of the statewide turnout. States also report that, after high startup costs, voting by mail is cheaper over the long term. Colorado successfully uses intelligent bar codes to track ballots and avoid fraud. Setting up the system before the November 2020 election would be difficult, as is reaching those without a permanent address.

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Una identificación que traspasa fronteras para unir comunidades

Paola Jaramillo

May 15, 2020 |

Enlace Latino NC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

En Estados Unidos, un modelo que nació en Carolina del Norte permite proporcionar documentos de identificación comunitaria a personas inmigrantes latinas se replica en otros estados. El programa ayuda a los inmigrantes a acceder a servicios esenciales, como atención médica y educación, y también tiene como objetivo difundir información sobre los desafíos y las barreras que enfrentan las comunidades de inmigrantes. Los organizadores de la campaña creen que proporcionar documentos de identificación a inmigrantes es un paso importante hacia la construcción de comunidades inclusivas y solidarias. La campaña ha r

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PA should follow California's lead and mail ballots to every registered voter in the state

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

May 15, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Governor Gavin Newsome in California ordered vote-from-home ballots be sent to all registered voters for the November 2020 election due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While some states allow people to vote by mail for any reason, a ballot is usually obtained only by request, which evidence shows does not lead to the same increased voter turnout as automatically receiving a ballot. Absentee voters do tend to be white and upper-middle class, but some voter-rights organizations such as Committee of Seventy have shifted priorities to getting everyone who is eligible to request a vote-from-home ballot.

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Can Vote by Mail Work in Low Income Minority Neighborhoods?

Eric Cortellessa

May 14, 2020 |

Washington Monthly |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Maryland and Ohio recently held elections almost entirely by mail and their different approaches provide insight into the impact on low-income voters, particularly those without permanent addresses. All registered voters in Maryland were sent mail-from-home ballots whereas Ohio voters had to request a ballot. Despite some reports of issues, turnout in Maryland increased 10 percentage points overall and 6 points in Baltimore City, indicating no widespread disenfranchisement in poorer counties. In Ohio, the extra step created a barrier for many voters and turnout decreased from 43.6% in 2016 to just 22.6%.

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Using a Mobile Phone Survey to Investigate South Sudan's Conflict

Carolyn Thompson

May 11, 2020 |

Global Investigative Journalism Network |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: South Sudan

To tell the stories of victims of forced displacement, property destruction, and occupation in South Sudan, a team of journalists devised a phone survey to gauge the extent of the problem. By surveying hard-to-reach people in refugee camps, one of many barriers to traditional reporting due to the government's repressive tactics, the reporters pinpointed areas where people had been forced off their land, many by government soldiers. The survey was recorded in six languages and was made statistically valid by consulting outside experts and transparently disclosing its limitations.

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Stifled Progress

Hannah O. Brown Becca Burton

May 11, 2020 |

The Marjorie |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

Less than two years after Florida voters abolished the state’s lifetime ban on voting by anyone with a felony criminal record – a law that disenfranchised more than 10% of the state's voting-age people – an estimated 50,000 affected people had registered to vote and organizers were working to register the balance of the 1.4 million newly eligible voters. Amendment 4, the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative, won widespread voter approval and initially survived an attempt by legislators to undermine it thanks to a grassroots movement organized by formerly incarcerated people.

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An Army of Equality Voters

Chris Rudisill

May 01, 2020 |

QNotes Carolinas |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) identified 57 million voters who identify as LGBTQ or allies and used digital and print ads, direct mail, and text and phone outreaches to turnout these “equality voters” in the 2018 mid-term elections. The campaign registered 30,000 new voters and trained 1,600 local volunteers who logged more than 20,000 hours for HRC-endorsed candidates. The campaign effectively increased turnout in the group from 36% in 2016 to 56% in 2018. While there are many more LGBTQ and ally voters not included, the group worked with Catalist to identify voters who are motivated by LGBTQ equality.

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How voting by mail could save the US election

Madeline Marshall

May 01, 2020 |

Vox |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Washington

As one of the most consequential presidential elections in the United States approaches in the midst of a pandemic, many Americans are worried about voter turnout, and other logistical concerns. But a simple answer exists: voting by mail. With tens of millions of people in the United States already routinely voting by mail, proponents tout the additional time for research voters can take and the potential for higher voter turnout as added benefits.

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Colorado's Vote-by-Mail System Could Save the 2020 Election. Why Aren't More States Using It?

Peter Wade

April 30, 2020 |

Rolling Stone |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Colorado achieved the second-highest voter turnout rate in 2018 in part by allowing universal mail-in voting. Three out of every four Colorado residents polled support mail-in voting, making it hugely popular as well. Many people are now looking to successful mail-in states like Colorado to pave the way for universal mail-in voting in the upcoming presidential election.

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Is Macron's Grand Débat a Democratic Dawn for France?

Renaud Thillaye

April 26, 2020 |

Carnegie Europe |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France

The Grand Débat, or Great Debate, provided channels for the public to voice their opinions regarding public policy and decision-making. It resulted in almost 2 million online suggestions, 10,000 local meetings, 16,000 complaint books, and several citizen assemblies. It was a success in terms of citizen engagement, but the process was criticized for not capturing diverse viewpoints (drawing mainly from university-educated homeowners over the age of 50) and sacrificing quality for quantity. It is unclear what reforms will come of it and some believe there were hidden political agendas behind initiating it.

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