virginia
June 24, 2016 -
This week marks the three-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. As a consequence, most states across the South will have restrictive new voting laws in place for the first time in a presidential contest. Could they tip the outcome?
May 26, 2016 -
A new national survey finds Asian Americans, who are among the South's fastest-growing voter demographics, are turned off by anti-immigrant rhetoric and increasingly identifying as Democrats.
May 13, 2016 -
Announcing the U.S. Justice Department would sue North Carolina over its anti-transgender "bathroom bill," Attorney General Loretta Lynch noted there's historically been backlash to equality gains. What's been happening in Southern legislatures since the Supreme Court struck down marriage discrimination last year bears that out.
May 6, 2016 -
Last month Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued an executive order restoring voting rights to 200,000 ex-felons. Republican lawmakers now want to challenge the order in court.
April 27, 2016 -
While offshore drilling in the Atlantic is canceled for now, plans are still underway to conduct seismic blasting for oil and gas reserves. As scientists, environmentalists, local communities and some elected leaders press to block the tests, the industry has been contributing unprecedented amounts of money to influence key federal lawmakers.
April 22, 2016 -
A new analysis of state voting laws by the Brennan Center for Justice found that bills to expand access to the ballot box have outpaced those restricting voting for the fourth year in a row.
April 21, 2016 -
This week the Supreme Court heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging President Obama's deportation relief programs for undocumented immigrants. Most Southern states are plaintiffs in the case — even though the programs would benefit many immigrants in the region.