She Lost Her Right to Vote Over A Felony. Now This Lawmaker Has Helped Enfranchise Thousands.
Tarra Simmons lays out why she championed a new law that restores voting rights to people on probation and parole once she joined Washington’s state legislature.
Daniel Nichanian Apr 08, 2021
Landmark Rulings Show ‘Untapped Potential’ of State Courts To Advance Civil Rights
An emboldened progressive majority on Washington State’s highest court struck down a law that criminalized drug possession and expanded restrictions on life without parole.
Daniel Nichanian Mar 17, 2021
Washington Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Automatically Cleared Criminal Records
Advocates stress that automating the expungement process will help protect people with past charges or convictions from the economic devastation of COVID-19.
Rachel M. Cohen May 19, 2020
A New Supreme Court Justice Could Swing Criminal Justice Decisions in Washington
What newly-appointed G. Helen Whitener does next will shape whether Washington State moves in a more progressive direction.
Kyle C. Barry Apr 23, 2020
Washington State Restricts Youth Detention, Amends Three Strikes, and Ends Prison Gerrymandering
Elsewhere in legislatures: Montana will stop suspending driver’s licenses over fines and fees, North Dakota reduces marijuana penalties
Daniel Nichanian May 23, 2019
How We Count People Skews Political Power
The new citizenship question and the longstanding practice of prison gerrymandering weaponize the census to change the racial geography of power.
Vaidya Gullapalli, Daniel Nichanian May 06, 2019
What Does it Mean to Take Politics Out of Prosecution?
An incoming prosecutor says the job ought to be nonpolitical, but her campaign also illustrated the limitations of this common trope.
Daniel Nichanian Dec 13, 2018
2018 Election Preview: Initiative 940, Washington State
Ballot measure would change law that currently makes it nearly impossible to hold police officers accountable for excessive force.
Sarah Lustbader Nov 06, 2018
Death Penalty Struck Down by Washington State Supreme Court
Case seemed to many like a second chance at McCleskey v. Kemp, a U.S. Supreme Court case that severely restricted the ability for minority plaintiffs to succeed on equal protection claims.
Sarah Lustbader Oct 12, 2018
Legislative Candidate Attacked over Support for Second Chances in Washington State
Legislative candidate attacked over support for second chances
Daniel Nichanian Jul 23, 2018