Political Report

The new citizenship question and the longstanding practice of prison gerrymandering weaponize the census to change the racial geography of power.

Nebraska won’t abolish death penalty, Texas lieutenant governor says he will sink marijuana bill, and more.

The Appeal: Political Report talks to Matthew Dunlap, the secretary of state of Maine, about how prison voting works there.

Colorado and Nevada are moving toward reform, while other legislatures have proved less receptive so far to proposals to expand voter eligibility.

In a Q&A, Bernie Sanders explains why he wants to abolish felony disenfranchisement. “The right to vote is inalienable to my mind whether you’re in jail or any place else,” he said.

Montana close to protecting driver’s licenses; Oklahoma package moves forward; and more

This is the seventh installment of the Daily Appeal series “The Contenders 2020: Criminal Justice in the Race for President.”

Illinois law uses a cutoff age of 21. Advocates ask, why should people be cut off from the logic of having a separate youth justice system because they are a day over 18?

A candidate for prosecutor in Fairfax County, Virginia, explains his views on criminal justice reform, from charging practices and drugs to the death penalty.

Criminal justice reform, discovery rules, immigration: What’s at stake in New York’s 2019 elections for DA?

New York holds 25 elections for district attorney and 16 elections for sheriff in 2019. This page has a masterlist of the candidates who filed party petitions.

New Hampshire legislature adopts death penalty abolition, Colorado House votes to expand voting rights, and more.

Criminal justice reform in the states: Virginia will reinstate driver’s licenses, Iowa kills voting rights bill, South Dakota blocks effort to restrict probation

Sheriff Patrick Russo faces no challengers. But the state legislature could act to restrict local cooperation with the federal agency.

Eleven New Jersey counties vote for their sheriff this year. These elections could shape immigration policy, law enforcement, and jail conditions.

This article is part of the series The Contenders 2020: Criminal Justice in the Race for President. It was published in the Daily Appeal newsletter. “On questions of immigration policy, Democrats know what they’re against,” writes Eric Levitz for Intelligencer. “The party has said, in no uncertain terms, that building medieval walls … and separating migrant children […]

While Durham pursues an initiative to reinstate licenses, a Duke University decision sets back the mobility of local residents.

The New York legislature overhauled discovery and bail, adopting a budget deal that contains reforms that state organizers have long worked toward.

Turahn Jenkins explains the policies he would implement if he were elected district attorney in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh Allegheny County’s longtime District Attorney Stephen Zappala will face Turahn Jenkins, the county’s former chief public defender, in the May 21 Democratic primary. This is Zappala’s first contested election since 1999. Jenkins, who was […]

Michael Brown’s mother lost her bid for City Council, but is one of many bringing personal experience with the criminal system to politics.

With the legislative path sidelined once more, could the state emulate Florida in narrowing felony disenfranchisement?

Pennsylania has country’s second-highest rate of people under correctional control, and the 2019 DA elections provide opportunities for reform advocates.

Three months into her tenure, the Suffolk County DA issued a hefty memo that reforms her office’s practices on bail, charging, drug policy, and more.

Two states move to protect immigrants, marijuana meets varying fates, Oklahoma tackles sentencing reform

Oregon is considering legislation banning the use of attack dogs on incarcerated individuals.

Pennsylvania holds 49 elections for district attorney in 2019. On this page, you can find a masterlist of the candidates who filed by the March deadline.

None of Trump’s confirmed or pending judicial nominees has worked as a full-time public defenders.

Jail deaths happen with alarming regularity. The Badge probes the responsibility of sheriffs.

Both offices stop short of policies implemented elsewhere to not charge marijuana possession

Utah legislation would automate expungement process, Delaware bill would effectively create one.

With the election looking on March 19, the Political Report reviews some of the stakes on policing practices, immigration, and transparency.

California imposes a moratorium and the New Hampshire House votes to abolish it. But in Iowa, lawmakers mull reinstating it.

State advocates warn that implementation and office culture will pose challenges

Weekly legislative roundup: Arkansas narrows asset forfeiture, Iowa sidelines Marsy’s Law, and more

Arkansas lawmaker wants to make it a felony to identify makers of its execution drugs.

Criminal justice reform in the states: North Dakota legislature adopts two bills, Texas holds hearing on decriminalizing marijuana, and more.

“People don’t lose their citizenship just because they’re sentenced to prison,” said one advocate.

The head of a reform group jumps in Jackson’s election. But a DA about to face the Supreme Court is unopposed.

Shani Curry Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for district attorney in New York’s Monroe County, discussed proposed state reforms.

Mississippi holds 22 elections for district attorney in 2019. Here you can find a masterlist of the candidates who have filed to run in each district.