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We cover the nuts and bolts of power and political change, from the local up. Boltsmag.org Visit us: Boltsmag.org
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order to open jury service to roughly 350,000 people who were banned for life. “It’s monumental,” says Dameon Stackhouse, a formerly incarcerated advocate who spent years pushing for this change.
Bolts
In a Final Act, New Jersey Governor Opens Jury Service to Thousands with Convictions - Bolts
On Sunday, coming up on his last full week in office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stood at the lectern of the New Hope Baptist Church in East O...
Voting rights advocates in Ohio worry that voters won’t realize the state has now banned grace periods for ballots sent through the mail. Lawmakers have not appropriated any money for educating the public on this change.
Bolts
Ohio Bans Grace Periods for Mail Ballots, Fulfilling Trump’s Wishes - Bolts
Ohio is the fourth GOP-run state this year to ban ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive after. A Supreme Court case could force th...
Sheriffs nationwide have enormous control over jail voting access, with many restricting mail and voter guides, making it nearly impossible for incarcerated people to vote. A law in Colorado removed that discretion—and turnout has soared.
Bolts
Jail Voting Soars in Colorado After State Mandates Polling Places in County Lockups - Bolts
Local officials had claimed they were already giving detained people ballot access, but Colorado's first-in-the-nation mandate forced their ha...
Having secured control of the legislature, Virginia Democrats will likely soon advance constitutional amendments to enshrine abortion rights and restore voting rights to people once they’re released from prison.
Bolts
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
Editor’s note: The article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the results of three special elections held in late December, none of which resu...
Six states have adopted new maps so far this year: California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Several face legal challenges, but Missouri’s is in the most immediate limbo. Read more in our new explainer on gerrymandering:
Bolts
The Escalating Race to Redistrict: Your Questions Answered - Bolts
How are the new maps changing the midterms? Why are courts not doing more? Would proportional representation help? We’ve got answers about mid-de...
Trump hoped for big gains when he pressured GOP-led states to redraw their maps this year. But many developments have brought this battle closer to a draw. Just how much of a draw? Learn more in our latest “Ask Bolts”:
Bolts
The Escalating Race to Redistrict: Your Questions Answered - Bolts
How are the new maps changing the midterms? Why are courts not doing more? Would proportional representation help? We’ve got answers about mid-de...
Advocates in California will continue to push for relief for people convicted of harming their abusers. “Survivors are resilient, and there’s so many left behind, and so many that this bill would have helped.”
Bolts
For Third Year, California Kills Bill to Help Incarcerated Domestic Violence Survivors - Bolts
Advocates in California have pushed for relief for people convicted of harming their abuser, hoping to build on states across the political spectru...
Eileen Higgins has won the Miami mayoral election tonight. The Democrat has prevailed by a large margin over Emilio González, who had the support of President Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, and she will replace a retiring Republican.
Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.
Eileen Higgins shatters glass ceiling with runoff victory in Miami Mayor’s race
The runoff drew national attention.
This fall, Hawaii's supreme court rejected an argument that recording interrogations is burdensome for police: “If children can record everyday events with ease, law enforcement cannot claim hardship to record perhaps its most consequential investigative act.”
Bolts
Hawaii Supreme Court Expands Rights of Defendants, and Once Again Rebukes SCOTUS - Bolts
The justices ruled that Hawaii’s constitution requires police to record interrogations. And they vowed to protect due process for Hawaii resident...