Republicans are trying to dismantle their own mail-in voting systems.State Republican lawmakers have introduced a historic number of bills this year to restrict voting rights, zeroing in on restricting mail-in voting. have been introduced or carried over in 43 states, of which 125 are focused on absentee or mail-in voting.The effort to implement voter restrictions on one level seems odd. Republicans made gains in the House of Representatives, and outperformed polls in competitive Senate races, suggesting they aren’t having trouble winning elections under the current laws.On the other hand,...…Republicans are trying to dismantle their own mail-in voting systems.State Republican lawmakers have introduced a historic number of bills this year to restrict voting rights, zeroing in on restricting mail-in voting. have been introduced or carried over in 43 states, of which 125 are focused on absentee or mail-in voting.The effort to implement voter restrictions on one level seems odd. Republicans made gains in the House of Representatives, and outperformed polls in competitive Senate races, suggesting they aren’t having trouble winning elections under the current laws.On the other hand,...WW…

Branden Camp/AP Photo Voters line up to cast their ballots on Election Day, November 3, 2020, in Emerson, Georgia. For most of 2020’s primary elections and general election, voters had to closely track changes in polling places and voting options, as state and local election officials responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ended up having a positive impact. Many Americans used vote-by-mail and early in-person alternatives for the first time, to stay safe and cast their ballots in what was . The more convenient voting options also led to historic turnout, the .But some Republican...…Branden Camp/AP Photo Voters line up to cast their ballots on Election Day, November 3, 2020, in Emerson, Georgia. For most of 2020’s primary elections and general election, voters had to closely track changes in polling places and voting options, as state and local election officials responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ended up having a positive impact. Many Americans used vote-by-mail and early in-person alternatives for the first time, to stay safe and cast their ballots in what was . The more convenient voting options also led to historic turnout, the .But some Republican...WW…

Tom Williams/AP Photo Rep. Michael McCaul last month at the Capitol Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the fourth-richest member of Congress with a fortune of roughly $113 million, earns part of his wealth through alleged predatory landlord practices, according to county court records obtained by the Prospect. McCaul’s commercial real estate companies have pursued at least two dozen lawsuits over breaches of lease agreements.Most of the businesses were owned by people of color. Tenants complained about leases being granted under false pretenses, poor conditions in the properties, or hardship...…Tom Williams/AP Photo Rep. Michael McCaul last month at the Capitol Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the fourth-richest member of Congress with a fortune of roughly $113 million, earns part of his wealth through alleged predatory landlord practices, according to county court records obtained by the Prospect. McCaul’s commercial real estate companies have pursued at least two dozen lawsuits over breaches of lease agreements.Most of the businesses were owned by people of color. Tenants complained about leases being granted under false pretenses, poor conditions in the properties, or hardship...WW…

Frank Franklin II/AP Photo In March 2019, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other Democratic elites pushed to ban fusion voting, but came up short. New York state will certainly go blue for Joe Biden in the November election. But this year, how the state’s voters select their choice for president will also determine the future of a progressive powerhouse: the Working Families Party of New York.Through a process called “fusion voting,” one candidate can be listed on more than one party ballot line. So New Yorkers will have the option to vote for Joe Biden as the presidential nominee of either...…Frank Franklin II/AP Photo In March 2019, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other Democratic elites pushed to ban fusion voting, but came up short. New York state will certainly go blue for Joe Biden in the November election. But this year, how the state’s voters select their choice for president will also determine the future of a progressive powerhouse: the Working Families Party of New York.Through a process called “fusion voting,” one candidate can be listed on more than one party ballot line. So New Yorkers will have the option to vote for Joe Biden as the presidential nominee of either...WW…

John Minchillo/AP Photo A polling station at Yonkers Middle/High School, on primary day in New York, June 23, 2020 As New York worked to expand its voting options for its June primary, the absentee ballot option did not work for many voters with disabilities. Flaws in the absentee ballot procedure made it difficult to vote independently and privately, to the point that some had to vote in person yesterday in order to cast their votes.Eva Burgess described the process as disappointing. Like many New York voters, Burgess, who is blind, normally goes to the polls to vote, but because of the...…John Minchillo/AP Photo A polling station at Yonkers Middle/High School, on primary day in New York, June 23, 2020 As New York worked to expand its voting options for its June primary, the absentee ballot option did not work for many voters with disabilities. Flaws in the absentee ballot procedure made it difficult to vote independently and privately, to the point that some had to vote in person yesterday in order to cast their votes.Eva Burgess described the process as disappointing. Like many New York voters, Burgess, who is blind, normally goes to the polls to vote, but because of the...WW…

Paul Sancya/AP Photo A voter fills out an absentee ballot at City Hall in Garden City, Michigan, May 5, 2020, as about 50 Michigan communities participate in largely mail-based local elections. While teams of doctors, nurses, and essential workers battle the coronavirus in hospitals, another team of protectors is fighting for the safety of American democracy in the courts. The COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of concern to the smooth functioning of our elections, sending advocacy groups like the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Legal Defense Fund into action on the...…Paul Sancya/AP Photo A voter fills out an absentee ballot at City Hall in Garden City, Michigan, May 5, 2020, as about 50 Michigan communities participate in largely mail-based local elections. While teams of doctors, nurses, and essential workers battle the coronavirus in hospitals, another team of protectors is fighting for the safety of American democracy in the courts. The COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of concern to the smooth functioning of our elections, sending advocacy groups like the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Legal Defense Fund into action on the...WW…