States United Democracy Center

The NC State Board of Elections is the first state election office to adopt U.S. Election Assistance Commission federal electronic poll book requirements as part of their program. The EAC Commissioners issued a joint statement on this milestone: https://lnkd.in/gJgxQysK

The courts have repeatedly held that the Trump administration does not have the power to freeze federal funding. Levels of support for President Trump withholding money without congressional approval to do so are low. According to a new a survey from States United & YouGov, a large majority of Americans don’t support these actions.? ? Ultimately, it’s up to the states to determine what policies work for their residents, and up to Congress to determine the appropriate federal funding.?? https://lnkd.in/dpb-iMcs?

In recent weeks, federal judges from across the country have pushed back on the Trump administration—in especially strong terms. So far, more than 30 judges have stepped in. They’ve said that the administration “ignore[d] both logic and fact,” called its actions “blatantly illegal,” and that it “precipitated a nationwide crisis.”, among other descriptions. Americans support the president’s power being checked this way. A States United poll found that most people believe that when judges rule that the administration’s actions are illegal, Trump should follow their orders—no matter how much he disagrees. After a judge ruled against the administration this week, Trump called for his impeachment. In response, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement, saying that “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.” The judicial branch is equal with the executive branch in this country. Judges aren’t picking a fight with Trump by ruling against him. They’re just doing their jobs. Also in this week’s newsletter: Early voting is underway in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania Sec. Al Schmidt warns about the dangers of cuts to funding for election officials, and more.

Our government is meant to deliver for the people, including our kids, who deserve the best education. By trying to dismantle the Dept. of Education, the federal government is abandoning its promises and leaving state leaders without the resources they rely on to support our schools.

Checks and balances exist for a reason: to prevent any one branch from exercising too much power. Congress has already chosen to support American students through programs overseen by the Department of Education. The President does not have the authority to eliminate them.?? https://lnkd.in/eRJsEcvW

A new survey conducted by States United and YouGov reveals strong, bipartisan support for the core principles of our constitutional system. Findings show the importance of checks and balances in preserving our democracy. Here's what we learned: ?? 9 in 10 Americans agree that the law should be applied equally to all people, businesses, and governments in the United States. ?? Most Americans approve of our system of separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. ?? Nearly three quarters of Americans think that policy should change by Congress passing a bill that becomes a law, not through the President’s use of executive orders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d5zZ3sij

The ABA stands firmly with Chief Justice John Roberts’ statement rejecting calls by government officials to impeach federal judges who issue rulings with which they disagree.

Another exciting update... ?? Three of The DataFace's projects were recently longlisted for Data Visualization Society's Information is Beautiful Awards. ?? The Roots of Racism (w/ The Asian American Foundation) ?? https://lnkd.in/gtNE3pVS Denver Learning Ecosystem (w/ RESCHOOL, Moonshot, Embark Education) ?? https://lnkd.in/gD5azdGW Replacing the Refs (w/ States United Democracy Center) ?? https://lnkd.in/g3-ThaXM Check out the rest of the long list here. ?? https://lnkd.in/gNYFsjtT

Great resource from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission offering one-page profiles, at a glance, of each state's voting laws and elections administration structure:

Despite increasing challenges to their safety and security, women state and local officials are standing strong in their commitment to defending the rule of law and ensuring that our voices are heard. We're proud to honor them this #WomensHistoryMonth for their ongoing efforts to protect the people who make our democracy happen.