The pandemic appears to have increased the level of violence in U.S. cities, and a new study found local officials and mayors, especially those of color, face the brunt of it. Heidi Gerbracht, co-founder of the Women Mayors Network and founder of Equity Agenda, said death threats, vandalized homes and outrage at public meetings have all been reported by local government officials. .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging Nebraska s requirements for voter-led initiatives and referendums to qualify for a statewide ballot. Currently, campaigns must collect signatures from at least 5% of voters in 38 of the state s 93 counties to qualify. Daniel Gutman - a contract attorney for the ACLU of Nebraska - is leading the litigation. .
Good-government groups are criticizing the Supreme Court s decision Monday eliminating rules on how much a candidate can spend to pay back loans he or she made to the campaign. The justices sided with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who sued over rules, which said a candidate can only raise $250,000 after an election to pay back a personal loan. .
Every election, dozens of races across the state at nearly every level of government lack competition. Whether there is a one-party dominated Congressional district or an entrenched incumbent in a state general assembly seat scaring off challengers, many voters heading to the polls will find at least one race where their vote is symbolic only.