Civil Rights & Constitution The Voting Rights Act: Ensuring Dignity and Democracy by Representative John Lewis The Voting Rights Act profoundly altered the political landscape of the United States. Only years of protest and violent retaliation secured the passage of the Act.
Civil Rights & Constitution Electoral Machinations in Ohio, 2004 by Robert Rubin In Ohio, the 2004 election was marked by irregularities, accusations of fraud, and court challenges.
Human Rights Electronic Voting: Conflicts Within the General Public and the Disabled Community Electronic voting has the potential to improve access, accuracy, and security, but the process as currently implemented is deeply flawed.
Civil Rights & Constitution Lawful Disenfranchisement: America's Structural Democracy Deficit by Jamin Raskin More than 9 million American citizens face structural disenfranchisement, among them people who live in the District of Columbia and U.S. territories
Civil Rights & Constitution Getting the Vote for Prisoners in Washington, D.C.: A Journey from Civil Rights to Human Rights by Charles Sullivan In Washington, D.C., as in every state except for Maine and Vermont, prisoners serving felony convictions do not have the right to vote. An advocacy group is working to create universal suffrage in the District of Columbia.
Civil Rights & Constitution The Electoral College Flunks the Test in an Age of Democracy by John B. Anderson The Electoral College system is outmoded and divisive. The American voting system deserves constitutional reform and direct democracy.
Civil Rights & Constitution The Count Every Vote Act of 2005 by Senator Barbara Boxer The reality of the American voting system is dangerously at odds with the ideals of democracy. The Count Every Vote Act of 2005 seeks to remove obstacles that keep voters from casting their ballots.
Civil Rights & Constitution What Iraq's Elections Teach Us About Democracy Building by Richard W. Soudriette The Iraqi elections reinforce important lessons about the democratic process in transitional nations. The local role, particularly in funding and organization, is crucial. International support also plays a vital part.
Civil Rights & Constitution X Marks the Choice: Voting Methods Around the World by Charles Lasham Voting methods vary widely in different countries. Whatever the method, two factors must be present for success: the knowledge that votes will remain secret and that they will be counted in a free and fair system.
Civil Rights & Constitution Human Rights Hero: Fannie Lou Hamer by Nicholas Targ Fannie Lou Hamer displayed tenacity and courage in the effort to fully extend franchise to African Americans in the South. Other voting rights activists are profiled throughout this issue of Human Rights.
