Press Releases
Is Justice for Sale?
New York–Spending on state Supreme Court elections has more than doubled in the past decade, from $83.3 million in 1990-1999 to $206.9 million in 2000-2009, and deep-pocketed special interests play a dominant role in choosing state jurists, according to a report released today.
– 08/16/10
New York Passes Landmark Legislation to End Prison-Based Gerrymandering
New York - Last night, the New York State Legislature passed a landmark piece of legislation to end prison-based gerrymandering. This bill comes on the heels of another important policy, passed and signed into law in June, intended to educate people with felony convictions about their right to vote in New York.
– 08/04/10
States Move to Modernize Voter Registration System
The Brennan Center for Justice today releases the first in-depth survey of two key voter registration modernization reforms at the state level. The study finds that as states modernize their voter registration process, they save millions, produce more accurate and reliable rolls, and see an increase in registration rates.
– 07/13/10
New York State Board of Elections Violates Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
New York’s new electronic voting machines have the same problem that caused overvoting problems in Florida’s 2008 election, and, if not corrected, could disenfranchise 40,000 to 50,000 New York voters.
– 04/20/10
Prosecutorial Guidelines Offer DOJ Blueprint for Reform
The Brennan Center for Justice re-releases newly-relevant prosecutorial Guidelines to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system. If adopted, the Guidelines would promote equal justice and improve public safety and confidence in law enforcement.
– 04/14/10
Cash Register Justice
Florida’s practice of financing its criminal justice system with fees from the indigent creates a vicious cycle of debt for ex-offenders that threatens their successful re-entry into society, according to a new Brennan Center report released today.
– 03/23/10
House Leaders Weigh Restoring Voting Rights for Millions
Today, the House Judiciary Committee meets to consider the Democracy Restoration Act, a bill that would restore the right to vote to nearly 4 million American citizens with a criminal conviction, who are now living and working in the community.
– 03/16/10