Press Releases
Racial Justice
New York’s Felon Voting Bar has Deep Roots in Jim Crow
A new study of New York’s constitutional history traces the state’s current felony disenfranchisement law to a century-long effort to keep African-American citizens out of the voting booth.
– 02/12/10
Governor Kaine chooses not to restore the right to vote in Virginia
VA Governor Tim Kaine announced today that he will not use his executive powers before leaving office to restore voting rights to 300,000 Virginians who do not have the right to vote because they were once convicted of a crime. Governor Kaine’s decision leaves these citizens without the right to vote even though they have returned to the community and completed all terms of their sentence.
– 01/15/10
Large Number of People Who Face Foreclosures Don’t Have a Lawyer
New York - A new in-depth study by the Brennan Center for Justice released Oct. 6, 2009, shows that disturbing numbers of families face foreclosure proceedings without the aid of legal counsel.
– 10/06/09
Feingold, Conyers Continue Effort to Restore Voting Rights for Millions of Americans
Senator Feingold and Representative Conyers issue a press release about the Democracy Restoration Act.
– 07/27/09
Democracy Restoration Act Could Restore the Right to Vote for Millions of Americans
On July 24th, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced the Democracy Restoration Act of 2009, a bill that seeks to restore voting rights in federal elections to nearly 4 million formerly incarcerated American citizens who are out of prison, living in the community.
– 07/27/09
People Forced to Appear in Court Without Interpreters, Violating Federal Law
A new study of 35 states exposes the failure of many state courts to provide interpreters to people with limited proficiency in English (LEP) - often in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of the United States . . .
– 07/04/09
Washington Governor Signs Voting Rights Restoration Act
Right to vote will no longer hinge on economic status.
– 05/04/09
Justice Integrity Act of 2009 Introduced
The legislation is intended to restore public confidence in the fair and equitable application of justice.
– 02/26/09
NAMUDNO v. Mukasey: Victory for Voting Rights Act
A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia upheld a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that prevents states and local governments from enacting voting practices that discriminate based on race.
– 05/30/08