Publications
Democracy
Democracy & Justice: Collected Writings, Vol. IV
This volume is a sample of the Brennan Center’s work on all fronts in the fight for democracy and justice in 2010.
Authored by: The Brennan Center for Justice
– 02/28/11
The Cost of Voter ID Laws: What the Courts Say
Based on a comprehensive review of every court case in which a photo ID law has been challenged, this paper examines of the costs states must incur if they decide to implement photo ID requirements for voters.
Authored by: Vishal Agraharkar, Wendy Weiser, and Adam Skaggs
– 02/17/11
Meaningful Ethics Reform for the “New” Albany
The corruption scandals of the last few years have profoundly shaken the faith of New Yorkers in their state government. This report examines the system erected by New York's current ethics laws and makes clear recommendations for a way forward.
Authored by: Lawrence Norden, Kelly Williams, & John Travis
– 02/11/11
Writing Reform: A Guide to Drafting State & Local Campaign Finance Laws (2010 Revised Edition)
Written by Brennan Center attorneys who have litigated campaign finance cases in federal and state courts throughout the nation, Writing Reform offers both practical tips and legal analysis for drafters of campaign finance reform bills or initiatives—those who want to stay within current constitutional constraints and those who want to test those limits.
Authored by: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
– 12/09/10
Filibuster Abuse
Over the last decade, Senate procedures have increasingly been used to prevent decision-making rather than to promote deliberation and debate. The threat of a filibuster – coupled with a 60-vote requirement to force any substantive vote – has affected nearly every action in the Senate during the last several years, under both Republican and Democratic majorities. As a result, the Senate has effectively ceased operating as the majoritarian institution our founders intended for it to be.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani, with a Foreword by Susan Liss
– 12/07/10
A Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting, 2010 Edition
Just in time for the upcoming redistricting cycle, our Citizen's Guide to Redistricting has been updated and expanded to include recent court decisions as well as the latest changes to state and congressional redistricting processes across the country. This Guide will provide engaged citizens with the knowledge and tools they need to get involved with this round of redistricting, and to work towards continuing reform in the decades to come.
Authored by: Justin Levitt, with a Foreword by Erika Wood
– 11/29/10
Executive Orders
Today in Albany, the group Reinvent Albany, New York Public Interest Research Group, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, and Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at SUNY New Paltz released their report Executive Orders: Actions the Governor can take to make New York government more open, accountable and democratic.
The report includes eleven model executive orders that Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo can use to open up New York State government, increase the accountability of state agencies and reduce barriers to voting. An executive order is a governor’s declaration which has the force of law, and does not require legislation to take effect. The orders are centered on the basic goal of empowering the citizenry with more and better information about what its government is doing, and how it is spending tax payer dollars.
Authored by: Gerald Benjamin, Blair Horner, John Kaehny, and Lawrence Norden
– 11/23/10
Ballot Security and Voter Suppression
This paper addresses various ways that ballot security initiatives can result in discriminatory, unfair, and intimidating practices surrounding voting and voter registration.
Authored by: Wendy Weiser and Vishal Agraharkar
– 10/22/10
Online Voter Guides
The Brennan center released two updated voter guides for students and citizens who have moved. The guides are available online along with general information for voters.
Authored by: Brennan Center Voting Rights and Elections Team
– 09/21/10
Small Donor Matching Funds: The NYC Election Experience
This report examines the New York City system and shows that a system based on small donations with a multiple match can change the dynamics of money in our politics. Specifically, the small donor multiple match system—which is a feature of both Fair Elections and the New York City system—has the potential to transform our politics by incentivizing and supercharging grassroots fundraising.
Authored by: Angela Migally, Susan Liss, Frederick A.O. Schwarz
– 09/17/10