Explainers

The landmark 1965 law is one of the most successful civil rights measures in history, but the Supreme Court has eviscerated it.

The 2010 Supreme Court decision further tilted political influence toward wealthy donors and corporations.

The law, which lets the president deploy the military domestically and use it for civilian law enforcement, is dangerously vague and in urgent need of reform.

The practice has been a thorn in the side of democracy for centuries, and with the new round of redistricting it’s a bigger threat than ever.

Despite spikes in some cities, crime data doesn’t show a nationwide increase in shoplifting and other forms of retail theft.

States offer multiple paths for amending their constitutions, which are much easier to change than the federal Constitution.

The procedure, whose use has increased dramatically in recent decades, has troubling implications for democracy.

Reproductive rights in the United States, explained.

Understanding how the classification system works is critical to understanding Trump’s culpability — legal and otherwise.

There are significant loopholes in the rules that apply to the high court.

The recent rise in crime is extraordinarily complex. Policymakers and the public should not jump to conclusions or expect easy answers.

Efforts to secure full political representation for the District of Columbia have gained momentum, but obstacles remain.

The process is designed to withstand election denialism.

The law surrounding the concept is complicated and unsettled. Congress should pass legislation that better defines its scope.

Thirty-eight states have finally ratified the ERA, but whether its protections for women’s rights are actually added to the Constitution remains an open question.

A national popular vote would help ensure that every vote counts equally, making American democracy more representative.

Here’s how a conflict in Europe would implicate U.S. defense obligations.

The conservative justices are increasingly using a secretive process to issue consequential decisions.

For decades, the law blocked racially discriminatory election rules and voting districts — and it could do so again, if Congress acts.

The Electoral College is one of the most undemocratic features of U.S. elections.

These special postelection meetings have been far more momentous (and controversial) than their name suggests.

There are five inhabited U.S. territories, each with its own court system and governing documents.

The Washington, DC, court system shares many similarities with state courts, but with a few important caveats.

Excessive incarceration and immigration detention has resulted in a perverse system where people in custody are shuttled among facilities around the country for money.

The U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t offer guidance on legal issues beyond actual cases before it, but many state supreme courts do.