US Attorney General levels broadside on voting by mail
U.S. Attorney General William Barr delivered a broadside attack on mail-in voting Thursday, attacking the process used by many Americans as prone to undue influence and coercion.
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Charges, sanctions revive specter of Russian interference
The Trump administration has charged a Russian national in a sweeping plot to sow distrust in the American political process and imposed sanctions against a Russia-linked Ukrainian lawmaker accused of interfering in the U.S. presidential election.
Over Indiana’s opposition, pace accelerated for no-excuse absentee balloting case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a motion to expedite the appeal of the challenge to the state’s restrictions on absentee balloting, rejecting Indiana’s request to pump the brakes.
House to subpoena postmaster general over mail delays
The House Oversight Committee intends to subpoena Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for documents about disruptions in mail delivery operations that are now central to questions over the ability to handle an onslaught of mail-in ballots expected for the November election.
Indiana ordered to reply by Monday to vote-by-mail appeal
The state of Indiana has been ordered to respond by Monday to an appeal in a federal lawsuit seeking no-excuse absentee voting in the Nov. 3 general election, signaling the appellate court in Chicago may fast-track the challenge over mail-in voting just over two months ahead of the election.
Court ruling against Indiana no-excuse absentee voting appealed
A federal appeals court is being asked to take an expedited appeal of a ruling against no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana’s Nov. 3 general election, or to enter an immediate injunction that would permit all Hoosiers to vote by mail due to the pandemic.
Federal rulings block Indiana voter roll purge, absentee ballot signature match law
Finding Indiana’s process for matching signatures on absentee ballots is unconstitutional, a federal judge has permanently enjoined the Secretary of State and other election officials from rejecting any mail-in ballot on the basis of a signature mismatch without providing adequate notice to the voter.
Exercising their right: Women voting in greater numbers than men, but impact at ballot box is limited
As Indiana prepares to celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, women are still going to the polls, often in higher numbers than men, and still have diverse political views. In addition, they are galvanized to vote by issues that range from the environment to immigration, health care and pay equity. Yet in 100 years of voting, how much impact have Hoosier women had?
Slew of events to mark passage of 19th Amendment
Hoosiers will be able to learn about the suffrage movement in Indiana through an array of events planned to celebrate and commemorate the 100-year anniversary of women’s right to vote.
Plaintiffs seek 10-day deadline for November mail-in ballots
As part of another lawsuit challenging Indiana’s election laws, Common Cause Indiana and the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP are seeking a preliminary injunction to suspend the noon Election Day deadline for county officials to receive completed mail-in ballots.
Hoosiers with disabilities seek greater access to absentee voting
Indiana Disability Rights and the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council have joined the fight to push Indiana to expand mail-in voting for the November 2020 general election, saying requiring in-person voting during the COVID-19 pandemic would put the health of disabled Hoosiers at greater risk.
High court permits expansion of mail-in voting for 1 state
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday left in place an agreement that allows Rhode Island residents to vote by mail through November’s general election without getting signatures from two witnesses or a notary. The order was immediately cited in a lawsuit seeking to expand mail-in voting in Indiana.
AG Hill presses Holcomb to call special session focused on COVID-19
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is urging Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to focus on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill joins legislative Democrats who have also called for a special session to address the pandemic and potentially other issues.
13th annual Southern District Court history symposium goes virtual
The fall schedule for the 13th annual Court History and Continuing Legal Education Symposium has been released, the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana announced Friday.
Suit: Election Day deadline to receive mailed ballots disenfranchises voters
Indiana law that says mail-in ballots must be received by noon on Election Day will disenfranchise voters and should be blocked, a federal lawsuit filed Thursday says.
Indiana Democrats call for special legislative session
Legislative Democrats want Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to bring the General Assembly back in a special session as concerns over racial injustice and rising coronavirus cases have created what they say is an immediate need for legislators to reconvene.
Given a chance, Trump would push court pick before election
President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have tried to make it clear: Given the chance, they would push through a Supreme Court nominee should a vacancy occur before Election Day.
Rokita earns Republican AG nomination, ousting incumbent Hill
Former Indiana congressman Todd Rokita has won the state Republican Party’s nomination for attorney general, defeating embattled incumbent AG Curtis Hill. Rokita will face Democratic nominee Jonathan Weinzapfel, the former mayor of Evansville, in the November general election.
Voting hours lawsuit highlights change in tactics for Common Cause
In its latest lawsuit seeking to overturn an amended state law that limits the extension of voting hours on Election Day, Common Cause Indiana said it is again having to go to court to fight voter suppression efforts that have increased since Republican supermajorities took control of both chambers of the Statehouse.
Indiana GOP AG candidates speak out before ballots come in
Indiana’s Republican delegates are casting ballots as the time nears to select who will run for state attorney general in November.