Pascal Sabino
@pascalsabino.bsky.social
Chicago ➡️ LA
Writer for Bolts Magazine.
Policing & Criminal Justice. Data. Organized Labor. Climate change.
Writer for Bolts Magazine.
Policing & Criminal Justice. Data. Organized Labor. Climate change.
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
This is exactly why this piece is so important. The national conversation has largely flattened the effects of the VRA -- and it's potential demise -- to which party controls Congress. There's so much more to the VRA than that, and so much more on the line
I, for one, have only really thought about the VRA through the prism of federal elections, not local elections.
But this well-reported piece reminds us that ending the VRA will have an impact on ALL levels of representative government.
Via @pascalsabino.bsky.social.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
But this well-reported piece reminds us that ending the VRA will have an impact on ALL levels of representative government.
Via @pascalsabino.bsky.social.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
This is exactly why this piece is so important. The national conversation has largely flattened the effects of the VRA -- and it's potential demise -- to which party controls Congress. There's so much more to the VRA than that, and so much more on the line
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
Congressional redistricting is monumentally important. But for Black people in places like Fayette County, TN, it is the County Commn where the stakes are highest.
What SCOTUS does in Louisiana v Calláis may threaten Black representation across the rural South.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
What SCOTUS does in Louisiana v Calláis may threaten Black representation across the rural South.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Congressional redistricting is monumentally important. But for Black people in places like Fayette County, TN, it is the County Commn where the stakes are highest.
What SCOTUS does in Louisiana v Calláis may threaten Black representation across the rural South.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
What SCOTUS does in Louisiana v Calláis may threaten Black representation across the rural South.
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
1️⃣ You've heard a lot about the troubles the VRA is in as it's attacked by the right.
This summer, @pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on what that means, concretely, for just Native communities in North Dakota who've gained representation thanks to the VRA. boltsmag.org/voting-right...
This summer, @pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on what that means, concretely, for just Native communities in North Dakota who've gained representation thanks to the VRA. boltsmag.org/voting-right...
“A Law Without a Way to Enforce It” - Bolts
In North Dakota as elsewhere, Native voters face a triple threat: judges targeting the VRA, Trump officials hostile to discrimination laws, and a funding crunch depleting their work.
boltsmag.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
1️⃣ You've heard a lot about the troubles the VRA is in as it's attacked by the right.
This summer, @pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on what that means, concretely, for just Native communities in North Dakota who've gained representation thanks to the VRA. boltsmag.org/voting-right...
This summer, @pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on what that means, concretely, for just Native communities in North Dakota who've gained representation thanks to the VRA. boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
Fayette County, Tennessee, is more than 1/4 Black, but all 19 of its county commissioners are white. Important @pascalsabino.bsky.social piece here about representation and fair maps: boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Fayette County, Tennessee, is more than 1/4 Black, but all 19 of its county commissioners are white. Important @pascalsabino.bsky.social piece here about representation and fair maps: boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
a beautifully-done but distressing article here
it tells you about the future SCOTUS might plunge us under in just a mere few months, if not less — be sure to read it
it tells you about the future SCOTUS might plunge us under in just a mere few months, if not less — be sure to read it
If SCOTUS conservatives gut VRA protections from election discrimination, it won't just threaten POC seats in Congress. It is more often used to protect local elections — like in Fayette, TN, where officials used racist voting maps to ensure an all-white county board:
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:59 PM
a beautifully-done but distressing article here
it tells you about the future SCOTUS might plunge us under in just a mere few months, if not less — be sure to read it
it tells you about the future SCOTUS might plunge us under in just a mere few months, if not less — be sure to read it
If SCOTUS conservatives gut VRA protections from election discrimination, it won't just threaten POC seats in Congress. It is more often used to protect local elections — like in Fayette, TN, where officials used racist voting maps to ensure an all-white county board:
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
If SCOTUS conservatives gut VRA protections from election discrimination, it won't just threaten POC seats in Congress. It is more often used to protect local elections — like in Fayette, TN, where officials used racist voting maps to ensure an all-white county board:
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
boltsmag.org/voting-right...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
Oh! We at Bolts just wrote about Roxanna Valenzuela, and South Tucson, a few months ago.
You may remember her as the mayor of the Arizona city who faced a recall (and survived) because she helped a soup kitchen and help housed homeless people: boltsmag.org/arizona-enfo...
You may remember her as the mayor of the Arizona city who faced a recall (and survived) because she helped a soup kitchen and help housed homeless people: boltsmag.org/arizona-enfo...
as a new tucson resident, i certainly hope this relationship lasts long enough to result in some direct flights between tucson and NYC nypost.com/2025/11/11/u...
Bill de Blasio’s girlfriend outed as South Tucson mayor, mom of 2 Roxanna Valenzuela
Bill de Blasio’s other other woman is … also a mayor.
nypost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Oh! We at Bolts just wrote about Roxanna Valenzuela, and South Tucson, a few months ago.
You may remember her as the mayor of the Arizona city who faced a recall (and survived) because she helped a soup kitchen and help housed homeless people: boltsmag.org/arizona-enfo...
You may remember her as the mayor of the Arizona city who faced a recall (and survived) because she helped a soup kitchen and help housed homeless people: boltsmag.org/arizona-enfo...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
Mientras la crisis de personas sin hogar en Arizona se agrava, ciudades como South Tucson se debaten entre la compasión y el control, algunos líderes piden empatía, otros más mano dura.
www.palabranahj.org/archive/ante... @pascalsabino.bsky.social @camillesquires.bsky.social
www.palabranahj.org/archive/ante... @pascalsabino.bsky.social @camillesquires.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Mientras la crisis de personas sin hogar en Arizona se agrava, ciudades como South Tucson se debaten entre la compasión y el control, algunos líderes piden empatía, otros más mano dura.
www.palabranahj.org/archive/ante... @pascalsabino.bsky.social @camillesquires.bsky.social
www.palabranahj.org/archive/ante... @pascalsabino.bsky.social @camillesquires.bsky.social
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
This has not gotten much attention, but it should.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
November 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This has not gotten much attention, but it should.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
JUST IN: Soren Stevenson, who lost an eye due to a projectile fired by the police during the BLM protests of 2020 in Minneapolis, has won a seat on city council.
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight - Bolts
Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 AM
JUST IN: Soren Stevenson, who lost an eye due to a projectile fired by the police during the BLM protests of 2020 in Minneapolis, has won a seat on city council.
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
RESULT: Soren Stevenson is elected to the Minneapolis City Council in the Eighth Ward.
Stevenson lost an eye during a 2020 BLM protest after he was shot by police with a foam projectile.
Stevenson lost an eye during a 2020 BLM protest after he was shot by police with a foam projectile.
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 AM
RESULT: Soren Stevenson is elected to the Minneapolis City Council in the Eighth Ward.
Stevenson lost an eye during a 2020 BLM protest after he was shot by police with a foam projectile.
Stevenson lost an eye during a 2020 BLM protest after he was shot by police with a foam projectile.
In Minneapolis, the mayor & entire city council are on the ballot. On police reform, the incumbent mayor & his allies insist the city is on the right track. But a more progressive bloc is pushing for bolder solutions to ongoing patterns of police abuse:
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight - Bolts
Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.
boltsmag.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
In Minneapolis, the mayor & entire city council are on the ballot. On police reform, the incumbent mayor & his allies insist the city is on the right track. But a more progressive bloc is pushing for bolder solutions to ongoing patterns of police abuse:
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
Five years after the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis Police Department remains troubled by officer misconduct. Mayor Jacob Frey has insisted the cify is on track to reform. But some candidates in coming election say the city has failed to meet its promises of change
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight - Bolts
Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.
boltsmag.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Five years after the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis Police Department remains troubled by officer misconduct. Mayor Jacob Frey has insisted the cify is on track to reform. But some candidates in coming election say the city has failed to meet its promises of change
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
Missourians have repeatedly used ballot initiatives to adopt policies that lawmakers in the GOP supermajority refuse to move on: abortion rights, paid sick leave, Medicaid expansion. In response, Missouri Republicans are attempting to make direct democracy impossible:
boltsmag.org/missouri-ame...
boltsmag.org/missouri-ame...
Under this GOP Measure, All of Missouri’s Recent Popular Initiatives Would Have Failed - Bolts
Republicans have dominated Missouri’s legislature for over two decades, but they haven’t entirely controlled state lawmaking, in large part because Missouri empowers citizens to petition for ballot re...
boltsmag.org
September 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Missourians have repeatedly used ballot initiatives to adopt policies that lawmakers in the GOP supermajority refuse to move on: abortion rights, paid sick leave, Medicaid expansion. In response, Missouri Republicans are attempting to make direct democracy impossible:
boltsmag.org/missouri-ame...
boltsmag.org/missouri-ame...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
NEW — Black organizers and elected leaders gathered today to denounce Trump’s threats to send military forces to Chicago.
They are developing a 30-day emergency response plan, which includes establishing mutual aid hubs and Know Your Rights training sessions.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/blac...
They are developing a 30-day emergency response plan, which includes establishing mutual aid hubs and Know Your Rights training sessions.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/blac...
Black organizers, elected leaders are preparing for Trump’s possible military deployment to Chicago • The TRiiBE
Although details are scarce, Black organizers are coming up with a response plan to protect Chicagoans if Trump sends in the military.
thetriibe.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
NEW — Black organizers and elected leaders gathered today to denounce Trump’s threats to send military forces to Chicago.
They are developing a 30-day emergency response plan, which includes establishing mutual aid hubs and Know Your Rights training sessions.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/blac...
They are developing a 30-day emergency response plan, which includes establishing mutual aid hubs and Know Your Rights training sessions.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/blac...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
NEW — As President Donald Trump tries to punish jurisdictions with bail reform, Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell explains why Illinois ended cash bail—and what he hopes to see next.
“What is scary is that this is tyranny 101.”
thetriibe.com/2025/08/chic...
“What is scary is that this is tyranny 101.”
thetriibe.com/2025/08/chic...
Chicago’s public defender explains why Illinois should fight Trump’s threats on cashless bail • The TRiiBE
As the president tries to punish jurisdictions with bail reform, Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell explains why Illinois ended cash bail—and what he hopes to see next.
thetriibe.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
NEW — As President Donald Trump tries to punish jurisdictions with bail reform, Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell explains why Illinois ended cash bail—and what he hopes to see next.
“What is scary is that this is tyranny 101.”
thetriibe.com/2025/08/chic...
“What is scary is that this is tyranny 101.”
thetriibe.com/2025/08/chic...
I talked to Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell about Trump's order to defund governments that have moved away from cash bail. IL abolished cash bail so people wouldn't be jailed just because they are poor — Mitchell told me Trump's intervention is "Tyranny 101"
boltsmag.org/chicago-publ...
boltsmag.org/chicago-publ...
Chicago’s Public Defender on Why Illinois Should Fight Trump's Threats on Cashless Bail - Bolts
President Trump on Monday issued an executive order that purports to block federal funds from state and local governments that have moved away from cash bail in an effort to... Read More
boltsmag.org
August 29, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I talked to Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell about Trump's order to defund governments that have moved away from cash bail. IL abolished cash bail so people wouldn't be jailed just because they are poor — Mitchell told me Trump's intervention is "Tyranny 101"
boltsmag.org/chicago-publ...
boltsmag.org/chicago-publ...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
Tucson enacted a series of camping bans in response to a state law that pushes cities to criminalize homelessness & punishes those that don't. That pressure also came to the fore South Tucson: leaders were targeted in a failed recall attempt for their work with a local soup kitchen
Facing Arizona’s Crackdown on Homelessness, Two Cities Offer Different Responses
State intervention has led Tucson to ramp up sweeps and pass harsh new policies. Officials in the small town of South Tucson have emphasized support and services, even as they face blowback.
boltsmag.org
August 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Tucson enacted a series of camping bans in response to a state law that pushes cities to criminalize homelessness & punishes those that don't. That pressure also came to the fore South Tucson: leaders were targeted in a failed recall attempt for their work with a local soup kitchen
Tucson enacted a series of camping bans in response to a state law that pushes cities to criminalize homelessness & punishes those that don't. That pressure also came to the fore South Tucson: leaders were targeted in a failed recall attempt for their work with a local soup kitchen
Facing Arizona’s Crackdown on Homelessness, Two Cities Offer Different Responses
State intervention has led Tucson to ramp up sweeps and pass harsh new policies. Officials in the small town of South Tucson have emphasized support and services, even as they face blowback.
boltsmag.org
August 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Tucson enacted a series of camping bans in response to a state law that pushes cities to criminalize homelessness & punishes those that don't. That pressure also came to the fore South Tucson: leaders were targeted in a failed recall attempt for their work with a local soup kitchen
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
NEW: Leaders of a small Arizona city ramped up affordable housing & services like soup kitchens for homeless people. In response, a former mayor got angry & tried to recall them. But they survived the recalls this month.
Bolts reports on what's happening—& the warring responses to homelessness:
Bolts reports on what's happening—& the warring responses to homelessness:
Facing Arizona’s Crackdown on Homelessness, Two Cities Offer Different Responses - Bolts
Fewer than 250 voters cast a ballot in a South Tucson recall election this month targeting the mayor and two allies in city council. The three officials, Mayor Roxy Valenzuela... Read More
boltsmag.org
August 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
NEW: Leaders of a small Arizona city ramped up affordable housing & services like soup kitchens for homeless people. In response, a former mayor got angry & tried to recall them. But they survived the recalls this month.
Bolts reports on what's happening—& the warring responses to homelessness:
Bolts reports on what's happening—& the warring responses to homelessness:
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
A federal judge struck down part of Florida's new crackdown on ballot initiatives. The ruling allows noncitizens to collect signatures for measures like weed legalization & medicaid expansion. But the law still criminalizes other typical petition activity:
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
A New Crackdown on Ballot Initiatives Unnerves Florida Organizers - Bolts
The new Republican law threatens volunteers with more investigations and criminal punishment, even as Ron DeSantis faces allegations of illegally meddling in ballot measures.
boltsmag.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A federal judge struck down part of Florida's new crackdown on ballot initiatives. The ruling allows noncitizens to collect signatures for measures like weed legalization & medicaid expansion. But the law still criminalizes other typical petition activity:
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
The U.S. Supreme Court just said Florida's new immigration law will remain BLOCKED while litigation on the law continues. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/u...
How aggressive is the law? @pascalsabino.bsky.social broke it down in February: boltsmag.org/florida-repu...
How aggressive is the law? @pascalsabino.bsky.social broke it down in February: boltsmag.org/florida-repu...
In Florida GOP’s New Immigration Crackdown, a Familiar Play of Overriding Local Democracy - Bolts
Florida Republicans spent weeks squabbling over rival immigration bills. Their conflict wasn’t over significant policy differences: They agreed on diverting hundreds of millions in state funds toward ...
boltsmag.org
July 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court just said Florida's new immigration law will remain BLOCKED while litigation on the law continues. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/u...
How aggressive is the law? @pascalsabino.bsky.social broke it down in February: boltsmag.org/florida-repu...
How aggressive is the law? @pascalsabino.bsky.social broke it down in February: boltsmag.org/florida-repu...
A federal judge struck down part of Florida's new crackdown on ballot initiatives. The ruling allows noncitizens to collect signatures for measures like weed legalization & medicaid expansion. But the law still criminalizes other typical petition activity:
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
A New Crackdown on Ballot Initiatives Unnerves Florida Organizers - Bolts
The new Republican law threatens volunteers with more investigations and criminal punishment, even as Ron DeSantis faces allegations of illegally meddling in ballot measures.
boltsmag.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A federal judge struck down part of Florida's new crackdown on ballot initiatives. The ruling allows noncitizens to collect signatures for measures like weed legalization & medicaid expansion. But the law still criminalizes other typical petition activity:
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
boltsmag.org/florida-new-...
Reposted by Pascal Sabino
This "discrepancy" was first uncovered by @boltsmag.org and @injusticewatch.org last August. At the time, CPD officials refused to discuss @pascalsabino.bsky.social's findings and a spokesperson stood by their publicly reported figures. Nearly 11 months later, they now say they're working to fix it.
Chicago Police Department officials are working to “fix” the “discrepancy” that led to 210,622 undocumented traffic stops in 2024, a high-ranking Chicago Police Department official told a key city panel.
to.wttw.com/3Tl6pHa
to.wttw.com/3Tl6pHa
CPD Working to ‘Fix’ Problem That Led to 211K Undocumented Traffic Stops, Police Official Tells City Panel
CPD reported to state officials that officers made 295,846 traffic stops in 2024. But police dispatchers recorded that officers made an additional 210,622 stops in 2024 that were not documented, raisi...
to.wttw.com
July 3, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This "discrepancy" was first uncovered by @boltsmag.org and @injusticewatch.org last August. At the time, CPD officials refused to discuss @pascalsabino.bsky.social's findings and a spokesperson stood by their publicly reported figures. Nearly 11 months later, they now say they're working to fix it.
Federal court in North Dakota declined to review a ruling against two tribal nations that declared only the DOJ can sue for voter discrimination. That means ND voters are stuck with an election map that illegally marginalizes Natives, because the DOJ will not intervene
Big defeat for voting rights: the full 8th circuit refused to* reconsider a panel ruling that said individuals & groups cannot sue over VRA violations, only the DOJ can. www.npr.org/2025/05/14/n...
Bolts reported the case is huge loss for tribes in North Dakota, leaving them unable to seek justice:
Bolts reported the case is huge loss for tribes in North Dakota, leaving them unable to seek justice:
“A Law Without a Way to Enforce It” - Bolts
In North Dakota as elsewhere, Native voters face a triple threat: judges targeting the VRA, Trump officials hostile to discrimination laws, and a funding crunch depleting their work.
boltsmag.org
July 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Federal court in North Dakota declined to review a ruling against two tribal nations that declared only the DOJ can sue for voter discrimination. That means ND voters are stuck with an election map that illegally marginalizes Natives, because the DOJ will not intervene