Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 5h

A new survey shows that 70% of Americans say local law enforcement is best suited to handle crime in their communities. Almost no one (1%) says that another state’s Guard is the best fit for the job.

READ MORE:
https://statesunited.org/resources/survey-local-law-enforcement/

1 1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 12h

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE RESPONDS TO WEEKEND DEPLOYMENTS >> “I am certainly troubled by now hearing that both California and Texas are being sent to Oregon, which does appear to be in direct contradiction of my order..."
www.opb.org/article/2025...

Federal judge blocks federalized guard from deploying to Oregon

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut’s ruling late Sunday, her second in two days, capped a dramatic weekend that included President Trump sending California National Guard members to Oregon and o...

www.opb.org

3 8

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 1d

For 60 years, the Voting Rights Act has protected voters from discrimination. Taking that away would "weaken one of the strongest safeguards we have against efforts to undermine the freedom to vote.”
statesunited.org/turtle-mount...

Former Republican Governors Call on U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Voting Rights Act - States United Democracy Center

statesunited.org

1 1 1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 2d

BREAKING NEWS >> A group of former Republican governors, represented by States United and Hogan Lovells, filed an amicus brief today in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging a lower court ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act. statesunited.org/turtle-mount...

Former Republican Governors Call on U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Voting Rights Act - States United Democracy Center

statesunited.org

3 3

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 2d

NEW >> Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul @ilattygeneral.bsky.social filed a lawsuit against the Trump admin to block the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul @ilattygeneral.bsky.social · 2d

Americans should not live under the threat of military occupation, regardless of where they reside. I’m committed to upholding the Constitution and defending the rule of law, and am seeking an order to stop unlawful National Guard deployment in Illinois: tinyurl.com/2n77rmne

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 2d

It’s the start of National Voter Education Week! Get practical steps to register, understand your ballot, and find your polling place at www.nationalvotereducationweek.org.

2 3

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 4d

“Michigan can best uphold the virtues of free, fair and secure elections by maintaining its membership in ERIC and ensuring that local election officials have the stable, adequate resources they need to carry out their responsibilities."

www.detroitnews.com/story/opinio...

Opinion: Lawmakers must prioritize free, fair and secure elections

Michigan can best uphold the virtues of free, fair and secure elections by maintaining its membership in ERIC.

www.detroitnews.com

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 7d

"The vast majority of Americans are good. And that means the vast majority of Democrats are good & Republicans are good. They condemn this lawlessness, this violence. [...] As Americans, we have to step up. And as leaders, we have to calm this rhetoric down." — Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma (R)

2

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 8d

National Voter Registration Month is about using the power of your vote to shape our democracy’s future. As our bipartisan advisory board member Kim Wyman reminds us, the first step is simple: register to vote.

3 2

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 9d

The U.S. Department of Justice is pressuring state officials to release sensitive voter registration data traditionally safeguarded to protect voters’ information and maintain election security. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar says the demand is concerning and, so far, unjustified.

4 3

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 9d

The DOJ's demands for comprehensive voter data in Michigan and some two dozen other states is "unprecedented" and an "example of federal overreach" that, if successful, could put voters' sensitive personal data at risk, said @michigansos.bsky.social.
www.freep.com/story/news/p...

3 2

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 12d

During #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re proud to celebrate democracy defenders like Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar. 💫
time.com/7017482/cisc...

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 12d

Voters often leave down-ballot races blank and focus on the top of the ticket. But in 2024, voters didn’t stop there—especially in highly contested states across the country—according to new data.
statesunited.org/resources/20...

Voter Turnout in 2024 Remained High in Key States - States United Democracy Center

statesunited.org

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 13d

BREAKING >> Our new report finds fewer skipped races and more ballots cast for statewide offices in 2024, especially in key states. It’s a major sign for stronger democratic engagement. We’re tracking it closely. 👇
statesunited.org/2024-turnout/

NEW DATA: Voter Turnout and Down-Ballot Voting in 2024 Increased in Many Key States - States United Democracy Center

statesunited.org

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 14d

For decades, presidents and Congress have treated cybersecurity as a bipartisan priority. But a new report from @issueonereform.bsky.social warns that cuts to agencies like CISA, which defend American elections from cyberattacks, put U.S. security at risk.
issueone.org/articles/ame...

America Exposed - Issue One

Executive Summary For decades, presidents and Congress treated cybersecurity as a bipartisan imperative. Republican and Democratic administrations alike recognized that defending America’s digital inf...

issueone.org

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 14d

Statewide and local leaders are elected by the people, not politicians. Redistricting efforts, in an off-cycle year, is part of a bigger strategy to change the rules in order to change the game entirely.
punchbowl.news/article/camp...

Kansas Republicans prepare to move on redistricting

Republicans in the Kansas legislature are planning to petition to call themselves into a special session on redistricting, circumventing Gov. Laura Kelly.

punchbowl.news

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 16d

ICYMI >> The U.S. Department of Justice sued Maine and Oregon, demanding that their secretaries of state turn over personal information of their state’s registered voters.
www.npr.org/2025/09/17/n...

The Justice Department sues Maine and Oregon, ratcheting up demands for voter data

The Department of Justice is escalating its demands for sensitive data from voting officials, suing two Democratic-controlled states who have thus far rebuffed the department's requests.

www.npr.org

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 19d

A letter signed by 42 former federal judges calls for threats against sitting judges to stop. “We are speaking out to protect the Constitution and all that it stands for,” the former judges said.

news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

Former US Judges Defend Judicial Independence as Threats Rise

Former federal judges are taking advantage of Constitution Day to speak out against threats against sitting judges.

news.bloomberglaw.com

Reposted by States United Democracy Center

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel @miattygen.bsky.social · 21d

@miattygen.bsky.social Dana Nessel has filed an amicus brief in support of @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social’s lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the District of Columbia. Read more at mi.gov/agnews

“President Trump has made it clear that he plans to illegally deploy the National Guard to states across the country. Such actions blatantly violate the Constitution. The National Guard is not a police force and should not be used as a political tool against the American people. I stand with the District of Columbia in defending the rule of law that protects all of our communities," said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Read more at mi.gov/agnews

Image: Washington D.C.

3 6

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 19d

Our research is clear: Americans overwhelmingly oppose political violence. That’s a bipartisan truth and a call for leaders everywhere to stand united.

statesunited.org/resources/am...

Americans Widely Reject Political Violence - States United Democracy Center

statesunited.org

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 19d

“It is all wrong, and it makes us all less safe. During moments like these, I believe we have a responsibility to be clear and unequivocal in calling out all forms of political violence, making clear it is all wrong." -- @GovernorShapiro

apnews.com/article/char...

Pennsylvania governor says US must 'turn the tide' against political violence, reject vengeance

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania says that the nation must “turn the tide” against political violence and the belief that government can’t solve problems.

apnews.com

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 21d

Deploying federal troops to police Americans is not a long-term fix for public safety. Sustainable solutions come from empowering state and local law enforcement who know our communities best.
apnews.com/article/trum...

Trump deploys National Guard to Memphis, calling it a 'replica' of his crackdown on Washington

President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis to combat crime, testing the limits of presidential power by using military force in cities.

apnews.com

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 22d

It’s National Voter Registration Day! With over 100,000 state and local elections happening across the country this year, getting registered to vote is just the first step to making sure you’re #VoteReady. @natlvoterregday.bsky.social

nationalvoterregistrationday.org/register-to-...

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 23d

Today is International Day of Democracy. ✨

It’s a reminder that every voice matters in shaping the world we live in and tackling the issues we care about most. Democracy is strongest when we all take part.

1

States United Democracy Center @statesunited.org · 23d

This Hispanic Heritage Month — and all year round — we’re proud to celebrate the diverse contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities in strengthening the fabric of our democracy.