71 posts found, showing 20 per page

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer March 14, 2023
Elections & Courts Final Legislative Update
Of the nine election bills passed by the Senate, three were taken up and passed by the House during the final week of the session. Unfortunately, two of these decrease transparency of political spending in West Virginia. Also a bill to cap compensation for "deliberate intent" heads to the Governor, an attempt to reform "public nusiance" dies in the House, and judicial redistricting passes the Legislature on Day 60. More details here.   More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 28, 2023
Elections & Courts Legislative Update – Week 7
As we approach crossover day, here’s an update on where various election and courts bills are in the legislative process. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 21, 2023
Elections & Courts Legislative Update – Week 6
Join the WV Faith Table in remembering John R. Lewis. Then keep reading for legislative updates on the following: The WV Association for Justice has flagged two bills related to our civil justice system that are worth watching. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced four election bills from the Secretary of State’s office. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer February 14, 2023
Elections & Courts Legislative Update
The Senate Judiciary has referred three bills to its Elections and Public Integrity Subcommittee. The Senate Judiciary Committee has also advanced two bills that would decrease transparency of political spending. The House Committee on Political Subdivisions has advanced three bills. Plus judicial redistricting is underway. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer January 23, 2023
Much Ado About Elections, and More
Ten days into the 2023 legislative, more than 50 bills related to elections have been introduced. Two have traction, and action is needed to keep HB 2244 off the House Judiciary Committee agenda. Related to elections, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge Saturday's anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s devastating Citizens United decsion, the role of dark money in shifting the balance of the Court to the right, and it's impact on our fundamental rights. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Fair Courts

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 11, 2022
WVCCE Comments on Anti-Bias Rules for WV Intermediate Court and WV Supreme Court of Appeals
At a time when the code of conduct for the U.S. Supreme Court is under increased scrutiny for lacking such procedures and leaving it the Justices themselves to decide whether to recuse, the West Virginia Supreme Court has an opportunity to adopt strong anti-bias rules that will increase public confidence in the new Intermediate Court of Appeals, as well as in the state Supreme Court itself.  More
Issues: Dark Money, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer July 24, 2021
WV Legislature’s Joint Committee on Redistricting to Host Public Hearings
Starting Tuesday, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Redistricting will host a series of public hearings around the state to allow West Virginians to weigh in on the process of redrawing the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts. Let’s take advantage of the hearings to let legislators know that when it comes to our districts, we want a transparent process we can trust, where communities remain whole and where voters have an equal voice. By joining together to speak out on fair districting, we can make sure our communities have the resources they need to thrive in the decade to come. More
Issues: Democracy, Redistricting, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 20, 2021
Threats to Fair and Impartial Courts
Two measures we oppose related to West Virginia courts were passed by the WV Legislature. One was signed into law by the Governor last week. The other will go before voters in November of 2022 in the form of a proposed amendment to the state Constitution.  More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence

WVCCE Blog Dani Parent November 3, 2020
An Election Day Guide
Today’s the day, y’all. Polls opened in West Virginia at 6:30 a.m., some with hours-long waits before even opening the doors. We have until 7:30 p.m. to do this thing, so if you’re still holding onto your absentee ballot, take it to the polls with you—it can be “spoiled” so your in-person vote will be counted today. If you are at high risk and can’t make it to the polls but you’ve still got your ballot, drop it in the mail right now! No really, right now, we’ll wait. ...You’re back? Okay, good. Your ballot won’t be counted until the canvass on Nov. 9, but that’s alright, you still did the thing. We’re proud of you. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer June 5, 2020
Supreme Court Elections Provide Opportunity to Increase Trust, Accountability, and Transparency in the Judiciary
This moment is an opportunity to bring greater trust, accountability, and transparency to the judiciary, but rebuilding trust in the judiciary cannot end with a single individual. As voters, it’s incumbent upon us to seek out unbiased information about the candidates rather than relying on misleading, inaccurate attack ads. The court and legislators must also seize this opportunity to begin to rebuild trust in the West Virginia judiciary by strengthening disclosure of political spending and the adoption of a strong, objective recusal standard. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog WVCCE May 29, 2020
Election Day: The Countdown is On and You Can Help Move Others to Action!
In the 2020 primary election, West Virginians across the state will be able to exercise their right to vote for an unprecedented 3 out of 5 justices on the WV Supreme Court. We need your help getting the word out about www.wvcourtelections.org/ and we only have 10 days left to do so. Don't be fooled, be informed, educate others, and be certain to cast your vote on or before June 9. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Judicial Independence, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog WVCCE April 3, 2020
Absentee Voting Available to Anyone During the Coronavirus Emergency
The threat of COVID-19 is greater today than it was in June when West Virginia voters proved that voting by mail works. West Virginia voters can still use the pandemic as a reason to vote absentee, but they’ll need to take the extra step of going online or calling their county clerk to request an absentee ballot application. More here and at GoVoteWV.com. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Health, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer April 3, 2020
WV House Rejects New Court Sought by Powerful Special Interests
If you were one of the people who responded to calls to action from WV Citizens for Clean Elections Coalition and our partners and allies during the 2020 WV Legislative Session, thank you! You helped defeat a bad bill sought by powerful special interests. Besides the intermediate court of appeals, there were also multiple constitutional amendments proposed that would have undermined the independence of the courts. We must continue to fight these attacks and push for increased transparency in our elections and the adoption of strong recusal standards to remove political pressure and conflicts of interest from our courts. More
Issues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency

WVCCE Blog WVCCE April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Response for WV’s Criminal Justice System
What can be done to reduce the unique threat the COVID-19 virus poses to those who are incarcerated? An urgent response is needed from our Governor to prevent a severe COVID-19 outbreak that would put at risk the lives of inmates, correctional officers, their families, and jeopardize our health care system’s overall capacity to respond to this pandemic. West Virginia's criminal justice reform coalition, led by our friends at AFSC, is advocating for an urgent COVID-19 plan for the state's criminal justice system. More
Issues: Criminal Justice, Fair Courts, Health

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer January 29, 2020
Our Voice, Our Votes, Our Courts: What We Could Gain and What’s At Stake
Several bills that advance the goals of the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform have been introduced and the list keeps growing. In addition to bills that are part of the platform we are also monitoring other legislative proposals related to our courts. Here’s a glimpse at some of these bills, what we have to gain if some reforms are passed, and what’s at stake if others advance. More
Issues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE January 23, 2020
Join Us for Good Government Lobby Day – Monday, February 17
Join us for our first ever lobby day in support of our Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform. We will be participating in the Centennial Celebration of the WV Ratification of the 19th Amendment at the State Capitol. It’s also President’s Day. If you have the day off, come lobby your legislators about common sense policy solutions that can move us toward a government that's more transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of ALL West Virginians. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Julie Archer September 26, 2019
Lawmakers need to protect, promote right to vote
In West Virginia, pro-voter advocates envision a state where elected officials don’t make it harder to vote, but rather ensure that every eligible citizen has a chance to make their voice heard. In the wake of the Shelby v. Holder decision, it is policies like AVR, and other reforms that provide new opportunities for people to register and vote, that affirm our civil rights, which need our support.  More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman September 20, 2019
Ask WV Legislators to Join You in Supporting the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform
The 2018 WV teachers' strike is a recent example of how people power works. We, the people, know how to make WV a better place to live. But we need to fix a broken system. Here's a solution. Help West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections advance the Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform during the 2019 West Virginia Legislative Session. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

WVCCE Blog WVCCE August 20, 2019
Judicial Public Financing is a Racial Justice Issue
We know that protecting and improving public financing won't transform our courts overnight. In order for our courts to be more fair and just, there has to be a concerted effort, starting even before law school, to recruit a diverse pool of talented law students who could eventually become judges. We also know that you shouldn't have to be wealthy, white, and male to run for state supreme court,  and that West Virginians who end up before our judges should be able to trust that there are a range of life experiences represented.  More
Issues: Fair Courts, Public Financing, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE Blog Vivian Stockman August 14, 2019
When You Talk About Voter Suppression, Talk About White Supremacy
"We ALL deserve a thriving, engaged, and true democracy. One where participating is accessible and encouraged. One where violent systems of white supremacy and voter suppression do not exist. We know that if we build an engaged and thriving form of governance at every level we too can build the equitable and just future that we all deserve." More
Issues: Democracy, Voting Rights