92 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

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer December 8, 2022
TODAY at 1PM: ‘People Over Politics’ Virtual Rally and Panel Discussion
A case before the US Supreme Court could make it easier for politicians to restrict the vote, draw rigged maps, and cast doubt on election results. Join legal experts, faith leaders, and community activists from West Virginia and North Carolina to discuss the significance of Moore v. Harper and its impacts for voting rights and fair courts.   More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Redistricting, Voting Rights

Press Release Julie Archer November 16, 2022
West Virginia Voters Win With Defeat of Amendment 1
Under the changes proposed in Amendment 1, an extremist state legislature could have removed any public servant – and overturned the will of the people – without due process. We're proud of West Virginia voters for coming together and defending their right to democracy. More
Issues: Clean Elections, Democracy, Fair Courts

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer October 17, 2022
Are You Ready to Vote?
Make sure you are ready to vote. The deadline to register or update your registration in WV is Tuesday, October 18. Don’t miss a chance to make your voice heard in this election. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Voting Rights

Press Release Julie Archer September 28, 2022
Amendment No. 1 Would Destroy Checks and Balances in W.V.
Amendment No. 1 would make it so that no court in the state could intervene to protect the right to a fair hearing of a public official facing impeachment, no matter how frivolous the charge or constitutionally flawed the process. In the hands of a partisan majority, this new power could be abused to oust political opponents without cause, thereby eroding existing checks and balances between the three branches of government and undercutting public trust in the political process.  More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer February 25, 2022
Take Action for Voting Rights
We need you to take action on two bills related to voting rights before the WV Legislature. Tell legislators to end voter disenfranchisement and protect our say-so on the courts. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Voting Rights

Document Julie Archer February 22, 2022
HB 4785 – Letter to the Editor Toolkit
In response to former Justice Evan Jenkins’s recent resignation from the State Supreme Court, members the House of Delegates are moving quickly to strip West Virginians of their ability to have a say in who will fill the seat left vacant by Jenkins’s departure. We have a process in place for filling judicial vacancies and […] More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, WV Supreme Court

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer December 22, 2021
The Foundation of Our Democracy
We must keep the pressure on our Senators to pass bold democracy reform at the federal level that will protect and strengthen our freedom to vote, while continuing the fight at the state level to ensure that our courts are free from political and special interest influence and can protect our rights and guard against abuses of power. Can you make a donation so we continue fighting for free, fair, and safe elections and fair and impartial courts? More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights

Press Release Julie Archer August 12, 2021
With Release of Redistricting Data, WVCCE Highlights the Role of Fair Courts in the Ensuring Fair Districts
With the the release local-level data, WV Citizens for Clean Elections is emphasizing the key role fair and impartial courts will play in the redistricting process, serving as a bulwark against efforts from lawmakers looking to divide neighborhoods and silence certain voices for their own political gain. In short, fair courts ensure fair districts. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Redistricting

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 24, 2021
TODAY in Charleston: Black Voters Matter #FreedomRide2021
Voting rights are under attack nationwide! If you are in or near Charleston, WV this evening come on out to get informed, inspired, and energized to protect this most basic right of democracy. #FreedomRide2021 More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights

Press Release Julie Archer June 21, 2021
Virtual Town Hall on Protecting Our Courts and the Freedom to Vote
The West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections coalition will host a statewide virtual town hall with representatives from the West Virginia AFL-CIO, Brennan Center for Justice TONIGHT, Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. to highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 18, 2021
You’re Invited to a Democracy and State Courts Town Hall
Join us for a conversation about fair courts and the For the People Act featuring state and national experts. This virtual town hall will highlight how state-level attacks on judicial independence are interconnected with the fight to protect the freedom to vote. We’ll also discuss how these attacks impact the rights of West Virginia workers and families.  More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights

Alerts and Updates Julie Archer June 16, 2021
Join Us for WV for the People Days of Action!
It's important for everyday West Virginians to be engaged in the fight to strengthen our democracy and pass the For The People Act. This week is West Virginians for Democracy's For the People Days of Action! We aim to show the widespread,  bipartisan support across the state for the For the People Act through a series of online and in person events. Please join us!  More
Issues: Democracy, Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Voting Rights

Press Release Julie Archer June 11, 2021
Virtual Proceedings Pose Challenges to Judicial Fairness
If not handled properly, remote video proceedings can cause serious damage to litigants’ rights, making it impossible to guarantee West Virginians a fair day in court. West Virginia’s new, powerful intermediate appellate court is set to begin operations in July 2022. In May, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Evan Jenkins announced his intention of making the court entirely virtual, without offering any information on what the court would do to mitigate the potential harms of ending in-person proceedings.  More
Issues: Criminal Justice, Fair Courts

Press Release WVCCE June 3, 2021
West Virginians Need to Know Their Judges Are Being Picked for the Right Reasons
Precious little information has been released to the public about the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, which is set to begin operations in July 2022. Among the omissions is a clear criteria for how members of the court will be selected. West Virginians deserve to know when and why judges are being picked for their jobs. A public set of criteria will help prevent any direct or indirect political favoritism, safeguard the integrity of the court and preserve public confidence in our judiciary. More
Issues: Fair Courts, Judicial Independence, Transparency