“For a virus which thrives on destroying humanity, Covid-19 might just accomplish the opposite,  reignite our humanity and respect for one another.”

The Covid-19 news has been so continually grim, it’s brought us pain on many fronts including the loss of life, liberty, and meaningful human interaction, but maybe unexpectedly, the virus is also forcing us to radically examine our everyday lives, which will in turn, have lasting and important impacts on our communities far into the future. 

Originally published on The Fulcrum.

An estimated 1.4 million freed Florida felons may start registering to vote, a federal judge has ruled.

Tuesday's decision by District Judge Robert Hinkle is a potential watershed in the two-year fight over the future political rights of those who have been released from prison in the nation's biggest battleground state.

‘Anger.’ ‘Frustration.’ ‘Controversy.’ ‘Chaos.’ Those were among the words used to describe Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary as voters were given a choice: Risk their health to vote in-person or have no voice in the 2020 primaries.

The US Supreme Court blocked an attempt to delay voting in Wisconsin's presidential primary over the coronavirus pandemic.

The 5-4 vote reversed an order that would have extended the absentee ballot deadline for voting in the Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order suspending in-person voting Monday after failing to convince the Wisconsin state legislature to postpone elections until May.

The Supreme Court was considering a case brought before Evers issued his executive order.

Before this global COVID pandemic & resulting economic suffocation, political philanthropy to fix & reform our elections & governmental institutions was already severely lacking but very much needed.

The entire democracy reform space consisting of 130+ organizations raises approximately $150 million a year per Nick Troiano of Unite America.

Originally published on The Fulcrum.

Due to the coronavirus, many states that have held their presidential primaries on schedule this year experienced a decrease in turnout, chaos and confusion. As we know, the integrity and inclusiveness of our elections depends on a well-run election system — which is exactly why Maricopa County saw an increase in turnout when Arizonans cast their ballots three weeks ago.

In case you hadn’t heard, COVID-19 has disrupted the economy perhaps more than any other singular event in history. Here are three metrics to get a sense of the damage.

As the federal government goes into overdrive to dish out money to people and businesses, the Federal Reserve (FR) is buying up that new debt.

There is already more than $22 trillion in federal bond debt. The FR is buying $625 billion per week, or $2.5 trillion per month! Some of that is new debt because of all the massive new spending, but the rest is buying other US debt (if they keep up that buying pace). 

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on American life and the democratic process. Voters want a meaningful say in the 2020 elections, but they don’t want to risk their health to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to vote.

In response, the vote-at-home movement has gained significant traction as reformers and elections officials consider the best methods and practices to keep voters safe while protecting their civil rights. 

Originally published on The Fulcrum.

Sarat is a professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College.