When it comes to changing the rules for gathering signatures to get on the ballot during the coronavirus crisis, some states have been more lenient than others.

In Massachusetts, a state court has loosened signature requirements for politicians this year, given the national health concerns. But a federal court in Arizona did not consider doing the same for ballot measure campaigns.

This story was originally published on The Conversation, and later re-published on The Fulcrum.

Attacks have been made from both the right and the left about the viability of vote at home systems and their potential to advantage one party over the other. In the midst of a global pandemic that continues to threaten our democratic processes, there is an immediate need to assuage these concerns.

Fake news is popping up everywhere, deep fakes are going viral, and conspiracy theories flood social media feeds. Americans want reliable sources to turn for information, but they aren't sure what sources they can trust. Meanwhile, data collection companies are profiting off people's data and the political parties are using that data to manipulate voters.

Last week President Trump announced that he will be making the "toughest decision" of not just his presidency but his life: When and how to open our Covid-ravaged country again.

Originally published on The Fulcrum.

Enactment of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 remains a celebrated landmark in American history. It's time to celebrate the law's potential anew by making some big changes in how state legislatures are elected. My home state of Virginia illustrates the merits of doing so.

Independent Voting, the national organizing center for the 45% of Americans who self-identify as independents, has launched a unique national voter survey to capture the concerns of America’s independents and independent-minded citizens in the midst of this current pandemic.

Originally published on The Fulcrum.

Bernie Sanders ending his campaign, obviating the need for more Democratic presidential primaries, is the biggest news of the week about keeping democracy safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Vermont senator dropped out Wednesday, hours after the end of a chaotic day of primary voting in Wisconsin that went ahead on schedule even though a federal court is keeping the results sealed until next week.

Lithuania is used to maintaining national security and defense by relying on NATO allies in many ways. Such an approach helps the country save money and receive political preferences within the Alliance.

Thus, the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup, as well as U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division are the main contributors to the Lithuanian defense today.

“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.