2020 is already a year to remember – a world-wide pandemic, militant Black-led protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer, and a presidential election. It is fair to ask what the election has to do with the other two. Will it bring anything more than efforts by both major parties and their less than inspiring candidates to use these devastating events to their advantage?

There is a good deal of mention of the Constitution on social media these days; frequently, in short, declarative sentences that express with certainty what the document means.

Most people know the story: Moments after the Constitutional Convention ended in 1787, Ben Franklin walked out of Independent Hall and was approached by a woman. The woman asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a monarchy or a republic?” 

Franklin replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

The account is quoted everywhere from the classroom to the Halls of Congress. The message is simple: A form of government that is responsive to the people can be easily lost if the people become complacent.

Dr. James Rex, National Chair of The Alliance Party, joins host T.J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss the rapid emergence of this new political party. Dr. Rex also describes the philosophical underpinnings of the party that he hopes will distinguish it from its peers.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.

‍

After a string of recent successes, advocates for improving the fairness of elections and expanding access to voting amid the coronavirus pandemic have suffered three defeats in recent days.

Lawrence Goldstone is the author of numerous books and articles on Constitutional Law, most recently “On Account of Race: The Supreme Court, White Supremacy, and the Ravaging of African American Voting Rights.”  Find out more at www.lawrencegoldstone.com.

‍

This is a horrific time for our country and a time of deep reflection for me. 

As a child of the 60’s, it is almost incomprehensible to fathom that we are experiencing a moment that is eerily similar to what I lived through fifty year ago on May 4, 1970. 

In recent weeks, the brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, in addition to so many others, have shaken our nation to the core. 

As the fight continues across the country to expand safe and secure options for voters to participate in the 2020 elections, 5 nonpartisan organizations collaborated to put on a virtual rally to bolster the cause. 

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum, and was republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.

Straight-ticket voting won't be returning to Texas now that a federal judge has rejected an effort by Democrats to maintain the practice.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on The Fulcrum, and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher.

‍

Progressive groups may use the courts to pursue even more wide-open absentee balloting in Missouri this year.