ACLU program encourages restoration of voting rights for former felons
Taking advantage of recent announcements from the governor that he will expedite restoration applications to enable former felons to vote in the November elections, the ACLU of Virginia has launched a program to encourage and assist individuals with the restoration of their voting rights.
The program begins with advertisements in today’s Voice newspaper in the Richmond area, and tomorrow’s Voice newspaper in Hampton Roads. Tomorrow’s Richmond Free Press will run a large format version of the ad. Read more
ACLU challenging residency requirement on candidate petitions
The ACLU Voting Rights Project and the ACLU of Virginia today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Virginia law that imposes a state residency requirement on persons who circulate ballot petitions for presidential candidates who are not members of major political parties.
“Circulating petitions for candidates is at the core of our constitutionally protected right to free speech,” said Katie O’Connor, staff attorney with the ACLU Voting Rights Project in Atlanta. “By limiting the right to circulate petitions, Virginia’s law infringes on the First Amendment right of political parties, petition circulators, candidates and Virginia voters.” Read more
ACLU urges McDonnell to act on ex-felon voting rights
The ACLU of Virginia praised Gov. Bob McDonnell for recent comments favoring reform of Virginia’s felon disenfranchisement law, but says he is wrong to wait for the General Assembly to act.
“Gov. McDonnell continues to send out the most positive messages on restoration of voting rights of any Virginia governor in recent memory, and he should be praised for streamlining the restoration process,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. “But he, not the General Assembly, has the authority to initiate immediate reforms.” Read more
ACLU hires Gastañaga as new ED
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today announced that it has hired Claire Guthrie Gastañaga to succeed executive director Kent Willis, who last week announced he was leaving after 25 years with the organization. Gastañaga is scheduled to start at the beginning of June.
“Claire brings to the ACLU a huge network of people throughout Virginia who share our commitment to equality and civil liberties,” said Jayne Barnard, President of the ACLU of Virginia Board of Directors. “What’s more, her talents are endless – she’s been a lawyer, lobbyist, administrator, writer, and fundraiser. And, though she has not yet stepped through the door, she’s already thinking of ways to expand the ACLU’s footprint in Virginia. The Board looks forward to working with her – we’ll accomplish a lot together.” Read more
Federal judge allows case involving Ten Commandments display to advance
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Urbanski yesterday denied a motion to dismiss the ACLU of Virginia and Freedom from Religion Foundation’s case challenging the posting of the Ten Commandments at Narrows High School in Giles County.
“We’re pleased that the court has allowed us to move forward with our case,” said ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg. “We intend to show that the School Board cannot simply shroud its religious purpose for posting the Ten Commandments by surrounding it with historical documents.”
The court also heard arguments in the plaintiffs’ motion to proceed using pseudonyms. The ACLU and FFRF argue that the use of pseudonyms protects the plaintiffs from the vitriol of community members who support the Ten Commandments display. Judge Urbanski asked counsel to work out an agreement that would provide safeguards to protect the plaintiffs, and said he would enter a protective order himself if the parties could not agree.
“The community has already shown significant animosity toward our clients,” added Glenberg. “We have no doubt that if their identities were revealed that they would be the targets of more direct harassment.”
The controversy began in late 2010, when the Freedom from Religion Foundation received complaints about the posting of the Ten Commandments with the Constitution in Giles County public schools, a practice that had been in place for years. Over the next six months a dispute ensued in which the Ten Commandments were removed, reposted, then removed again, and ultimately posted in a display with historical documents relating to American history, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
The ACLU and FFRF filed suit on September 13, 2011 on behalf of a student and the student’s parent arguing that the display amounts to government endorsement of religion and therefore violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The Ten Commandments are posted on a main hallway at the high school, near the trophy case and on the way to the cafeteria, where it is seen by students every day.
Court to hear arguments in challenge to Ten Commandments display
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Urbanski will hear arguments on Monday, Nov. 28, in the ACLU of Virginia and Freedom from Religion Foundation’s challenge to the posting of the Ten Commandments at Narrows High School in Giles County.
The court will consider arguments in the defendant’s motion to dismiss the case and plaintiffs’ motion to proceed using pseudonyms.
The ACLU and FFRF argue that the use of pseudonyms protects the plaintiffs from the vitriol of community members who support the School Board’s decision to have the display.
“The community has already expressed considerable animus toward these plaintiffs,” said ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg. “If their identities are revealed, there is no doubt they will become the targets of much more direct harassment.”
The controversy began in late 2010, when the Freedom from Religion Foundation received complaints about the posting of the Ten Commandments in Giles County public schools, a practice that had been in place for years. Over the next six months a dispute ensued in which the Ten Commandments were removed, reposted, then removed again, and ultimately posted in a display with historical documents relating to American history, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
The ACLU of Virginia and the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed suit on Sept. 13, on behalf of a student and the student’s parent arguing that the display amounts to government endorsement of religion and therefore violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The Ten Commandments are posted on a main hallway at the high school, near the trophy case and on the way to the cafeteria, where it is seen by students every day.
Kent Willis: New voter ID law and voting felons are unconnected but not unrelated issues
Posted by afp on April 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment
The emerging law – which is still being tweaked by the governor and lawmakers – requires voters who do not have proof of identification when they show up at the polls to cast a provisional ballot. It replaces a law that allowed voters without IDs to sign a form affirming their identity and then cast a regular ballot like everyone else. Read more
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