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Bolts

@boltsmag.org

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A publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change: Boltsmag.org

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 56m

In Alabama, incarcerated workers in a work-release program must take jobs at private companies—but 40% of their wages are docked as a “labor-trafficking fee.” A recent lawsuit brought by incarcerated people argues this is a modern form of convict leasing.

The Past and Present of Prison Labor: Your Questions Answered

A historian answers <i>Bolts</i> readers’ questions on the deep roots of forced labor in U.S. prisons, how it operates today, and efforts to challenge it.

Reposted by Bolts

Guy Oron @guyoron.net · 15h

NEW: In the hotly contested Seattle mayoral race, homelessness has become a fault line. Challenger Katie Wilson criticizes incumbent Bruce Harrell’s record, which includes carrying out more than 6,000 sweeps of homeless encampments.
Read my full article in @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/seattle-mayo...

In Seattle Mayoral Race, Tensions Between Crackdown and Compassion on Homelessness - Bolts

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2h

A Democratic candidate for prosecutor in Virginia wants lawmakers to ban ICE agents from operating while masked or while concealing their identities; she says she’d then prosecute those who don’t comply.

Your Guide to the 2025 Prosecutor Elections

Key races will shape the politics of criminal justice from Philly to Seattle—plus a wild card in New Jersey. But most of November’s 66 prosecutor races feature just one candidate, as usual.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 3h

In Pennsylvania, it has been 20 years since any state judge has even come close to defeat in a retention election. But the GOP is campaigning for voters to remove three state supreme court justices this fall.

Inside the Clunky Elections to Control Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court

The GOP is making an expensive push to end Democrats’ majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, sparking a fledging campaign season with little precedent or template.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 5h

Voting advocates have launched a campaign to protect direct democracy in Missouri. “We have to proactively lock in the people’s power to have a check on the government when it goes off the rails.”

Under this GOP Measure, All of Missouri’s Recent Popular Initiatives Would Have Failed

Lawmakers just advanced a constitutional amendment to drastically raise the bar for approving citizen ballot measures. Voters get to weigh in on the scheme next year.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 20h

The charge of “felony murder” allows defendants to be charged with the death of an accomplice, even when the killing was committed by someone else. Between 2009 and 2017, 83 percent of people charged with felony murder in Alabama were Black.

A Friend’s Death to Mourn, and to Serve Time for

An Alabama teen was shot alongside his friend, then prosecuted for his killing. His case highlights a particularly harsh doctrine in American criminal punishment: felony murder.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 21h

Arkansas’ new prison adds to a wave of expensive mega prisons now being built across the nation. Many residents of the rural community where the prison will be built have fought its construction fiercely.

The Prison Next Door

How Arkansas’ secretive plan for a new state lockup angered people in a deep red corner of rural America—and changed how some see incarceration.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 23h

Seattle is on track to have spent $85 million on homeless encampment sweeps during Mayor Bruce Harrell’s term by the end of 2025. He argues sweeps don’t solve homelessness, but they are necessary for public safety.

In Seattle Mayoral Race, Tensions Between Crackdown and Compassion on Homelessness

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

New Orleans residents are heading to the polls today—voting for a range of offices including mayor and sheriff. The elections will be resolved today if someone clears 50 percent.

Read our guide for context on these races and many more that are coming up. boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...

Your Cheat Sheet to the 2025 General Elections - Bolts

Four contests have come to largely define the 2025 elections this fall: the elections to lead New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, plus California’s redistricting measure. But there’s so... Read M...

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

In Pennsylvania this fall, the GOP is asking voters to oust three supreme court justices and reduce the current 5-2 Democratic majority to a 2-2 tie. But this is a tall order—only one state judge has ever lost a retention election in Pennsylvania.

Inside the Clunky Elections to Control Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court

The GOP is making an expensive push to end Democrats’ majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, sparking a fledging campaign season with little precedent or template.

Reposted by Bolts

JasonArizona @jasonpuckett.bsky.social · 1d

Proud subscriber to Boltsmag. They are fair observers and keep a watchful eye on every key race in this country

Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 1d

It’s actually Election Day tomorrow… in Louisiana!

I’m watching: the New Orleans sheriff race, and the New Orleans mayor’s race.

Both in my cheat sheet of elections to watch this fall!

boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

Are you interested in state supreme courts? Our 50-state guide walks through the key mechanisms and roles that each high court plays, including the specific powers they have and how justices end up on the bench:

Your State-by-State Guide to Every State Supreme Court - Bolts

Bolts breaks down the structure, selection procedures, and functions of each state’s highest court.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

In its recent ruling, the Hawaii Supreme Court vowed to protect the due process of Hawaii residents; the majority opinion stated that the state constitution offers more safety than the federal constitution’s “suddenly fluid protections.”

Hawaii Supreme Court Expands Rights of Defendants, and Once Again Rebukes SCOTUS

The justices ruled that Hawaii’s constitution requires police to record interrogations. And they vowed to protect due process for Hawaii residents—unlike, they said, the Roberts Court.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

Boston has passed measures restricting local cooperation with ICE, but critics say those aren’t enough to challenge the federal government’s demands. “There’s just so many other ways that collaboration is happening,” says an advocate.

Bid to Renew Federal Grant Sparks Concern Boston May Help Trump’s DHS on Immigration

The grant helps fund a law enforcement center that’s drawn criticism over privacy and over data-sharing with ICE. It would also come with new strings to spend money on border control.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

A widespread data-sharing program with ICE supports local and state budgets nationwide—even in so-called sanctuary cities and states that forbid certain law enforcement cooperation and information sharing with ICE.

This Bay Area County Says It Cut Ties with ICE. This Program Says Otherwise.

A widespread data-sharing program highlights financial ties between local police and immigration enforcement—and how even sanctuary jurisdictions still feed “the deportation machine.”

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

The local Democratic Party chair said they did not seek any policy concessions from Dave Rosado, the “pro-Trump, pro-ICE” sheriff, in exchange for endorsing him.

Democrats in Southeast Virginia Endorse “Pro-Trump, Pro-ICE” Sheriff

Immigrant rights advocates were already dismayed that no Democrat ran against their local GOP sheriff in Chesapeake. Then the local Democratic Party rallied around him.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

Housing organizers in Tucson say that criminalizing homelessness makes it harder for mutual aid groups and city workers to connect with people living outside and build the trust needed to offer supplies, shelter, and treatment.

Facing Arizona’s Crackdown on Homelessness, Two Cities Offer Different Responses

State intervention has led Tucson to ramp up sweeps and pass harsh new policies. Officials in the small town of South Tucson have emphasized support and services, even as they face blowback.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 1d

NEW in Bolts: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.

In Seattle Mayoral Race, Tensions Between Crackdown and Compassion on Homelessness

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has ramped up sweeps of homeless encampments in his first term. In his reelection bid, he faces a progressive challenger who wants to curb them.

Reposted by Bolts

Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice @quattronecenter.org · 2d

The Cook County CIU has lost half of its staff and hasn't exonerated anyone in over a year. New reporting from @injusticewatch.org and @boltsmag.org explores their reluctance to reverse convictions — even with a 77-page report giving evidence of using police coercion to convict.

Cook County’s new prosecutor has weakened an already broken system for freeing the innocent

State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Conviction Integrity Unit hasn’t exonerated anyone in her 10 months on the job, and she has done little to confront more than a dozen coercion allegations again...

www.injusticewatch.org

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

This November, New York City voters are deciding whether they want to change the timing of future municipal elections to even-numbered years.

Similar reforms in Los Angeles and San Francisco have sent turnout soaring.

To Boost Turnout, Ballot Measure Proposes Moving New York City Elections to Even Years

When cities hold their local elections on off years, they tend to see terrible turnout. Many are rescheduling their contests when many more people go to the polls. Will New York be next?

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

The GOP hopes to flip two swing districts in Washington's state Senate in November. In the first round in August, Democrats finished narrowly ahead of GOP opponents but margins were narrow.

All part of our guide of the races to watch this fall.

Your Cheat Sheet to the 2025 General Elections - Bolts

Four contests have come to largely define the 2025 elections this fall: the elections to lead New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, plus California’s redistricting measure. But there’s so... Read More

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

Pennsylvania Republicans are mounting an unusual effort to oust three Democratic state supreme court justices and deprive Democrats of the court majority they’ve enjoyed for the last decade.

Inside the Clunky Elections to Control Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court

The GOP is making an expensive push to end Democrats’ majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, sparking a fledging campaign season with little precedent or template.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

Experts say that the Cook County unit designed to right wrongful convictions needs major changes to serve its purpose. “If it was an independent commission that was really well funded and had lots of power, then maybe it could be really effective.”

Exonerations Grind to a Halt Under Chicago’s New Prosecutor

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke has weakened her office’s already broken system for freeing the innocent, even as allegations of coercion mount against a former Chicago detective.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

Chicago launched a program this year that lets police file felony gun charges without getting a prosecutor’s approval. Two of the police officers who have overseen many cases under this program have 59 misconduct complaints between them.

New Chicago Prosecutor Empowers Police to File More Charges Without Review

In a predominantly Black area of Chicago, police can now directly file gun charges without a prosecutor’s approval. The new program rolls back a process that serves to check misconduct.

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 2d

“We were so far, and we had done so much work, and we were so hopeful, because it looked good,” says a survivor of domestic violence who was convicted of helping kill her abusive husband. “But the climate right now is for punishment.”

For Third Year, California Kills Bill to Help Incarcerated Domestic Violence Survivors

Advocates in California have pushed for relief for people convicted of harming their abuser, hoping to build on states across the political spectrum that have adopted such reforms.