FairCount.bsky.social

The SCOTUS VRA ruling has ushered in a dizzying new era of partisan conflict. A forever redistricting war could produce fewer competitive seats + further polarize American politics. Fair representation is a likely casualty, w/minority voters hardest hit. nyti.ms/49weAJ7

A rule change would cut SSI benefits for up to 400,000 disabled adults whose family receive SNAP. The change deducts the value of a bedroom from their allotment, slashing support or ending it entirely—a second attempt to downsize disability programs. + bit.ly/4uiYXwQ

"The core problem with these facilities is, despite new data centers being larger than the majority of facilities or utilities that NERC registers, monitors, and audits, there are no rules or oversight for NERC to interact with data centers." [+] bit.ly/4u32Ztf

The first Decoration Day was created by Black Americans to honor those who died fighting for their freedom. This Memorial Day, we remember that origin—and every hero since. Happy Memorial Day!

Despite federal legislators' concerns about location technology misuse, DHS awarded a contract to Penlink PLX, a surveillance system that intercepts phone calls, texts, and internet activity in real time, enabling the agency to track people's movements. + bit.ly/48RC9fp

The decennial census shapes resources, representation, and rights. The 2026 census test has been narrowed to just two cities in the South, featuring English-only response, no online option, + only postal worker enumeration. [+] civilrights.org/blog/2026-cens…

Hundreds of polling-place changes since 2020, plus unupdated SEMS data, often misdirect voters. Mississippi has no universal early voting and limited absentee options. Those hurdles help explain the state's 57.5% voter turnout—6th lowest nationally. [+] bit.ly/42gs47Z

Over 500,000 Georgians have lost health insurance amid stiff ACA premium hikes, and rural hospital advocates now worry about the financial health of vital institutions if the uninsured rate keeps climbing. More: bit.ly/4sJrNoJ

In Louisiana v. Callais, the SCOTUS destroyed what remained of the Voting Rights Act, removing safeguards against maps that dilute minority voting power. Alito’s parity claim relied on Obama’s elections while the racial turnout gap is actually growing. bit.ly/4d7BOX8

Driven by false claims about noncitizens on voting rolls, states have enacted legislation that mimics the proposed SAVE act. These laws strip eligible Americans of their voting rights through aggressive purges and proof of citizenship requisites. More: bit.ly/4tyVeuZ

Join us for Census Civic Saturday! The session starts with an interactive reflection of the census and census testing in parts of South Carolina + Alabama where we'll be calling! Sat, 5/23 12 – 2pm ET Zoom Phone Bank with Citizen University! 👉🏾 bit.ly/4nGJ1SF

Hot, dry conditions have arrived months early across much of the US. Sixty‑one percent of the country is in drought, including the Southeast. The drought, plus tariffs and the Iran war, threatens to drive up food prices and harm rural communities. [+] bit.ly/4nqLbFV

A newly signed Georgia law shifts district attorney, county commission, and tax commissioner races to nonpartisan elections in five major Atlanta-area counties beginning in 2028. Some worry that it takes away accountability + could shift influence. [+] bit.ly/4f1XlmP

The SCOTUS gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act using a misleading claim: that Black turnout exceeded white turnout in two recent elections. The DOJ brief counted all adults, not just eligible voters. With eligible voters, only 2012 fits the claim. + bit.ly/42sc7vq

MS – EPA rollbacks threaten clean air progress across the country. In DeSoto County, which received a "F" air quality rating for the second straight year, the growth of its xAI data center is raising concerns that pollution will be amplified. More: bit.ly/4cQGUYX

Join us for Census Civic Saturday! The session starts with an interactive reflection of the census and census testing in parts of South Carolina + Alabama where we'll be calling! Sat, 5/23 12 – 2pm ET Zoom Phone Bank with Citizen University! 👉🏾 bit.ly/4nGJ1SF

"Voting-rights advocates expected GOP-led states to use the [Callais] ruling to escalate a nationwide gerrymandering race. But the speed and blunt force of the Republican response has been astonishing." More: bit.ly/3P0qJPH

The Glynn County Commission voted on zoning ordinances that quietly add a section allowing data centers. Critics say the embedded language is vague and fails to address enormous energy and water use, while offering minimal local benefits. [+] bit.ly/4u7RBw0

Echoes of Plessy run through Callais, where Alito's majority finished off the Voting Rights Act. The Roberts Court is in many respects a neoconfederate court, applying the tactics of the 1880s and 1890s, which rejected a robust vision of equality. [+] bit.ly/4u3Kh4G

Longtime democracy trackers report that U.S. democratic health declined in 2025. Most Americans say the country used to be a model for other democracies but has not been recently. Approximately 70% are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working. [+] pewrsr.ch/4nszDlB