After Polish President Andrzej Duda narrowly won a second term last weekend, the country’s LGBTQ community fears increased homophobic legislation and exclusion from society. Duda, who had said LGBTQ “ideology” was worse than communism, had also promised to ban same-sex marriage and adoption rights for LGBTQ couples. He won against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski […]
Democrats Win Control of Virginia Legislature and Claim Narrow Victory in Kentucky Governor’s Race
Democrats won complete control of the Virginia government for the first time in more than two decades Tuesday and claimed a narrow victory in Kentucky’s governor race, as Republicans captured the governor’s mansion in Mississippi. In winning majorities in both chambers of the Virginia legislature, Democrats have cleared the way for Governor Ralph S. Northam […]
Women’s Rights: A Major Campaign Point in Afghanistan’s Presidential Elections
Afghanistan’s presidential candidates have officially launched their campaigns and candidates are vowing to protect and advance women’s rights in the hope of winning women’s votes. During their public gatherings, two front runners Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah promised to advance the status of women and girls in Afghanistan and that they will include women in […]
Indian Political Party Nominates 41 Percent Female Candidates
The Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) is attempting to rectify India’s poor representation of women in their lawmaking bodies by nominating 41 percent women candidates for races in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. Despite women making up almost half of India’s 900 million voters, women make up only 11 percent of members in […]
Record Numbers of Afghan Women Vote and Run for Office in Afghan Elections Amid Violence
Despite Taliban threats of violence on Election Day, record numbers of Afghan women and men turned out to vote in the Afghan parliamentary elections on October 20th and 21st. In total, some 45% of Afghan registered voters cast a ballot including at least 33% of Afghan women voters. In some areas almost 50% of the […]
Saudi Women Begin Historic Municipal Election Campaign
On Sunday, for the first time in Saudi Arabia’s modern history, more than 900 women have registered to run for the municipal elections.
Voter Suppression Efforts Quietly Advance in Nevada
These measures would disproportionately impact people of color, women, young people, and the elderly, and could hurt their chances of voting in the 2016 elections.
Kate Brown Just Became America’s First-Ever Openly Bisexual Governor
Brown’s election represents a victory for women and LGBT folks, who are underrepresented in gubernatorial positions as well as in all levels of national and state leadership.
A Virginia Delegate in Jail for a Relationship with a Minor Just Won Re-Election
Morrissey pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor last month due to an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old, and in the face of felony charges for possession of child pornography, indecent liberties with a minor, and electronic solicitation of a minor.
Georgia Court Refuses to Recognize 40K Voter Registrations From Primarily People of Color and Young People
A state court judge on Tuesday refused to order the Georgia Secretary of State to add some 40,000 voters to the voter rolls, potentially disenfranchising thousands of African Americans and other people of color in the state.
Potential Ballot Measure in DC Would Raise Minimum Wage to $15
Low-wage workers in Washington, DC might see a significant increase in their pay, thanks to national labor rights group Restaurant Opportunities Center United.
Early Voting Has Started in Many States
In states with close races for Senate seats or highly contested ballot measures, early voting allows for a glimpse of what may be in November.
Hope for Afghan Women as New President is Sworn In
Ashraf Ghani, who has has publicly and consistently stated his support for women’s rights and women’s participation in government, was sworn in as the new President of Afghanistan today at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.
New President and National Unity Government Announced in Afghanistan
Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is the next president of Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, his opponent, will serve as Afghanistan’s new chief executive.
Florida Lawmakers Hold Special Session to Redraw Gerrymandered Maps
Florida lawmakers are in Tallahassee today for a special nine-day session to redraw the state’s congressional districts after a state court ruled last month that Republicans had illegally redrawn the districts for their own benefit. Leon County, Florida Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis found in July that state Republicans had created “a shadow redistricting process” […]
Election Process Agreement Creates Hope for Some in Afghanistan
Just when the success of the election process seemed to be in doubt, US Secretary of State John Kerry went to Afghanistan to once again play a mediator’s role, meeting with the two presidential candidates and with outgoing president Hamid Karzai to help broker a solution to the disputed election process.
High Turnout in Afghanistan’s Presidential Runoff Election
Over seven million Afghans, or 58 percent of the population, successfully voted in the runoff presidential election on Saturday, despite several attacks from the Taliban at polling centers.
Women of Afghanistan Push Equality on the Eve of Runoff Presidential Election
Afghan women’s groups Thursday held a press conference announcing that both of the presidential front-runners had signed a six-point petition for women’s rights.
Sandra Fluke’s Campaign for California State Senate Advances to General Election
Women’s rights activist and attorney, Sandra Fluke, finished in the top two in her run for an open state Senate seat in California’s 26th district.
Why the 2014 Afghanistan Election is Bringing Hope Back to Afghan Women
We made it. We were able to show to the world that our security forces are robust enough to protect our infant democracy and our people remain worthy of international support.