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Local election officials are training to defend the midterms from interference
Confirmed
In Short: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is mobilizing a significant volunteer force to safeguard elections, emphasizing legal defense and community training.
Local election officials are training volunteers to defend the midterms from interference, according to the ACLU. The organization is investing over $24.5 million to protect voting rights and ensure fair elections.
ACLU attorneys are actively fighting for voting rights in courtrooms year-round and will be prepared to respond during the midterms. Their efforts include organizing and mobilizing neighbors across the country.
The ACLU's initiatives focus on ensuring every eligible voter can cast a ballot, fair counting of ballots, proper certification of elections, and respect for the will of voters. They have staffed lawyers, policy experts, and organizers in every state to defend these rights.
In a related development, the government in England is planning to abolish two-tier local government structures, arguing it will make local government more effective and cost-efficient. However, Labour's Angela Rayner has paused plans to redraw local council boundaries, citing legal challenges and criticism from local authorities.
What's confirmed
- Local election officials are training volunteers to defend the midterms from interference, according to the ACLU. The organization is investing over $24.5 million to protect voting rights and ensure fair elections.
- ACLU attorneys are actively fighting for voting rights in courtrooms year-round and will be prepared to respond during the midterms. Their efforts include organizing and mobilizing neighbors across the country.
- The ACLU's initiatives focus on ensuring every eligible voter can cast a ballot, fair counting of ballots, proper certification of elections, and respect for the will of voters. They have staffed lawyers, policy experts, and organizers in every state to defend these rights.
- In a related development, the government in England is planning to abolish two-tier local government structures, arguing it will make local government more effective and cost-efficient. However, Labour's Angela Rayner has paused plans to redraw local council boundaries, citing legal challenges and criticism from local authorities.
What's still developing
- Volunteers are being trained to protect election results in their communities.
- The local government secretary also told the BBC she wanted to be "clear-eyed" about what the planned shake-up in 16 areas of England was likely to achieve.
- The government has argued that the plans, which will abolish remaining two-tier areas in England where county and district councils share responsibility for services, would make local government more effective and cost efficient.
- Elsewhere in her interview, Rayner said Labour under Sir Keir should have been quicker to recognise a Palestinian state, having promised to do so as a "contribution to a renewed peace process" at the last election.
- She also denied that UK sanctions against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, announced on Tuesday, had been made to help Labour ahead of the forthcoming by-election in Holborn and St Pancras in central London.
- Pointing to the fact that Western allies had also announced sanctions, she said: "The French and the Canadians are not going to be like 'oh well, we'll just signal something to help you with a local by-election in London'".
- The surprise announcement on Monday has thrown the reorganisation plans into doubt, and drawn criticism from local leaders preparing for the changes.
- Speaking to the BBC's Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast, Rayner conceded the decision to press pause had been "difficult" and she understood local authorities had put a "lot of time and effort" into their plans.