Elections

People walk into the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the day that the court's majority rejected the once-fringe idea that state legislatures' power over congressional elections cannot be checked or balanced by state constitutions or state courts.

Politics & Government

What the Supreme Court's rejection of a controversial theory means for elections

7:25am June 28, 2023

by Hansi Lo Wang

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject the most extreme version of the "independent state legislature theory" is expected to bring some stability to the 2024 elections — and invite more lawsuits.

Supreme Court rejects theory giving state legislatures unchecked power over elections

5:44pm June 27, 2023

by Nina Totenberg

The Supreme Court ruled that state constitutions can protect voting rights in federal elections and states can enforce those provisions. This opinion should safeguard the 2024 election's integrity.

Queue Listen Now

Supreme Court sets new standards for what constitutes 'true threats'

4:28pm June 27, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with University of Miami law professor Mary Anne Franks about the Supreme Court's decision in Counterman v. Colorado.

Rep. Jamie Raskin at his home in Takoma Park, Md. on June 12, 2023.

Politics & Government

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, free from cancer, weighs a Senate run

4:28pm June 27, 2023

by Claudia Grisales

Raskin has given himself until July 4th to announce his plans. He's weighing a run for the U.S. Senate after going into remission following intensive cancer treatment.

Chow takes part in the annual Toronto Pride Parade on June 25.

Olivia Chow is elected Toronto's mayor — marking a shift in the city's politics

2:02pm June 27, 2023

by Kai McNamee

Progressive mayor-elect Olivia Chow is the first Chinese Canadian to win the office, ending more than a decade of conservative leadership.

Sarah McBride and Katie Couric speak onstage during the Women In The World summit on April 11, 2019 in New York City.

Politics & Government

In historic bid, transgender Delaware state senator launches congressional campaign

11:08am June 26, 2023

by Barbara Sprunt

If elected, Sarah McBride, 32, would be the first transgender person to serve in Congress. She is running for the at-large seat held by Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

A demonstrator holds a sign saying "PROTECT VOTER RIGHTS!" at a 2021 rally in Washington, D.C., calling for Congress to pass new voting rights legislation.

Politics & Government

Voting rights advocates welcomed a Supreme Court win. But the fight isn't over

5:39pm June 24, 2023

by Hansi Lo Wang

An unexpected U.S. Supreme Court ruling has upheld a key section of the Voting Rights Act. But many voting rights advocates and legal scholars are bracing for new efforts to dismantle the law.

Abortion rights activists protest after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, overturning the right to abortion, in Portland, Ore., on June 24, 2022.

A year since Dobbs, these are the many ways states are protecting abortion

1:57pm June 23, 2023

Abortion access has declined dramatically nationwide, but many states have further protected abortion by enacting "shield laws," allocating funding, stockpiling medication and repealing old laws.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer discusses abortion rights on April 5, 2023 — an issue she says motivated voters in her state in the 2022 midterm elections.

One year after the Dobbs ruling, abortion has changed the political landscape

10:32am June 23, 2023

by Tamara Keith

For decades, the politics around abortion were pretty well set. Then came the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. It was a political earthquake, and in many ways the ground is still shaking.

Queue Listen Now

Supporters of Guatemalan candidate for the National Union of Hope party and former first lady, Sandra Torres, attend a campaign rally in Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala, on June 17.

World News

3 things to know about Guatemala's elections

5:02am June 23, 2023

by Eyder Peralta

Voters will go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president. But some of the most popular candidates won't be on the ballot.

Queue Listen Now