Most Americans want to see changes in elections, new ABA civics survey finds

With the highly anticipated midterm elections about six months away, the ABA is offering some insight into the minds of potential voters. The ABA 2022 Survey of Civic Literacy found that 80% of 1,000 respondents from around the country favor expanding the hours at polling places.

Apr 29, 2022 12:01 AM CDT

Justice Thomas warns against court packing, cancel culture and incivility

Justice Clarence Thomas said Friday talk about adding justices to the U.S. Supreme Court can be damaging to the institution.

Mar 14, 2022 2:52 PM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Controversial Florida education bills advance; ban on homebuyer ‘love letters’ blocked

Florida lawmakers pass ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ anti-woke bills Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign two controversial bills passed by the legislature this week. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill, approved by lawmakers Tuesday, bans public school instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.…

Mar 11, 2022 12:33 PM CST

New ABA initiative needs volunteers to answer students’ civil rights questions

Feb 23, 2022 12:26 PM CST

Tough decision to make? Here’s how to break it down like a lawyer

Law professor Kim Wehle is used to helping her students begin to think like lawyers. But the methodology behind making tough decisions as a legal professional can also benefit the general public. It's why How To Think Like a Lawyer—and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas was a natural follow-up to her two previous books, How To Read the Constitution—and Why and What You Need To Know About Voting—and Why.

Feb 23, 2022 8:55 AM CST

Students who sued for an adequate civics education lose in 1st Circuit

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Rhode Island students can’t proceed with their lawsuit contending that the state failed to provide an adequate civics education in violation of their constitutional rights.

Jan 13, 2022 10:50 AM CST

ABA Giving Day is an opportunity ‘to help ensure a just society,’ says ABA president

For the second year, the ABA is asking members to join in its efforts to address significant issues that affect their communities.

Oct 19, 2021 2:29 PM CDT

Americans are divided by age and race on the fairness of the justice system, ABA civics survey finds

The ABA’s third annual survey of civic literacy, which assesses the public’s knowledge about the basics of U.S. democracy, also included questions about issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its results were released as part of Law Day.

Apr 29, 2021 2:38 PM CDT

Sotomayor and Gorsuch warn that misinformation and intolerance can threaten democracy

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch warned of threats to U.S. democracy during a prerecorded Zoom event released Wednesday to promote civics information.

Apr 15, 2021 9:43 AM CDT

SCOTUSblog co-founder sees ‘zero practical chance’ that ‘faithless electors’ will swing election for Trump

As court losses mount for President Donald Trump, his campaign may take another tack: Persuade presidential electors committed to President-elect Joe Biden to switch their votes to Trump. Will it work?

Nov 30, 2020 12:57 PM CST

Federal judge rules students have no right to civics education while warning of peril to democracy

A Rhode Island federal judge has ruled students in the state have no constitutional right to a civics education, even as he warned of a “deep flaw” in education priorities. Judge William Smith said they seem to recognize “American democracy is in peril.”

Oct 23, 2020 10:13 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge blocks postal changes; bedroom backdrop for SCOTUS justice’s Constitution Day remarks

Federal judge blocks US Postal Service changes Ruling from the bench Thursday, U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian of Yakima, Washington, blocked U.S. Postal Service changes that slowed mail delivery. Ruling in a suit by 14 states, Bastian said the plaintiffs have shown a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of…

Sep 17, 2020 4:34 PM CDT

More law firms are moving to make Election Day a paid holiday

As a growing number of large law firms offer their employees paid time off to participate in the Nov. 3 presidential election, the legal community may wonder, is this a one-time holiday or a lasting trend?

Sep 9, 2020 9:23 AM CDT

Your vote is your voice

“As we approach the 2020 presidential election, many Americans are calling it the most consequential of their lifetime. But all elections are important, whether for school boards, local judges, town councils or the U.S. Senate,” writes ABA President Judy Perry Martinez.

Aug 1, 2020 1:35 AM CDT

More than half of Americans support online voting during COVID-19 pandemic, second ABA civics survey shows

As the COVID-19 pandemic quickly spread across the country, the ABA pivoted its second annual survey of civic literacy to gauge Americans’ support for online voting, as well as their thoughts on how the government should respond to a national emergency.

May 1, 2020 3:56 PM CDT