James Says New York Should Defend Census Count Against Alabama Challenge

From Nick Reisman in State of Politics, “New York should lead a legal defense of the U.S. Census counting non citizens in its upcoming count of the population next year, Attorney General Letitia James said on Monday.

The counting of non-citizens residing in the United States was challenged last May by the state of Alabama and a congressman from the state. The defendant in the case is formally the U.S. Department of Commerce, but New York is moving to intervene in the case.

New York is intervening under the pretense that President Donald Trump’s administration will not muster an adequate defense of the Census. Trump withdrew an effort to require a citizenship question on the Census, which advocates worried could lead to an undercount.”

Rensselaer County Accused Of Voter Intimidation by Advocacy Groups

Demos and Protect Democracy  have filed a federal complaint against Rensselaer County NY officials, who have pledged to turn over all motor voter registration data to ICE. In addition to pleading claims under Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act and the 1^st and 14^th Amendments, the plaintiffs sent a notice letter regarding NVRA violations. The notice letter is a follow up to an initial letter  sent last week after the county announced its new policy.

Plaintiff groups include the New York Immigration Coalition, Community Voices Heard, Common Cause New York, and Citizen Action of New York. League of Women Voters US and NY joined for the notice letter.

 

Overdue Report On Census Preparations Eyed For Fall Completion

In the Times Union, Dave Lombardo take a look at the state’s Census 2020 Complete Count Advisory Commission, tasked with recommending how the state should promote census outreach efforts. From the report, Lombardo writes “Long overdue recommendations from a special commission tasked with shaping New York’s Census outreach effort may materialize in a few months.

The delay is just one aspect of the drama encircling the state’s Complete Count Commission, which was formed months late, has devolved into factions and generated concerns that it’s a symbolic vessel steered by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.”

Cautious Optimism Among Reformers After State Public Campaign Financing Commission Named

In the Gotham Gazette, from Ethan Geringer-Sameth “Established during budget negotiations earlier this year, the Public Campaign Finance Commission is mandated to create a voluntary system for statewide and state legislative candidates to receive public matching funds in exchange for meeting certain fundraising and spending criteria.

The commission is responsible for issuing a report with recommendations by December 1 and holding a public hearing on its findings. The recommendations become binding if lawmakers, who will be out of session, don’t act to modify them within 20 days of their release.”

Cuomo, Legislative Leaders Name Public Campaign Finance Commission

At State of Politics,  Nick Reisman reports “(t)he future of the state’s campaign finance laws will be in the hands of 10 people, including the state Democratic Committee chairman, a top former attorney for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Bronx civil court judge and a longtime election law lawyer.

Cuomo, along with the top lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate named the bipartisan commission that will determine how to implement a system of publicly financed campaigns, with a report due by Dec. 1. The report has the force of law unless lawmakers return to Albany within 20 days of the report being issued to alter it.”

Fair Elections Panel To Be Named

In the Times Union, from Rachel Silberstein “A nine-member “fair elections” commission tasked with designing a statewide public matching system for political campaigns will be convened by the end of the week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s office has confirmed.

Language in the 2019-2020 state budget created a panel of experts — to be appointed by the governor and leaders of the Senate and Assembly — to outline by Dec. 1 the parameters of a public financing program for all legislative and statewide elections, with an estimated cost of $100 million a year.”

Power Of New York, Texas Hinges On Immigrant Count

In Roll Call, Michael Macagnone takes a look at what New York and Texas are doing to prepare for the 2020 census: “New York and Texas could have the biggest swings in congressional representation after the 2020 census. New York is projected to lose two seats, and Texas could gain as many as three, according to forecasting by the nonpartisan consulting firm Election Data Services.

With the stakes so high, New York has organized a statewide effort backed by public funds to counter potential falloff. At the same time, Texas is taking a much less aggressive approach, with state officials largely leaving response drives to independent groups and communities.”