Election Commission Wraps Up - Suprise Ending to the Story
oami, January 15, 2013 - 5:51pmLast week, the Commission to Study the Conduct of Elections in Maine held its last meeting. The commission was created last year by then-Secretary of State Charlie Summers to study voting in Maine.
At the time, the outlook was grim for voting rights. It seemed certain that the commission would recommend a voter ID law. Requiring voters to present photo ID before participating in elections creates an unacceptable burden for thousands of eligible Maine voters. | continue reading
At the time, the outlook was grim for voting rights. It seemed certain that the commission would recommend a voter ID law. Requiring voters to present photo ID before participating in elections creates an unacceptable burden for thousands of eligible Maine voters. | continue reading
Over-Policing Schools Is Not The Answer
Jon, January 14, 2013 - 4:50pmOn Friday, the ACLU submitted a letter to Vice President Biden, urging him to reject any proposals to put more police in schools. Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month, the vice president has called on outside groups to provide input on potential federal action to address gun violence. | continue reading
Our Broader Impact
edward, January 11, 2013 - 11:34amThis past week was a great example of how our work in Maine can impact broader reform efforts across the country.
Solitary Confinement:
Our advocacy around solitary reform helped spur significant reductions in the rates of solitary confinement at the Maine State Prison. Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte even testified at an April hearing in Illinois about the potential closing of the controversial Tamms Correctional Center, which holds prisoners in long-term solitary confinement, often for a decade or more. | continue reading
Solitary Confinement:
Our advocacy around solitary reform helped spur significant reductions in the rates of solitary confinement at the Maine State Prison. Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte even testified at an April hearing in Illinois about the potential closing of the controversial Tamms Correctional Center, which holds prisoners in long-term solitary confinement, often for a decade or more. | continue reading
Close Gitmo
Rachel, January 10, 2013 - 1:00pmThis Friday marks 11 years since the United States brought the first men to Guantanamo Bay as prisoners. As ACLU of Maine President John Paterson said in an opinion piece in the Portland Press Herald today:
| continue readingSadly, our collective outrage has ebbed as news from the prison has fallen from the front page. Yet not much has changed, and so we must refuse to become complacent.
ACLU At The SCOTUS
zach, January 9, 2013 - 6:11pmToday, ACLU National Legal Director Steve Shapiro argued an important Fourth Amendment case—Missouri v. McNeely—before the Supreme Court of the United States. While it is generally a good idea not to draw too many conclusions from the apparent attitudes of justices at oral arguments, the argument today appeared to have gone well.
| continue reading
| continue reading
Day One at the State House!
jill, January 8, 2013 - 4:37pmToday, Shenna, Oami and I took to the halls of the State House in Augusta. It was fun to meet and greet all of the new and returning legislators, Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
We spoke about our priority bills for this session - all focused on privacy. Whether it's online privacy, preventing unconstitutional use of drones or protecting you from an employer who wants full access to your Facebook account, we are ready to put necessary privacy protections in place.
| continue reading
We spoke about our priority bills for this session - all focused on privacy. Whether it's online privacy, preventing unconstitutional use of drones or protecting you from an employer who wants full access to your Facebook account, we are ready to put necessary privacy protections in place.
| continue reading
At Long Last, Equal Health Care Coverage for Servicewomen
Jon, January 7, 2013 - 3:27pmBack in the summer of 2011, I wrote my first blog as a staff member of the ACLU of Maine. The subject was a proposal in Congress that would have rectified a terrible wrong that had gone on for more than three decades: Under law, U.S. servicewomen who became pregnant as a result of rape or incest were not covered for any abortion care, even though a federal employee or a Medicaid enrollee in the same situation would be. But the proposal languished in the Senate and never even made it to the floor for a vote.
| continue reading
| continue reading
Troubling NDAA Provisions—2013 Edition
Ryan, January 4, 2013 - 1:38pmPresident Obama has signed the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), despite several disturbing sections that threaten the civil liberties of all Americans. We are particularly troubled by three elements of the NDAA:
| continue reading
| continue reading
Five More Years of FISA
edward, January 3, 2013 - 11:09amLast week, the Senate voted to extend the FISA Amendments Act for another five years and President Obama quickly signed the bill into law.
| continue reading
| continue reading
Finally
jill, January 2, 2013 - 1:01pmIt was so cold standing outside of Portland City Hall on Friday, December 28th at 10:00 p.m., but as the plaza filled with nearly 500 people, there was an undeniable warmth on the faces of everyone there.
The new law that allows same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses went into effect at midnight, December 29th, and the city of Portland and the city of Falmouth began issuing licenses. Steven Bridges and Michael Snell were first in line.
| continue reading
The new law that allows same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses went into effect at midnight, December 29th, and the city of Portland and the city of Falmouth began issuing licenses. Steven Bridges and Michael Snell were first in line.
| continue reading