Voting By Mail Debate Heats Up – Amid attempts by Republicans and the White House to limit universal voting by mail, political and civic organizations have begun a national campaign to promote the absentee ballot. Civic leaders argue that in all likelyhood the pandemic will not be under control by November, and voting by mail is the safest way to participate without risking voters’ health. José López Zamorano reports from Washington.
Texas has Among Lowest Census Response Rates – Census workers are resuming home visits that had been suspended by the pandemic. A state that will require extra work is Texas, which has some of the country’s lowest response rates. Amid lack of support from the state’s Republican administration, civic organizations are preparing to raise money and distribute payments to those who fill out forms, particularly in chronically undercounted Latino communities. Mariana Pineda has the details from Houston.
Seattle Police Budget Proposed to be Cut by Half – The Seattle Police Commission has heard an avalanche of complaints accusing police of using excessive force to crackdown on peaceful demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd. In response, city officials are debating a proposal to cut the police budget by half and investing the remainder in social programs to benefit the community. José Luis Buen Abad reports from Seattle.
