Bolts

Ranked-choice voting was the talk of the town in New York City’s primaries this spring, but the city isn’t using it in the general election on Tuesday. You asked us why, and we answered — it’s one of the six readers questions we tackle in our new elections mailbag, ahead of Tuesday’s elections: https://lnkd.in/eFP79ES7

We know election season can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, our grantee, Bolts is making it more manageable. 🗳️ Their election guide tracks 180+ races across 32 states, from mayors and governors to school boards and judges, breaking down how these races could reshape local policies and affect the future of the criminal legal system and voting rights in our communities. You can explore by race, theme or keyword. Dive into the guide and let your voice be heard this November! https://bit.ly/3JlCE7S #2025Elections #CriminalJustice #Vote

Policing advocates in Minneapolis say they’re impatient to see stronger reforms since misconduct allegations and large settlement payouts continue accumulating. They hope next week's elections help spark change. https://lnkd.in/e3G5CT6D

📬 Did you know that Bolts has a newsletter? Sign up for updates on local elections as well as all of our stories on criminal justice and democracy, delivered straight to your inbox every week. https://lnkd.in/eiYemjBz

Soren Stevenson lost his left eye during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, after he was shot by a foam projectile fired by a police officer. He is running to replace Minneapolis’ city council president this fall, making the case that the changes made by the city over the past five years haven’t been enough to stop police violence or ensure abusive cops are punished.  “I do talk about police accountability because it is vital to who I am as a person,” he told Bolts. https://lnkd.in/e3G5CT6D

Since the start of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s aggressive removal policy, city officials have seen a significant drop in the number of tent and RV encampments. Harrell’s opponent for reelection wants to ban most encampment sweeps. Seattle is on track to have spent $85 million on homeless encampment sweeps during Harrell’s term by the end of 2025. He argues sweeps don’t solve homelessness, but they are necessary for mitigating crime. https://lnkd.in/eWNBc8Mh

NEW in Bolts: For a brief moment, it seemed some noncitizen New Yorkers may gain the right to vote locally. But with the law struck down earlier this year, they remain at the margins. https://lnkd.in/eYf_zm7j

Five years after the killing of George Floyd, advocates in Minneapolis are still calling for tougher police reforms, while Mayor Jacob Frey and his allies insist that the city is making progress. Nekima Levy Armstrong, a former president of the Minneapolis NAACP who was once appointed by Frey to co-chair a panel to review reforms, is critical of local leadership. “There is a lack of political will to take definitive steps to eradicate the harms that police are allowed to inflict without any accountability.” https://lnkd.in/e3G5CT6D

Alabama plans to execute Anthony Boyd this week with nitrogen gas. He was convicted entirely on clashing and inconsistent eyewitness testimony, including a co-defendant who testified against him under threat of capital punishment. Now, Boyd is set to be executed by nitrogen gas. His brother is still fighting to stop it. “We have an innocent man who has spent the majority of his life behind bars,” he says. “The fight is not over and we’re gonna do everything we can to stop this and hopefully get him home.” https://lnkd.in/e_iBY7fs

NEW in Bolts: Five years after George Floyd, the Minneapolis mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives. https://lnkd.in/e3G5CT6D