The Last Frontier of Disenfranchisement: Felons and Voting Rights in America

Over the course of American history, there have been efforts to ensure all citizens have the right to vote. However, there is still one final group in the United States that has been unfairly disenfranchised: former felons.

An Argument for Abolishing the New York State Senate

A famous dissenting opinion by former US Supreme Court Associate Justice Louis Brandeis once described the condition of states in our system of government as “laboratories of democracy.” If this is true, then why are they all nearly identical to each other in terms of constitutional structure?

Climate Change as a Priority in Future Global Elections

In last year’s 117th Congress, 139 out of 535 elected officials (~25%) refused to acknowledge the existence of climate change. It is important to note that these 139 representatives have collectively received $61 million in lifetime contributions from the coal, oil, and gas industries.

Choosing How to Choose: Alternative Electoral Systems

While there is likely no single reform that could solve all the problems with American politics, it could be good to look at some alternative voting systems that could be implemented in the United States. The majoritarian electoral system used in the US is not the only type that is used across the world, after all.

Enlarging the House

The House of Representatives is legally mandated to contain 435 seats pursuant to the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929. This mandate on the number of congressional districts has remained stagnant despite the fact that the average population in each congressional district has nearly tripled from 280,675 persons in 1930 to more than 760,000 persons today.

The Tennessee Three

Declarations of fascism rang throughout the chamber of the Tennessee House of Representatives on April 3 as House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) called for a vote on three resolutions to expel three Democrats for “disorderly behavior.”

A House Divided: Is Congress Fueling or Reflecting Polarization in the US?

If you ask any politically aware person about the state of American politics today, they will likely characterize it with one word: polarization.

SCOTUS Hears Arguments in Moore v. Harper: Independent State Legislature Doctrine May Have Implications for Federal Election Processes

At stake? Democracy itself—a broad adoption of the ISL doctrine could result in rogue legislatures stripping previously-guaranteed voting rights protections from the state constitution with no ability for state courts to protect these rights.

Binghamton University Alum Hakeem Jeffries Becomes New House Minority Leader in Democratic Leadership Shakeup

With Jeffries becoming more prominent in American politics now than ever before, Happy Medium offers a profile of the congressman as a politician and as a Binghamton alum.

Student Candidate Chance Fiorisi Stakes His Claim for Binghamton City Council

BU undergraduate aims to knock on every door in the district with the goal of building a grassroots campaign.

2022 Midterm Elections Recap

HM Political Director Bryan Goodman breaks down what happened in November and what it means going forward.

State Assembly District #123: Donna Lupardo vs. Sophia Resciniti

Over a nearly two-decade career as a state assemblywoman for New York’s 123rd assembly district and a further 40 years as a district resident, Donna Lupardo (D) has seen it all. According to her opponent Sophia Resciniti (R), this longevity represents the very subject of her chagrin toward the political establishment. Featuring an interview with Assemblywoman Lupardo.

State Senate District #52: Lea Webb vs. Rich David

City of Binghamton political powerhouses clash in state Senate bid. Featuring an interview with Democratic candidate Lea Webb.

Congressional District #19: Josh Riley vs. Marc Molinaro

A look into the upcoming congressional election in NY-19. Featuring an interview with Democratic candidate Josh Riley.

Gen Z Candidates for Congress are Proving that Grassroots Organizing Works

– but not without the help of some
powerful allies.

Let’s Talk About Gerrymandering

“Courts ought not to enter this political thicket.”

The Midterm Effect: Why The Incumbent President’s Party Tends to Struggle

Every two years voters across the country get the opportunity to indicate their approval or disapproval of their current president through the midterm elections. But the inhabitants of the White House won’t change, so why should we care?