Young voters proved decisive in Pennsylvania Supreme Court Race

Also inside: North Carolina schools suffer from underfunding and Arizona’s school voucher program is rife with waste.

There’s a lot of tut-tutting of young voters and how they turn out to vote at rates below their older peers. 

But America’s youth continue to defy those stereotypes in the post-2016 era, especially when reproductive rights are on the line, with this month’s Pennsylvania Supreme Court race being the latest example. 

Youth turnout on college campuses around Pennsylvania increased by 110%—with one campus experiencing an increase of 563%—compared to the last time there was an open state supreme court seat in 2021. That surge helped power pro-choice judge Daniel McCaffery to victory over anti-abortion Republican Carolyn Carluccio.

This uptick in youth voting wasn’t an accident. It was the result of campus organizing and hard work from several groups on the ground in the commonwealth, and is exactly the type of effort that will be needed in 2024 all across the country, when the future of America is on the line.

More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:

WISCONSIN

Justices hear arguments to undo years of gerrymandered maps in Wisconsin

From Up North News: Attorneys for Democratic officials and progressive groups urged the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn Republican-drawn maps and draw new boundaries for the 2024 election.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Senate candidate Peter Meijer wants a federal abortion ban

From The ‘Gander: Meijer, who is the heir to the multibillion-dollar Meijer grocery chain, has said that he “does see a need for federal legislation to ban or restrict abortion.” He has also refused to denounce abortion bans multiple times.

IOWA

Why Iowans (likely) will be blocked from voting directly on abortion rights

From Iowa Starting Line: Republicans—most of whom are anti-abortion—are firmly in control of both chambers in Iowa, leaving little chance of them considering a proposal to amend the constitution to protect abortion access. 

FLORIDA

Florida fails to use nearly $800 million to provide services to adults and children with disabilities

From Floricua: While many people with disabilities languish on waiting lists for years, or face cuts to the programs that they desperately need, an investigation has found that the money to provide those services has been in the state budget all along.

VIRGINIA

Virginia Democrats ran on abortion and won. Here’s what it means for the future of reproductive rights

From Dogwood: In this year’s fight for majority control of the General Assembly, abortion emerged as a key issue and a bright-line distinction between Republican and Democratic candidates for the Virginia House and Senate. 

ARIZONA

Arizona spent $304 million on school vouchers this year… almost none of it went toward improving public schools

From The Copper Courier: Of the $304 million, $200,000 went to religious and private schools, $50,000 went towards school supplies, and $50,000 was spent on ski trips, personal pianos, and “ninja warrior” training facilities.

NEVADA

Judge backs right-wing group’s effort to prevent Nevadans from voting on abortion

From The Nevadan: In his ruling, Judge James T. Russell, who was appointed to the bench by former Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn in 2007, argued that the ballot measure violated the state’s “single-subject rule.” 

NORTH CAROLINA

Mold and classes in trailers: Inadequate funding for schools is hurting NC communities

From Cardinal & Pine: Schools across the state are dealing with dilapidated classrooms and buildings in need of significant repair or a total rebuild due to a lack of investment in public education.

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