Author

Kira Lerner
Kira was the democracy reporter for States Newsroom where she covered voting, elections, redistricting, and efforts to subvert democracy.
States weigh how to shield election officials from threats, harassment
By: Kira Lerner - January 26, 2022
Criminal justice reform advocates and advocacy groups say they don’t believe in increasing criminal penalties in a time of over-policing.
The seven states to watch, including Pa., in the fight over voting rights | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek and Kira Lerner - January 18, 2022
Although Pa. Republicans didn't score a win in 2021, the GOP is sticking with its efforts to restrict voting in the Keystone State.
Conservative groups target state, local voter registration rolls in Pa., elsewhere with lawsuits
By: Kira Lerner - January 10, 2022
Voting rights groups say the lawsuits are disingenuous attempts to make it more difficult for eligible voters, especially non-white voters in growing urban areas, to cast ballots.
Candidates fighting 2020 misinformation run to administer local elections
By: Kira Lerner - January 1, 2022
Across the United States, people concerned with protecting democracy and the integrity of elections are putting their names on the ballot for local election administrator positions.
How an election denier’s fan club got its start in the states | Analysis
By: Kira Lerner - December 16, 2021
Retired Army Col. Phil Waldron also has close ties to former President Donald Trump’s legal team and served as one of its key witnesses in efforts to reverse the presidential election results.