News & Commentary

Ruth Anna Buffalo, She/her/hers, Representative, North Dakota, North Dakota House of Representatives

Jennesa Calvo-Friedman, Staff Attorney, ACLU

Aimee Stephens, a trailblazer in trans rights, passed away in her home this week at the age of 59. Together, we sued for discrimination after Aimee was fired from her job for being transgender. When Aimee decided to fight back, she just wanted it to be acknowledged that what happened to her was wrong. She ended up making history by bringing the Supreme Court its first trans civil rights case. Aimee died before the Court issued a decision on her case, but the fight for trans rights continues in her honor.

Kate Oh, Senior Policy Counsel, ACLU National Political Advocacy Department

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Lauren Kuhlik, Equal Justice Works Fellow, ACLU National Prison Project

First there was Carpenter v Murphy (now Sharp v Murphy) and now the McGirt v Oklahoma case will be heard in front of the United States Supreme Court. Both, or more likely either, have big implications for Indian County, the state of Oklahoma, and any person who believes treaties should be respected. But here’s what you need to know going into today’s oral argument.

Vivian Alana Caesar, she/her/hers, Communications Intern, ACLU

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Marijuana arrests clog the criminal legal system with people who should not be there. This puts even more people in harm’s way as COVID-19 threatens to devastate jails and prisons, where the virus can spread rapidly. Officials must respond by reducing both arrests and the incarcerated population. Learn more.Legalizing marijuana, while vital, is not enough to remedy the harms of decades of War on Drugs policies. Our new report,

"Today’s Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling is a clear victory for Oklahoma voters. The unnecessary and burdensome requirement of getting absentee ballots notarized only served to make it harder for Oklahomans to participate in the democratic process. While the notary requirement has been an unnecessary hurdle for all absentee voters, it disproportionately hurt Oklahomans from marginalized communities, as well as those with compromised immune systems and senior citizens. The notary requirement is troubling in any election, but the current pandemic put it in stark relief as voters are being asked to choose between the recommendations of public health experts and exercising their right to vote. With today’s ruling the Court affirmed the legal right of Oklahoma voters to submit their absentee ballots on their own oath, under penalty of law, WITHOUT having to interact with a notary. This represents a tremendous step forward and we must continue to do everything possible to let communities vote safely and securely without compromising their health.”