Opinion: One person, one vote

Also: The gymnasts and the (local) journalists. View in [Browser]( | Add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book. [The New York Times]( [The New York Times]( Thursday, January 25, 2018 [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( [David Leonhardt] David Leonhardt Op-Ed Columnist Voting rights have been under attack recently. In several states, officials — almost all of them Republican, alas — have tried to reduce voting hours, close polling stations or erect barriers to voting, like strict ID rules. These measures have disproportionately affected minorities. In fact, [that has sometimes been the stated goal](. But now a counterattack is underway. Not only are civil-rights advocates fighting the various attempts to restrict voting, they’re also pushing for new laws to expand it. One of those efforts took a step forward this week. Organizers in Florida announced that they had gathered enough signatures to put an initiative on the ballot this November that would [restore voting rights]( to nearly 1.5 million convicted felons. Today, felon disenfranchisement denies the right to vote to one in five black Floridians — and [10 percent of the state’s total voting population](. Daniel Nichanian of the University of Chicago [offers another number]( that underscores the significance of the measure: It would restore the voting rights of more than 15 percent of all disenfranchised ex-felons nationwide. The initiative already has the support of at least one notable Florida Republican, Carlos Curbelo, a state representative. “Fellow Floridians who have made mistakes and paid their debt to society deserve an opportunity to have a voice in the future of our state and country,” he [said in a statement](. Florida is just one example of the voting-rights counterattack. Nevadans will vote in November on a proposal to automatically register voters when they apply for a driver’s license. New York State officials are also considering steps to make voting more convenient. In Washington State, Democrats in the legislature [recently announced]( bills that would make it easier to register, including allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister. In the short term, making it possible — and less burdensome — for every adult citizen to vote will probably help Democrats. But these measures will also unleash some new Republican votes. And regardless of the partisan effects, universal suffrage just should not be a partisan issue. Gymnastics. Readers of this newsletter know [I’m a fan of local journalism](. It played a big role in exposing the sex-abuse scandal in gymnastics that’s in the headlines this morning. A 2016 series by The Indianapolis Star broke the news of the abuse [allegations against Larry Nassar]( the doctor who was sentenced to [up to 175 years in prison]( yesterday. The Star also revealed that the governing body for the Olympics gymnastics team [mishandled abuse claims from many other gymnasts](. “It shouldn’t take investigative journalists to expose predators,” [Angela Povilaitis]( the Michigan assistant attorney general whose office prosecuted Nassar, said in the courtroom yesterday. “But thank God we have these journalists, and that they exposed this truth.” Podcast suggestion. I recommend [this recent conversation between my colleague Ross Douthat and David Axelrod]( the former Obama adviser, on the Axe Files podcast. The whole episode is good, but if you want just a taste, listen to them debate immigration policy, starting just before the 51:00 mark. The full Opinion report from The Times follows. Editorial [Sentencing Larry Nassar Is Only a Start]( By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Michigan State’s president is stepping down, and others must be held accountable, for full justice to be served. Op-Ed Columnist [Soul of a Nation]( By CHARLES M. BLOW There are two issues at stake in the Russia investigation: our nation’s sovereignty and our nation’s soul. Op-Ed Columnist [Guns — When Trump Can’t Even Tweet]( By GAIL COLLINS Dead students, immigrants — only one seems to be a problem. Op-Ed Columnist [Is the Business World All About Greed?]( By NICHOLAS KRISTOF The talk in Davos isn’t about enriching the lives of just the top 1 percent. Op-Ed Columnist [Davos Man Meets America First]( By BRET STEPHENS Channeling Donald Trump’s id to the World Economic Forums’s egos. Contributing Op-Ed Writer [Is President Trump a Stealth Postmodernist or Just a Liar?]( By THOMAS B. EDSALL His successful deployment of “truthful hyperbole” has got people thinking. Op-Ed Contributors [Enough Trump Bashing, Democrats]( By FRANK BRUNI, DEVAL PATRICK AND JOE TRIPPI Practicality, positivity and no “deplorables” — two prominent Democrats offer their prescriptions for midterm success. HOW ARE WE DOING? We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to [leonhardt@nytimes.com](mailto:leonhardt@nytimes.com?subject=Opinion%20Today%20Newsletter%20Feedback). ADVERTISEMENT Op-Ed Contributor [Seeing Through the Fog in the Mueller Russia Probe]( By RYAN GOODMAN Was there a conspiracy on the part of Trump’s inner circle to mislead federal officials? Op-Ed Contributor [The U.S. Can No Longer Hide From Its Deep Poverty Problem]( By ANGUS DEATON We might direct assistance to the millions of Americans whose suffering is as bad as that of poor people in Africa or Asia. Op-Ed Contributor [How U.S. Tariffs Will Hurt America’s Solar Industry]( By VARUN SIVARAM President Trump’s action will slow down the deployment of clean energy, discourage investments in innovation and destroy jobs. Op-Ed Contributor [I Was Tortured in Gay Conversion Therapy. And It’s Still Legal in 41 States.]( By SAM BRINTON Nearly 700,000 adults in the country have been subjected to this harmful practice. Op-Ed Contributor [Artificial Intelligence’s ‘Black Box’ Is Nothing to Fear]( By VIJAY PANDE We actually understand this technology better than we understand human decision-making. Op-Ed Contributor [China Reaches Into the Heart of Europe]( By DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW Germany must end Chinese meddling in its hard-earned democracy. Op-Ed Contributor [What Homoerotic Videos Can Teach Us About Modern Russia]( By MARIA ANTONOVA How teenagers dancing in their underwear triumphed over Russian officialdom. Op-Docs [Sinking Islands, Floating Nation]( By MATTHIEU RYTZ Rising sea levels are forcing the country of Kiribati to make difficult choices. LIKE THIS EMAIL? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up [here](. ADVERTISEMENT Letters [New York City’s Attack on Fossil Fuel Companies]( Readers discuss Mayor Bill de Blasio’s lawsuit and divestment aimed at addressing climate change. SIGN UP FOR THE VIETNAM ’67 NEWSLETTER Examining America’s long war in Southeast Asia [through the course]( of a single year. FOLLOW OPINION [Facebook] [FACEBOOK]( [Twitter] [@nytopinion]( [Pinterest] [Pinterest]( Get more [NYTimes.com newsletters »](  | Get unlimited access to NYTimes.com and our NYTimes apps. [Subscribe »]( ABOUT THIS EMAIL You received this message because you signed up for NYTimes.com's Opinion Today newsletter. 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