Alex Burness
@burness.bsky.social
Reporter for @boltsmag.org covering voting rights, democracy, and criminal justice at the local and state levels. Previously @denverpost.com. Support local journalism.
Signal: burness.02
Signal: burness.02
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Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Reposted by Alex Burness
Sometimes you have to say it out loud to appreciate how dire t all is:
The president just openly declared his plans to steal the midterm elections — in an interview with the former number two person at the FBI.
The president just openly declared his plans to steal the midterm elections — in an interview with the former number two person at the FBI.
Trump: "These people were brought to our country to vote, & they vote illegally. The Republicans should say, we should take over the voting in at least 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting. We have states that I won that show I didn't win. You're gonna see something in Georgia"
February 2, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Sometimes you have to say it out loud to appreciate how dire t all is:
The president just openly declared his plans to steal the midterm elections — in an interview with the former number two person at the FBI.
The president just openly declared his plans to steal the midterm elections — in an interview with the former number two person at the FBI.
Reposted by Alex Burness
This story is a Kafkaesque nightmare.
One of several examples: the government does not give you the option to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork, and then shows up to arrest you for failing to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork.
Maddening, and well worth the read.
One of several examples: the government does not give you the option to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork, and then shows up to arrest you for failing to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork.
Maddening, and well worth the read.
Alaska officials gave false info to American Samoans, telling them they can vote. (They can’t, due to having a unique status among anyone born in a US state or territory.)
Now the state is threatening them with years in prison, part of GOP’s voting fraud panic.
Months of reporting in this story:
Now the state is threatening them with years in prison, part of GOP’s voting fraud panic.
Months of reporting in this story:
Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
February 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This story is a Kafkaesque nightmare.
One of several examples: the government does not give you the option to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork, and then shows up to arrest you for failing to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork.
Maddening, and well worth the read.
One of several examples: the government does not give you the option to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork, and then shows up to arrest you for failing to identify yourself correctly in the paperwork.
Maddening, and well worth the read.
Reposted by Alex Burness
Mayor Mamdani names criminal justice reformer Stanley Richards as NYC’s new Department of Correction commissioner
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Mamdani names reformer Stanley Richards to steer chaotic Rikers complex
Exactly one month into his term, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a formerly incarcerated person to manage the facility.
gothamist.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Mayor Mamdani names criminal justice reformer Stanley Richards as NYC’s new Department of Correction commissioner
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
“Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities in Maine and Pennsylvania’s state Houses. They now need to defend vacant seats to retain their edge in each through the end of the year.”
That and a bunch more in @taniel.bsky.social’s What’s on the Ballot guide for February:
That and a bunch more in @taniel.bsky.social’s What’s on the Ballot guide for February:
NEW in Bolts: Our guide to the elections to watch in February includes special elections for two legislative chambers, referendums on billions of dollars in school funding, and the election for Mikie Sherrill’s likely successor in Congress.
The 20 Elections to Watch This February - Bolts
Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities in Maine and Pennsylvania’s state Houses. They now need to defend vacant seats to retain their edge in each through the end of the... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 29, 2026 at 5:39 PM
“Democrats hold the narrowest of majorities in Maine and Pennsylvania’s state Houses. They now need to defend vacant seats to retain their edge in each through the end of the year.”
That and a bunch more in @taniel.bsky.social’s What’s on the Ballot guide for February:
That and a bunch more in @taniel.bsky.social’s What’s on the Ballot guide for February:
Reposted by Alex Burness
The amount of money the US government spent on troops in DC in 2025 ($223m) would have been enough to give the city's ~5,100 homeless residents each $43,000. Instead, federal troops destroyed their meager encampments.
"Federal troop deployments to U.S. cities cost a total of $496 million in 2025, CBO estimates. Continuing current deployments will cost $93 million a month; 1,000 Guard personnel deployed to a city will cost at least $18 million a month." www.cbo.gov/publication/...
January 28, 2026 at 10:03 PM
The amount of money the US government spent on troops in DC in 2025 ($223m) would have been enough to give the city's ~5,100 homeless residents each $43,000. Instead, federal troops destroyed their meager encampments.
Reposted by Alex Burness
The @boltsmag.org team wants to hear from you: Do you have questions about how local leaders, state officials and activists on the ground are responding to ICE?
Let us know and we will do our best to answer them.
boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
Let us know and we will do our best to answer them.
boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
Send Us Your Questions on Local and State Responses to ICE - Bolts
The killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and other scenes of violence by ICE and Border Patrol agents this month are startling reminders of the turmoil that... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM
The @boltsmag.org team wants to hear from you: Do you have questions about how local leaders, state officials and activists on the ground are responding to ICE?
Let us know and we will do our best to answer them.
boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
Let us know and we will do our best to answer them.
boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
I’ve interviewed many politicians who are nervous to publicly oppose felony disenfranchisement. Average voters, I’ve found, are much less timid.
We can learn something here from Virginia: Lawmakers proposed expanding re-enfranchisement and, whaddya know, the “yes” side is polling *34* points ahead.
We can learn something here from Virginia: Lawmakers proposed expanding re-enfranchisement and, whaddya know, the “yes” side is polling *34* points ahead.
We just got the first public poll I've ever seen of this referendum on restoring voting rights in Virginia.
It's by Christopher Newport University, just out, and it shows the YES leading 64% to 30%. (mailchi.mp/60b2cb28338a...)
The referendum is in November.
Details here:
It's by Christopher Newport University, just out, and it shows the YES leading 64% to 30%. (mailchi.mp/60b2cb28338a...)
The referendum is in November.
Details here:
JUST IN: Virginia's legislature just adopted a constitutional amendment that would end Virginia's rules that ban people from voting for life.
Virginia currently is the only state that strips people of voting rights for life for any felony. Youngkin rolled back reforms.
Now going to a referendum.
Virginia currently is the only state that strips people of voting rights for life for any felony. Youngkin rolled back reforms.
Now going to a referendum.
January 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM
I’ve interviewed many politicians who are nervous to publicly oppose felony disenfranchisement. Average voters, I’ve found, are much less timid.
We can learn something here from Virginia: Lawmakers proposed expanding re-enfranchisement and, whaddya know, the “yes” side is polling *34* points ahead.
We can learn something here from Virginia: Lawmakers proposed expanding re-enfranchisement and, whaddya know, the “yes” side is polling *34* points ahead.
West Virginia House just passed a bill to change its definition of human trafficking “to include transporting, isolating and harboring an ‘illegal alien’ to avoid law enforcement.”
The bill calls for a 3-year minimum prison sentence for anyone who “traffics” an undocumented person.
The bill calls for a 3-year minimum prison sentence for anyone who “traffics” an undocumented person.
The House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed a measure Tuesday that would increase penalties for human trafficking and human smuggling in West Virginia, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
WV House approves increasing penalties for human trafficking of immigrants without legal status • West Virginia Watch
The House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed a measure that would increase penalties for human trafficking and smuggling in West Virginia.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:58 PM
West Virginia House just passed a bill to change its definition of human trafficking “to include transporting, isolating and harboring an ‘illegal alien’ to avoid law enforcement.”
The bill calls for a 3-year minimum prison sentence for anyone who “traffics” an undocumented person.
The bill calls for a 3-year minimum prison sentence for anyone who “traffics” an undocumented person.
Reposted by Alex Burness
NEW: There are 2,400+ elections for DA & sheriff this year.
These matter hugely to criminal justice & policing—including: *these are often officials who decide ICE collaboration.*
So I took a dive into these 2,400+ races to identify early hotspots and battlegrounds.
Read, & check out our maps:
These matter hugely to criminal justice & policing—including: *these are often officials who decide ICE collaboration.*
So I took a dive into these 2,400+ races to identify early hotspots and battlegrounds.
Read, & check out our maps:
In Criminal Justice Elections This Year, ICE Contracts Are on the Hot Seat - Bolts
With roughly 2,400 elections for prosecutor and sheriff this year, Bolts reviews the map and early hotspots that will shape criminal punishment and law enforcement practices.
boltsmag.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:53 PM
NEW: There are 2,400+ elections for DA & sheriff this year.
These matter hugely to criminal justice & policing—including: *these are often officials who decide ICE collaboration.*
So I took a dive into these 2,400+ races to identify early hotspots and battlegrounds.
Read, & check out our maps:
These matter hugely to criminal justice & policing—including: *these are often officials who decide ICE collaboration.*
So I took a dive into these 2,400+ races to identify early hotspots and battlegrounds.
Read, & check out our maps:
Reposted by Alex Burness
A few other quick shots from the protest:
January 23, 2026 at 6:26 PM
A few other quick shots from the protest:
Reposted by Alex Burness
Yeah this story blew my mind bsky.app/profile/burn...
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
January 22, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Yeah this story blew my mind bsky.app/profile/burn...
Colorado voters will be deciding this year on a conservative-backed constitutional amendment to require collaboration with ICE.
The SOS just announced that this proposal qualified for the ballot, background on it here from @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/12/22/w...
The SOS just announced that this proposal qualified for the ballot, background on it here from @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/12/22/w...
Would Initiative 95 require police in Colorado to work with ICE?
Yes. If passed, Proposition 95 would require police to alert immigration authorities after some arrests, if a person's immigration status is unknown.
coloradosun.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Colorado voters will be deciding this year on a conservative-backed constitutional amendment to require collaboration with ICE.
The SOS just announced that this proposal qualified for the ballot, background on it here from @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/12/22/w...
The SOS just announced that this proposal qualified for the ballot, background on it here from @coloradosun.com: coloradosun.com/2025/12/22/w...
Reposted by Alex Burness
My latest for @boltsmag.org examines efforts to pass the MA Survivors Act, allowing abuse survivors to petition for resentencing (& release) or avoid lengthy/life prison sentences: boltsmag.org/massachusett...
Massachusetts Could Be the Next State to Give Abuse Survivors a Pathway Out of Prison - Bolts
The Massachusetts Survivors Act emulates recent resentencing reforms across the country that allow for reduced sentences for people with convictions related to their abuse.
boltsmag.org
January 22, 2026 at 3:17 PM
My latest for @boltsmag.org examines efforts to pass the MA Survivors Act, allowing abuse survivors to petition for resentencing (& release) or avoid lengthy/life prison sentences: boltsmag.org/massachusett...
Reposted by Alex Burness
Today, I spoke w/ @boltsmag.org's @burness.bsky.social. Alex covered how Alaska is punishing American Samoans for voting in local elections. He details how America's colonial legacy gave Am Samoans passports, social security numbers but no right to vote
open.spotify.com/episode/2YVa...
open.spotify.com/episode/2YVa...
January 22, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Today, I spoke w/ @boltsmag.org's @burness.bsky.social. Alex covered how Alaska is punishing American Samoans for voting in local elections. He details how America's colonial legacy gave Am Samoans passports, social security numbers but no right to vote
open.spotify.com/episode/2YVa...
open.spotify.com/episode/2YVa...
Reposted by Alex Burness
In one of his final moves before leaving office today, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed bills aimed at protecting immigrants out of fear it would invite legal challenges from the Trump admin.
Immigrant advocates decried the decision: "ICE is already here, kidnapping people."
boltsmag.org/new-jersey-g...
Immigrant advocates decried the decision: "ICE is already here, kidnapping people."
boltsmag.org/new-jersey-g...
On His Way Out, New Jersey Governor Vetoes Legislation to Bar Local Assistance to ICE - Bolts
Phil Murphy killed a bill that'd have codified in law restrictions on how sheriffs and police can partner with ICE. Some restrictions remain in place, for now, via an attorney general directive.
boltsmag.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:01 PM
In one of his final moves before leaving office today, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed bills aimed at protecting immigrants out of fear it would invite legal challenges from the Trump admin.
Immigrant advocates decried the decision: "ICE is already here, kidnapping people."
boltsmag.org/new-jersey-g...
Immigrant advocates decried the decision: "ICE is already here, kidnapping people."
boltsmag.org/new-jersey-g...
1. State supreme courts are really important and it’s wild how overlooked they usually are
2. Sooooo many offices all over the country go uncontested, including in very winnable/swingy locations
Here, in what sure looks like a blue wave year, two NV conservative justices go totally unchallenged:
2. Sooooo many offices all over the country go uncontested, including in very winnable/swingy locations
Here, in what sure looks like a blue wave year, two NV conservative justices go totally unchallenged:
NEWS: No one filed to challenge two conservative/Republican justices on the Nevada supreme court who are up for reelection this year. The deadline was a few days ago.
They will run for new terms unopposed.
They will run for new terms unopposed.
January 20, 2026 at 10:48 PM
1. State supreme courts are really important and it’s wild how overlooked they usually are
2. Sooooo many offices all over the country go uncontested, including in very winnable/swingy locations
Here, in what sure looks like a blue wave year, two NV conservative justices go totally unchallenged:
2. Sooooo many offices all over the country go uncontested, including in very winnable/swingy locations
Here, in what sure looks like a blue wave year, two NV conservative justices go totally unchallenged:
I chatted with @andrewgrayak.bsky.social about Alaska’s prosecution of American Samoans on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/2YvV...
January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
I chatted with @andrewgrayak.bsky.social about Alaska’s prosecution of American Samoans on the East Anchorage Book Club podcast. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/2YvV...
Abigail Spanberger did not end Virginia’s 287(g) partnership with ICE yesterday, despite reports to the contrary.
What Spanberger did do is rescind Glenn Youngkin’s order that required the state police + DOC to sign ICE contracts. She terminated the requirement, but not the contracts themselves.
What Spanberger did do is rescind Glenn Youngkin’s order that required the state police + DOC to sign ICE contracts. She terminated the requirement, but not the contracts themselves.
January 18, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Abigail Spanberger did not end Virginia’s 287(g) partnership with ICE yesterday, despite reports to the contrary.
What Spanberger did do is rescind Glenn Youngkin’s order that required the state police + DOC to sign ICE contracts. She terminated the requirement, but not the contracts themselves.
What Spanberger did do is rescind Glenn Youngkin’s order that required the state police + DOC to sign ICE contracts. She terminated the requirement, but not the contracts themselves.
Pay for prison labor—labor that is in many cases mandatory or coerced, hence the popular argument that this is modern slavery—are so incredibly low that they’d be illegal in any other setting.
Read @prisonjournalism.bsky.social on Tennessee’s 1st tiny (literal pennies) prison wage hike in 33 years:
Read @prisonjournalism.bsky.social on Tennessee’s 1st tiny (literal pennies) prison wage hike in 33 years:
Tennessee’s First Prison Pay Raise in at Least 33 Years Isn’t Enough
The new salaries are still not enough for us to afford items from the prison commissary.
prisonjournalismproject.org
January 18, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Pay for prison labor—labor that is in many cases mandatory or coerced, hence the popular argument that this is modern slavery—are so incredibly low that they’d be illegal in any other setting.
Read @prisonjournalism.bsky.social on Tennessee’s 1st tiny (literal pennies) prison wage hike in 33 years:
Read @prisonjournalism.bsky.social on Tennessee’s 1st tiny (literal pennies) prison wage hike in 33 years:
Reposted by Alex Burness
Also you should read this fascinating & upsetting piece from @burness.bsky.social for @boltsmag.org about how an American Samoan family is caught in the Trump administration’s hunt for noncitizen voter fraud.
boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
January 16, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Also you should read this fascinating & upsetting piece from @burness.bsky.social for @boltsmag.org about how an American Samoan family is caught in the Trump administration’s hunt for noncitizen voter fraud.
boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Here's Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell explaining, moments ago on the Senate floor, why Democrats today moved to ask voters to allow temporary gerrymandering of Virginia in response to GOP gerrymandering elsewhere: "All of us should be disturbed by the necessity of what we're doing."
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Here's Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell explaining, moments ago on the Senate floor, why Democrats today moved to ask voters to allow temporary gerrymandering of Virginia in response to GOP gerrymandering elsewhere: "All of us should be disturbed by the necessity of what we're doing."
New in @boltsmag.org: Virginia voters will decide this year whether to repeal the state's exceptionally harsh Jim Crow-era policy of banning anyone with any felony from voting for life. This will be the country's first statewide vote on felony disenfranchisement since 2020.
Virginia Lawmakers Ask Voters to Repeal a Jim Crow-Era Lifetime Ban on Voting - Bolts
Voters will decide this year whether to end Virginia’s uniquely harsh felony disenfranchisement rules. They'll also vote on abortion, gay marriage, and redistricting.
boltsmag.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:26 PM
New in @boltsmag.org: Virginia voters will decide this year whether to repeal the state's exceptionally harsh Jim Crow-era policy of banning anyone with any felony from voting for life. This will be the country's first statewide vote on felony disenfranchisement since 2020.
Reposted by Alex Burness
This is an outstanding and infuriating story, very well done, and well worth a read even with all else that’s going on.
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
This is an outstanding and infuriating story, very well done, and well worth a read even with all else that’s going on.
New: The Bucks County (PA) sheriff this morning officially terminated its 287(g) agreement with ICE.
The sheriff, Danny Ceisler, is a Democrat who flipped the office blue in November, having campaigned on a promise to end the office’s formal collaboration with ICE.
Background here:
The sheriff, Danny Ceisler, is a Democrat who flipped the office blue in November, having campaigned on a promise to end the office’s formal collaboration with ICE.
Background here:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
New: The Bucks County (PA) sheriff this morning officially terminated its 287(g) agreement with ICE.
The sheriff, Danny Ceisler, is a Democrat who flipped the office blue in November, having campaigned on a promise to end the office’s formal collaboration with ICE.
Background here:
The sheriff, Danny Ceisler, is a Democrat who flipped the office blue in November, having campaigned on a promise to end the office’s formal collaboration with ICE.
Background here:
New Jersey jury pools and juries are extremely unrepresentative, because the state has excluded hundreds of thousands with past convictions. An estimated *25%* of Black N.J. adults have been banned from jury service.
Gov. Murphy just ordered major reform on this. I wrote about it in @boltsmag.org:
Gov. Murphy just ordered major reform on this. I wrote about it in @boltsmag.org:
In a Final Act, New Jersey Governor Opens Jury Service to Thousands with Convictions - Bolts
On Sunday, coming up on his last full week in office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stood at the lectern of the New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange to... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
New Jersey jury pools and juries are extremely unrepresentative, because the state has excluded hundreds of thousands with past convictions. An estimated *25%* of Black N.J. adults have been banned from jury service.
Gov. Murphy just ordered major reform on this. I wrote about it in @boltsmag.org:
Gov. Murphy just ordered major reform on this. I wrote about it in @boltsmag.org: