Mississippi's Mail-In Ballot Victory, Seattle's Democracy Vouchers, and Illinois' Reproductive Rights Expansion

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen dives into a series of uplifting stories that illuminate the ongoing fight for democracy and progressive values across America. We start with a crucial case in Mississippi, where state officials are advocating for the restoration of a five-day grace period for mail-in ballots at the U.S. Supreme Court. This vital safeguard ensures that votes from military personnel and rural voters are counted, emphasizing the importance of accessibility in the electoral process for marginalized communities. Next, we celebrate the renewal of Seattle's innovative democracy voucher program, which empowers residents with vouchers to donate to local candidates. This initiative has successfully amplified the voices of underrepresented groups and has led to a more diverse political landscape in the city, showcasing a model for campaign finance reform that prioritizes everyday citizens over big money donors. Turning to clean energy, we highlight a groundbreaking partnership between T1 Energy and Corning to establish a fully domestic solar panel supply chain. This collaboration promises to create thousands of jobs while bolstering energy security and supporting the U.S. economy, marking a significant step toward a sustainable future. We also discuss a landmark ruling from a federal appeals court in Texas that protects student expression and LGBTQ rights by blocking a ban on drag performances at West Texas A&M University. This decision reaffirms the importance of free speech on campus and supports the rights of students to express their identities. Additionally, we share exciting news from Illinois, where Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed two new laws expanding access to reproductive health care. These measures ensure that essential reproductive services remain available even in the face of potential federal rollbacks, positioning Illinois as a leader in protecting reproductive rights. Join us for this episode filled with stories of hope, resilience, and the belief that positive change is not just possible but happening right now in America! Mississippi's Mail-In Ballot Case Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program T1 Energy and Corning Solar Partnership Federal Court Ruling on Drag Performances Illinois Expands Reproductive Health Care Access If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com. More about today's stories: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/mississippi-asks-scotus-to-restore-mail-in-ballot-grace-period-after-gop-bid-to-kill-it/ https://reasonstobecheerful.world/how-100-per-voter-makes-seattles-elections-more-inclusive/ https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/t1-corning-reach-deal-make-fully-american-made-solar-panels-2025-08-15/?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--59W_rkh4b52DjScaJwPiAqGOBsZpsv7fkBESwOWWqdDjyfDXuwITdWcQL7Rh9INZ5t5Kcau6BXr5kQhVeXV0pduZ7aA&_hsmi=376077533&utm_content=376077533&utm_source=hs_email https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/08/west-texas-am-drag-ban/ https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/new-laws-aim-to-shield-providers-of-abortion-meds-ban-ticketing-in-schools/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support .