Blog posts

Its time to invent a new term to replace "transparency" or "transparent". Something that describes a relationship between the government and the public where both see and hear each other in meaningful ways.

“Transparency” sounds like a high standard, but in practice it has become a minimal one. In Surry County, as in many localities, transparency usually means:

The April 21 "VOTE NO" coalition wants all voters to see the map already approved by the Democrat-led State Legislative bodies, but the "VOTE YES" coalition does not show that map in the actual referendum they wrote or in any of their advertising. Why is that?

Here’s the clearest, evidence‑based explanation of the asymmetry you’re seeing — and it lines up almost perfectly with what political scientists call “strategic opacity” in ballot campaigns.

The definition of 'obstruction' or 'harrassment' outside of the 40-foot perimeter seems rather subjective. Is handing out literature and attempting to engage with voters 41 feet away from the voting location entrance considered harrassment or obstruction?

This is a question regarding information booths outside of voting locations. Can the person handing out information be from outside of the voting precinct? Can they be a minor?