Author

Matt Vasilogambros
Matt Vasilogambros is a California-based reporter for Stateline, which first published this report.
In reversal, some states make it harder for people with felony convictions to vote
By: Matt Vasilogambros - August 8, 2023
The year started out strong for advocates trying to make it easier for people with felony convictions to regain their voting rights. In March, the Democratic-led legislatures in Minnesota and New Mexico enacted measures that cleared a pathway for residents serving prison time for felonies to regain their right to vote upon being released. It […]
Save your food scraps, save the Earth: More cities and states look to composting
By: Matt Vasilogambros - June 20, 2023
In its fight against both climate change and rats, the New York City Council overwhelmingly passed a new ordinance earlier this month that will require residents to dispose of food scraps and yard waste in vermin-proof curbside containers for future compost, diverting organic materials from landfills and turning them into rich soil. If signed by […]
Why Republican-led states keep leaving a group that verifies voter rolls
By: Matt Vasilogambros - May 23, 2023
Eight Republican-led states this year left an interstate cooperative that seeks to maintain accurate voter registration rolls, and three more may join them — a move that election security experts say is fueled by conspiracy theories. Earlier this month, Virginia’s top election official said the state would become the latest to stop participating in the […]
After Nashville shooting, Democratic states push for new gun restrictions
By: Matt Vasilogambros - April 13, 2023
This story was first published by Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts. After a shooter killed three elementary school children and three faculty members in Nashville last month, hundreds of student activists flooded the Tennessee state Capitol to demand new gun restrictions. On the state House floor, three Democratic members disrupted proceedings by […]
The fight against election lies never ends for local officials
By: Matt Vasilogambros - March 7, 2023
State and local election officials across the country have begun pursuing strategies to combat election lies ahead of the 2024 presidential election: They’re meeting with community organizations, posting social media videos and even inviting skeptics to visit election offices in efforts to “pre-bunk” falsehoods they know are coming.