American Democracy Minute: Recent Episodes
American Democracy Minute
A 90-second radio short and podcast which keeps you informed of the key democracy issues in the U.S. Visit us at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, on Facebook, or send a Tweet to @democracyminute. The American Democracy Minute is the successor to the Open Democracy Minute, produced from 2019 to 2022 and focused on NH democracy issues.
Help support our work and YOUR democracy by making a donation to our home station, WNHN FM in Concord, NH!
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 14, 2023
With Court Cases and Elections Looming, the Wisconsin Assembly Scrambles to Keep its Gerrymandered Voting DistrictsRepublicans in the Wisconsin Senate have a 66% veto-proof supermajority. Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly are two votes short of a supermajority. Yet the Governor of Wisconsin is a Democrat. How is that possible? Gerrymandering. And the majority of Wisconsin’s legislators want to keep it that way.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - GOP lawmaker wins Wis. Senate seat, creating supermajority
Wisconsin Examiner - Special election moves Republicans closer to Assembly supermajority
PBS Wisconsin/Wisconsin Watch - Wisconsin's Assembly maps are more skewed than ever — what happens in 2023?
Princeton Gerrymandering Project - Wisconsin
PBS Wisconsin/AP - Lawsuit asks new liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court to toss Republican-drawn legislative district maps
PBS Wisconsin/ AP - Redistricting plaintiffs object to Republican attempt to boot Protasiewicz from cases
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Vos backs turning turning over drawing of election maps to nonpartisan agency in bid to bypass lawsuits
Groups Taking Action:Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, Common Cause WI, Represent.Us WI, Fair Elections Project
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #StopGerrymandering #WisconsinPolitics
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 13, 2023
Updates on a Federal Court Rejection of a Stay for Alabama’s Congressional Maps, and an Upcoming SCOTUS Case on South Carolina’s MapsWe have two updates on racial gerrymandering cases today, with another setback to the Alabama legislature’s defiant Congressional maps, and another important case coming up in South Carolina.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - Alabama Congressional Redistricting Challenge (SCOTUS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DIVISION via Democracy Docket - Order Denying Stay
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DIVISION via Democracy Docket - SINGLETON PLAINTIFFS’ PROPOSED REMEDIAL PLAN for the Special Master with Two Majority Minority Districts
American Redistricting Project - South Carolina's Alexander v. S.C. State Conf. of the NAACP
U.S. Supreme Court via Democracy Docket - Appeal of Alexander v. S.C. S.C. State Conf. of the NAACP
Groups Taking Action:
Alabama: NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU, Greater Birmingham Ministries
South Carolina: South Carolina Conference of the NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, The American Redistricting Project, ACLU
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #AllenvMilligan #SCOTUS
American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 31, 2023
This 82-Year-Old Man Could Be Enjoying Retirement. Instead, He’s Walking Across the Country to Fix Democracy
Disclosure - Host Brian Beihl is volunteering with Rick Hubbard's Walking to Fix Our Democracy effort.Thursday, August 31st, Vermonter Rick Hubbard will walk the remaining 6 miles to the Round House, New Mexico’s capital building in Santa Fe. At 82 years old, he could be enjoying retirement, but instead, he’s walking across the United States to fix Democracy.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
VT Digger - (Opinion) Rick Hubbard: Our political system is broken, and we need to fix it
Walking to Fix Our Democracy - Rick Hubbard's Walking Route
Walking to Fix Our Democracy - Problems & Fixes
Represent.Us - Basics of Ranked Choice Voting
FairVote - Open and Closed Primaries
Brennan Center for Justice - Small Donor Public Financing Explained
Groups Taking Action:
Walking to Fix Our Democracy, Represent.Us New Mexico, Common Cause NM, Indivisible Santa Fe, Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #DemocracyDollars #FixDemocracy #OpenPrimaries #RCV
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 29, 2023
State of New Hampshire Seeks 14th Amendment Legal Advice on Whether Candidate Donald Trump Can Appear on the First in the Nation 2024 PrimaryA New Hampshire 2020 U.S. Senate candidate endorsed by former President Trump is questioning Trump’s qualification for the Presidency under the 14th Amendment, Section 3, designed to keep former Confederate leaders from holding office.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
National Constitution Center - 14th Amendment, Section 3
WGIR's NH Today - 8-22 Corky Messner on Trump's eligibility to run for President
NH Public Radio - Stories about Corky Messner
Univ. of Pennsylvania Law Review - The Sweep and Force of Section Three (download of PDF for full paper)
NH Journal - Will ‘Insurrection’ Keep Trump Off NH Ballot?
Politico - N.H. Republicans feud over bid to knock Trump off 2024 ballot
The Atlantic - (Paywall) The Constitution Prohibits Trump From Ever Being President Again
NBC News - Trump supporters flood New Hampshire election office with calls after false claims about ballot access
Democracy Docket - How the 14th Amendment Could Disqualify Trump and His Allies
Groups Taking Action:
Free Speech for People, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW),
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 28, 2023
New Mexico Redistricting Case One of the First to Employ a Partisan Gerrymandering Test Proposed by U.S. Supreme Court’s Justice KaganAn unusual New Mexico redistricting case reaches a state district court next month. Unusual in that it’s Republicans claiming that Democrats did the partisan gerrymandering, but also that it will be one of the first cases to employ a partisan gerrymandering test suggested by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - New Mexico Congressional Redistricting Challenge
U.S. Supreme Court - Common Cause v. Rucho
NM Political Report - Gerrymandering case will move forward
Democracy Docket - New Mexico Supreme Court Rules That State Courts Can Review Partisan Gerrymandering Claims
NM Political Report - Watchdog groups file brief in congressional gerrymandering case
NM 5th Judicial Distict Court - Brief by Election Reformers Network, Common Cause New Mexico, and the League of Women Voters New Mexico
SEAN P. TRENDE - Amicus brief by redistricting legal expert
Groups Taking Action:
Election Reformers Network, Common Cause New Mexico, and the League of Women Voters New Mexico
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #StopGerrymandering
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 25, 2023
Can a U.S. President Pardon Him or Herself? The Question Will Likely End Up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week, we discussed the President’s broad powers and some limitations to issue a pardon. But can a U.S. President pardon him or herself?
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brookings Institution - Unpacked: Can a president pardon himself?
National Constitution Center - (2020) Can the President Pardon Himself? (Podcast)
Prof. Michael Conklin, Texas A&M Law, Angelo State Univ. - (2020) Can a President Pardon Himself? Law School Faculty Consensus (open PDF for full paper)
Reuters - (2021) Trump has discussed pardoning himself, source says
Brennan Center for Justice – Presidential Pardon Power Explained
National Constitution Center – Presidential pardons: A constitutional and historical review
Groups Taking Action:
Protect Our Democracy, Brennan Center
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #PardonMe #SelfPardon
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 25, 2023
How Did Presidential Pardons Evolve, and What Are Their Limitations?In the first 2024 GOP primary debate, Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated his campaign pledge to pardon former President Trump. How did Presidential pardons evolve, and what are their limitations?
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House Historical Association - The History of the Pardon Power
Office of the Pardon Attorney, DOJ - Clemency Statistics
Brennan Center for Justice - Presidential Pardon Power Explained
National Constitution Center - Presidential pardons: A constitutional and historical review
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 23, 2023
GOP Activists Are Pitching an Alternative to ERIC for Voter List Maintenance. But it Could Also Be Used for Voter Suppression.Nine conservative-leaning states have pulled out of ERIC, a cooperative of states which uses advanced computer matching to keep voter rolls clean. Now, a group of GOP activists is launching its own system called EagleAI NETwork and pitching it to counties and states – and for use by activists in “challenging” voter eligibility.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NBC News - Inside the right’s effort to build a voter fraud hunting tool
NPR - How the far right tore apart one of the best tools to fight voter fraud
New Brunswick News/Atlanta Journal Constitution - Georgia company EagleAI pursues multistate voter registration cancellations
Documented - Meet "Eagle AI," the Cleta Mitchell-Backed MAGA Mass Voter Challenge Program
Campaign Legal Center - What Is ERIC, and Why Is It Critical for Our Democracy?
Groups Taking Action:
Issue One, Common Cause Georgia, Center for Election Innovation & Research, Protect Democracy
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #FreedomtoVote
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 22, 2023 Trump Announces He’s Skipping the Initial GOP Primary Debates. How Much Do Presidential Candidate Debates Matter?Former President Trump announced August 20th that he will not be participating in the upcoming GOP debates, saying the public already knew him. But just how important are the debates?
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - Trump says he will skip GOP presidential primary debates
FiveThirtyEight - (2020) What We Know About The Impact Of Primary Debates
The Journalist's Resource / Harvard Kennedy School - Presidential debates and their effects: Research roundup
Pew Research Center - (2012) Most Say Presidential Debates Influence Their Vote
Annenberg Public Policy Center - Presidential Debates: What’s Behind the Numbers?
Communication Monographs - (2003) A meta-analysis of the effects of viewing U.S. presidential debate
Pew Research Center - 5 facts about presidential and vice presidential debates
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - How to watch the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #GOPDebate
The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 21, 2023
Federal Court Strikes Down Mississippi Constitutional Provision With Racist History Keeping 11% of Its Population from Voting
Mississippi has the highest percentage of voting-age citizens who are not able to vote due to past felony convictions. In early August, a federal court struck down the responsible Jim Crow provision in Mississippi’s constitution, citing “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Center for Public Integrity - (2022) More than 15% of Black Mississippi residents permanently barred from voting
Democracy Docket - Mississippi Felony Disenfranchisement Challenge (Hopkins)
Mississippi Today - (2020) Study: 11% of all Mississippians, 16% of Black Mississippians can’t vote because of felony convictions
Advancement Project - (2021) Our Voices, Our Votes: Felony Disenfranchisement and Re-entry in Mississippi
Mississippi Today - 5th Circuit panel strikes down Mississippi’s lifetime felony voting ban
The Marshall Project - Voting Rights for Felons
Groups Taking Action:
The Sentencing Project, Mississippi Votes, ACLU Mississippi
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #RightsRestoration #ProtectPollWorkers
American Democracy Minute Radio Report for August 18, 2023
Under the Cloak of “Election Integrity,” North Carolina Legislature Overhauls Election System; Override of Governor’s Expected Veto LikelyThe North Carolina legislature approved a so-called “election integrity” bill late Wednesday, making it harder to vote by mail, employing provisional ballots for election day registrants, implementing new polling place observer rules, and allowing voters to challenge the mail ballots of other voters.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - North Carolina Republicans Introduce Election Bill Influenced by GOP Operatives
WRAL - Sweeping election law changes moving forward again in NC legislature, ahead of 2024 elections
WRAL - Local election officials say proposed NC election changes would be 'disruptive'
North Carolina Legislature - Final version of SB 747
WGHP - Few amendments, many questions: North Carolina’s expanded voting law headed for Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk
Groups Taking Action:
North Carolina Black Alliance, Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina Voter, ACLU North Carolina
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #NCPolitics #VoterSuppression #FreedomtoVote
American Democracy Minute Radio Report for August 17, 2023
Developments in the Fight for Fair Voting District Maps in Alabama, Florida and WisconsinWhile we’ve been reading indictments, there have been three developments in the last week which may impact gerrymandered Congressional maps in Alabama, Florida and Wisconsin.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NPR - Alabama lost a voting rights case at the Supreme Court. It's still trying to win
Associated Press - Federal judges question Alabama’s new congressional map, lack of 2nd majority-Black district
Democracy Docket - New Agreement Renews Potential for Black-Performing Florida Congressional District
WCJB - North Florida congressional district challenge to be expedited to Supreme Court
Insider - A North Florida congressional district that was held by a Black Democrat before it was dismantled by Ron DeSantis could be restored in 2024 under a new agreement
Wisconsin State Journal - Liberal Janet Protasiewicz vows fairness as Wisconsin Supreme Court term begins
Wisconsin Examiner - Lawsuit against legislative maps filed at Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Examiner - Vos says Republicans may consider impeaching Protasiewicz over redistricting comments
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Campaign Legal Center, Black Voters Matter, Equal Ground, Florida Rising, League of Women Voters of Florida, Fair Maps Wisconsin Coalition, Common Cause WI, League of Women Voters WI
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #WisconsinPolitics #AllenvMilligan #FloridaPolitics
Georgia Indictment of Trump & Allies Includes Ties to Breach of Voting Machines in Coffee County, GA
In a follow up to our past reports on Coffee County, GA, Monday’s RICO indictment of former President Donald Trump includes evidence of alleged COORDINATION of voting machine tampering by Trump’s legal team, and indictments of lead actors involved in the alleged access to, and tampering with the county’s ballot tabulation machines.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - Full Searchable Indictment from the Fulton County Superior Court
Associated Press - Video shows ‘unauthorized access’ to Ga. election equipment
Reuters - (2022) Michigan widens probe into voting system breaches by Trump allies
CNN - Text messages reveal Trump operatives considered using breached voting data to decertify Georgia’s Senate runoff in 2021
CNN - Exclusive: Georgia prosecutors have messages showing Trump’s team is behind voting system breach
Sullivan|Strickler - Management Team
The Guardian - Trump allies face potential charges in Georgia over voting machine breaches
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #TrumpIndictment #GeorgiaIndictment
Ohio’s Politician-Led Redistricting Commission Failed. Citizens Are Proposing a Citizen-Led Commission Instead.
With 70% of the vote in 2018, Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment prohibiting partisan gerrymandering. The state’s redistricting commission and legislature ignored it, and gerrymandered the voting district maps anyway. Citizens are now trying to fix what the politicians won’t.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Ohio Capital Journal - (2022) Public awaits more redistricting work, but new law gives court little leeway to force it
Ohio Capital Journal - (2022) Discussions underway to propose new redistricting reform to Ohio voters
WOSU - Groups gathering signatures to get citizen-led statewide redistricting commission on the 2024 ballot
Ohio Redistricting Commission - What the Commission Does
Ohio Redistricting Commission - Public Comments
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission - FAQ Page
California Independent Redistricting Commission - FAQ Page
BallotPedia - States with Redistricting Commissions
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Ohio, League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts Ohio, Indivisible Central Ohio
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #OhioPolitics
DC Democrats Attempt to Block Citizen Initiative Proposing Ranked Choice Voting and Semi-Open Primaries in City ElectionsDemocrats in the District of Columbia have sued the DC Elections Board to prevent a citizen ballot initiative proposing ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries, claiming it would violate the city charter, and confuse Black and Hispanic voters. Many major party leaders perceive open primaries as an existential threat to power, despite its popularity with voters.
Correction in today's audio report The DC Elections Board approved the ballot measure to move forward in JULY, not June, as stated. Sorry for the error!
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Make All Votes Count DC - Text of “Make All Votes Count Act of 2024”
DCist - D.C. Democratic Party Sues To Keep Ranked Choice Voting And Open Primaries Off The Ballot
New York City Campaign Finance Board - (2022) Report Highlights Ranked Choice Voting in 2021 Elections
Unite America - (2022) Two new reports on Ranked Choice Voting in NYC provide hope amidst a dismal primary season
The Hill - (Opinion) Could election reform in DC help conservatives embrace it nationwide?
Groups Taking Action:
Make All Votes Count DC, More Voice DC, Rank the Vote, Open Primaries, Fair Vote Action
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #RCV #OpenPrimaries
Should Commodities Traders Be Able to Gamble on Who Wins Control Congress?Should investors be able to bet on who wins the control of Congress? A commodities trading company wants to sell “futures” contracts based on the outcome of elections.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission - CFTC Announces Review of Kalshi Congressional Control Contracts and Public Comment Period (The official public comment period ended in July, though you can still write the CFTC with your comments
Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Comments form page
KalshiEX LLC - Letter to CFTC
CFTC - Questions for Public Comment
Senate Oversight Committee for CFTC - Senate Committee for Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
The Hill - (Opinion by DENNIS M. KELLEHER) The stakes are far too high to allow gambling on U.S. elections
Groups Taking Action:
Better Markets, Public Citizen
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers
Ohio Voters Defeat Republican Effort to Raise Citizen Ballot Initiative Passage to 60% in Victory for Direct DemocracyWith an unofficial 57% to 43% margin, Ohio voters soundly defeated the effort by the Republican-majority legislature to raise the threshold for passage of citizen ballot initiatives. Issue one would have also required minimum numbers of qualifying signatures in 88 counties rather than the current 44.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:Politico - (2022) Republicans look to restrict ballot measures following a string of progressive wins
Ohio Secretary of State - Aug. 8 Special Election Results on Issue 1
Associated Press - Voters in Ohio reject GOP-backed proposal that would have made it tougher to protect abortion rights
CNBC - Ohio voters reject GOP effort to cripple abortion rights amendment
BallotPedia - 2022 abortion-related ballot measures
BallotPedia - Ohio Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative (2023)
Groups Taking Action:One Person One Vote, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, All Voting is Local
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #DirectDemocracy #OnePersonOneVote
Oregon Expands Automatic Voter Registration, Protects Voters Who Move In-State From Losing Eligibility, and Seeks Funding for Dropbox SecurityThree bills signed by Oregon’s governor August 4th expand Automatic Voter Registration, protect voters who move within the state from losing eligibility, and allow the state to seek federal funding for dropbox security.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Voting Rights Lab's "The Markup" - August 7, 2023
Oregon Legislature - Final version of HB 2107
Oregon Legislature - Final version of SB 166
Oregon Legislature - Final version of HB 1094
Bolts - Oregon Wants to Register Medicaid Recipients to Vote. Will Biden Officials Allow It?
Democracy Docket - Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown: Oregon’s Universal Mail-In Voting Transformed Civic Participation. Here’s How
Oregon Secretary of State - Voting in Oregon
Groups Taking Action:
Vote at Home Institute, Next Up Oregon, Coalition of Communities of Color, Disability Rights Oregon,
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VoteatHome #OregonPolitics #VotingRights #FreedomtoVote
Tuesday’s Ohio Special Election Attempts to Take Away Simple Majority Rulefor Ballot Initiatives. Now the Legislature is After Ranked Choice Voting.
The Ohio special election on Issue 1, the legislature’s attempt to raise the threshold to pass a citizen ballot initiative to 60%, is Tuesday, Aug. 8th. Now, in an effort to wrest even more power from its citizenry, an Ohio legislator has introduced a bill going after ranked choice voting.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
FiveThirtyEight - Everything You Need To Know About The Ohio Ballot Measure That Could Block Abortion Rights
Ohio Legislature - SB 137 Prohibiting the Use of Ranked Choice Voting
Statehouse News Bureau - Bill seeks to punish Ohio communities that pass ranked choice voting
The Athens Register/Associated Press - Ranked choice voting works in some other states. In Ohio, it’s fodder for a publicity stunt
Republican National Committee - RESOLUTION TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE RANKED CHOICE VOTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY
How to Vote in Ohio's Aug. 8th Special Election
Ohio Secretary of State – Voting Dates & Times for Aug. 8th Special Election
WOSU – Ohio voter guide: What to know about the August special election
Ohio Secretary of State – Find My Polling Place Tool
Groups Taking Action:
One Person One Vote, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, All Voting is Local, Rank the Vote Ohio
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #RCV #OnePersonOneVote
Dismissed: The Recent Arizona Election Denier Court Cases Which Crashed and BurnedNotable court cases brought by Arizona election deniers during and after the 2022 midterms have had decisions in the last few weeks. It didn’t go well for the election deniers.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Fox 10 Phoenix - Sanctions sought for Kari Lake following latest 2022 election lawsuit defeat: Here's what you should know
KJZZ - Judge sanctions legal team for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem
KJZZ - Attorneys for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem fined more than $120,000 by federal judge
SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA MARICOPA COUNTY - KARI LAKE v. KATIE HOBBS, et al.
Arizona Mirror - Kari Lake asks Supreme Court to overturn her loss, let her skip the appeals process
Arizona Mirror - Richer sues Lake for defamation
12 News Phoeinix - Judge dismisses Mark Finchem's lawsuit challenging election results
Arizona's Law Blog - Mark Finchem DROPS His Election Contest Appeal; Still Appealing Sanctions, Though
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ArizonaPolitics #ElectionDeniers
Alabama’s Racial Gerrymandering Showdown with SCOTUS Goes Back to Federal Court August 14th
We’re back in Alabama today, where freedom-to-vote and civil rights groups go back to federal district court August 14th to oppose the legislature’s defiant racially gerrymandered Congressional voting district map.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
CNN - Supreme Court orders voting maps redrawn in Alabama to accommodate Black voters in surprise ruling
Democracy Docket - After Allen v. Milligan, Plaintiffs Submit Proposed Remedial Map to Alabama Legislature
AL.com - Zero for 11: Election results show new Alabama map won’t fix voting rights violation, Black voters say
Alabama Reflector - Milligan plaintiffs: New Alabama congressional map is unfair; approval process was closed
WHNT Huntsville - Plaintiffs ask court to block Alabama’s new Congressional map
U.S. District Court/Democracy Docket - PLAINTIFFS’ OBJECTIONS TO ALABAMA LEGISLATURE’S
REMEDIAL CONGRESSIONAL PLAN
Groups Taking Action:
National Redistricting Foundation, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Alabama
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #AlabamaPolitics
Alleged Voting Machine Tampering Suspects Arraigned in Michigan Include Former Candidate for State Attorney General and Former State RepEclipsed by Tuesday’s news of former President Trump’s indictment for his involvement in the attempted overturning of the 2020 election was an arraignment of two of nine of his supporters who allegedly tampered with voting machines in Michigan.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Reuters - (2022) Michigan widens probe into voting system breaches by Trump allies
Bridge Michigan - Judge paves way for charges in Michigan vote machine tampering probe
Michigan Advance - Republicans Matt DePerno and Daire Rendon charged in 2020 voting machine probe
Bridge Michigan - ‘I have been indicted,’ says suspect in Michigan vote machine tampering probe
PBS - Security footage shows Georgia county Republican chair, election official present during breach of voting equipment
MI Office of Attorney General - Attorney General Nessel Releases Statement on Tabulator Access Indictments
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #MichiganPolitics #DebunkedVoterFraud
Aug. 8 Referendum Changing Ohio’s Threshold for a Ballot Initiative to Win Holds a 112-Year-Old Precedent and Reproductive Rights in the BalanceEarly voting for Ohio’s Aug. 8th special election is robust, as voters consider raising the threshold for a ballot initiative to win to a 60% margin. At stake in Issue 1 is a 112-year-old precedent of a 50%+ 1 simple majority rule — and an attempt to derail a reproductive freedom ballot question slated for November’s election.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure (2023)
Ohio Capital Journal - Early vote figures continue their tear in Ohio’s August special election
Ohio Capital Journal - Issue 1 debate brings the fight over how to amend Ohio’s constitution statewide
Ohio Capital Journal - (Opinion) Author of book on Ohio Constitution warns against Issue 1 changing 111 years of Ohio voter power
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio abortion rights amendment headed for November ballot
Columbus Dispatch - Tuesday is the deadline for mail-in ballot requests for Aug. 8 election.
Ohio Secretary of State - Voting Dates & Times for Aug. 8th Special Election
WOSU - Ohio voter guide: What to know about the August special election
Ohio Secretary of State - Find My Polling Place Tool
Groups Taking Action:
One Person One Vote, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, All Voting is Local
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #OhioPolitics #OnePersonOneVote
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Head Announces Additional Election Security Advisors to Assist States in Securing ElectionsThe head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, spoke July 25th to state election directors, announcing an investment in new regional staff helping states protect their elections. She also cited artificial intelligence as an emerging threat.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Director Easterly's Remarks to the National Association of State Election Directors' Summer Conference
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Bio of Director Jen Easterly
Associated Press - Head of US cybersecurity agency sees progress on election security, with more work needed for 2024
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Election Security Rumor vs. Reality
U.S. Congress - Election Worker Protection Act
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Election Disinformation, Protect Democracy, Election Worker Legal Defense Network
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers
Georgia’s Inactive Voter Purges: When Voter List “Election Integrity” Maintenance Becomes Voter Suppression
As we reported last week, Georgia and 20 other states remove voters who may not have voted recently, but are otherwise qualified, arguing it’s done for “election integrity.” When does routine maintenance become a tool for voter suppression?
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Capitol Beat News Service - Nearly 200,000 ‘inactive’ Georgia voters to be dropped from rolls
NewsOne - Georgia ‘Voter Suppression’ Alleged Over Plans To Drop Nearly 200K Registered Names From Rolls
National Conference of State Legislatures - State Policies for Cancelling Inactive Voter Registrations
National Conference of State Legislatures - States with Same-Day Voter Registration
American Public Media Reports - (2019) After the Purge: How a massive voter purge in Georgia affected the 2018 election
Atlanta Journal Constitution - (2020) Many eligible Georgia voters were canceled in nation’s largest purge
Atlanta Journal Constitution - (2021) Purge warnings helped 4,500 Georgia voters save their registrations
Brennan Center for Justice - (2018) Purges: A Growing Threat to the Right to Vote
National Association of Secretaries of State: Check Your Voter Registration Status
Groups Taking Action:
Fair Fight Action, New Georgia Project, Black Voters Matter Fund, ACLU GA, Common Cause GA, League of Women Voters GA
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression
Georgia Prepares to Purge Almost 200,000 Voters from the Voter List, Applying “Use it or Lose it” Rules; 20 Other States Have Similar Laws.Today we’re in Georgia, where almost 200,000 people who haven’t moved, aren’t felons, and whose voter eligibility hasn’t changed, may lose their voter registration prior to the 2024 Presidential election. The reason? They haven’t recently voted. Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Capitol Beat News Service - Nearly 200,000 ‘inactive’ Georgia voters to be dropped from rolls
NewsOne - Georgia ‘Voter Suppression’ Alleged Over Plans To Drop Nearly 200K Registered Names From Rolls
National Conference of State Legislatures - State Policies for Cancelling Inactive Voter Registrations
American Public Media Reports - (2019) After the Purge: How a massive voter purge in Georgia affected the 2018 election
Atlanta Journal Constitution - (2020) Many eligible Georgia voters were canceled in nation’s largest purge
Brennan Center for Justice - (2018) Purges: A Growing Threat to the Right to Vote
National Association of Secretaries of State: Check Your Voter Registration Status
Groups Taking Action:
Fair Fight Action, New Georgia Project, Black Voters Matter Fund, ACLU GA, Common Cause GA, League of Women Voters GA
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression
Florida Just Purged its List of Absentee Ballot Requestors, Forcing Millions of Voters to ReapplyIf you voted in the midterms by absentee ballot in Florida last year, your automatic request, along with millions of others, may no longer be valid for 2024, due to a new law requiring that absentee ballot requests expire in two years, rather than four.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
WUSF Public Media - Floridians who want to vote by mail in 2024 will need to request a ballot or renew their requests
The Guardian - Voters’ mail-in ballot requests cancelled as Florida passes new voting restrictions
Treasure Coast Newspapers - Voting by mail in the 2024 elections? Here’s why Florida voters should request ballots now
Florida Department of State - Find your Supervisor of Elections by Map
Brennan Center for Justice - (2021) Florida Enacts Sweeping Voter Suppression Law
NBC 6 South Florida - (2021) Gov. DeSantis Signs GOP-Backed Elections Bill at Event Closed to Local Media
National Conference of State Legislatures - States With Permanent Absentee Voting Lists
Groups Taking Action:
Florida Rising, Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP, Hispanic Federation Florida, Equal Ground Education Fund, Voters of Tomorrow Florida, Disability Rights Florida, Alianza for Progress, UnidosUS, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression #FloridaPolitics
Is Absentee Voting a Right or a Privilege? Wisconsin Voters Take Their State to Court Over Recent Restrictions on Absentee BallotsWisconsin’s election code states that the legislature sees voting in person a “right,” while voting by absentee as a “privilege.” Some Wisconsin voters disagree, and are taking that concept, and other absentee restrictions, to court.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Wisconsin General Assembly - SUBCHAPTER IV - VOTING ABSENTEE
Capital Times - Absentee voting rules violate Wisconsin Constitution, lawsuit alleges
Democracy Docket - Wisconsin Absentee Voting Procedures Challenge
Dane County Circuit Court - PRIORITIES USA, WISCONSIN ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, WILLIAM FRANKS, JR. v. WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION
Groups Taking Action:Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, Common Cause WI, ACLU WI, Wisconsin Voices, Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, Voces de la Frontera ---
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoteatHome #WisconsinPolitics
Texas Withdraws from ERIC, But the State Has Yet to Implement an Alternative to Keep Its Voter Lists CleanLast week, Texas became the ninth state to officially withdraw from the multi-state voter registration cooperative called ERIC, recently the target of fringe conspiracy theories. But, Texas doesn't yet have a replacement.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Texas Secretary of State - (2020) Statement After Joining Texas Joined ERIC
Texas Tribune/Votebeat Texas - Conspiracy theory whirlwind threatens to blow Texas out of national program that keeps voter rolls updated
Texas Tribune/Votebeat Texas - Texas set to exit multistate program that cleans voter rolls
Votebeat Texas - Texas resigns from ERIC, a national program that keeps voter rolls updated
Votebeat Texas - Letter Withdrawing Texas from ERIC
LegiScan - Text for SB 1070
Associated Press - Texas is largest state to leave bipartisan national effort to prevent voter fraud
National Conference of State Legislators - More Withdrawals From Voter Data Group ERIC Likely
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, League of Women Voters
Alabama Governor Signs VotingMaps in Open Defiance of Supreme Court Order; Alleged Michigan Fake Electors Stripped of Duties, Face Resignation CallsWe have updates on stories from Alabama & Michigan we brought you last week. Alabama’s governor has signed a new Congressional voting district map in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court, and an alleged Michigan “Fake Elector” has been stripped of his duties as an election official.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - Black lawmakers say Alabama GOP’s proposed new congressional map insults the Supreme Court
NBC News - Alabama Republicans refuse to draw a second Black congressional district in defiance of Supreme Court
Democracy Docket - Alabama Republicans Send Congressional Map Without Second Majority-Black District to Governor
Washington Post (Paywall) - Alabama legislature adopts new congressional map that could defy court order
Michigan Live - Shelby Twp. clerk removed from election duties after fake elector felony charges
Votebeat Michigan - Shelby Township clerk accused of being “false elector” stripped of elections duties
Michigan Advance - Here’s what we know about the charges against the 2020 Michigan fake electors
WKAR/WGVU - City of Wyoming's mayor faces calls to step down after felony charges in 'false elector' case
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Alabama Forward, ACLU Alabama
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #AllenvMilligan #FairMaps #FakeElectors
In Michigan, State AG Charges 16 Fake Electors, Voting Machine Tampering Case Moves ForwardWhile former President Donald Trump awaits a likely indictment for his role in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election, we’re in Michigan, where two related cases involving alleged fake electors and voting machine tampering are moving forward.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Michigan Department of Attorney General - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Charges 16 ‘False Electors’ with Election Law and Forgery Felonies
Michigan Advance - 16 Michigan Republicans charged with felonies in 2020 fake elector scheme
Politico - Michigan AG charges 16 GOP activists who falsely claimed to be electors in bid to aid Trump
Bridge Michigan - Judge paves way for charges in Michigan vote machine tampering probe
Slate - Trump Was Implicated in a Vote Machine Theft. Why Isn’t DOJ Investigating?
American Oversight - AMERICAN OVERSIGHT OBTAINS SEVEN PHONY CERTIFICATES OF PRO-TRUMP ELECTORS
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FakeElectors
U.S. House & Senate Democrats Reintroduce the Freedom to Vote Act,
**But It Faces More Hurdles This Session
Today's ScriptTuesday, Democratic leaders of the U.S. House and Senate re-introduced the Freedom to Vote Act, the sweeping democracy reform bill narrowly defeated in the U.S. Senate in 2022. Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice - The Freedom to Vote Act
Democracy Docket - House and Senate Democrats Reintroduce the Freedom to Vote Act
U.S. Senate via Democracy Docket - Bill Text for the Freedom to Vote Act
PBS - Press Conference of Reintroduction of Freedom to Vote Act
Roll Call - Democrats respond to ‘MAGA extremists’ with rival election bill
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, Common Cause, ACLU, Public Citizen, People for the American Way, League of Women Voters US
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FreedomtoVote #VotingRights
Alabama Redistricting Committee Defies SCOTUS Milligan Decision, Again Proposing Only One Majority Black Congressional District
Democracy advocates in Alabama are incredulous after an Alabama state legislative committee passed a new Congressional voting district map on Monday which again proposed only one majority Black district.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court - Allen v. Milligan Decision
Democracy Docket - U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Alabama Congressional Map, Upholds Voting Rights Act
Alabama Reflector - Proposed Alabama congressional map would only have one majority-Black district
Axios - New Alabama congressional map plan already under fire
Forbes - Alabama GOP Passes New Congressional Map With Just 1 Black-Majority District, Not 2—Despite Supreme Court Ruling
Groups Taking Action:
National Redistricting Foundation, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Alabama
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #AllenvMilligan
New York Court Sends Congressional Redistricting Map Back to Independent Commission; SCOTUS Sets Date to Consider South Carolina Congressional MapThursday, a New York state appeals court ordered a redrawing of the state’s Congressional districts. The next day, the U.S. Supreme Court set a date for a South Carolina case which could greenlight MORE gerrymandering.
Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content. To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NPR - (2022) New York's top court rejects congressional maps drawn by Democrats
Democracy Docket - New York Court Orders Redraw of Congressional Map. How Did We Get Here?
Politico - Mid-level court hands Democrats victory in New York redistricting case
State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division - Decision in HOFFMANN v. NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause NY, Campaign Legal Center
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #NYPolitics
Turnout for Ohio Legislature’s Anti-Voter Constitutional Amendment Strong, as Century-Old Pro-Voter Ballot Initiative Rules Hang in the Balance
Today's ScriptOur podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our script as part of the podcast content. To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Ohio Secretary of State - VOTING SCHEDULE FOR THE 2023 ELECTIONS
Ohio Capital Journal - Early voting begins for Issue 1 asking to make it harder for voters to amend the Ohio Constitution
Columbus Dispatch - August special election bringing in more early votes than expected around Columbus
WFMJ 21 - Valley Boards of Elections report strong turnout for early voting in August special election
Dayton Daily News - Issue 1: Election officials’ turnout estimates vary widely as early votes pour in
WOSU Public Media - Ohio voter guide: What to know about the August special election
WOSU Public Media - Early voting for Aug. 8 special election draws long lines at Franklin County Board of Elections
Times Leader - Groups say ‘hell no’ to Issue 1
Groups Taking Action:
Ohio Citizen Action, Common Cause Ohio, One Person One Vote Coalition
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Report Recommends Changes to
Reduce Barriers to Voting for South Dakota’s Native Americans
Today's Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in South Dakota today where a new report issued by the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that Native Americans still face barriers to voting, like distance to a polling place, gerrymandered districts, and confusing voter ID rules.
The Commission’s South Dakota Advisory Committee surveyed native voters and found most traveled long distances to vote in person or to drop off a mail-in ballot due to the lack of rural mail delivery. The committee recommended mobile voting centers, use of accessible Indian Health Centers and Veterans Affairs offices as polling locations, more drop boxes, and increases in U.S. Postal Service locations.
By South Dakota law, voting materials may only appear in English. The advisory committee found that 11,000 tribal members spoke a native language at home, and language was a barrier for voting. It recommended repeal of South Dakota’s English-only law, use of federal HAVA funds to provide alternate language materials, and additional poll worker education on the use of interpreters.
The survey also found suspicion of non-native government, including during the voter registration process. Other’s surveyed noted the intimidating presence of law enforcement at polling places. The committee encouraged the South Dakota state government to pass a state version of the Native American Voting Rights Act, which could access federal funding to implement THEIR recommendations and others.
We have a link to the report at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights - Report: Voting Rights and Access in South Dakota
South Dakota Searchlight - Civil rights committee finds Native voting rights impeded, finalizes recommendations
Library of Congress - Voting Rights for Native Americans
Brigham Young University - Poll Booth Proximity, Tribal ID, and Bilingual Accessibility:
Three Provisions to Increase Native American Turnout in the Native American Voting Rights Act Of 2019
Sioux Falls Argus Leader - Native Americans' right to vote has always been a question in South Dakota
Groups Taking Action:Native American Rights Fund, Four Directions Native Vote
“American Confidence in Elections Act” Introduced in U.S. House Nationalizes Restrictions on Mail-In Voting & Doubles Down on Election Disinformation
Today's Script
Our podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:U.S. House Committee on House Administration - Summary of the American Confidence in Elections Act
U.S. House Committee on House Administration - Text of the American Confidence in Elections Act
The Hill - House GOP introduces election reform bill
Associated Press - Deep partisanship will be on display as Congress releases competing voting bills
NBC News - House Republicans unveil 'election integrity' bill
League of Women Voters US and the LWV DC - Joint Statement on the Introduction of ACE Act
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, League of Women Voters, League of Women Voters DC
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression
**Foes of Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting Alleged to Have Used Church as a Front to Shield Disclosure of Donors
Today's Script**
Our podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Alaska Public Media - Alaska Public Offices Commission Complaint by Alaskans for Better Elections
Alaska Public Media - Complaint alleges foes of Alaska’s ranked choice voting formed a church to funnel political donations
BallotPedia - Alaska Ballot Measure 2
Juneau Empire - Ranked choice repeal ‘church’ violating campaign laws, complaint alleges
Anchorage Daily News - Complaint alleges opponents of Alaska’s ranked choice voting formed church to skirt disclosure laws
Groups Taking Action:
Alaskans for Better Elections
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #DarkMoney #RankedChoiceVoting
Democracy Advocates Win First Round Battling State of Florida’s Attempt to Stop Voter Registration Drives
Today's Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
*Today’s Links now below the script
Our podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.*
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - Florida Omnibus Voter Suppression Law Challenge (NAACP)
Democracy Docket - Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Portions of Florida’s New Voter Suppression Law
Naples Daily News - 'Latest assault on the right to vote': Judge blocks parts of Florida elections law
Associated Press - US judge blocks portions of new Florida elections law
Politico - Federal judge halts new Florida law he calls ‘latest assault’ on voting
Groups Taking Action:
Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP, Hispanic Federation Florida, Equal Ground Education Fund, Voters of Tomorrow Florida, Disability Rights Florida, Alianza for Progress, UnidosUS, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression
**North Carolina Prepares to Implement Strict Voter ID Law, After Partisan State Supreme Court Reverses Opinion
Today's Script**
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The showdown between the North Carolina legislature and North Carolina Supreme Court has ended, but now the implementation of strict voter ID laws in the state has begun.
The highly restrictive law allows only an unexpired North Carolina driver’s license, U. S passport, state voter ID card, or a local or state government-issued ID card. The state’s supreme court struck the law down in 2022 as racially motivated, then a new, highly partisan conservative court reversed that decision.
The North Carolina Board of Elections must now implement it before the 2023 municipal races. The Port City Daily reports that the board just completed a public input period during June. One recommended change is an “exception form,” allowing a voter to explain why they don’t have the necessary ID, with options including theft or loss of an ID, no access to a birth certificate, no documents due to a disaster, among several accommodations.
Other public concerns about the law included defining rules for handling & storage of personal information, deadlines for mail-in ballots around holiday dates, religious exceptions to being photographed, and the curing of ID problems with absentee ballots. The Board endorsed some recommendations on June 26th.
The state is offering free non-driver state identification cards through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. We have links on how to apply for one, articles, and more details at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice - Voter ID Law Struck Down by North Carolina Supreme Court
Brennan Center for Justice - North Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Law 5 Months After Striking It Down
North Carolina State Board of Elections - Overview of NC Voter ID Law
North Carolina State Board of Elections - 10 Facts About NC’s Photo ID Requirement for Voting
NC Department of Motor Vehicles - Non-Driver IDs
Port City Daily - Wilmington - State BOE tweaks rules for voter ID law after public input
Carolina Public Press - New voter ID rule in North Carolina sparks worries about fairness for Black and Latino voters
Groups Taking Action:
Democracy North Carolina, Disability Rights NC, Vote Riders, North Carolina Black Alliance,
Impacts of Recent SCOTUS Decisions on Gerrymandering in Alabama, North Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, and WisconsinOur podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NPR - What the Supreme Court's rejection of a controversial theory means for elections
The Hill - Alabama governor calls special session to redraw congressional districts
Politico - Supreme Court dismisses Louisiana’s appeal of ruling that found racial gerrymandering
WFAE Charlotte - NC Republicans can still gerrymander maps after independent state legislature theory ruling
Election Law Blog - Breaking: Supreme Court Sends Back Congressional Redistricting Decision to Ohio Supreme Court for Further Consideration in Light of Moore v. Harper
Groups Taking Action:
Alabama - NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Louisiana - Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
North Carolina - Democracy North Carolina
Ohio - Fair Districts Ohio
Wisconsin - Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #MoorevHarper
**Would the Founding Fathers Have Given You the Freedom to Vote?
Today's Script**
Our podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Library of Congress - The Founders and the Vote
Prof. Thomas Jewett - Jefferson, Education and The Franchise
U.S. History.org - The Expansion of the Vote: A White Man's Democracy
National Archives - The Fifteenth Amendment
National Archives - The Nineteenth Amendment
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, League of Women Voters US, ACLU, Common Cause, Declaration for American Democracy
Moore v. Harper Hangover: SCOTUS Decision OKs Court Review, but Also Cracks the Door for a Weaker Version of the Independent State Legislature Theory
Our podcasting host, Podomatic, recently developed a technical issue stopping the inclusion of our daily script in the episode "Description." To view the script, please go to our website and find today's report.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
UCLA Law's Safeguarding Democracy Project - Video: U.S. Democracy and the Independent State Legislature Theory after the Moore v. Harper Decision
NPR - What the Supreme Court's rejection of a controversial theory means for elections
SCOTUS Blog - Supreme Court rules against North Carolina Republicans over election law theory
Brennan Center for Justice - The ‘Independent State Legislature Theory,’ Explained
National Review - (Opinion - Conservative) Today’s Ruling in Moore v. Harper
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #MoorevHarper #VotingRights #FairMaps
**Challenge to Portions of Kansas Voter Suppression Laws Reach the State’s High Court
Apologies: Our podcast host is restricting our ability to provide the full script. We're working on the issue. Please go to our website for the full script**.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Center for Public Integrity - In Kansas, inequality in voting widens with new limits
Associated Press - Kansas appeals court reinstates lawsuit over voting law
Campaign Legal Center - Kansas Anti-Voter Law Targeting Civic Engagement Groups Struck Down
Kansas Reflector - Court of Appeals reverses lower court on Kansas lawsuit challenging restraint of voting rights
Kansas Reflector - Voting rights case sent to Kansas Supreme Court, challenging 2021 election law
Campaign Legal Center - Signature Matching and Mail Ballots: Safeguards to Ensure That Every Vote Counts
National Conference of State Legislatures - States With Signature Cure Processes
U.S. Cybesecurity and Infrastructure Agency - Signature Verification and Cure Process
Groups Taking Action:League of Women Voters Kansas, Loud Light, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #FreedomtoVote #VoteatHome
U.S. Supreme Court Tamps Down the Fringe Independent State Legislature Theory in an Important Decision for Democracy
Today's Script
Our podcasting platform has issues today, so we're sending you to our website: http://www.americandemocracyminute.org to read the script. Sorry for the extra step!
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court - Decision in Moore v. Harper "Independent State Legislature Theory" Case
Democracy Docket - Breaking Down the Supreme Court’s Opinion Rejecting a Fringe, Undemocratic Theory
SCOTUS Blog - Supreme Court rules against North Carolina Republicans over election law theory
Common Cause - Post-Decision Press statement
Politico - Supreme Court crushes plan to scramble partisan map-making
Associated Press - Supreme Court rejects GOP in North Carolina case that could have reshaped elections beyond the state
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause NC, NC League of Conservation Voters , Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #MoorevHarper #VotingRights #FairMaps
In Another Step Backwards, New Hampshire Legislators Kill Online Voter Registration & Remove Limits on Political Group Donations to Candidates
Today's Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
New Hampshire’s former Secretary of State once said, “You can’t hack a pencil.” That 19th century philosophy resulted in the Granite State falling behind most of the country in its voting technology and election law. Last week, it got worse, not better.
As the end of the 2023 session drew near, a House and Senate Committee worked to hash out differences on Senate Bill 70, a proposed “online portal” for citizens to submit documents and register to vote. Any registrations would be reviewed by local town election officials before approval. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 42 states provide online voter registration.
The New Hampshire Bulletin reports that the House Election Law committee had earlier amended the portal bill to include replacement of the state’s vintage 1980s ballot tabulation machines using federal grant money, opposed by Senate leaders. Infighting ensued, and the online portal bill failed – again.
What did pass was nothing to celebrate. Buried in New Hampshire’s recently-passed budget was an amendment eliminating limits on money which could be donated directly to a candidate by political action committees, limited liability corporations and 501c nonprofits. Party leaders argue that mandatory reporting of those transactions makes it transparent, but LLCs and nonprofits are not required to disclose donors, keeping citizens in the dark on who is buying influence in THEIR state house.
We have articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:New Hampshire Bulletin - Online voter registration bill fails after lawmaker infighting
NH Union Leader - Election reform 'marriage' ends in divorce
National Conference of State Legislatures - Online Voter Registration
New Hampshire Bulletin - The budget removes limits on campaign donations. Not all are thrilled.
NH General Court (Legislature) - SB 70 as Amended by the NH House
Groups Taking Action:
Open Democracy Action, New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights, League of Women Voters NH
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FreedomtoVote #NHPolitics
**Oregon Legislature Sends Ranked Choice Voting Proposal to Voters on the November 2024 Ballot
Today's Script**
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Oregon voters will have an opportunity to approve statewide Ranked Choice Voting, after the Oregon Senate referred it Sunday to the November 2024 ballot.
The action is the first for a state legislature. Maine and Alaska have statewide ranked choice voting through a citizen ballot initiative, not legislation. The Oregonian reports that the referral was championed primarily by Democrats, but the measure has some Republican support.
The Voter Choice Act would implement RCV in the 2028 election for the offices of President, U.S.Senator, Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General. It also allows its use for elections in local government, counties, and school districts, and allocates money to educate the public on how to use it.
Voters would rank their choices of candidates in order of preference. If one candidate receives 50%+1 first place votes, that candidate is the winner. If 50% isn’t reached, the lowest vote-getting candidate is eliminated, and votes are recalculated using second and third choices until a majority winner is reached.
KTVZ 21 reports that Benton County and the city of Covallis already use RCV for local elections, and it was recently adopted in Multnomah County, passing with 69% support.
We have Oregon’s RCV proposal and a tool to see how Ranked Choice Voting works at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The Oregonian - Ranked-choice voting could come to Oregon, if voters say yes in 2024
KTVZ 21 - Oregon lawmakers send ranked choice voting proposal to November 2024 ballot
Oregon State Legislature - House Bill 2004 as Approved Sunday, June 25, 2023
Oregon Capital Chronicle - Tumultuous Oregon legislative session ends with historic investments, historic rancor
Fair Vote - How Ranked Choice Voting Works
RCV123 - Use RCV to Rank Your Favorite Alaska Animal
Groups Taking Action:
Oregon Ranked Choice Voting, Coalition of Communities of Color, Next Up Action Fund, Urban League of Portland, Rural Organizing Project, Oregon AFSCME, AFT-OR, and the League of Women Voters of Oregon
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #RCV #RankedChoiceVoting
**How the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder Decision Re-Opened the Door to State Voter Suppression Legislation
Today's Script**
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
June 25th, 2023 was the tenth anniversary of Shelby County v. Holder, a U.S. Supreme Court decision gutting a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. What was this decision about, and how has it contributed to the erosion of our democracy?
Decades of systemic racist voter suppression and violence spurred passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, outlawing discrimination in voting on the basis of race and enforcing the 15th Amendment.
Section 5 of the VRA created “pre-clearance” requirements for states, counties or municipalities with a history of voter discrimination. It required them to clear any new election rules with the U.S. Justice Department.
But in 2012, Shelby County, Alabama argued to the U.S. Supreme Court that Section 5 was unconstitutional. Instead, the court ruled that the formula used to apply pre-clearance was outdated, and asked Congress for an update. Congress hasn’t acted, so Section 5 has been unenforceable since 2013.
The decision greenlighted a resurgence of voter suppression bills in conservative-leaning states with large Black or Hispanic populations. Among the shady tactics employed are reductions in polling places, removal of drop boxes, shortening of early voting, attempting to stop voter registration drives, narrowing voter ID options, and even preventing the handing out food and water to voters forced to wait in long lines. All making it harder for our fellow Americans to vote.
We have details on the Shelby v. Holder decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Justice Department - About Section 5 Of The Voting Rights Act
U.S. Justice Department - List of States, Counties & Cities Subject to Pre-Clearance as of 2013
U.S. Justice Department - The Shelby County Decision
NAACP Legal Defense Fund - HOW SHELBY COUNTY V. HOLDER BROKE DEMOCRACY
Democracy Docket - The Voting Rights Act: How We Got Here
Brennan Center for Justice - Shelby County v. Holder
Center for Public Integrity - ‘What the court misunderstood is just how fragile our democracy is’
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Campaign Legal Center, MALDEF, Native American Rights Fund, Asian American Pacific Islanders Vote, ACLU Alabama
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression #ShelbyvHolder
Brian is off today, making a money-in-politics video for New Hampshire Democracy advocacy organization, Open Democracy. We'll return next week with new reports! Meanwhile, we're rebroadcasting the third in our series on Dark Money, shining a light on the sleazy practice of using LLCs to bypass state campaign donation rules.
Rebroadcast of "Shedding Light on Dark Money: How the Wealthy Use LLCs to Circumvent Personal Donation Limits"
Today's Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Our Dark Money series has explored how the member stockholders of Limited Liability Corporations can use LLCs to HIDE their political donations. Now we’ll see how the wealthy use the “LLC Loophole” to circumvent a state’s personal contribution limits.
Let’s say you’re a real estate developer and own multiple properties, each registered as an LLC. You’ve personally given the maximum allowed by your state, but want to give more. Enter the “LLC Loophole.”
In many states, your LLC is allowed to donate, too, so you can give tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands more to your candidate. And it’s likely the public will never know.
In New Hampshire, Republican Governor Chris Sununu received a pipeline of campaign cash from developers, real estate companies and other businesses over multiple campaign cycles. In his 2016 race, 17 LLCs donated $7,000 each, controlled by one Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee. In 2020, a real estate mogul used four LLCs to donate $20,000.
Just last year, Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul accepted five $5,000 donations from LLCs tied to a single wine distributor, according to independent news site New York Focus. That reporting shows, Hochul received $150,000 from LLCs tied to just nine corporations. This, despite New York’s new campaign finance law designed to stop rich donors from getting around the rules.
We have articles and explainers at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NH Public Radio – Loophole and Connections Help Gatsas Raise Big Dollars for Governor’s Race
NH Secretary of State’s Office – “Friends of Chris Sununu” 2018 Campaign Finance Report
Seattle University School of Law – The (Dunkin’) Donut Hole: Fixing the LLC Loophole in State Campaign Finance Laws—A New Hampshire Exemplar
Wiley Law Newsletter – Change in New York Campaign Finance Laws: Closing the LLC Loophole and Aggressive Campaign Finance/Pay-to-Play Proposals
New York Focus – Hochul Campaign Donors Blow Past Corporate Contribution Limits
Follow the Money – States Which Allow Direct Corporate Contributions to Candidates
Open Secrets – Dark Money Basics
Brennan Center for Justice – Dark Money in the 2020 Election
Issue One – What is Dark Money?
Issue One – Dark Money & Super PACs
National Conference of State Legislatures – Campaign Contribution Limits: Overview
National Conference of State Legislatures- State Limits on Contributions to Candidates
Groups Taking Action
End Citizens United, Common Cause, Issue One, Public Citizen, Free Speech for People, People for the American Way, Open Democracy Action (NH), Fair Elections NY
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews
Michigan Lawmakers Wrangling Over What Voters Demanded They Do When They Passed Question 2: Expand Voting Rights
Today's Script(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Last November, Michigan voters passed Promote the Vote Question 2, dramatically expanding the freedom to vote in Michigan’s state constitution. Despite its 60% mandate, some partisans complain that voters didn’t understand the amendment and were misled.
Bills have just been filed to codify Question 2, which includes a minimum of 9 days of early voting, a permanent absentee voter list, and prepaid postage, curing, tracking for absentee ballots, among several reforms. House Bill 4695 is one of a number of bills revising current election law, in this case to allow early voting. Other bills address early processing of absentee ballots and voter ID options.
HB 4695 offers flexibility for local officials to implement early voting, for which local clerks are already preparing. VoteBeat Michigan reports that the City of Detroit, with its 500,000 registered voters, is adapting its satellite voting centers for three weeks of early voting. Rural Hillsdale County will likely have one voting center open for the minimum nine days.
Some legislators continue to try to discredit Question 2 and the bills to codify it, using words like “bait and switch,” and QUOTE “Prop 2 was largely passed on lies.” But Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in her testimony, “They are, and reflect, national best practices . . .”
We have links to the bills and to the state’s 2022 Question 2 explainer for voters, on AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Michigan Proposal 2, Voting Policies in Constitution Amendment (2022)
Bridge MI / Votebeat Michigan - Michigan begins ‘new chapter for voting.’ What changes are coming in 2024
WKAR - Voting rights bills moving through House, Senate
Michigan Legislature - HOUSE BILL NO. 4695
Michigan Legislature - Explainer for 2022's Question 2
Bridge MI / Votebeat Michigan - Michigan moves to adopt early voting; Republicans say efforts go too far
Groups Taking Action:
Promote the Vote MI (website not working), Voters Not Politicians, NAACP Michigan State Conference, Michigan Farmers Union, League of Women Voters MI
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #PromotetheVote
**North Carolina Bill Proposes Stripping Appointment Power from the Governor to Change Election Board Balance and Exploit Deadlocks
Today's Script:** (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We recently reported on SB 747, a sweeping North Carolina voter suppression bill apparently ghost-written by a group with ties to the attempted overturning of the 2020 presidential election. Another bill just filed would strip election power from the Governor and election director and give it to the legislature, and fundamentally change how the North Carolina State Board of Elections is chosen.
WRAL reports the Governor currently appoints the five person bipartisan board with a maximum of three from one party. SB 749 changes that to an equal board with four members of each party, appointed by the legislature, not the Governor. Problem is, a deadlock could mean that either party could derail critical election decisions, such as approving early voting locations or interpretation of rules. If the choice of the board’s chair deadlocks, the bill empowers the Republican-dominated legislature to make the appointment.
The changes also apply to county boards of elections, to which the legislature appoints two members of each party. Again, if a chair is not chosen . . . wait for it . . . the legislature makes the appointment instead.
In addition to stripping power from the Governor, the bill also limits the current power of the board’s executive elections director, tasked with running the state’s elections and making executive decisions to help people vote in emergencies - such as pandemics and hurricanes.
We have articles and the text of the bill at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
North Carolina Legislature - Proposed Committee Version of SB 749
WRAL - New elections bill filed in NC would make big changes for 2024
WRAL - Elections overhaul poised to advance in NC legislature amid protests by voting rights advocates
WRAL - NC's most popular way of voting could grind to halt if new elections bill passes, critics say
Groups Taking Action:
North Carolina Black Alliance, Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina Voter, ACLU North Carolina
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights
Highly-Qualified Election Official’s Job In Jeopardy from Wisconsin Legislators Clinging to Debunked Election Conspiracy Theories
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
After the Wisconsin’s legislature’s almost $2 Million dollar boondoggle review of the 2020 election, one would think it marginalized the state’s election deniers. But a highly-qualified Wisconsin election official may now lose her post, just for, well, doing her job.
According to a report by ProPublica, Meagan Wolfe, chair of the Wisconsin Election Board, must get the votes of her fellow board members, then be confirmed by the Senate by July 1st. Wolfe was unanimously confirmed in 2019, and during her term she also served as the president of the National Association of State Election Directors, and chair of the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC. Extremist legislators accuse Wolfe of loosening absentee rules for locked down nursing homes during the pandemic, and conspiracy theories about ERIC resulted in 8 of 32 member states pulling out of the interstate program to keep voter registration lists clean.
According to the Associated Press, fellow Election Board member Bob Spindell signaled that he would not support Wolfe, and Senate President Chris Kapenga said there was QUOTE “No way” she would be confirmed by the Senate. Spindell was a 2020 “fake elector” attempting to subvert the election, and made inflammatory statements earlier this year congratulating his party for having kept fewer Black and Hispanic Milwaukee voters from turning out in the 2022 midterms.
Wolfe has not stated publicly whether she wants to be renominated.
We’ve linked ProPublica’s report at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:Wisconsin Public Radio - Price tag on Gableman probe nearing $2M, report finds
Wisconsin Election Commission - Wisconsin's Election Fact Checks
ProPublica - Wisconsin Republicans Sowed Distrust Over Elections. Now They May Push Out the State’s Top Election Official.
Associated Press - Wisconsin’s top elections official for 2024 uncertain as incumbent’s term nears end
PBS Wisconsin - Robert Spindell on voter turnout, suppression in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Examiner - Deadlock at Elections Commission would give Vos, LeMahieu opportunity to select new administrator
Wisconsin Watch - Wisconsin voting groups criticize GOP election commissioner who celebrated reduced Milwaukee turnout
Groups Taking Action:Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Common Cause Wisconsin, Voces de la Frontera, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities ===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #ElectionDeniers
**Quick Democracy News Updates from Alabama, Ohio, New York, & Connecticut
Today's Script:** (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have some quick updates on democracy stories we’ve been following in Alabama, Ohio, New York & Connecticut concerning mail-in ballots and constitutional ballot questions.
In Alabama, in addition the U.S. Supreme Court throwing out racially gerrymandered Congressional maps, the bill criminalizing outside assistance with absentee ballots never reached the floor before the term expired. The now-dead bill would have narrowed who could assist voters with filling out and delivering mail-in ballots, and threatened voter advocacy groups with felony charges for helping.
Saying the language was misleading, the Ohio Supreme Court ordered a rewording of the legislature’s partisan State Issue 1, trying to increase the margin to pass future ballot measures to 60%. But, democracy advocates are suspiciously watching the Ohio Ballot Board’s rewrite for more partisan politics. The existing 50%+1 margin has been in place since 1912, and the August 8th referendum is seen as an effort to thwart a reproductive freedom ballot question expected in November.
The New York legislature sent a bill expanding mail-in ballots to Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this week. Last week, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill expanding in person early voting, and the Connecticut legislature recently passed a constitutional resolution ballot question to allow no-excuse mail-in voting. The ballot question goes to the voters in 2024.
We have links to the details, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Bolts - Voting Rights Just Got a Second Surprise Win in Alabama
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Supreme Court says Issue 1 ballot language must be rewritten
Spectrum News - Early voting expansion to mail-in ballots will head to Hochul's desk
NBC Connecticut - Governor signs early voting into law in Connecticut
CT Insider - CT has caught up to 46 states that offer early voting. Lamont thinks voting should be even easier.
Democracy Docket - Connecticut Legislature Passes Early Voting and No-Excuse Mail-in Voting
Groups Taking Action:League of Women Voters AL, No on Issue 1, Common Cause NY, Let NY Vote, Connecticut Citizens Action Group
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotebyMail #OnePersonOneVote
**Manipulated Voting District Maps May Also Fall in Arkansas & Louisiana After Surprise SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Racial Gerrymandering Case
Today's Script:** (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported Monday on the U.S. Supreme Court’s surprise 5-4 decision, upholding Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and throwing out Alabama’s racially gerrymandered Congressional voting district maps. More maps could fall.
The high court found in Allen v. Milligan that the Alabama legislature intentionally manipulated voting district maps to dilute African American voting power despite having regions meeting the criteria for a second majority-Black district.
As a result of that decision, an appeal was filed June 12th in an Arkansas case, Simpson v. Hutchinson, dismissed by a three-judge federal panel just last month as not an intentional racial gerrymander. Democracy Docket reports that a group of Arkansas voters argues that the state legislature “cracked” the 2nd Congressional district to dilute the Black vote in Little Rock and Pulaski County. The suit also cites Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and violations of the 14th and 15th Amendment. The appeal goes directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Waiting in the SCOTUS wings is another case in Louisiana, paused in 2022 by the court. It’s an even stronger case than Alabama. Louisiana is 31% African American, yet has only one majority Black district out of six. It could also result in another overturned map. There are 32 cases citing Section 2 violations pending around the U.S.
We have links to the cases, analysis, and groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court - Allen v. Milligan Decision
- LDF's Case Challenging Alabama's Redistricting Maps and Why it Matters
Democracy Docket - Black Voters Appeal Arkansas Congressional Map Challenge to U.S. Supreme Court
The American Redistricting Project - Simpson v. Thurston (Formerly Simpson v. Hutchinson)
Democracy Docket - (Opinion) Louisiana Gets a Shot at Fair Maps After Supreme Court Ruling in Allen v. Milligan
ProPublica - Voting Maps Throughout the Deep South May Be Redrawn After Surprise Supreme Court Ruling
KUAR - Plaintiffs hope SCOTUS decision in Alabama case bodes well for Arkansas redistricting lawsuits
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Arkansas, Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Power Coalition for Equity & Justice, ACLU of Louisiana
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #VotingRights
**Connecticut Joins Five Other States in Passing State-Level Voting Rights Act Protections
Today's Script:** (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
June 12th, Connecticut became the sixth state to pass a state-level voting rights act, adding pro-voter protections gutted from the federal Voting Rights Act by the U.S. Supreme Court. Other states are considering similar proposals.
On Monday, Governor Ned Lamont signed the state’s budget bill, amended with the addition of HB 6941, the John L. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut. The 78-page amendment allows the state to establish “preclearance” procedures and remedies for municipalities which violate voting access rules, and spells out prohibitions of any voter registration, voter eligibility or voting rule which QUOTE “results in an impairment of the right to vote for any protected class member.”
Among many other provisions, the new law also expressly prohibits “intimidation, deception or obstruction that interfere with any elector’s right to vote,” and instructs the courts to act with a pro-voter philosophy to encourage citizen participation. It also expands non-English voting materials, and gives voters additional tools to petition the court.
Connecticut joins California, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington in passing state VRAs. Still pending are proposals in Michigan and New Jersey. Democracy advocates are closely watching a challenge to Washington State’s VRA just heard in the state supreme court in May.
We have a link to the new law, plus analysis and groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Campaign Legal Center - Protecting the Freedom to Vote through State Voting Rights Acts
Connecticut Legislature - John L. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut
Democracy Docket - Connecticut Legislature Sends State Voting Rights Act to Governor
CT Mirror - Gov. Ned Lamont signs CT voting rights act into law
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU CT, Common Cause CT, Hispanic Federation, League of Women Voters CT, Legal Defense Fund and other Coalition members.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VotingRightsAct
We're gone today, so are bringing an evergreen rebroadcast for you today from our explainer series on Dark Money. With the 2024 election nigh, be on the lookout for SuperPAC ads, and look up them up on OpenSecrets.org. - Brian Beihl
**Shedding Light on Dark Money: How 501c Nonprofits are Exploited to Hide Political Donors
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
Open Secrets - Dark Money Basics
Brennan Center for Justice - Dark Money in the 2020 Election
Issue One - What is Dark Money?
Issue One - Dark Money & Super PACs
Internal Revenue Service - Can a tax-exempt organization endorse candidates for public office?
Internal Revenue Service - A History of the Tax-Exempt Sector: An SOI Perspective
Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW) - The IRS is not enforcing the law on political nonprofit disclosure violations
Groups Taking Action
End Citizens United, Common Cause, Issue One, Public Citizen, Free Speech for People, People for the American Way
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re starting a series explaining Dark Money, starting with “charitable” & “social welfare” 501c3 groups. Most of these groups do great work and don’t engage in sketchy political activity. But the tax code has been exploited by Conservative and Liberal political operatives to keep YOU from seeing who is influencing elections.
Section 501c of the Internal Revenue Code defines these groups. It includes 501c(3) religious, charitable, scientific or educational groups, which can’t take positions on candidates. But while politics can’t be the “PRIMARY activity” for 501c(4) “social welfare” groups, the rules allow up to 49.9% to be political. That also applies to 501c(5) trade unions, and 501c(6) trade associations. None of these groups are federally required to disclose who contributes to them, and worse, the IRS has virtually stopped enforcing the rules, so abuse goes largely unchecked.
In particular, the 501c4s have been exploited to take in and spend huge donations from anonymous politically-motivated donors, often used on negative television ads. Technically, 501c4 groups CAN back candidates, but lately, more of their Dark Money has been funneled to Political Action Committees and SuperPACs, which only have to disclose a name like“Americans for Sweetness & Light” and keep YOU in the dark.
Next time, we’ll talk about using Limited Liability and shell corporations for hiding Dark Money donors. We have detailed explainers and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Bombshell SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Case Reaffirms VRA Section 2 and May Impact 2024 Elections
Today's Script:(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptBombshell SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Case Reaffirms VRA Section 2 and May Impact 2024 Elections
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The day before the bombshell classified documents indictment of former President Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a bombshell of its own. Its surprise decision in Allen v. Milligan, an Alabama racial gerrymandering case, may have an impact on 2024 elections nationwide.
Alabama’s population is 25.9 percent African American, but in Congressional voting maps drawn by the legislature, only one of seven districts was predominantly Black. Other regions would have qualified to form another, but instead, the legislature split them to dilute Black voting power.
The State of Alabama argued that since its maps were drawn by computers, it was race-blind and therefore didn’t violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Over the last decade, the current conservative high court consistently eroded voting rights and overlooked gerrymandering, which is why it came as a surprise when Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh sided with the court’s liberals in ordering Alabama to redraw its Congressional maps by 2024.
By affirming the VRA’s section 2, the 5-4 shockwave sends a message to anti-voter legislatures nationwide. Democracy Docket’s database shows 31 pending federal cases citing the VRA’s Section 2 which could be impacted, notably Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
Good news, but Democracy advocates are still wary of the court’s sobering anti-voter track record. We have links to the decision and analysis at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - Alabama Congressional Redistricting Challenge (SCOTUS)
U.S. Supreme Court - Allen v. Milligan
Associated Press - New voting districts could change again in some states before the 2024 elections
Democracy Docket - U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Alabama Congressional Map, Upholds Voting Rights Act
USA Today - 'Shockwaves.' How a Supreme Court decision on Alabama could 'shake up' the 2024 election
Democracy Docket - How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Allen v. Milligan Will Impact Ongoing Redistricting Litigation,
Brennan Center for Justice - A ruling in an Alabama case upheld a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, but challenges remain for communities of color
Union of Concerned Scientists - The US Supreme Court Upholds the Voting Rights Act, and Election Science, For Now
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #Fair Maps
Midterm Voters Found Mail-In Ballot Process Had Few Problems Nationwide
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
On Tuesday, we told you about the MIT Election Data & Science Lab’s Survey of the Performance of American Elections for the 2022 midterms, and its finding that voters were overall satisfied with the voting process. Today, we’re exploring the findings on voting by mail – with results which may surprise people of both parties.
MIT surveyed 200 voters in each state and DC and found that 32% of voters voted by mail, down from 46% during 2020’s pandemic voting. While 46% of Democrats voted by mail, it may surprise you that 33% of unaffiliated voters and 27% of Republicans did, too. And they seemed to be confident in the system. MIT found that 94% of mail-in voters were very or somewhat confident that their vote would be counted as intended. Ninety-nine percent reported having no trouble requesting or receiving their mail-in ballot, 99% had no trouble completing it, and 98% found the process very or somewhat easy to do.
MIT also asked mail-in voters how they returned their ballots. Excluding the all-mail-ballot states of Oregon, Washington and Colorado, 67% mailed back their ballot, 15% used a drop box, 10% brought it to an election office, and 5% to the polling place.
Mail-in ballots are a growing and convenient way to allow more citizens to participate in our elections.
See details of the excellent MIT Election Data + Science Lab report at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
MIT Election Data + Science Lab - Summary of the 2022 Survey of the Performance of American Elections
MIT Election Data + Science Lab - Full Report in PDF
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews
Alabama Bill Criminalizing Assistance with Absentee Voting Dies in State Senate
Today's Script:
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
What some call “ballot harvesting,” others consider essential help to seniors, nursing care patients and the disabled. That’s why Democracy advocates are relieved that the Alabama legislature’s HB 209 died Tuesday on the Senate floor.
The discredited 2022 film “2000 Mules” alleged widespread fraud from advocates collecting absentee ballots. Though debunked, extremists in state legislatures around the country have used the premise to justify restrictions on assistance in requesting, filling out or returning absentee ballots.
Alabama’s House Bill 209 limited persons assisting absentee voters to family members, including a child, spouse, aunt, uncle, grandparent,
grandchild, niece, nephew, parent, full-sibling, half-sibling or legal guardian. This included filling out or returning the ballot, and also allowed specific county or state election officials to assist. In the bill’s original form, violations were a felony, though a Senate committee amendment reduced it to a misdemeanor. The committee also loosened restrictions for the blind, allowing non-family members to assist.
What remained in the bill going to the full Senate were criminal penalties for anyone volunteering or paid to assist a voter. Such a penalty would stop the work of the League of Women Voters and other organizations assisting Alabama citizens to register and vote.
While dead for this term, this voter suppression bill is expected to return in the next session. We have links to articles, the bill and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Alabama Legislature - Text of Last House Version of HB 209
Alabama Political Reporter - House committee approves bill criminalizing absentee ballot process
1819 News - Contentious absentee ballot legislation clears Senate committee with amendment
Alabama Public Radio - Alabama legislative session nearing final day, absentee voting bill in the air
1819 News - Ballot harvesting bill dies in Senate without a vote; Sec. of State Wes Allen: 'I have not received a clear answer' on why it never reached the Senate floor
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU AL, League of Women Voters AL, Alabama Arise, Southern Leadership for Voter Engagement (SOLVE), Alabama Values
Ohioans Mobilize for Aug. 8 Special Election to Defeat Assault on Citizen Ballot Initiatives
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Ohioans are mobilizing against Issue 1, an effort by the anti-voter state legislature raising the bar to pass a citizen ballot initiative to 60%. The legislature’s proposed constitutional amendment comes up for a vote on August 8th.
From our past reports, you know that Ohio is one of several states rushing to raise the threshold to pass a ballot initiative from a simple 50%+1 majority to 60% or more, and to make the qualifying signature rules more difficult. Ohio’s current rules have been in place since 1912.
Why the rush? Successful 2022 ballot initiatives in Kansas and Michigan enshrined reproductive rights and protected voting, and signatures are already being collected in Ohio for a reproductive rights ballot initiative this November. Earlier this month, Ohio Republicans resurrected a special election in August, removed just last year because of low turnout and its $20 million dollar price tag.
Democracy groups are challenging the proposed language of Issue 1 in court, which, because the proposal hasn’t yet passed, requires only a 50%+1 majority. The conservative Ohio Supreme Court isn’t likely to change Issue 1’s language. So, pro-democracy coalitions and reproductive rights groups are doing it the old fashioned way: Mobilizing voters to show up for the summertime special election and vote down the assault on the power of the voters.
Dive deeper into the fight to protect citizen ballot initiative rules for Ohio and other states at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NPR - Ohio election officials scramble ahead of August vote on state constitution changes
The Guardian - ‘It destroys democracy’: Republicans bid to rewrite Ohio’s abortion rules
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohioans vote on Issue 1 on Aug. 8. What does it say?
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Ballot Board moves abortion amendment initiative forward
Pew Research Center - Views about abortion among adults in Ohio
Associated Press - Abortion-rights proposal moves a step closer to Ohio ballot
Ohio Citizen Action - One Person = One Vote Campaign
Ohio Capital Journal - Ballot measure making it harder to amend Ohio’s Constitution facing second lawsuit
NBC News - Ohio banned August elections. Then the GOP planned one that could help preserve an abortion ban.
Groups Taking Action:
Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, All Voting is Local, VoteNoinAugust.org Campaign
===
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights
Worried About Your Right to Vote? You Should Be. Dec. 7, the U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Moore v. Harper
Today’s Links
Articles:Brennan Center for Justice – Moore v. Harper, Explained
Brennan Center for Justice - Explainer Video on YouTube
Official U.S. Supreme Court Site - Links to Briefs
American Redistricting Project – Timeline and Document Submissions for Moore v. Harper
The Atlantic – Is Democracy Constitutional?
Vox - The deranged Supreme Court case that threatens US democracy, explained
Groups Taking Action:
League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal Center
. . . . . and every other Democracy organization in the country!
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
On December 7, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in what is shaping up to be a landmark case in election law, Moore vs. Harper. On its face it’s about gerrymandering in North Carolina. But its decision may reshape U.S. elections, giving state legislatures ultimate power over election law.
After the North Carolina legislature gerrymandered Congressional districts locking in 10 of 14 seats to the GOP, the North Carolina Supreme Court threw out the maps as unconstitutional. But the GOP filed suit, using the “independent state legislature theory” to argue that language in the Elections Clause in the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures ultimate authority over elections – including redistricting, conducting elections and most alarmingly, voting rights.
The theory is based on early arguments by a minority of the framers, and uses an interpretation of the Elections Clause that most constitutional scholars have dismissed as fringe. Until now. Four of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices – Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh — recently voiced support for the theory in other cases. The positions of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett are still unclear.
More on the roots of the Independent State Legislature theory, and its use of a document that the country’s founders even thought was suspect, in our next report. We have links to details on the case and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Reuters - Republicans in one Arizona county refuse to certify election results
Democracy Docket - Arizona Secretary of State Sues Cochise County for Failing to Canvass Election Results
Democracy Docket - Cochise County, Arizona Attempts Another Hand Count
NPR - Counties in Arizona, Pennsylvania fail to certify election results by legal deadlines
National Review - Apparently, No Lawyer Wants to Defend Cochise County's Refusal to Certify Election Results
Associated Press - 100% ballot hand-count blocked; Arizona county plowing ahead
Groups Taking Action:
Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, All Voting is Local
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
November 28th, an Arizona county board of supervisors refused to certify the November 8th election, defying the state’s deadline and inviting litigation.
Reuters reports that two of the three county supervisors refused to certify, saying they wanted to hear more from residents claiming that the county’s optical ballot vote tabulators were not properly certified before the election. Arizona’s Secretary of State’s office responded with supporting documents on the voting machines, and has now filed a lawsuit against the county to compel them to certify the election.
In the filing, the Secretary of State’s office said the County Commission was pointing to unfounded allegations about “ the testing, certification, and accreditation of electronic voting equipment” that serve to “sow further confusion and doubt about the integrity of Arizona’s election system.”
But wait, there’s more. In October, the county commission had voted to hand count the November 8th election, but the Secretary of State, and the county attorney warned against it. Then on November 7th, an Arizona judge ruled that Arizona law wouldn’t allow a hand-only count. Despite that ruling, now that the election is done, the same two county commissioners are suing their own elections director to compel her to hand count the entire vote.
Electronic tabulating of ballots has been shown to be more accurate, faster, and less costly than hand tabulation.
We have articles about the chaos in Cochise County at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Another Kind of Runoff Election is Growing -- Instant Runoff Ranked Choice Voting
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Ranked Choice Voting - RANKED CHOICE VOTING
Better Ballots Georgia - What is Instant Runoff Voting?
The Advocate - Letters: An 'instant' fix for Louisiana’s ruined runoffs? a ranked-choice voting ballot
State of Maine - Ranked-choice voting in Maine: Frequently Asked Questions
Axios - A proposed way out of Georgia's runoffs
RCV123 - Ranked choice voting groups around the country
Groups Taking Action:Fair Vote, Better Ballot Georgia, Ranked Choice Louisiana
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
As we approach the December 6th runoff election for U.S. Senate in Georgia, we’ve been discussing runoffs: What they are, and where they’re used. One type of runoff is gaining popularity in states, counties and cities across the country – Instant Runoff or Ranked Choice Voting elections.
Regular top-two runoff elections usually have a much lower turnout, but the expensive infrastructure for an election still has to be there. Municipalities must pay poll workers and officials, retain polling places like schools, churches, and arenas, and provide police protection. One of the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting is built into the choices you make on a regular election day, and doesn’t require a separate runoff election.
As the name suggests, voters rank their choices in order of preference. If one candidate receives a 50%+1 vote majority as first choice, that person is the winner. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and each of those votes are applied to that voter next highest choice, and the percentages recalculated. That process continues until there is a candidate with the 50% +1 majority.
The State of Alaska just implemented ranked choice voting and open primaries earlier this year. Nevada just took its first step toward ranked choice on November 8th, and Seattle just passed it for city elections.
We have more information on how instant runoff ranked choice voting works at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Runoff Elections Used in 10 States to Determine Party Nominees
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Runoff elections
Washington Post - Runoff elections a relic of the Democratic South
National Conference of State Legislatures - Primary Runoff Elections
Democracy Docket - The Racist Roots of Runoffs in the South
Groups Taking Action:
Open Primaries, Fair Vote, Fair Fight, Power Coalition for Equity & Justice
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Yesterday, we reported on the two states which use runoffs in their elections, including Georgia, which has a U.S Senate runoff on December 6th, and Louisiana, for local elections & three ballot measures on December 10th. But did you know that runoffs are also used to determine party nominees in some states?
Ballotpedia reports that 10 states use top-two runoffs for primaries. Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas use runoff elections when no candidate has a clear 50% +1 vote majority to determine the party nominee going into the general election. In North Carolina, a candidate must receive 30% + 1 vote to win a primary, or face a runoff. In South Dakota, runoffs are used for partisan primaries for Congressional or gubernatorial seats when no candidate receives 35%, and in Vermont, runoffs are only used when a tie occurs.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, primary runoff systems developed in the south to encourage candidates to broaden their appeal so extreme candidates would be less likely to get elected. In Arkansas, runoffs were used to prevent members of the Ku Klux Klan from getting elected with small pluralities in lower turnout primaries.
Another form of runoff, called an “instant runoff” or “ranked choice voting,” is being implemented in some cities, counties & states around the country. More on that tomorrow.
We have links to articles and resources AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
What's a Runoff Election and Why Don't We Hear About it More Often?
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Runoff elections
BallotPedia - United States Senate election in Georgia, 2022 (December 6 runoff)
BallotPedia - Louisiana majority-vote system
Fox 5 Atlanta - Which counties offer Saturday early voting in Georgia runoff election for US Senate?
WAFB Baton Rouge - Early voting underway for Dec. 10 election; Here’s what you need to know
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
November 26th, early voting began for the highly-anticipated December 6th run-off election between sitting U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and football star & businessman Hershel Walker. But what is a “runoff,” and why don’t we hear about it very often?
Only two states have rules which require a “majority” vote to win, vs. a “plurality”: Georgia and Louisiana. In Georgia, a 50% majority is required for congressional, state executive, and state legislative elections. Senator Warnock received 49.4% of the vote to Walker's 48.5%. Libertarian Chase Oliver won 2.1%. Because no candidate reached 50% plus 1 vote, a runoff is required on December 6th.
In Louisiana, runoffs are required in local elections too, when a 50% + 1 majority is not reached. Louisiana also uses an “open primary” system, where candidates of any party run on one ballot in the primary, and with the top two candidates advancing to the runoff if no candidate receives a majority. Because incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy garnered 61.6% of the vote over 12 other challengers in the primary, he won outright on November 8th. December 10th, voters decide on several judicial and city council races, and three ballot initiatives, which weren’t decided November 8th.
We’ll have more tomorrow on how runoffs also play a role in the party nomination process in some states.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Finger Pointing in Harris County Texas After Problems Apparently Disenfranchised Voters
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Washington Post - Texas investigating voting difficulties in Houston’s Harris County
Vote Beat Texasx/Texas Tribune - Here’s why we still don’t know what went wrong in Harris County on Election Day
Texas Freedom Network - Statement: Judge Rules Harris County Polling Locations Stay Open Until 8 PM
Fox News - Texas Supreme Court allows Harris County to count 2,000 votes after Election Day extension
NBC News - Double standard? Texas assigns unusual urgency to Democratic county's election mishaps
Groups Taking Action:Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project, Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF)
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
There is still a lot of finger pointing in Harris County, Texas, after widespread November 8th ballot shortages and other problems. While partisan accusations and a lawsuit have been leveled, it appears that a combination of lack of preparedness and voting machine problems were the problem, not fraud.
The Washington Post and Votebeat Texas report that Harris County’s system didn’t have enough paper ballots in at least 23 of its 782 polling places. When precinct officials called for additional ballots, knowing they would run out, resupplies ran out or didn’t arrive for hours. The shortage reportedly resulted in hundreds of voters being turned away.
Complicating matters, Harris County doesn’t have common problem reporting software which could help monitor problems at polling places. Such a system could have helped distribute ballots to places which needed them.
One precinct in Houston initially couldn’t get its 60 voting machines to work in the morning, forcing a delay in opening. Election officials noted it was human error, not a conspiracy.
The Harris County GOP filed a lawsuit, claiming that the lack of ballots disenfranchised voters, and one GOP election official claimed Harris County election officials intentionally withheld ballots for partisan reasons. Democrats pointed to problems in heavily Democratic precincts, too. State police are investigating, and Harris County is conducting an internal review to assess just how many voters were disenfranchised.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**What We're Grateful For In the Face of Attacks on Our Democracy
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center - Voter Intimidation and Election Worker Intimidation Resource Guide
Democracy Fund - Democracy partners database
NBC News - Election deniers overwhelmingly lost in battleground states
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Public Citizen, League of United Latin American Citizens, NAACP
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Our democracy has been under threat in states around the country, and we at the American Democracy Minute want to express our gratitude for it and its resilience in these past two years.
We’re grateful for our friends and neighbors who are poll workers. They step up to make sure our elections are among the most well run and secure elections in the world. And they do this in the face of disinformation from bad actors trying to sow doubt about our election system, and sometimes even under personal threat.
We’re grateful for courageous leaders who, at the risk of losing their seats and even their lives, have spoken out against the lies which have been knowingly used by their fellow politicians to further partisan power. All Americans who care about our system of government owe them a debt of gratitude.
We’re grateful for the hundreds of nonprofit groups which diligently organize at the state level, assist voters to register and vote, and pressure state legislatures to advance reforms so ALL eligible citizens can exercise their sacred freedom to vote.
And finally, we’re grateful to you, the voters, who do your homework on candidates, weed out the election deniers, and choose responsible, honorable leaders. Thank you, and please continue to protect your democracy by voting, urging your friends and family to vote, and by staying involved in your government.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Midterm Exit Poll Finds Younger Black, Latino and Women Voters Voted Overwhelmingly for Democrats
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Tufts University CIRCLE - 2022 Election: Young Voters Have High Midterm Turnout, Influence Critical Races
Tufts
Tufts University CIRCLE - More than 8 Million Youth Are Newly Eligible Voters in 2022
Democracy Docket - Voter Suppression Is Youth Suppression
Pew Research - Latinos and the 2022 midterm elections
Groups Taking Action:
Rock the Vote, Voto Latino, Latino Community Foundation, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Yesterday, we shared results from a Tufts University poll which found that the 27% turnout of young voters was critical to the outcome of the midterm election, particularly in battleground states. We have more from that poll today, including the turnout by young voters of color.
The poll from Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, CIRCLE, showed that in U.S. House races, younger white voters 18-29 favored Democratic candidates, 57% to 39%, with 4% other. Among younger Black voters, 87% voted Democratic, 9% Republican, and 4% other. Younger Latino voters chose Democrats to a lesser percentage, but still 67% Democrat, 30% Republican and 3% other.
Gender breakouts from the poll are also interesting. Young women 18-29 voted 71% for Democrats, and 26% for Republicans. Young men voted 53% Democratic and 42% Republican. Among LGBT youth, 93% voted for Democratic U.S. House candidates.
These demographics won’t go unnoticed. We’ll be discussing in an upcoming report what state legislation we can expect to make it complicated for younger citizens to exercise their freedom to vote.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Younger Voters Turned Out and Were Critical to Outcomes in Battleground States
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Institute of Politics - Harvard Youth Poll
Tufts University Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) -
Millions of Youth Cast Ballots, Decide Key 2022 Races
Teen Vogue - Youth Voter Turnout in the 2022 Midterms Shows Strong Support for Democrats, Abortion Rights
CNN - Analysis: Democrats would have gotten crushed this election without young voters
Groups Taking Action:Alliance for Youth Action, NextGen America, Campus Vote Project, Student PIRGS
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In September, we reported on expectations of a high turnout of younger voters in the 2022 midterms. Did that turnout materialize, and what were the consequences?
A Harvard Kennedy School study released in late October suggested that 40% of 18 to 29-year-olds said they would “definitely” vote in the midterms. Then Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, CIRCLE, found that an estimated 27% of that group DID vote. That number was historically high, but not as high as the 31% turn out in the 2018 midterms, driven by a reaction to Trump’s presidency and the shooting of students at Florida’s Stoneman Douglas High School.
CIRCLE’S polling found that nationally, 12% of all votes cast were younger voters, and in battleground states, turnout matched 2018’s 31%.
Battleground states also saw younger voters break heavily for Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress & governor. In Pennsylvania’s Dr. Oz/John Fetterman U.S. Senate race, younger voters supported Fetterman 70% to 28%. In Arizona’s Senate race, they backed Mark Kelly over election denier Blake Masters, 76% to 20%. Data shows that youth turnout was critical to the outcomes of races nationwide.
More details on how youth voters of color voted, and what legislation we can expect from state legislatures to suppress youth voting in our next report.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Not Counting Undated Absentee Ballots May Have Determined Outcome in PA House Race
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Patch.com - 1K Votes Tossed In Bucks County Could Impact House Control
Bucks County Courier Times - Update: GOP's Hogan captures 142nd seat in Bucks County
WHYY - Moffa concedes, Hogan takes 142nd state House district in Bucks County with 53-vote difference
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters PA, Democracy Docket, POWER Interfaith, Black Political Power Empowerment Project,
Common Cause PA, Make the Road PA
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re zooming in on Bucks County, Pennsylvania today, where the initial margin in a race for Pennsylvania’s 142nd state house district was just 53 votes. But this wasn’t just any race; this was a race which would determine control of the Pennsylvania legislature.
In October, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to rule on whether undated absentee ballots should be counted, something which the Pennsylvania courts had waffled on earlier this year. Then, on Nov. 1, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that absentee ballots which were otherwise valid but had no date, COULD NOT be counted.
As of Nov. 10, 15,449 votes had been tallied for Republican Joseph Hogan, and 15,396 votes for Democrat Mark Moffa, a 53-vote margin. But thanks to the courts, 215 absentee ballots were rejected for not being dated. Warminster Patch & the Bucks County Courier Times report that an additional 79 segregated ballots were rejected for being unsigned, or having no signature and date. 942 other ballots were rejected for other reasons, such as missing secrecy envelopes, invalid provisional ballots, and other election rules.
As of this report, 51 ballots were still being researched, but on Nov. 17th, Republican Joseph Hogan was declared the winner by the County Commission with help from the courts. A final vote total expected November 28th.
We have links to articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Connecticut & Arizona Voters Stand Up for Democracy With Ballot Measure Wins
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - 2022 ballot measure election results
Connecticut General Assembly - RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE
CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW FOR EARLY VOTING
CT Insider - Connecticut passed early voting. What happens next?
BallotPedia - Connecticut Question 1, Allow for Early Voting Amendment (2022)
BallotPedia - Arizona Proposition 309, Voter Identification Requirements for Mail-In Ballots and In-Person Voting Measure (2022)
Arizona Daily Star - Proposition 309 requiring stricter voter ID rules failing
KPNX Arizona - Ballot proposition 211 passes, setting limits on dark money use in campaigns
BallotPedia - Ohio Issue 2, Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment (2022)
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Besides big citizen initiative wins in Nevada and Michigan, ballot measures in Connecticut and Arizona were also consequential wins for Democracy for early voting, disclosing dark money, and the narrow defeat of a measure which could have made it more difficult to vote.
Connecticut voters changed the state’s constitution to allow for early voting, but without a specific number of days. The measure, which passed 60% to 40%, will be fleshed out by the legislature. BallotPedia reports that until this year, Connecticut was one of only six states which did not have some form of early voting.
In Arizona, multiple democracy measures were on the ballot. Proposition 309, which would have required a government-issued voter ID number in addition to photo ID when voting by mail, was defeated by less than 1% of the vote.
Voters resoundingly approved Arizona Proposition 211, which adds dark money disclosure requirements for any group spending $50,000 or more on statewide races to disclose any contributor who gave $5,000 or more. Dark money comes from limited liability corporations and certain types of non-profits which previously have not been required to disclose donors.
Nebraska voters passed a voter ID bill, and Ohio voters will prohibit noncitizens and unqualified voters from voting in elections – which they can’t do under current law.
We have links to articles on all of these initiatives at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Nevada Citizen Initiative Takes Step Toward Ranked Choice Voting & Open Primaries
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Yes on 3 Nevada - Ballot initiative description
BallotPedia - Nevada Question 3, Top-Five Ranked Choice Voting Initiative (2022)
Nevada Current - Question 3: Election reform proposal ekes out victory, will return in 2024
Vox - The plan to save America by killing the partisan primary
Nevada Current - Question 3 is hated by many and funded by rich out-of-state reformers, but…
Maybe that’s a selling point
Groups Taking Action:
Vote Nevada, Yes on 3 NV
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Today, we’re in Nevada, where a citizen initiative passed November 8th, clearing its first hurdle to add ranked choice voting and open primaries to the Nevada constitution.
Question 3 won by a slim margin, with 52.7%, in the first of two referendum votes it needs to modify the Nevada state constitution. The second vote will be in the 2024 general election.
Question 3 would change the current closed primary system which has separate ballots for Democrats and Republicans, and create an “open primary” with one primary ballot, similar to a new system in Alaska. The system would apply to the statewide races, and to U.S. House & Senate, but not the Presidential election.
In the proposed system, the five candidates for each position with the highest Primary election vote totals would advance. In the General election, ranked choice voting would be used, with voters ranking their preferences. If no candidate wins a simple 50% majority of the vote, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. People who voted for that candidate as their first choice would have their votes redistributed to their next choice
What are the advantages? An open primary diminishes “the race to the bottom” that a closed primary often causes, and ranked choice allows voters to support their favorite candidate without compromising for electability reasons.
We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Citizen Initiative Protecting Voting Rights Passes in Michigan
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
Promote the Vote 2022 Coalition - About Promote the Vote 2022
Channel 9 & 10 News - Promote the Vote 2022 Submits Nearly 700,000 Signatures to Secretary of State
Detroit Free Press - Michigan elections panel declines to send voting rights proposal to ballot
Michigan Supreme Court - Decision allowing Promote the Vote to be added to the ballot
ClickOnDetroit - 2022 election results: Michigan voters approve Proposal 2 to expand voting rights
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MI, Campus Vote Project, ACLU Michigan, American Promise MI, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS)
Today's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Legislatures in several states worked diligently since the 2020 election to make it harder to vote. Citizens in some of those states, like Michigan, have had enough and passed a citizens’ initiative to guarantee the freedom to vote.
Promote the Vote 2022 collected almost 670,000 signatures to get it on the midterm ballot. It overcame lawsuits and an attempt to block it in the Michigan Board of Canvassers, and Promote the Vote prevailed on Nov. 8th by a 60% to 40% margin.
Promote the Vote requires 9 days of early voting, increasing access for working, disabled and transportation-challenged voters. It recognizes the fundamental right to vote without harassment, and guarantees that Michigan voters serving in the military will have their ballot counted if postmarked by Election Day. Voters can provide a photo ID, or if necessary, a signed affidavit, in order to vote. It provides voters with a single application to vote absentee in all elections, and requires prepaid postage for absentees, and a secure drop box for every 15,000 voters.
To address concerns for post-election manipulation of results, it stipulates that ONLY election officials may conduct post-election audits, and that canvassing boards can only certify elections on the number of votes cast.
More tomorrow on another winning citizen initiative in Nevada.
We have links to articles on the initiative and Michigan groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Midterm Election Disruptions Cited by Election Deniers as Fraud - With No Evidence
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - Voting snag in Arizona fuels election conspiracy theories
USA Today - Fact check: Printing glitches caused temporary vote-counting halt in Arizona
Fox News - Trump blasts Maricopa County after Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly defeats Blake Masters: 'Do Election over again!'
AZ Central - Kari Lake taunts Maricopa County election officials after stoking fears on mail-in ballots
Axios Detroit - Benson rejects baseless claims after electronic poll book error
Kristina Karamo - Tweet claiming fraud in Detroit (and Twitter's flag for misinformation)
Michigan Live - Michigan says no one voted twice during Detroit’s e-poll book issue
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Michigan, Election Protection Arizona
Today's Script (Variations occur due to editing audio for time)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Yesterday, we detailed some of the routine challenges that popped up during the midterm election, including ballot reader malfunctions, power outages & gas leaks. Election deniers irresponsibly seized on some of these issues to cast doubt on an election which reputable election experts hailed as a mostly trouble-free process.
In Maricopa County, Arizona, optical ballot tabulators failed, possibly due to faint printing of the tracking number on the paper ballot itself. Instead, voters placed their ballot in a secure ballot box to be counted by a bipartisan team.
Former President Donald Trump said on social media Friday, “This is a scam and voter fraud, no different than stuffing the ballot boxes.” His choice for Arizona Governor, Kari Lake, told Fox News that problems with voting machines in 60 precincts occurred "primarily in Republican areas of town." Lake’s claim was later contradicted by her lawyer and a lawyer for the Republican National Committee.
In Detroit, an electronic poll book software problem was averted by using paper backup voter lists. Candidate for Michigan Secretary of State Kristina Karamo re-posted, “DETROIT FRAUD ALERT: This is why we filed the lawsuit in Detroit. Voters show up -- only to be told they already voted absentee. It’s already happening. This is a CRIME, not an oversight. SHARE THIS EVERYWHERE. #LAWLESSELECTIONS.”
There is NO evidence of any wrongdoing in Detroit, and Karamo lost her election to incumbent Jocelyn Benson by a 56% to 42% margin.
We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**The Few Midterm Election Disruptions Were Corrected Quickly
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
CNN - Voting goes mostly smoothly on Election Day as baseless fraud claims swirl
Associated Press - Minor poll problems twisted into false US election claims
PBS News Hour - Post-election misinformation targets Arizona and Pennsylvania
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, Center for American Progress, Brennan Center for Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Election officials report that there were few problems in the midterm elections, and issues which did crop up were corrected quickly. There were also few incidents of intimidation, much to the relief of voters & authorities.
Most issues were related to malfunctioning optical ballot readers, according to reports in CNN, the Associated Press and the PBS News Hour. The largest disruption with ballot readers occurred in Maricopa County, Arizona. When election officials could not immediately solve the problem, voters left their ballots in a secure box to be counted later by a bipartisan counting team.
Machine malfunctions, power outages and a gas leak also created delays and longer lines in some polling places, and states authorized an extension of voting hours in some of those precincts.
In Detroit, malfunctioning “poll books,” computer tablets used for checking voters in and out of the polls, duplicated ballot tracking numbers between in-person and absentee ballots. Backup paper checklists were used instead.
As for intimidation at the polls, in West Bend, WI, a gunman attempting to shut down voting in a precinct was arrested, and voting continued. In North Carolina, an election worker was followed home. In Arizona, 18 criminal referrals were made for people staking out drop boxes in tactical gear.
More on how these issues were spun by conspiracy theorists in our next American Democracy Minute.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Election Denier Candidates Mostly Lost, But Still Had Wide Support
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NBC News - Election Results by State
Politico - Election deniers go down in key secretary of state races
CNN - Kari Lake raises unfounded doubts about election results in Arizona governor race that’s too early to call
Reuters - Election denier loses race in Michigan; Arizona and Nevada not yet called
LA Times - Column: Is Arizona paving ‘the road to authoritarianism’ with its slate of GOP election deniers?
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We, like many other Democracy observers, are concerned with the number of election-denying candidates who ran in the midterms. Many Big Lie candidates lost by big margins. But in some races, the support for candidates who oppose Democracy is breathtaking.
In Michigan, we’ve reported on Matthew DePerno, who ran for attorney general while being investigated for his involvement in seizing and breaking into optical ballot readers in Michigan counties after the 2020 election. His opponent and incumbent attorney general asked for a special prosecutor and there is an ongoing investigation. He lost on November 8th, but 44% of Michigan voters cast their votes for him.
In Arizona, Mark Finchem, an election denier who attended the January 6th insurrection, is still contending to be Arizona’s Secretary of State. With 75% of the vote in, Finchem has garnered 47% of the vote to his opponent’s 52.4%. Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who has said she would not have certified the 2020 election, trails her Democratic opponent, but with 49.7% of the vote as of November 10th.
In a race too close to call in Nevada, U.S. Senate candidate Adam Laxalt, who has questioned the outcome of the 2020 election, is leading in the race with 49.4% of the vote, with 84% of the ballots counted. Nevada Secretary of State candidate Jim Marchant, who opposed certifying the 2020 election, leads with 48% of the vote.
We have links to articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
It's Not Just Mail-In Ballots Slowing the Count -- It's Conspiracy Theories
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press - Nevada officials begin unprecedented hand count of ballots
AZ Central -
In court, opponents of Cochise County hand count raise legal concerns as backers seek to allay fears
Associated Press - Judge blocks hand-count of ballots in Cochise County
NH Bulletin - Overvoted ballots could slow down state’s election workers and delay results
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In our last report, we suggested that “election night won’t be results night” in many places around the country due to the slower counting of mail-in ballots.
But in some jurisdictions, it’s not the mail slowing things down, it’s conspiracy theories.
Nye County, Nevada supervisors voted in August to conduct its General Election by hand, in a county with 33,000 registered voters. The Associated Press reports that in the pre-election counting of early mail-in ballots, after a full day with 60 volunteers, Nye County had only counted 900 of its received 1,950 mail-in ballots.
In study after study, optical ballot readers are found to be faster and with an accuracy so close to perfect that unless the margin is razor thin, there is no point to recounting by hand. In this case, no ballot readers were to be used at all. The AP observed two groups of five officials who spent about three hours each counting 50 ballots.
In New Hampshire, a fringe conspiracy theory group claiming that optical ballot tabulators are subject to fraud and hacking, said it planned to intentionally “overvote” ballots. Overvotes – voting for more candidates than allowed – forces a hand count. Last spring, the same group failed in its attempt to convince any NH towns to mandate only hand counting. It’s unclear how much extra counting time was added by the Overvote action. Be careful what you wish for.
We have links to articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Don't Expect Results on Election Night -- But It's Worth the Wait
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
NBC News -- Mail-in and early in-person votes cast
Brookings Institution -- Help democracy—cancel election night
National Conference of State Legislatures -- When Absentee/Mail Ballot Processing and Counting Can Begin
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency -- Mail-In Voting Safeguards
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Don’t expect election results on Election night. A surge of early midterm voting – particularly mail-in voting – will mean that we shouldn’t expect results on Tuesday, or possibly even until next week, in many states.
NBC reports as of Monday morning, Nov. 7, 41.3 million ballots had been cast early. 54% of those ballots were cast by mail, and 46% were by early in-person voting. Election workers will tell you that counting mail ballots is a slower process, even if the tabulation is done by machine.
Each mail-in ballot usually has an outer mailing envelope which must be scanned and carefully opened. Then an inner envelope with the ballot and signed affidavit is opened. There also may be copies of identification enclosed which need to be checked. Mail-in ballots are often folded to cut postage costs, but folding in itself can sometimes challenge optical scanning machines. The process just takes longer. While some states have changed their laws to allow counting of early ballots BEFORE election day, in other states, processing can’t even begin until election night.
The good news is that mail-in options, while slower, give access to many who might not otherwise be able to vote, including hourly workers, disabled voters, seniors, citizens living in remote areas, and others. So while we’re all itchy to see the results, the benefits of increasing access to all eligible voters is worth the wait.
We have links to articles on the counting and security of mail-in ballots at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Registration on Election Day Still an Option in 21 States
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:The 21 States Which Have Same Day Registration: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington, DC, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission - Links to Registration Information in Every State
National Conference of State Legislatures - Same Day Voter Registration States
Brennan Center - Study Showing No Increase in Fraud With Election Day Registration
Univ. of Massachusetts/Demos - NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STATES WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HAVE HIGHER BLACK AND LATINX TURNOUT
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MA, American Academy of Sciences, Student Public Interest Research Groups
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Election Day is upon us, and voter registration in most states is closed. But if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the 21 states which allow Same-Day registration, you still may be able to vote on election day.
Used to help make voter registration more accessible since the 1990s, Same Day registration has been attacked recently as unsecure, despite the facts. New Hampshire, which has used Same Day registration for decades, recently tightened its restrictions with no justification, making same-day registrants use a provisional, rather than a normal, ballot.
Same day registration is used most often by new residents, younger citizens, and eligible voters who are historically underrepresented, such as the Black and LatinX community.
To register on Election Day, you need these documents in most states: A state-issued ID; proof of your citizenship, like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers; and proof of your residence, such as rental receipts, property tax bills or utility bills showing your name & address. Check your state or local election office website before you go.
In some states, you may need to also sign an affidavit, have your picture taken, and may only be able to use a provisional ballot until your address is verified. But, it may also be your best option to have your voice heard! So use it!
We have links to state Same Day registration information and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said Democracy isn’t something we HAVE it’s something we DO!
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Poll Shows GOP Voters Continue to Have Low Confidence in Elections, Despite No Credible Evidence of Problems
Today’s Links**
Articles & Resources:
Pew Research - Two Years After Election Turmoil, GOP Voters Remain Skeptical on Elections, Vote Counts
U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency - ELECTION SECURITY RUMOR VS. REALITY
Election Assistance Assistance Commission - ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND VOTING SURVEY 2020
COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
FBI - Election Crimes and Security,
Associated Press - No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) - No evidence for systematic voter fraud: A guide to statistical claims about the 2020 election
Groups Taking Action:Brennan Center, Democracy Docket, Election Official Legal Defense Network
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A quote attributed to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels says, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” Polling just released by the Pew Research Center confirms just before the 2022 midterm election that an alarming number of voters have low confidence in our election system.
In October 2018, Pew polling showed that 87% of voters supporting GOP congressional candidates thought the upcoming 2018 midterm election would be conducted “Very well” or “Somewhat well.” In 2020, that number dropped to 50% of GOP voters. Now, two years after “The Big Lie” and the January 6th committee revelations, that number has improved just 6 points to 56%.
When asked in 2020 whether their in-person votes would be counted accurately, 92% of GOP voters said they were “Very” or “Somewhat” confident. In 2022, that number dropped to 79%, with “Very” confident dropping from 48% to just 26%.
But that confidence drops even further with the counting of absentee and mail-in ballots, and it hasn’t changed much from 2020 to 2022. Just 37% GOP-supporting voters are “Very” or “Somewhat” confident that mail ballots will be counted accurately in 2022, compared to 36% in 2020.
We have links to the poll, and credible sources showing the American election system is safe, accurate and secure at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Early Voting Windows Are Closing. Check Your State's Deadlines
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
National Conference of State Legislatures - State Early Voting Dates
USA.gov - Find My State or Local Election Office Website
Vote.org - Find Early Voting Locations Near You
Connecticut Mirror - Early voting is on the ballot in CT, a key issue for Black and Latino residents
Pew Trust - ‘Chaos and Confusion’: The Campaign to Stamp Out Ballot Drop Boxes
Groups Taking Action -
National Vote at Home Institute, Hispanic Federation, Asian & Pacific Islanders Vote, When We All Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
If you’re planning to do early voting in your state, listen up! This American Democracy Minute is an interactive one, because early voting deadlines vary widely from state to state. To make sure your vote is cast on time, whether it’s in person early voting or absentee, or dropped off, or by mail, you’ll need to look up your state’s information.
Get out your device, and key-in “End of Early Voting in Oklahoma,” or whatever your state is. Oklahoma’s early voting period ends at 2 pm this Saturday, November 5, along with 12 other states which end their early voting Thursday, Friday or Saturday. While you’re there, find out what the rules are, and your location for early voting, which is sometimes different from your usual polling place. If you’re dropping off an absentee ballot, look up the hours and location where that can be done, because drop boxes have been restricted or eliminated in many states. In Oklahoma, your absentee deadline is Monday, Nov. 7, at 5 pm.
Nineteen states end early voting on Sunday or Monday. New York ends its early voting on Sunday, but you’ll need to check your county’s hours and locations. In Ohio, in person early voting ends at 2 pm Monday, Nov. 7th, but its absentee ballot deadline is 7:30 pm on Election night, November 8th.
The takeaway is to check your deadlines today for your state. Still confused? Contact your local election officials!
We have resources to help you at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Eight States Have All-Mail-In Voting. It Works, and it's Secure
Today’s Links
Articles:
National Conference of State Legislators - All-Mail Ballot States
The Conversation - Mail-in voting lessons from Oregon, the state with the longest history of voting by mail
Brennan Center for Justice - Records Show Massive Disenfranchisement and Racial Disparities in 2022 Texas Primary
Pew Research - Two Years After Election Turmoil, GOP Voters Remain Skeptical on Elections, Vote Counts
Groups Taking Action:
National Vote at Home Institute, Common Cause, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Today, we’re exploring all-mail-in voting, used in eight states with great success and with somewhat higher voter participation. Mail-in ballot Conspiracy theories are unlikely to stop the states which have successfully implemented it. Why? Because both voters and election officials like it.
Eight states conduct their elections mostly by mail: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington. Other states like Alaska, Minnesota and New Mexico, allow for all-mail ballots in small jurisdictions, and in certain kinds of elections.
An all-mail state sends a ballot to the citizen’s voter registration address. The voter completes their ballot, signs an affidavit, and returns it in the usually postage-paid return envelope.
Oregon uses the signature on the ballot to match the signature on the voter registration file, and all states have severe penalties for misuse. In its three decades of mail-in voting, Oregon officials report only about a dozen cases of actual fraud. Oregon and other mail-in ballot states also allow online tracking of that ballot, and have embraced convenient, secure drop boxes.
Like other forms of mail-in ballots, voters say they like the convenience. “Kitchen table” voting allows citizens to carefully select their candidates from the safety of their own home, and helps elders, the disabled, voters without transportation and voters living in remote areas to exercise their sacred right to vote.
We have links and articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Most Voters Have Never Used an Absentee Ballot; We'll Give You the Basics
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Rock the Vote - Absentee Ballot Rules for Each State -- but your local election officials are your best resource!
MIT Election Data Lab - Voting by mail and absentee voting
National Conference of State Legislatures - Voting Outside the Polling Place: Absentee, All-Mail and other Voting at Home Options
National Conference of State Legislatures - Each State's "Excuses" to Vote by Absentee Ballot
Pew Trust - Voters with Disabilities Face New Ballot Restrictions Ahead of Midterms
AARP - Attention Voters: Time is Running Out to Request Mail-in, Absentee Ballots
Groups Taking Action:
Voting Rights Alliance, ACLU, AARP, American Association of People with Disabilities
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
As a voter, you may never have used an absentee ballot, which is a legitimate & secure way of voting for millions. Today we’re covering the basics of voting by absentee.
If you’re sick, can’t get off work, out of town, or disabled, most states allow for you to use one. You must first apply, so that means contacting your city or county elections office or website for details. You will be given an application, your voter registration checked, and asked to provide ID. In most states, this can be done through the mail, provided you can send a copy of your ID.
Fifteen states use a No Excuse absentee system. It requires that you apply each time and provide identification or verification, but no specific reason needs to be given. Ballots are mailed to you, then mailed back, dropped off in person, or depending on state rules, returned by family members or someone you designate.
For absentee ballots, there is typically an “outer” envelope and an “inner” envelope. After completing your absentee, the inner envelope that contains the ballot usually has a sworn affidavit, signature line and date. Make sure to put a return address on the outer envelope, and provide postage if it’s not prepaid. The lack of any one of these can invalidate your ballot, so follow the directions!
In most state’s there’s still time to get an absentee ballot if you need it, but do now.
We have a link to Rock the Vote’s tool to find absentee voting rules in each state at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Early Voting is Popular Among All American Voters. Why? Because it's More Convenient
Today’s Links
Articles:
Georgia Votes - Stats on Georgia 2022 Midterm
Forbes - Most Americans Support Early Voting (A Democratic Priority) And Photo ID Laws (A Republican One), Survey Finds
BallotPedia - Arguments for and against early voting
United States Elections Project - 2022 General Election Early Voting Statistics by Michael McDonald
Professor, University of Florida
Pew Research Center - The voting experience in 2020
National Conference of State Legislatures - Early In-Person Voting
FiveThirtyEight - Early-Voting Laws Probably Don’t Boost Turnout
Groups Taking Action:
When We All Vote, League of Women Voters, All Voting is Local, Unidos US, National Coalition for Black Civic Participation
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In the 2020 election, roughly 70% of America voted BEFORE election day, driven by the pandemic. But it appears that voters LIKE the convenience and safety of voting early, either in person or by mail. Georgia Votes reports that 1.6 Million voters have already voted in the 2022 Georgia midterm. As of Oct. 30, 450,000 more votes were cast early, than in the 2018 midterm.
A survey released by Gallup last week and reported by Forbes shows wide support for in-person early voting: 95% among Democrats and 60% among Republicans, but down from 74% or Republicans an earlier poll.
Why is early voting popular? It gives flexibility to working voters, caregivers, or to voters with transportation issues. It allows voters who may have changes or issues with their registration to get them fixed, rather than being disenfranchised on election day. In states like Georgia & Texas, voting early can help overcome wait times, fewer polling places and restriction of drop boxes.
Pew Research polled voters after the 2020 election and found 72% of people who voted early did so because it was convenient. FiveThirtyEight reports that while voters like the convenience, studies around the country show it doesn’t increase turnout, just shifts the times people vote. But its popularity means early voting will not disappear anytime soon.
Articles and links to groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Why People Don't Vote Week: Some of the Solutions to Getting Nonvoters to Register & Vote
Today’s Links
Articles:
Center for American Progress - Increasing Voter Participation in America
National Conference of State Legislatures- Automatic Voter Registration
National Conference of State Legislatures- Online Voter Registration
National Affairs- Does High Voter Turnout Help One Party?
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org, When We All Vote, Vote411
Vote Riders
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Our last installment for “Why People Don’t Vote Week” discusses what solutions are being proposed to encourage eligible citizens to register and vote.
The Center for American Progress outlined reforms which would encourage registration and voting. They include Automatic Voter Registration, to encourage registration at the DMV when obtaining a license or car registration. Oregon registered 219,000 new voters by AVR before the 2018 midterm and 47% of them voted.
Online voter registration, which includes submitting identification and other documents electronically, has eased the hassle for working people to register. A study in Georgia found that 71% of online registrants turned out to vote, higher than in person or mail registration.
Preregistering 16 & 17 year olds is effective in getting younger voters engaged. They can’t vote until age 18, but often schools can encourage future voting when coupled with civics education. Florida saw a 4.7% jump in youth voting as a result.
Early voting and voting by mail helps all manners of people to vote, providing flexibility in schedules for parents and working citizens. In the last few weeks, Georgia has shattered its early voting records.
What are your options for registering and voting? Contact your city or county election office or website for details. Do it now, for you, your state and your county.
Articles and links to groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Why People Don't Vote Week: You Can't Vote if You Don't Register -- So Why Don't Nonvoters Register?
Today’s Links
Articles:**
Knight Foundation - The Hundred Million Project study
CNN/SSIS Poll - Americans’ confidence in elections has faded since January 6
Brennan Center - Poll: Majority of Voters Confident Midterms Will Be Conducted Fairly, with Reliable Results
Associated Press - Many remain critical of state of US democracy: AP-NORC pollFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't Vote
NPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's Why
CNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020
American Progress - Increasing Voter Participation in America
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We continue our “Why People Don’t Vote Week” with why eligible citizens don’t register to vote. Polls show that it’s a combination of apathy, available time, lack of information, and other social and systemic barriers.
In a 2020 poll of Nonvoters by NPR, 29% of nonvoters surveyed said they didn’t vote because they weren’t registered. This and other polls show that nonvoters consume less news media, and are less engaged in the community than voters, so they may not see announcements on how, when and where to register and vote.
A larger Knight Foundation Study entitled “The Hundred Million Project” after the 100 Million Americans who don’t vote in national elections, found that 5% of nonvoters cite not being registered, and 7% say they don’t have time to vote. These reasons rank below “Don’t like the candidates” and “Voting Doesn’t Matter” in most studies, but if you’re not registered, not liking the candidates is a mute point.
Apathy is the biggest reason people aren’t registered. “I’m not interested/Don’t Care” is the top reason, but “I don’t know how,” “It’s Too Complicated”, “I keep forgetting” and “I’m Too Busy,” are all cited factors.
What can be done to reach and convince nonvoters to register? We have some proposed solutions in our next report. We have links to the studies and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Why People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Cite Lack of Faith in Electoral System as Reason Not to Show Up
Knight Foundation - The Hundred Million Project study
CNN/SSIS Poll - Americans’ confidence in elections has faded since January 6
Brennan Center - Poll: Majority of Voters Confident Midterms Will Be Conducted Fairly, with Reliable Results
Associated Press - Many remain critical of state of US democracy: AP-NORC pollFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't Vote
NPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's Why
CNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020
American Progress - Increasing Voter Participation in America
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Today, we have another in our series of why Americans don’t vote. In the 2016 election, over 41%, 100 million people, didn’t vote at all, despite a contentious and competitive election. One of the reasons cited in a poll after the 2016 election was a lack of faith in the electoral system.
The Knight Foundation’s 2020 study found that 27% of nonvoters said the system was rigged or corrupt. Two years later, in July 2022, a CNN poll of both nonvoters and voters showed that just 42% of Americans had some confidence that the results of US elections reflect the will of the people. In the wake of the January 6th hearings, polls by Monmouth University and the Brennan Center in September and October 2022 show a only slight majority of Americans are confident in our electoral system. The Midterm turnout will show whether Big Lie disinformation succeeds in keeping more voters home.
Of particular concern are trends among younger citizens who are eligible to vote, ages 18-24. The Knight Foundation found that while they consume media, they are less informed on news and politics than than even habitual nonvoters. When asked whether more people voting is a good thing, only 56% of all younger citizens agreed, vs. 74% of all voters. Alarmingly, 20% of younger eligible voters say voting doesn’t make any difference.
It remains to be seen whether issues like the attack on reproductive rights and the erosion of voting rights will be enough to activate these younger voters.
Links to articles and the surveys can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Why People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Less Likely to Follow News, Discuss Politics with OthersMedill School of Journalism - AMERICANS ARE LESS HOPEFUL OVERALL, BUT NONVOTERS ARE ESPECIALLY FATALISTIC
New York Times - What Really Makes Us Vote? It May Be Our ParentsFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't Vote
NPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's Why
CNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020
American Progress - Increasing Voter Participation in America
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This week we’re looking at the reasons why people don’t vote. Research shows when citizens don’t follow the daily news, or when their family and friends don’t vote, citizens are less likely to vote.
A 2020 IPSOS/NPR survey shows a suspicion of news media among nonvoters, 80% of whom agreed with the statement, “The mainstream media are more interested in making money than telling the truth.” Nonvoters watch less television, see less news on mobile devices and computers, and are less likely to follow campaigns. Only a third watched part of a political convention, and two-thirds didn’t watch a debate.
Another factor: Family & friends. Only 5% of nonvoters say they DO discuss politics with family members, 41% NEVER discuss politics with their family, 53% say they never discuss politics with friends. But there is more and more evidence that influence of family members and friends can encourage nonvoters to register and vote, particularly among younger voters.
A 2016 New York Times article interviewed Henry Brady, dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He said, “Voting behavior is very much a habit,” “If you’ve had the behavior modeled in your home by your parents consistently voting, by political discussion, sometimes by participation, you start a habit formation and then when you become a little older you’ll feel it’s your duty and responsibility to register and vote.”
Links to articles and the surveys can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Why People Don't Vote Week: Surveys Show Many Nonvoters Don't Think Their Vote Matters
Today’s Links
Articles:
FiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't Vote
NPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's Why
CNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This week we’re looking at the reasons why people don’t vote. A 2020 survey by political research site FiveThirtyEight.com found that many just don’t like the candidate, some have to wait in line for hours, and some, well, they just don’t think their vote makes a difference.
In fact, a perception that voting wouldn’t make a difference is one of the biggest reasons people don’t bother to vote. Another survey by NPR, also done in 2020, looked at that in detail. It found that 80% of nonvoters thought that traditional parties and politicians didn’t care about them, and 66% thought that voting in elections didn’t really affect how decisions were made in the country. And 53% of nonvoters said that it didn’t matter who was elected President, because nothing would really change for people like them.
Both surveys found that the number of nonvoters increased, as income decreased. NPR found that in household incomes of $50,000 dollars or less, 43% of citizens surveyed were nonvoters. 52% of nonvoters don’t have a high school education. Nonvoters are likely to be young, and more likely NOT to be married.
Nonvoters in both surveys said they were more likely to vote if Election Day were a national holiday, as proposed in the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Both bills were blocked by conservatives in the U.S. Senate.
Links to articles and the surveys can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Hand Counting Ballots Takes Longer, is Less Accurate, and Costs More. So Why is It Being Proposed Around the Country?
Today’s Links
Articles:
NPR - Hand-counting ballots may sound nice. It's actually less accurate and more expensive
Associated Press - Some in GOP want ballots to be counted by hand, not machines
Nevada Independent - How should Nevada hand count ballots? Nye County, state election officials disagree
MIT Election Data & Science Lab - Voting technology
MIT Election Data & Science Lab - Learning From Recounts
Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project - Using Recounts to Verify the Accuracy of Vote Tabulations
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Few election officials would ever recommend counting ballots by hand unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s long, tedious & expensive work which is prone to error. Yet that’s exactly what’s being promoted by 2020 election deniers around the country.
Over the last year, several state legislatures have considered hand-count bills, including New Hampshire, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Washington and West Virginia, fueled by conspiracy theories that optical ballot readers have been hacked.
In July, a long-time Nye County, Arizona election official resigned along with her staff, citing false allegations of fraud based on these conspiracy theories. Then in August, the county commission decided to hand count the ballots from the county’s 32,000 registered voters.
Election experts point to multiple studies by the MIT Election Data & Science Lab and other researchers, showing where optical reader results were compared to hand recounting. The difference is so tiny, it doesn’t justify the time and expense of hand counting, which can take hours or even days longer, and adds substantial additional expense. A Wisconsin hand recount in the 2016 Presidential race found error rates for Donald Trump at 0.159% and Hillary Clinton at 0.161%, which had no impact on the outcome and an expense of over $3 Million dollars.
The interim Nye County clerk, Mark Kampf, is proposing a parallel process, which will use tabulators and hand counting. The State of Nevada, meanwhile, just proposed forms and standards for hand counting.
Articles and election technology studies are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
The State of Florida Arrests Felons Who Voted Given Voter Registration Cards Issued to Them . . . By the State of Florida
Today’s Links
Articles:
Tampa Bay Times - Police cameras show confusion, anger over DeSantis’ voter fraud arrests
WGCU - Questions grow over Gov. DeSantis' voter fraud arrests
Associated Press - DeSantis’ election police unit announces voter fraud cases
Groups Taking Action:
Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, ACLU Florida, League of Women Voters FL
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Let’s say you’re a felon, but you’re allowed to register to vote and handed a voting card by a state official. So that means you can vote, right? But in August, Florida’s new election police force started making voter fraud arrests of people who had been improperly issued voting information cards by the State of Florida.
Video obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, shows officers arresting convicted felons who had completed their sentences and parole, for voter fraud. But it’s confusion over Florida’s 2018 constitutional change allowing most felons to vote which seems to be the real culprit.
The video shows conversations between the officers and confused citizens saying that they had been given a voting card at the DMV and thought they were now eligible voters. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed the cases of several alleged cases of voter fraud, and in most of those cases, state officials had issued voter information cards to those arrested.
When Florida voters approved the constitutional amendment in 2018, it excluded felons convicted of murder and sex crimes. But the registration form used at the DMV for voter registraton, while it includes a disclosure about being a felon, doesn’t clarify that felons who committed a murder do not qualify, according to the Times.
Within hours of the arrests, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference, touting his “crack down” on voter fraud. “They’re going to pay the price,” Desantis said.
Articles and groups taking action are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
**Ohio's Scary Congressional Gerrymandering Maps Appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court
Today’s Links**
Articles:Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Republican legislative leaders appeal congressional map to U.S. Supreme Court
Associated Press - GOP lawmakers appeal Ohio map flap to US Supreme Court
Brennan Center - Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Third Set of Legislative Maps Over Partisan Gerrymandering
Groups Taking Action:
Groups Taking Action:League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts OH, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Remember the scene in the movie Halloween, where Michael Meyers gets poked in the eye, falls out a window, then gets up to fight another day? Ohio’s gerrymandered Congressional maps are just as scary.
Monday, October 17, the Ohio Legislature’s Republican leadership announced that they would appeal the denial of their gerrymandered Congressional maps by the Ohio Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court. But in 2018, Ohio voters passed a change to their constitution forbidding partisan gerrymandering with a 75% approval.
Over the last 18 months, the state’s high court consistently rejected competing Congressional and state legislature maps from both the GOP-dominated legislature and Redistricting Commission, citing gerrymandering. The maps for the 2022 midterm elections defaulted to a gerrymandered one, pending resolution of the deadlock.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a state gerrymandering case, saying that redistricting was fundamentally a state political question, and the federal courts shouldn’t decide it. Then in 2022, the Supreme Court ignored its own advice and decided to hear the pending Moore vs. Harper “Independent State Legislature” case. It’s technically about gerrymandering in North Carolina, but has negative ramifications for control of elections around the country. It’s not clear whether the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the Ohio case or kick it back to the state.
Articles and groups taking action are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Brian is gone today. This is a rebroadcast of an important Sept. 27th ADM on registering to vote.
Today’s Links
Articles:
Vote.org – Voter Registration Rules for All 50 States
USA.gov – Find Your Local Election Office
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – REGISTER AND VOTE IN YOUR STATE
Groups Taking Action:
Nonprofit Vote, League of Women Voters, Center for Voter Information, Voto Latino, Alliance for Youth Action
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
If you’re not registered to vote, today, we’re giving you some basic guidelines on registering: Who qualifies, how a criminal record can affect registration, and resources for getting more specific information.
All states require that you be a U.S. citizen, and 18 years old to vote. Some states, like Connecticut, allow you to register at 17 years old, if you will be 18 by election day. States including Florida and Hawaii allow registration at 16, but still require you to be 18 to vote.
In many states, you must be living in that state for 30 days or more to register, such as Montana, Michigan or Mississippi. New Hampshire and Oklahoma consider whether you are “domiciled” in those states, spending most of your time over the year in that state. New Hampshire has many out-of-state vacation home owners and college students.
If you are incarcerated, convicted of a felony, on parole, or even have completed your sentence, whether you can register varies widely. For most states, if you’re currently incarcerated for a felony, or have been convicted of an election crime, you can’t vote. In some states like Missouri, that felony can keep you from voting – ever. In other states like Maryland or Massachusetts, completing your sentence & parole reinstates your rights.
If you’re allowed to register, in most states you’ll need a government-issued ID, proof of your citizenship (which can be the ID), and proof of your residence, like tax & utility bills. Do it now, not later!
Links to a list of requirements for all 50 states can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Advocacy Groups Call Out Social Media Platforms for Not Enforcing Their Own Election Disinformation Rules
Today’s Links
Articles:
Democracy Advocacy Groups - Letter to Social Media Companies
Reuters - Big Tech accused of failing to tackle U.S. midterm 'lies'
Texas Tribune - U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Latino groups warn about rampant misinformation targeting Spanish speakers ahead of the elections
Groups Taking Action:
The Leadership Conference, Common Cause, Unidos US, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Democracy advocacy groups raised the alarm last week with social media companies, citing a lack of enforcement against misinformation and disinformation on their platforms. Such posts continue to undermine confidence in our elections.
Common Cause, The Leadership Conference , Unidos US, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and several other groups issued a letter to Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter and others, noting that over 100 primary winners support false claims of election fraud, and 60% of Americans have 2020 election deniers on their ballot.
Disinformation about the 2020 election is being used to undermine confidence in the 2022 midterms, but recent reporting shows that Meta & Twitter have done little to enforce their policies. News outlets reported earlier this summer that Meta intended to close its CrowdTangle unit, which runs software third party partners use to monitor disinformation.
Not only are the groups pushing for more stringent enforcement of the platforms’ current rules, they are also asking the platforms to adopt changes to HOW they screen for disinformation.
Meta did announce in September that political advertising would be not be allowed after November 1, a week before the election.
Articles and groups taking action are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Where are Ballot Drop Boxes Used, and What States Have Limited Them?
Today’s Links
Articles:
U.S. Vote Foundation - Ballot Drop Boxes are Safe and Easy to Use. Here’s How to Find Out If Voting by Drop Box is Available in Your State
National Conference of State Legislatures - Ballot Drop Box Laws
Associated Press - No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds
Texas Tribune - How the debunked conspiracy film “2000 Mules” became Texas Republican orthodoxy
NPR - A new Georgia voting law reduced ballot drop box access in places that used them most
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Our story yesterday reviewed rules on who can return an absentee or mail ballot. Today, we’re talking about ballot dropboxes, a convenient tool to help citizens vote, but used as a scapegoat for debunked allegations of voter fraud.
Election deniers and a discredited film called 2,000 Mules alleged that drop boxes were used to manipulate the 2020 election. A follow-up by the Associated Press found next to no fraudulent use of drop boxes, but that didn’t stop multiple states from eliminating them or severely limiting their use.
The U.S. Vote Foundation reports that If you live in CA, CT, HI, IL, KY, MD, ME, NV, VA or VT, drop boxes are in use and have not been removed. Some states have moved them inside and added 24 hour surveillance. Other states, including FL, GA, IA TX, IN, & WI have severely changed their policies. In 2020, Texas limited dropboxes to one per county, ridiculous when you consider that Brewster County, Texas is three times the size of Delaware and larger than the state of Connecticut. Georgia limited the number of drop boxes to one per 100,000 population, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court banned drop boxes entirely.
Mail-in voting states have expanded their drop boxes, including CA, CO, HI, OR, UT and WA.
Check the rules and locations for use of drop boxes by contacting your local election officials. We have a list of state rules at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Millions of Americans are already voting by absentee or mail. Who can return your ballot if you need help?
Today’s Links
Articles:
National Conference of State Legislatures - Ballot Collection Laws by State
Ballotpedia - Ballot Collection laws by state
FiveThirtyEight.com - Has Your State Made It Harder To Vote?
Washington Post - After Wis. Supreme Court absentee ballot decision, disabled people sue
Groups Taking Action:
AARP, Disability Rights Wisonsin, Disability Rights Center NH, National Disability Rights Network
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In the last few days, millions of Americans have started voting early in person or by mail. Some elderly, disabled and working people may need help in returning their ballot, but in some states, there are restrictive rules about who can return it if you need assistance.
Typically, an elder or disabled voter depends on a family member to get a ballot returned by mail or dropped off to an election office. In Alabama, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin, only the voter can return a ballot, with few exceptions. For the mobility disabled, this can be a significant barrier, whether walking to the postal box, or delivering it to an election office.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 31 states allow some kind of “designated delivery agent.” In ten states like Arizona, Connecticut, and Kentucky, family members or caregivers are allowed to deliver ballots. In Oklahoma, only a spouse, and in Texas and New Hampshire, only certain family members.
Sixteen states, like Nevada, Kansas, and Florida allow the voter to designate a person, such as a neighbor or church member, to deliver a ballot. In general, dropping a ballot off at an election office may require the delivery agent to show ID and possibly fill out a form. These rules vary widely by state, so it is best to check with your local election office for details.
For a list of general rules by state, visit AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
What Constitutes Political Corruption? An Upcoming Supreme Court Case May Define it, and Not in a Good Way
Today’s Links
Articles:
The New Republic - The Supreme Court Might Be on the Brink of Making Corruption Easier—Again
Scotus Blog - Percoco v United States
Washington Post - Ex-Va. governor Robert McDonnell guilty of 11 counts of corruption
Politico - Supreme Court overturns Bob McDonnell’s corruption convictions
Groups Taking Action:
Democracy 21, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Citizens for Ethics in Washington (CREW)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
What constitutes political corruption? Short of receiving a briefcase of cash in exchange for a vote, there’s not much that will convince the U.S. Supreme Court that it IS corruption. An upcoming case may even do away with that red line.
An article in The New Republic by Michael Linhorst explores an upcoming case in the U.S. Supreme Court called Percoco v. United States. An aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo temporarily stepped down to run Cuomo’s campaign, saying he would return to his government job. While a “private citizen” he used a government office and phones while he pressured state officials on behalf of a developer in exchange for $35,000 being sent to his wife.
While it seems like open and shut corruption, court scholars and democracy advocates cite recent examples like the 2014 conviction of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. He and his wife were convicted in state courts of taking lavish gifts, and sweetheart loans from a developer. But because no quid pro quo was proven, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction. Watchdogs think the Percoco case may open the doors of corruption even wider.
In the 2010 Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited money in elections, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote “the appearance of influence or access” for donors “will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy.”
We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
A New Tactic to Sow Doubt in Elections: Question the Partisan Affiliations of Poll Workers
Today’s Links
Articles:
Washington Post - RNC seizes on political affiliations of poll workers in swing states
Arizona Mirror - The RNC is suing Maricopa County for not hiring enough Republican election workers
Washington Post - One charged, another sentenced for threatening election officials
The Guardian - Republican push to recruit election deniers as poll workers causes alarm
Brennan Center for Justice - Arizona Poll Workers: Rules and Constraints
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, All Voting is Local, Arizona Democracy Resource Center, Native Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The effort to sow doubt in American elections has a new front: Questioning the partisan affiliation of poll workers. Republican National Committee lawsuits just filed in Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada – all battleground states – claim that Republicans are underrepresented as poll workers. Chief election officials are calling it disinformation.
The Washington Post and Arizona Mirror are reporting that the RNC filed suits in Maricopa County, Arizona, where the county elections board is four Republicans and one Democrat. The RNC says that the county used 712 Republicans and 857 Democrats as poll workers. They argue that the long hours required, which may include nights or weekends, make it difficult for Republicans to be involved in the process. RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel said in a social media post that Republicans were “shut out of the process.”
Similar lawsuits have popped up in Nevada, and three cities in Michigan, each with the same approach.
Chief election officials however, have not minced words. Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, a Republican, called it a “lie,” and that he was, quote, “sick of grifters attacking AZ.” County officials told the Arizona Mirror that the week before primary election day, there were still 220 open poll worker positions.
Threats by election deniers have contributed to those shortages. September 29th, an Iowa man was arrested for threatening to hang a Maricopa County election official. We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles:
NBC News - Jan. 6 committee announces next hearing will be next Thursday
Los Angeles Times - What’s the TV schedule for the next Jan. 6 committee hearing?
Mother Jones - Leaked Audio: Before Election Day, Bannon Said Trump Planned to Falsely Claim Victory
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The January 6th Committee meets again on Thursday, October 13th, which the committee chairman Bennie Thompson says will likely be the last hearing, barring additional revelations.
The committee rescheduled its last hearing due to the arrival of Hurricane Ian, but has since talked with Ginni Thomas, Republican activist and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. NBC reports that others whose recorded testimony might be included are Trump’s former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and Trump’s Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao.
Remaining lines of inquiry, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times, includes further questions about the Secret Service’s actions on January 6th, as well as obstruction of justice and witness tampering by members of the Trump administration.
Mother Jones has reported that a recording has surfaced of Steven Bannon, former senior advisor to President Trump, stating in the days before the insurrection that Trump would declare an early victory, then claim the election was stolen from him. The committee will consider whether this was premeditation of the January 6th violence.
The January 6th Committee’s final hearing begins at 1 pm Eastern time, 10 am Pacific, and most broadcast television and radio news networks will likely carry it live. We have links to articles and the new Bannon audio at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said “Democracy isn’t something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Supreme Court Majority's Questions Suggest it Will Uphold Alabama's Redistricting Map Diluting the Black Vote
Today’s Links
Articles:
SCOTUS Blog - Conservative justices seem poised to uphold Alabama’s redistricting plan in Voting Rights Act Challenge
Brennan Center for Justice - Merrill v. Milligan
Brennan Center for Justice - Annotated Guide to the Amicus Briefs in Merrill v. Milligan
SCOTUS Blog - When are majority-Black voting districts required? In Alabama case, the justices will review that question.
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, American Bar Association, Constitutional Accountability Center, Southern Poverty Law Center, League of Women Voters AL, and Stand-Up Mobile.
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
During our exploration of the Moore v. Harper case this week, a challenge to Alabama’s Congressional redistricting plan was heard in the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Merrill v. Milligan, voting rights groups challenged the legislature’s Congressional maps, saying it diluted the votes of Black voters. Black Alabamians represent 27% of the population, yet have a realistic chance of electing a Black candidate in only one of seven Congressional districts. Alabama claims that it uses a “race-blind” approach, doesn’t violate Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, despite Alabama’s extensive history of discrimination against Black voters.
Analysis by Amy Howe of SCOTUS Blog suggests the court’s majority may uphold Alabama’s maps. Justice Alito cited an earlier ruling which requires that claims of diluting a vote on race can only be made if the population is large enough and sufficiently compact. Justice Kavanaugh suggested that the additional majority Black district proposed by challengers wasn’t compact enough to meet that standard.
Newly sworn-in Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stated that the 14th & 15th amendments were “Trying to ensure that people who had been discriminated against … were actually brought equal to everyone else in society.”
The court’s decision has the potential of neutralizing one of the last remaining provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
More on the case and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Today’s Links
Articles:
Brennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, Explained
The Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?
Politico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024
PBS NewsHour - How the outcome of Moore v. Harper could impact federal elections
League of Women Voters US - State Legislature Seeks Unchecked Power over Elections in Moore v. Harper
Arizona Mirror - Brnovich joins 12 other GOP AGs in ‘independent state legislature’ case
Groups Taking Action:
League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal Center,
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’ve been spending time this week on the origins & outline of Moore vs. Harper, the important Supreme Court case testing a fringe Constitutional doctrine called the “Independent State Legislature” theory. If embraced by the majority, it could alter American Democracy as we’ve known it for 235 years.
At stake is whether state legislatures have ultimate authority over elections: Higher authority than federal statutes and courts, higher than state supreme courts, and higher than a Governor’s veto. The U.S. Supreme Court has already said in 2019 that only state courts have the authority to decide partisan redistricting and gerrymandering cases. That decision essentially greenlighted widespread gerrymandering in the 2020 redistricting process.
The Brennan Center for Justice and other scholars suggest that with unchecked power, legislatures could change the slate of electors for a Presidential election, or overturn election results. Ballot initiatives could be nullified. State legislatures could ignore the U.S. or state constitution’s voting rights provisions and establish new, more draconian barriers to voting. Existing state laws like early voting or voting by mail could be repealed without the check of a gubernatorial veto.
In short, the impact of Moore v. Harper could reshape American democracy, and it could be one of the most consequential and destructive Supreme Court decisions of our time.
More on the case and groups taking action can be found at American Democracy Minute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
"Independent State Legislature" Case Cites Document that Scholars Say May be Fraudulent
Today’s Links
Articles:
Politico - Fraudulent Document Cited in Supreme Court Bid to Torch Election Law
Appellate Advocacy Blog - History Rewritten to Serve Selfish Ends – and Serve an Argument
Brennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, Explained
American Redistricting Project - Timeline and Document Submissions for Moore v. Harper
Politico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024
The Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?
Groups Taking Action:
League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Yesterday, we introduced you to a landmark case in election law before the U.S. Supreme Court called Moore vs. Harper, testing the “Independent State Legislature theory. But it’s rooted in the argument of one man whose document even James Madison thought was sketchy.
Scholars from the Brennan Center for Justice wrote in Politico in September that the story begins at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Delegate Charles Pinckney of South Carolina had proposed that legislatures should elect federal representatives. His original plan was lost, but in 1818, he produced what he said was a copy. Problem was, James Madison and other delegates said that wasn’t his original proposal, and that his original proposals had been rejected. Their suspicions were backed up by the minutes of the Constitutional Convention.
Fast forward to 2022, where the North Carolina legislature cites Pickney’s apparently fraudulent document as evidence that the framers intended for legislatures to have power over all federal election matters. In fact, the Constitution only dictates that the “times, places, and manner” of congressional elections “shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof” unless Congress chooses to “make or alter” the rules.
Should the majority of our current U.S. Supreme Court buy into this shaky theory, it will have a sweeping impact on each state’s elections, voter eligibility and certification procedures. More on that impact in our next report.
We have links to details on the case and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
The Moore vs. Harper "Independent State Legislature Theory" Case May Have Dramatic Consequences for American Democracy
Today’s Links
Articles:
Brennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, Explained
American Redistricting Project - Timeline and Document Submissions for Moore v. Harper
Politico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024
The Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?
Groups Taking Action:
League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in what is shaping up to be a landmark case in election law, Moore vs. Harper. On its face it’s about gerrymandering in North Carolina. But its decision may reshape U.S. elections, giving state legislatures ultimate power over election law.
After the North Carolina legislature gerrymandered Congressional districts locking in 10 of 14 seats to the GOP, the North Carolina Supreme Court threw out the maps as unconstitutional. But the GOP filed suit, using the “independent state legislature theory” to argue that language in the Elections Clause in the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures ultimate authority over elections - including redistricting, conducting elections and most alarmingly, voting rights.
The theory is based on early arguments by a minority of the framers, and uses an interpretation of the Elections Clause that most constitutional scholars have dismissed as fringe. Until now. Four of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices – Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh — recently voiced support for the theory in other cases. The positions of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett are still unclear.
More on the roots of the Independent State Legislature theory, and its use of a document that the country’s founders even thought was suspect, in our next report. We have links to details on the case and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Electoral Count Act Versions Moving in the U.S. Senate, Passed in the House
Today’s Links
Articles:
Democracy Docket - Senators Introduce Amendment to Electoral Count Act Reform Bill
Democracy Docket - U.S. House Passes Bill to Reform the Electoral Count Act
Democracy Docket - Comparison table of Senate & House versions of the Elector Count Act reform bills
The Hill - Trump-McConnell feud takes new turn with Electoral Count Act
Politifact - Electoral reform: What would updating the Electoral Count Act do?
Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, Brennan Center for Justice, Business for America, Campaign Legal Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
There’s more action on reforming the Electoral Count Act, with one amended bill pending in the U.S. Senate, and one bill now passed in the House. Senator Mitch McConnell has now signaled his support for the Senate bill, so how soon could it be passed?
We’ve been reporting since June on the Electoral Count Reform Act, which tries to prevent the overthrowing of a legitimate election by expanding definitions of who makes certification decisions, the role of the Vice President and correcting other vagaries in the Electoral Count Act of 1887.
This week, the Senate’s version passed out of the Senate Rules committee, with an amendment proposed by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Roy Blunt, by a vote of 14-1. The bill had already lined up 10 Republican votes when it received the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Hill reports Sen. Rob Portman’s prediction that 20 to 30 Republicans will vote for the bill.
September 21, the House passed its own version, put forward by Reps. Liz Cheney and Zoe Lofgren, both members of the January 6th Committee. The bill passed 229-203, with all Democratic votes, and only nine Republicans supporting the bill.
Democracy Docket reports that the Senate’s Version of the Electoral Count Reform Act will come up for a floor debate after the midterm election.
We have links to articles and a great comparison of the Senate and House versions at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
How Hard is it to Register & Vote in Your State?
Today’s Links
Articles:
New York Times - The ‘Cost’ of Voting in America: A Look at Where It’s Easiest and Hardest
The Hill - These are the most difficult states to vote in
Michael J. Pomante II, Ph.D. & Scot Schraufnagel, Ph.D.: Cost of Voting Index Study website
Study Summary: Cost of Voting Index summary in PDF
Help for Registering to Vote:
USA.gov – Find Your Local Election Office
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – REGISTER AND VOTE IN YOUR STATE
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We conclude our week on voter registration with the release of the 2022 Cost of Voting Index, an ongoing study of voting access around the country. Spoiler alert, states with vote-by-mail and automatic voter registration ranked highly, while states with out-of-date voting practices and recent conspiracy-fueled anti-voter legislation finished dead last.
The study follows multiple factors on voting access going back to 1996. For voter registration, rankings weigh state laws on the number of days prior to the election a voter must be registered to be able to vote, a month before for 14 states, to Election Day registration for 23 states. Other negative factors include requiring more documents than federal guidelines to register, mental competency rules, no online voter registration, or not allowing felons to register after incarceration.
Positive factors include allowing 17-year-olds to pre-register, and allowing same-day registration. States like Colorado got points for automatic voter registration, which helped it register 350,000 more voters since 2020, according the New York Times.
Top states for voter access included Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Hawaii, and Colorado. The most difficult states included Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Mississippi and New Hampshire, not coincidentally, where some of the most draconian barriers to voting have been added since the 2020 election.
A link to articles and a summary of the study are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Parts of Arizona "Cancel & Remove" Voter Registration Law Invalidated | Reminder to Check Your Registration Status
Today’s Links
Articles:
Vote.Org - Voter Registration Check Tool
Democracy Docket - U.S. District Court Decision on Arizona Senate Bill 1260
Arizona Mirror - Voting groups fight to block law that can criminalize Arizona voter registration
Groups Taking Action:Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Voto Latino, Fair Fight
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This week we’ve been talking about registering to vote, as we approach state deadlines to register before the 2022 midterms. September 26th, parts of a sketchy Arizona voter registration law were preliminarily stopped, in a likely victory for voters. But it’s also a reminder for all voters to check their registration status with their local election office.
Arizona Senate Bill 1260, signed into law earlier in 2022, has provisions which allows election officials to “cancel & remove” a registered voter from receiving a mail ballot without contacting the voter, if they only suspect that John Smith is registered elsewhere. Around the country, partisan state officials have used the voter rolls as a voter suppression tool in recent years, such as Georgia in the run-up to the 2020 election.
In the Arizona case, the U.S. District Court judge, G. Murray Snow, said in a preliminary ruling that the provision which allowed for cancellation and removal of a registered voter from the mail ballot list without personal follow up was unconstitutionally vague, could disenfranchise voters, and would likely violate the National Voting Rights Act. Another section of the bill making it a felony to send voter registration materials out of state was also cited as unconstitutionally vague.
With state legislatures making it more difficult to vote around the U.S., now is a great time to check your voter registration status, and take action if there’s a problem. We have a link to Vote.org’s registration check tool on AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Same Day Voter Registration Helps Voters Participate, But It's More Complicated Than it Used to Be
Today’s Links
Articles:
National Conference of State Legislatures - Same Day Voter Registration Around the U.S.
Ballotpedia - Same-day voter registration
University of Massachusetts - NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STATES WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HAVE HIGHER BLACK AND LATINX TURNOUT
American Academy of Arts & Sciences - Same-Day and Universal Voting Registration
Brennan Center - Election Day Registration: A Study of Voter Fraud Allegations and Findings on Voter Roll Security
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, When We All Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia allow citizens to register to vote on election day. But that doesn’t mean that same-day registration is convenient, simple, or that your vote will count in all cases.
The National Conference of State Legislatures just released a summary of states with same-day registration, which shows that states which have it have a higher voter participation. It also says that studies have not conclusively shown a partisan advantage from same-day registration.
Despite the data, Republican state legislatures have put in more restrictions on same day registration, erroneously claiming election fraud. These restrictions may include signing an affidavit under penalty of fines or imprisonment that you are eligible to vote. Other states allow same day registration, but require the use of a provisional ballot if the voter’s eligibility can’t be established on election day. Provisional ballots that may not count unless the voter returns with the proper verification within a specified time.
So, while students, new residents or new voters benefit from same day registration, the tightening of these restrictions makes registering well before election day with your local election office a more certain option. And in many states, that pre-registration deadline is 30 days before the election. November 8th is just 40 days away, so time is short.
Information on same-day registration states and registration requirements for all 50 states can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Voter Registration Basics - Do it Now, Not Later!
Today’s Links
Articles:
Vote.org - Voter Registration Rules for All 50 States
USA.gov - Find Your Local Election Office
U.S. Election Assistance Commission - REGISTER AND VOTE IN YOUR STATE
Groups Taking Action:
Nonprofit Vote, League of Women Voters, Center for Voter Information, Voto Latino, Alliance for Youth Action
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
If you’re not registered to vote, today, we’re giving you some basic guidelines on registering: Who qualifies, how a criminal record can affect registration, and resources for getting more specific information.
All states require that you be a U.S. citizen, and 18 years old to vote. Some states, like Connecticut, allow you to register at 17 years old, if you will be 18 by election day. States including Florida and Hawaii allow registration at 16, but still require you to be 18 to vote.
In many states, you must be living in that state for 30 days or more to register, such as Montana, Michigan or Mississippi. New Hampshire and Oklahoma consider whether you are “domiciled” in those states, spending most of your time over the year in that state. New Hampshire has many out-of-state vacation home owners and college students.
If you are incarcerated, convicted of a felony, on parole, or even have completed your sentence, whether you can register varies widely. For most states, if you’re currently incarcerated for a felony, or have been convicted of an election crime, you can’t vote. In some states like Missouri, that felony can keep you from voting - ever. In other states like Maryland or Massachusetts, completing your sentence & parole reinstates your rights.
If you’re allowed to register, in most states you’ll need a government-issued ID, proof of your citizenship (which can be the ID), and proof of your residence, like tax & utility bills. Do it now, not later!
Links to a list of requirements for all 50 states can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Young Voters Motivated to Vote in Midterms, Experts & Survey say
Today’s Links
Articles:
The Fulcrum - Don't take young people for granted in November
Alliance for Youth Organizing Poll - YOUNG VOTERS IN BATTLEGROUND STATES ON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Groups Taking Action:
Voter Participation Center, Alliance for Youth Action
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Midterms generally have a much lower youth turnout than Presidential elections. But an opinion piece in the Fulcrum argues that when younger voters have something to motivate them, they will turn out.
Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action and Tom Lopach of the Voter Participation Center write that turnout of younger voters in 2018 exceeded expectations, and indications are that a high number of voters 18-39 intend to vote in the 2022 midterms.
They cite a survey conducted in battleground states by Civiqs and the Alliance for Youth Organizing, a sister group to Hall’s organization. It found that protection of women’s reproductive rights is driving younger Democrats to the polls, and the economy and inflation is the motivator for young Republicans. The good news is that 86% of younger voters say they will be involved in the 2022 midterm election.
Young voters of all races considered inflation and the economy as their top issue. But priorities for other issues varies slightly by race, with young black voters ranking the ending systemic racism higher, and both black and Latinx voters ranking abortion access lower than young white voters.
The Hall-Lopach article also cites some not-so-good news. A recent Harvard study showed that 42% of young voters say their vote doesn’t make a difference, down from 31% in 2018. No doubt the result of systematic gerrymandering and voter suppression measures around the country since 2020.
Links to the article and poll can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Reps. Liz Cheney & Zoe Lofgren Propose Additional Bill to Fix the Electoral Count System
Today’s Links
Articles:NPR - The House just passed a bill that would make it harder to overthrow an election
PolitiFact: Electoral reform: What would updating the Electoral Count Act do?
PBS Newshour - House passes electoral law overhaul in response to Jan. 6
Text of the Presidential Election Reform Act: H.R.8873 - Presidential Election Reform Act
Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, Brennan Center, Business for America, ACLU
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Earlier this week, we told you about the differences between the U.S. Senate’s Electoral Count Reform Act, and a similar bill in the U.S. House. September 19th, Representatives Liz Cheney and Zoe Lofgren introduced another version, which has some significant differences.
PolitiFact reports that like the Senate and earlier House bill, Cheney and Lofgren’s “Presidential Election Reform Act” defines the role of the Vice President in the process, stops the possibility of an alternative slate of electors, and mandates that electors are definitively chosen before election day. Both bills further define the certification process, raise the bar for a Senator to object to certification, and limits the certification to the state’s chief elections officer, which in most states is the governor or secretary of state.
The Cheney-Lofgren bill however, proposes a new way of counting the electoral votes, where the Senate bill tweaks the existing system. The Presidential Election Reform Act also creates financial penalties to discourage the baseless, frivolous lawsuits seen after the 2020 election. It also proposes a longer timeline than the Senate’s proposal, allowing for proper challenges to be settled before final certification.
Action on the bills in the House and Senate are expected soon. The Senate bill has its 10 Republican supporters to overcome the filibuster, but it’s unclear how much support the two House bills will have when they get to the Senate. Links to articles, the language of the Presidential Election Reform Act, and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
The Disclose Act Would Shine a Light on Dark Money Influence in U.S. Elections
Today’s Links
Articles:
Reuters - Biden pushes election 'dark money' disclosure bill doomed to fail in Congress
U.S. Senate Bill S. 443 - Text of the Bill
Washington Post Editorial Board - A $1.6 billion donation lays bare a broken campaign finance system
Groups Taking Action:
Issue One, Common Cause, American Promise, Public Citizen
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
President Biden spoke September 20th about Dark Money in our elections and voiced his support of the Disclose Act, which is expected to be voted on this week in the U.S. Senate. What is the Disclose Act, and why should voters support this campaign finance legislation?
Current campaign finance law prohibits foreign entities from contributing in U.S. elections. But both domestic and foreign contributors have used 501c3 & 501c4 nonprofits, and limited liability shell corporations to hide the source of hard-to-trace Dark Money donations. If passed, the Disclose Act prohibits foreign contributions, and would require donations above $10,000 from domestic corporations, unions or other political organizations to be disclosed within 24 hours.
The bill also expands current election law to prohibit foreign entities from making dark money contributions supporting or opposing judicial nominations, or ballot initiatives. It establishes penalties and possible jail time for those who attempt to conceal the contributions. And it would require disclaimers on political ads to reveal the largest contributors to the organization who funded the advertising.
The Disclose Act has been proposed and failed in previous sessions, and may fail again. Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz argue that anonymous donations allow corporations to fully express their First Amendment rights.
Links to articles, Biden’s speech and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Early Voting for the Midterm General Election Begins in Sept. for Six States
Today’s Links
Articles:
Ballotpedia - Early voting dates, 2022
KMSP TV - Early voting in Minnesota: Everything you need to know for 2022 midterms
AARP Wyoming - How to Vote in Wyoming’s 2022 Elections
State of South Dakota - 2022 Election Information
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
With the last of the state primaries completed September 13, the focus now turns to the general election on November 8th. But for some states with early voting, casting a ballot may start this week.
Ballotpedia reports that qualifying voters in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wyoming begin casting ballots on September 23rd for the midterm general election, and continue to November 7th.
Then on September 29, Illinois, Michigan and North Dakota begin, also ending on November 7. Throughout October, another 35 states allow for some kind of early voting, whether in person or by mail, with most states ending a day or two prior to the traditional election day, this year, November 8th. Kentucky and Oklahoma have only 2 and 3 days respectively, both ending November 5th.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that among those living in states that used nontraditional voting methods, turnout increased in 2020 by 7.7 percent compared with 2016. In Hawaii, 97.6% of voters cast ballots early or by mail in 2020 and voting participation increased by an estimated 17 percent.
To participate in early voting – or any voting – you must be registered. If you are not registered, check with your local or county election offices, or your state’s Secretary of State website for more details.
Details on when your state’s early voting begins and ends are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
U.S. House Proposes Counterpart to Senate's Electoral Count Reform Act to Prevent Future Coups
Today’s Links
Articles:
NBC News - House members roll out bipartisan election bill aimed at preventing future coups
Axios - House members introduce reforms to election bill
Bill Language - Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act
Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Issue One Action, Campaign Legal Center,
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The counterpart to the U.S. Senate’s Electoral Count Reform Act was just announced in the U.S. House on September 15th. The bipartisan legislation is an attempt to prevent future attempted coups, but time is short as the Congressional term nears its end.
NBC News reports that Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Democrat of NJ, and Fred Upton, Republican of Michigan, sponsored Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, which is similar to the Senate’s bill.
Both bills attempt to clarify the limited role the Vice President has in the certification process, but the House bill also proposes changes to the Presidential Transition Act, which dictates how an outgoing administration must prepare for a handoff to a newly elected President and his or her administration.
Another, broader bipartisan bill is reportedly being prepared for release this week by Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren, which will address a wider scope of transition issues. And at some future point, the January 6th Committee will report on what changes can be made to prevent any future attempts to overturn an election.
Back in the Senate, the Electoral Count Reform Act, sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin and Susan Collins, just had its tenth Republican Senator sign on, Chuck Grassley of Iowa. If the coalition holds, the Senate has the 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, assuring the bill’s passage.
Links to articles, the language of the new bill, and groups taking action can be found at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Delaware Court Strikes Down New No-Excuse Vote by Mail Law
Today’s Links
Articles:
Towns Square Live - Delaware Judge Halts Mail-In Voting
Democracy Docket - Delaware Judge Strikes Down No-Excuse Mail-in Voting, Upholds Same-Day Registration
Associated Press - Judge says Delaware vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional
Groups Taking Action: Delaware Voting Rights Coalition, League of Women Voters Delaware
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported earlier this summer on the passage of a no-excuse mail-in voting law in Delaware. September 14th, a Delaware state court judge struck down the law as contrary to the state constitution.
Delaware had passed SB 320 in June, which would allow voters to vote by mail without having to give an excuse. But the Delaware constitution currently allows for the use of an absentee only when the voter is outside the state, in the armed forces, unable to vote due to job requirements, sick or disabled, on vacation, unable for religious reasons ,or in government service outside the country.
Town Square Live and Democracy Docket report that Republican members of the legislature sued, and Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook ruled that despite Delaware’s tradition of a robust voter participation, the state constitution left him no choice but to issue an injunction on the law.
Vice Chancellor Cook also noted in his ruling that “it bears repeating that the express purpose of election laws in this state is to provide for ‘free and equal’ elections where Delawareans have an ‘unfettered’ right to vote—one of ‘the most fundamental of our rights.’” He went on to suggest that the Delaware Supreme Court may want to reconsider past decisions on mail-in voting.
Past attempts at bills changing the state constitution to allow no-excuse mail-in voting have failed. To read more about the decision and groups taking action, see links at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
A New ProPublica Report Chronicles One Women's Quest to Assist Low-Literacy Voters - And the Attempts to Stop Her
Today’s Links
Articles:
ProPublica - The Fight Against an Age-Old Effort to Block Americans From Voting
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU Georgia, FairFight, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, New Georgia Project
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
An investigative report just released by nonprofit news organization ProPublica follows the story of one woman’s quest to provide assistance to low-literacy voters in her community. It also shows the efforts by local and state government to stop that assistance, which is guaranteed by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The article chronicles the efforts of Olivia Coley-Pearson from Coffee County, Georgia, where one-third of the population reads only at a basic level. Coley-Pearson helps those needing assistance at the polls with voter registration and ballots, as affirmed by Congress in Voting Rights Act changes in 1982.
But ProPublica’s reporting shows that while the literacy tests used to suppress Black voters in the 1960s may be gone, literacy is still wielded as a weapon in some polling places. Ballots and registrations are sometimes invalidated for misspellings in addresses and names, or for errors in dates.
Some state legislatures have even passed laws which require illiterate voters to explain in a WRITTEN affidavit as to why they need assistance. Other states prevent from bringing sample ballots to the polls, and limit the number of volunteers providing assistance.
Coley-Pearson herself has been reported by election officials, investigated, brought up on baseless charges of improperly assisting voters in what smacks of an effort to intimidate her from her work.
That literacy would still be a barrier to Americans who make the effort to exercise their constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote demonstrates just how far we are from a free and fair election system. Find a link to ProPublica’s excellent article at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
ACTIVISTS REQUESTING 'CAST VOTE RECORD' DATA AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ONCE AGAIN TRY TO PROVE WIDESPREAD FRAUD
Today’s Links
Articles:
Votebeat - Election activists are seeking the “cast vote record” from 2020. Here’s what it is and why they want it.
Washington Post - Trump backers flood election offices with requests as 2022 vote nears
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Election-denier activists are trying to obtain the “Cast Vote Record” report from vote tabulating machines around the country in a nationwide effort to prove the existence of wide-spread voter fraud.
The nonprofit democracy news service VoteBeat reported last week that nearly identical requests are being made around the country, pushed by high profile election deniers like MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Lindell and other conspiracy theorists are apparently providing “cut and paste” request language for supporters to request the information from their local election officials. If the data is provided, the group intends to centrally analyze it, despite no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
The Cast Vote Record is a data file which vote tabulating machines like that of Dominion Voting Systems record. While its format varies by type of machine, it records the raw data of the circles filled in, and sometimes records an image of the ballot. But there is no information about the voter or the voter’s identity, and it captures only machine-counted ballots, not those counted by hand.
Votebeat reports that some election offices have received dozens of these requests, including 90 requests in Maricopa County, Arizona alone, each one consuming staff time to process. Rules vary by state, with some states allowing unofficial access to the files, and some not allowing any public access, resulting in lawsuits demanding that access.
To learn more find a link to the VoteBeat story at our website, AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Michigan's "Promote the Vote" Initiative Had Required Signatures, But Still Blocked by State Board
Today’s Links
Articles:
Detroit News - Word spacing issue keeps abortion rights amendment from ballot; court fight expected
Promote the Vote 2022 Statement - STATE BOARD DEADLOCKS ON KEY MICHIGAN VOTING RIGHTS BALLOT INITIATIVE, CAMPAIGN VOWS TO TAKE CASE TO COURT
BallotPedia - Michigan Right to Voting Policies Amendment (2022)
Citizens Research Council of Michigan - Michigan’s Citizen-Initiative Petition Process in 2022: A LOT of Ballot Proposals
PBS - Why an obscure Michigan board has the power to reject a ballot initiative on abortion rights
Groups Taking Action
Promote the Vote 2022 Coalition, League of Women Voters Michigan, Michigan League for Public Policy, Michigan State Conference of the NAACP
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We told you about the ballot initiative proposing election reforms in Arizona which failed under suspicious circumstances. Now, another ballot initiative in Michigan has also been stalled due to partisan gamesmanship.
The Promote the Vote initiative gathered 664,000 signatures of registered voters, verified by the Michigan Bureau of Elections, and 200,000 more than needed. But the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, a four person board with two Republicans and two Democrats deadlocked on allowing the initiative to go forward.
The Promote the Vote initiative would prohibit harassment at the polls; allow military or overseas ballots to be counted if postmarked by election day; allow voters without an ID to sign an affidavit and vote under penalty of law; create a single application to vote absentee; allow the use of drop boxes; implement nine days of early voting; require disclosure of all campaign donations; and allow the board of canvassers to certify elections only on the results of the ballots cast.
Like Arizona, forces opposing the freedom to vote stopped the initiative despite it having met all the criteria. The same Michigan Board of Canvassers also blocked an initiative which would have enshrined abortion rights as part of the Michigan constitution, deadlocking 2-2.
The next step for both of the initiatives is a decision from Michigan’s Supreme Court, which has a 4-3 Democratic majority.
We have articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO!
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Conspiracy by Stop the Steal Activists to Break Into Voting Machines Widens to Georgia
Today’s Links
Articles:
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Special grand jury seeks evidence of Coffee Co. election breach
Washington Post - Trump-allied lawyers pursued voting machine data in multiple states, records reveal
Reuters - Michigan sheriff sought to seize multiple voting machines, records show
Business Insider - Sidney Powell and other Trump attorneys oversaw effort to copy sensitive election data in 3 states, per reports
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The apparent conspiracy in Michigan to seize and break into vote tabulating machines is widening. Last week, a grand jury was empanelled to examine similar allegations in Georgia.
In Michigan, politicians, lawyers and even a county sheriff allegedly used their influence to take Dominion Voting Systems vote tabulators to an off-site location and break into them seeking evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
The Washington Post has since reported that there is evidence of payments made to contractors by Sidney Powell and Trump’s legal team to run an unofficial examination of vote tabulating machines in Michigan, Nevada and Georgia.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution now reports that a 23-member special grand jury has issued a subpoena for communications between Powell and another Trump attorney with an IT contractor in Georgia who was hired to unofficially examine voting machines. The subpoena includes requests for records related to activity in Coffee County, Georgia, and Antrim County, Michigan.
An earlier election security lawsuit revealed that employees from the contractor, SullivanStrickler, copied the voting memory cards of ballot scanners and an election server, then allegedly shared the records with Powell, Trump campaign staff, and “Stop the Steal” activist groups.
As this alleged conspiracy unfolds, we will keep you updated. Find a link to the Washington Post reporting, and an Atlanta Journal Constitution article which includes a “who’s who” of the Georgia investigation, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Who Dunnit? Arizona Voting Rights Initiative Dies a Suspicious Death
Today’s Links
Articles:
The Arizona Mirror - Whiplash: Free and Fair Elections Act won’t be on the ballot after last-minute math changes
BallotPedia - Arizona Election and Voting Policies Initiative (2022)
Washington Examiner - Arizona initiative to overturn several election laws pulled from fall ballot
Full Initiative Text - (For) I‐16‐2022 ‐ Arizonans for Free and Fair Elections
Groups Taking Action: Arizonans for Fair Elections, Campaign Legal Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Who-done-it fans, today we have the case of the invalidated signatures.
A voting rights reform initiative in Arizona has come to a tragic end, with the victim apparently being killed by a judge, with a calculator, in the courtroom.
The Arizona Mirror reports that the Arizona Free and Fair Elections Act had to gather at least 237,645 signatures to get the measure on the ballot. On August 24th, the Arizona Secretary of State certified that 298,878 signatures were found valid – more than enough cushion. Then a challenge by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club over the eligibility of the signature collectors invalidated 75,000, but they still had enough. The same judge certified 239,926 signatures, 2,281 more than needed.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club again took the case to the state supreme court, which said the lower court’s math was wrong, returning it to the same judge, who then disqualified enough signatures to be 1500 short.
Before its untimely death under suspicious circumstances, it would have implemented early voting, automatic and same-day voter registration, created voting policies benefiting tribal nations and disabled voters, cleaned up the Presidential elector rules, and created campaign contribution limits. It also would have reformed the very voter initiative process which doomed the effort. Was it the judge, or a conspiracy?
Links to articles and the group behind the initiative are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO! For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Links to articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Redistricting Stalemate in Ohio Continues; Questions Raised About State Supreme Court Justice
Today’s Links
Articles:
Ohio Capital Journal - Public awaits more redistricting work, but new law gives court little leeway to force it
State of Ohio - Redistricting Commission Members
The American Independent - Ohio Justice Pat DeWine won't recuse himself from gerrymandering cases involving his dad
Princeton Gerrymandering Project - Ohio's Redistricting Process
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts Ohio, Equal Districts Coalition
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have two stories today from Ohio. We’re updating our series of stories about Ohio’s ongoing redistricting fiasco, and in a related story, the refusal of a justice on Ohio’s Supreme Court to recuse himself.
You’ll remember from our earlier reports that Ohio had a referendum to ban gerrymandering and established a seven-member redistricting commission, which includes Governor Mike DeWine, the Secretary of State, the State Auditor and legislators as members. But the commission’s maps were rejected as gerrymandered by the Ohio Supreme Court. Responsibility then bounced to the Ohio General Assembly, which drew its own heavily gerrymandered maps for the state legislature and Congress. Multiple versions of those maps were also rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court as against Ohio’s constitution.
Court appeals continue, but the Ohio Capital Journal reports that the Ohio high court issued a 30-day timeline to the Commission to redraw the maps, and if they don’t, it goes back to the legislature. The Commission has taken no action, and the legislature’s leadership says it intends to do nothing, forcing a stalemate. It’s not clear who will blink first, or what body will have the final say.
As if there wasn’t enough drama, as a member of the Redistricting Commission, Governor Mike DeWine is a defendant in cases before the Ohio Supreme Court, and his son, Pat DeWine, is one of the seven justices. A story this week in the American Independent reports that the younger DeWine has refused to recuse himself from a number of cases involving his father, including . . . redistricting.
Links to articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Entire Staff of Texas County Elections Office Resigns, Citing Threats & Harassment
Today’s Links
Articles:
Fredricksburg Standard - Radio Post - Threats, stalking lead to election office resignation
VoteBeat Texas - What brought down one Texas county’s entire elections department? It was something in the water.
NPR/Texas Public Radio - A Texas county's election administrators all resigned, leaving the state to step in
Groups Taking Action:
League of United Latin American Citizens - Poll Worker Recruitment Day 2022
Election Official Legal Defense Network
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in Texas today, where earlier this month, the entire staff of a Texas county elections office resigned, citing post-2020 election threats and cyber stalking, misinformation, understaffing, and low pay.
The Fredricksburg Standard Radio Post and VoteBeat Texas reported that the staff of the Gillespie County elections office had been dealing with fringe conspiracy theories even before former President Donald Trump’s accusations of widespread voter fraud. Trump won the county with 79% of the vote.
The Post quotes long-time elections clerk & administrator Anissa Herrera, as saying, “After the 2020 election I was threatened, I’ve been stalked, I’ve been called out on social media, and it’s just dangerous misinformation. The year 2020 was when I got the death threats,” said Herrera. “It was enough that I reached out to our county attorney, and it was suggested that I forward it to the Fredricksburg Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department.
Her co-workers have also left, leaving it to the state to train new staff prior to the start of October 24the early voting. There may be other county employees who will step in, some of whom have prior election experience, but the state will need to give them a crash course in the 300 new election rules passed by the Texas legislature since 2020.
Sam Taylor, Texas assistant secretary of state for communications said, “Unfortunately, threats like these drive away the very officials our state needs now more than ever to help instill confidence in our election system.”
Links to articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Jim Crow Era Mississippi Voter Suppression Law Upheld by Federal Court
Today’s Links
Articles:
Democracy Docket - 5th Circuit Upholds Felony Disenfranchisement in Mississippi
ABA Journal - Mississippi scrubbed racial taint from its constitutional ban on voting by some felons, 5th Circuit rulesAssociated Press - Court: Mississippi can continue blocking felons from voting
Mississippi Center for Justice - Federal Court of Appeals Upholds Mississippi’s 1890 Felon Disfranchisement Law
Groups Taking Action:
Mississippi Center for Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re headed to Mississippi today, where last week an 1890 Jim Crow voter suppression constitutional provision was shockingly upheld by the Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
When it was enacted, the constitutional provision stripping citizens of voting rights if they were convicted of certain crimes was openly discussed as an effort to keep Black citizens from voting. Originally, Section 241 of the Mississippi constitution disenfranchised citizens convicted of burglary, bribery, theft, arson, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy. In the 1960s, while Jim Crow restrictions were ongoing, burglary was removed & murder and rape were added.
It turned out that it was those additions which caused the court’s majority to ignore the motivation for the law. The majority opinion concluded that those changes were made without racial prejudice, so the provision could stand.
The opinion said, “We are not blind to the state’s deplorable history of racial discrimination . . . . but the overall social and political climate in Mississippi in the 1950s and 1960s fails to carry plaintiffs’ burden to prove that the 1968 amendment intentionally discriminated against Black voters.”
According to Democracy Docket, almost 11% of the state’s voting age population is disenfranchised as a result of this provision. Mississippi, which has the highest percentage of African Americans of any other state, 38%, has not elected a Black person to statewide office since 1890.
Links to articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Researchers Confirm Gerrymandering Used to Hold Power After Losses & Demographic Shifts
Today’s Links
Articles:
University of California Santa Cruz - Political parties use gerrymandering to counteract shifting voter preferences in key battleground states
MIT Press - UC Santa Cruz Study (requires sign-up) - The Targeting and Impact of Partisan Gerrymandering: Evidence from a Legislative Discontinuity
FiveThirtyEight.com - What Redistricting Looks Like in Every State
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, League of Women Voters People Powered Fair Maps, Fair Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported recently on the use of advanced mathematical models for proving gerrymandering to the courts. Now, researchers are confirming what democracy advocates have long suspected: Gerrymandering is being used as a tool keep political power in the face of a changing tide of demographics.
Research at University of California Santa Cruz is using statistical modeling called “bunching tests” to analyze gerrymandering efforts in swing states. They’ve found that political parties are answering the loss of a Congressional seat in prior elections with stepped up gerrymandering to retake the seat in the future.
Examination of election cycles from 1970 to 2010 suggests that whichever party controls the redistricting process in the state legislature can gerrymander the party to an 11 percentage point increase in its probability of winning a U.S. House race in the next election.
Other trends include more severe gerrymandering to create longer-lasting control, and a 15% higher likelihood of racial gerrymandering by conservative legislatures.
In a statement about the research, Professor Ajay Shenoy said, “. . . Our findings suggest that parties seek control of redistricting in places where the electorate is turning against them, which is, in some ways, more concerning because it indicates that redistricting is being used to actively thwart the popular will.”
Links to articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we HAVE it’s something we DO!
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
Federal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to Voters
Today’s Links
Articles:New York Times - Arkansas violated the Voting Rights Act by limiting help to voters, a judge rules.
Arkansas Times - Judge strikes down restrictive Arkansas law that violates the Voting Rights Act
Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund - FEDERAL COURT RULES ARKANSAS STATUTE ON VOTER
ASSISTANCE VIOLATES FEDERAL VRA
U.S. District Court - Decision
Groups Taking Action:
MALDEF, Arkansas United
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in Arkansas today, where August 20th, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that a 2009 state law barring a person from assisting more than six voters was contrary to federal law.
In a 39-page ruling, Judge Timothy L. Brooks agreed with an advocacy group which had been helping immigrant citizens with voting, the New York Times reports. Arkansas United had been doing nonpartisan work translating for Spanish-speaking voters at the polls, but had to mobilize more staff and volunteers to meet the one person - six client limit under the state law.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund represented Arkansas United in the case, and argued that despite the intent of the law to prevent undue influence of voters, it amounted to voter suppression.
The judge wrote that election officials could legally collect the addresses and names of any voters assisted during the election, but could no longer limit help to six voters per person providing assistance. He cited Congress’ intent to allow the voter to choose who would provide assistance.
Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund said to the New York Times, “I do think that there is a stigma, an unfair one, on those who are simply doing their part to assist those who have every right to be able to cast a ballot.”
Links to articles and the judge’s decision are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl
New Poll Show "Threats to Democracy" as Top Issue with Voters, Over the Economy
Today’s Links
Articles:
NBC News - NBC News poll: 57% of voters say investigations into Trump should continue
NBC News - Full Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies Poll Results
Newsweek - 'Threats to Democracy' Overtake 'Cost of Living' as Voters' Top Issue: Poll
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A new NBC News poll released August 21st had a surprising finding: The most concerning issue in America among voters polled was “Threats to Democracy,” over the “Cost of Living” and “Jobs and the Economy.”
The survey was conducted jointly by Democratic and Republican polling firms, who asked 1000 people a wide range of questions about politics and the economy just after the raid on former President Trump’s Florida home.
When asked what was the most important issue facing the country, 21% of polled voters indicated “Threats to democracy,” followed by 16% for “Cost of Living” and 14% for “Jobs and the Economy.” Polls earlier this year had “Cost of Living” as the number one issue.
There were questions regarding the investigation of the January 6th Committee. Fifty-seven percent agreed with the statement, “These investigations should continue because if there is wrongdoing by Donald Trump, he needs to be held accountable just like anyone else,” vs. 40% who agreed with “These investigations should not continue because they are politically motivated against a former president and divide the country.” Fifty-percent of voters polled hold the former President “Solely” or “Mainly” responsible for the January 6th insurrection.
Sadly, 58% believe America’s best days are behind it, which the poll shows is the highest percentage on this question dating back to 1990. And 61% of voters say they’re so upset by something, they’re willing to carry a protest sign for an entire day.
Links to articles and the poll itself can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Math & Computer Scientists Develop Tools to Prove Cheating in Redistricting
Today’s Links
Articles:
Washington Post - Can computer simulations help fix democracy?
CNN - Redistricting in Ohio
Kosuke Imai and Cory McCartan, Harvard University - ``Sequential Monte Carlo for Sampling Balanced and Compact Redistricting Plans"
Groups Taking Action:
Princeton Gerrymandering Project , Moon Duchin & the Tufts University MGGG Lab, Dave's Redistricting App, FairVote, League of Women Voters People Powered Fair Maps Project, Redistricting Data Hub's list of State Advocacy Groups
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
As a listener to ADM, you know that redistricting voting districts happens every 10 years after a new census. That redistricting can be fairly done, or can be manipulated for partisan gain, called gerrymandering. But mathematicians and computer scientists now have tools to show to courts just how gerrymandered the districts actually are.
An article in the Washington Post this week has an “explainer” on how & why gerrymandering gets done, but also shows how scientists are using the “Monte Carlo Principle” to prove to courts that maps were gerrymandered. An unbiased computer draws thousands of map combinations then graphs the results. The graphs show where the actual real-world gerrymandered maps ranks vs. the computer-generated fair map combinations.
A Harvard research team of Kosuke Imai and Cory McCartan designed an algorithm used in Ohio’s fight for fair maps. Their tool was used to draw 5,000 maps and showed the Republican map wasn’t even close to fair, which was a factor in convincing the judge to throw out the proposal. Moon Duchin of Tufts University notes that generating larger samples of up to 100,000 comparison maps can give an even higher-level of certainty.
In many states, citizens groups are using lower-tech open source mapping tools provided by Princeton University, a platform called Dave’s Redistricting, and others to draw their own maps, to contrast to the partisan cheating occurring within their state’s legislatures. See the Post article and links to get involved in those groups at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
North Carolina Supreme Court May Invalidate Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Gerrymandered Legislature
Today’s Links
Articles:
Charlotte News & Observer - NC’s highest court rules on gerrymandered legislature’s power, but the case isn’t over
Southern Environmental Law Center - North Carolina Supreme Court rules that racially gerrymandered legislature does not have unlimited authority to change NC’s Constitution
Ballotpedia - Voter ID in North Carolina
Groups Taking Action:
North Carolina NAACP, Southern Environmental Law Center, Forward Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Here’s a fascinating case from North Carolina that you’ll hear more about in the mainstream press in the next few days. The North Carolina Supreme Court has conditionally ruled that because the state’s legislature was elected with gerrymandered voting maps, state constitutional amendments enacted in 2018 may be invalid.
The case is being called “groundbreaking” and could have huge implications, but it’s not yet settled. Ballotpedia & the Charlotte News & Observer report that in 2018, voters passed a constitutional amendment to require photo ID to vote. Shortly after, the legislature passed SB 824 to codify it. The governor vetoed it, which the legislature then overrode, precipitating the lawsuits.
Voting rights advocates argued that 28 districts were knowingly racially gerrymandered, and that two-thirds of the districts needed to be redrawn to be in compliance with the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Under that argument, the legislature therefore did not have the legal authority to propose the amendment in the first place. The state supreme court agreed.
The state high court did not overturn the amendment, however. It returned the case to the lower court with guidance and questions, and asked for a more rigorous opinion that the state’s high court could further consider.
North Carolina NAACP’s Deborah Maxwell, said of the ruling, “Rigging elections by trampling on the rights of Black voters has consequences.”
See links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Arizona Trifecta: Three Lawsuits for on its Voter Suppression Bills All in One Day
Today's Links
Articles:
Al Dia - Voto Latino partners with allies to sue Arizona over a voter restriction law
Washington Examiner - Liberal advocates sue over Arizona law alleged to allow 'targeted voter suppression'
Democracy Docket - Voting Rights Groups Sue Arizona Over New Voter Suppression Law
Democracy Docket - DNC and Arizona Democratic Party Sue Over Arizona’s Citizenship Requirement
Groups
Voto Latino, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Over the 18 months, Arizona GOP legislators passed two restrictive voting bills, one targeted at Native Americans, requiring proof of citizenship to vote by already registered voters. The other is a vague bill tightening vote-by-mail rules. Last week, Arizona hit the trifecta: The state was sued by the U.S. Justice Department, voting rights groups and the Democratic party all in one day.
The first is SB 1260 allows a clerk to take someone OFF the vote-by-mail list if he or she THINKS the voter has moved to another county, but creates no mandate to follow up. It also prohibits the forwarding of a mail ballot. Sending a ballot received at home to an Arizona-registered son or daughter at college, could be a felony. Advocacy group Voto Latino also cites voters with unstable housing, and retirees who may spend parts of the year in other states. Voto Latino and other groups are attempting to get the law struck down because of its vague provisions and burdensome barriers to voting.
Most states now have voter ID laws, but Arizona’s H.B. 2492 targets a federal-election-only ballot, which is an option in Arizona. Many Native Americans who’ve voted for years using the ballot would not be able to because they don’t have the citizenship documents. Two suits, one by the U.S. Justice Department and another by Democratic groups argue that HB 2492 puts an undue burden on the right to vote, violating the 1st and 14th Amendments. There are now five lawsuits filed to invalidate this law.
See links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
After $1 Million and 14 Months, Wisc. Legislature Terminates 2020 Election Fraud Probe Empty Handed
Today’s Links
Articles:
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Robin Vos Fires Michael Gableman, Ending $1M Review of the 2020 Election
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Gableman seeks to jail two mayors if they don't sit for interviews as part of his partisan election review
WisPolitics.com - Vos, Gableman reach verbal agreement to extend election probe contract
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - A former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice will oversee the latest election review sought by the state's GOP leaders
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Last year, the Wisconsin legislature, all hyped up on election fraud conspiracies, hired a retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, Michael Gableman, to conduct a review of the 2020 election results. Fourteen months and a million dollars with no fraud to show for it, Gableman’s contract was terminated last week.
In June 2021, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos held a press conference in which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported him saying, "What we're after is fairness and honesty."
What the voters of Wisconsin got was a big bill. Gableman was supposed to have wrapped up his probe by the end of December 2021, but in August 2021, outlined a $676,000 budget without an end date. In January 2022, the contract was again extended to October 31 – without having yet shared any results with the public. The Journal-Sentinel made several public information requests for supporting documents, but those requests were ignored.
Gableman himself received $100,000 in salary, but also hired retired police detectives and outside lawyers to conduct interviews. Two Wisconsin mayors were threatened with being jailed earlier this year for refusing to sit for interviews with Gableman’s team.
Robin Vos, who just fought off a Trump-endorsed challenger in the Wisconsin Primary, said he’s asked for a report from Gableman by February 2023. A member of the Senate Elections Committee said of Gableman’s termination, “It’s about time.”
See links to the Journal-Sentinel articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org Granny D said, Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Native American Tribe Unrigs County Voting with Court Redistricting Decision
Today’s Links
Articles:
Native American Rights Fund (NARF) - LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE VOTERS WIN CRUCIAL LEGAL VICTORY IN VOTING RIGHTS CASE
Associated Press - Judge tells Lyman County to work with tribe on election plan
U.S. District Court - Court Order in LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE vs. Lyman County
Groups Taking Action:
Native American Rights Fund, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Here’s an important story we missed from last week. A Native American tribe in South Dakota won a victory in federal court, forcing implementation of a fairer voting district system and representation for its members, after enduring years of a rigged system.
The Lower Brule Sioux reservation accounts for 40% of the population of Lyman County, South Dakota. Yet the at-large voting system in Lyman County made sure that it was unlikely the tribe could elect members to the County Commission. In the 2020 redistricting, Native American voting rights groups advocated for the creation of voting districts giving Native voters an opportunity to select two of the five county commissioners in order to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Problem is, by 2022, the districts still had not been implemented due to foot-dragging by the County Commission. A suit was filed in May by the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and the judge ordered the redistricting plan to be implemented. In the order, Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange wrote: “…the effect of a single county-wide district has been to create a system where the County’s white majority can and largely has blocked election of Native-preferred candidates.”
The court ordered the County Commission to present a plan, and if they did not, the Court would implement one for them. Without advocacy by the Native American Rights Fund and others, justice would not have been served.
See articles on this case and links to the organizations taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org Granny D said, Democracy is not something we HAVE, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Michigan Big Lie Voting Machine Tampering Conspiracy May Have Involved More States
Today’s Links
Articles:
Washington Post - Michigan plot to breach voting machines points to a national pattern
Washington Post - Trump-allied lawyers pursued voting machine data in multiple states, records reveal
NBC News - Michigan AG probe alleges GOP opponent involved in unauthorized voting machine access
Brennan Center - Memo to State Associations of Election Officials
Groups Taking Action:
The Brennan Center for Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported in June and again last week about the widening Big Lie voting machine tampering conspiracy in Michigan implicating a GOP candidate for attorney general. Now, reporting in the Washington Post suggests the conspiracy may have been coordinated nationally, similar to the fake presidential elector scheme.
In Michigan, a special prosecutor has been requested by Michigan’s sitting attorney general, because her apparent opponent, Matthew DePerno, may have coordinated the breaking into one or more ballot tabulators.
Then on August 11th, the Brennan Center for Justice issued a memo to state associations of election officials warning of “insider” threats to election security. Brennan recommended steps officials can take should they be approached about access to voting machines, or if the machines are breached.
The memo cited dozens of resources and news articles, and gave examples in Georgia, Colorado, Pennsylvania and numerous examples in Michigan, where access was attempted by or given to, third parties looking for fraudulent voting data. In some cases it was partisan law enforcement officers who approached the clerks.
In addition to reporting incidents to state election officials, the Brennan Center recommends communicating quickly and clearly to the public. Remediation for compromised machines means they will need to be replaced in order to restore public faith in the system at a huge expense to municipalities. Big lies have consequences.
See articles and the Brennan Center’s memo AmericanDemocracyMinute.org For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Aug. 16 Alaska Primary Includes Special Election, Regular Primary, and Both Choose One & Ranked Choice Voting
Today’s Links
Articles:
Alaska for Better Elections - Alaska Elections Timeline
Alaska for Better Elections - How do I vote in the primary election?
Alaska Public Media - Alaska election guide: Q&As with candidates for U.S. House, U.S. Senate and governor
Anchorage Daily News - Early voting begins in Alaska cities ahead of Aug. 16 election
Alaska Division of Elections - Sample Ballots
Groups Taking Action:
Alaskans for Better Elections, List of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) groups around the country,
Fair Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Alaska broke new ground in June with the first-ever “top-four” Congressional special primary to replace the late Rep. Don Young. This was the first time Alaskan’s used ranked choice voting, which winnowed down a field of 48 candidates to four, including former governor Sarah Palin, tech millionaire Nick Begich III, and legislator Mary Peltola. A fourth candidate dropped out.
August 16th, voters return to vote on those four candidates, plus vote in their regular primary, including a U.S. Senate race with incumbent Lisa Murkowski and 18 challengers, another U.S. House race with 22 candidates, and a governor’s race with 10 candidates. The regular primary is using conventional “choose one” voting.
Only the special election for U.S. House will be conducted using ranked choice voting, with voters ranking the candidates in order of preference. In the special U.S. House race, if the top ranked candidate doesn’t receive 50% of the vote, the 3rd place candidate’s votes will be reassigned, weighting them according to the voters’ rankings.
The August 16th U.S. Senate and regular U.S. House races will also be “top four” races, with the top four candidates advancing to the General Election on November 8th. There are also 59 of 60 state house and senate races at stake.
Alaska’s voters have embraced voting by mail, so ballots have almost two weeks to arrive and be counted after election day. Results will not be known until September.
More information on the August 16 election and Alaska’s ranked choice voting system are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Secretary of State Candidates on Both Sides of the Big Lie Raising Record Campaign Money
Today’s Links
Articles:
CNN - At least 10 Republican nominees for state elections chief have disputed the legitimacy of the 2020 election
Brennan Center for Justice - Financing of Races for Offices that Oversee Elections: August 2022
Center for Politics - Secretary of State Races: Election Deniers Carry GOP Banner in Several Key States
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Safeguarding Democracy Project, Campaign Legal Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
For most state elections, the races for Secretary of State are not on most voters’ radar. Not this year. The pervasive Big Lie narrative that the election was stolen is being used by Secretary of State candidates to rile up the base and to raise money - on both sides of the issue.
CNN reports on Secretary of State candidates in 10 states who are, or have previously, espoused that the 2020 election was stolen. Some, like Arizona’s Mark Finchem and Massachusetts’ Rayla Campbell, are still advocating for reviews of the results, despite no legitimate evidence of irregularities.
The Brennan Center for Justice has looked at the fundraising totals in six of those ten states and reports that compared with past elections, money is pouring into Secretary of State races. In Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Wisconsin, the fundraising totals have doubled from 2018 levels to $16.3 Million dollars. Among 12 election-denying candidates, Brennan finds that they account for $7.3 million, while candidates who’ve spoken out supporting the security of elections raised $8.1 million dollars.
Stop the Steal donors like former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and Uline founder Richard Uihlein, are actively contributing to multiple election-denying Secretary of State races, too.
CNN and the Brennan Center’s reports can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
“Granny D said, Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we do.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Wisconsin Election Deniers STILL Trying to Decertify the 2020 Results
Today’s Links
Articles:
Wisconsin Examiner - Ramthun says third lawmaker has joined effort to decertify 2020 election results
Associated Press - EXPLAINER: What’s behind efforts to decertify 2020 election?
Brennan Center for Justice - Financing of Races for Offices that Oversee Elections: August 2022
Washington Post - Opinion - The fool’s gold of Trump’s decertification plan
Groups Taking Action: Brennan Center for Justice, Safeguarding Democracy Project
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re approaching the midterm elections, but some legislators in Wisconsin are STILL trying to decertify the Wisconsin vote in the 2020 presidential election.
The Wisconsin Examiner reports that State Representative Tim Ramthun is leading an effort for the decertification, which according to election law experts is akin to tilting at windmills. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t provide for backtracking after certification.
So why is Ramthum persisting with his effort? Well, he’s also a candidate for governor in Wisconsin, and according to a new series from the Brennan Center for Justice that we’ll be examining next week on the American Democracy Minute, being an election denier is good for your polling – and for your fundraising.
Election officials have found little in the way of fraud in the state, with a total of 24 people being prosecuted for election crimes – 0.15 percent of Biden’s margin of victory. Ramthum has only two other Republican House members and no Senators signed on to his effort, but nor have other Republicans spoken out to say there WASN’T widespread fraud in Wisconsin, showing how far the Big Lie has permeated into the psyches of rank and file voters.
Meanwhile, the AP reports that former President Donald Trump is also still clinging to the decertification effort in Wisconsin. As recently as last month, he has used social media and phone calls to pressure Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to support decertification. Vos agrees the move is unconstitutional.
Links to more information can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles:
Associated Press - New USPS election division will oversee mail-in ballots
Washington Post - DeJoy is poised to remake a resurgent USPS. Now comes the hard part.
Washington Post - Senate passes $107 billion overhaul of USPS, lauding mail agency’s role in pandemic response
U.S. Postal Service Inspector General Report - Vote by Mail and the Postal Service: A Primer
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters US, ACLU, Common Cause, Voting Rights Alliance
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In 2020, a highly-suspect U.S. Postal Service slowdown directed by newly-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy created doubt in the postal system’s ability to deliver mail-in ballots. The USPS just announced a permanent division to deal with election mail volume, but will it be enough to restore confidence?
Last week, the USPS announced the Election and Government Mail Services division, tasked with training “election mail strike teams” in communities and postal districts in all states and U.S. territories.
The USPS says that in 2020, it delivered 135 million pieces of outbound and inbound election mail, with 97.9% of ballots delivered from voters to election officials within three days. And 99.89% of ballots were delivered within seven days. Unofficially, there were stories of heroic postal workers who prioritized election mail at the local level, even defying management directives, to deliver on time. A July 14th release from USPS trumpets an on-time delivery of 94% for first class mail for its fiscal year fourth quarter.
Louis DeJoy, the businessman and Trump donor appointed as Postmaster General is still in place despite widespread calls for his removal. He points out in an interview with the Washington Post that his fiscal remake of the USPS has just begun. In March, Congress passed a $107 billion dollar restructuring plan, which may include the shuttering of 18 sorting facilities and shortening local post office hours.
Articles and a report by the Postal Service Inspector General’s office are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links:
Articles:
Reuters Exclusive: Trump-backed Michigan attorney general candidate involved in voting-system breach, documents show
Detroit News - Nessel's office seeks special prosecutor in election 'conspiracy' probe of DePerno, others
Reuters – “Exclusive: Michigan widens probe into voting system breaches by Trump allies”
Michigan Live – State Police expand investigation into alleged voting machine tampering after 2020 election
Organizations Taking Action: Promote the Vote MI, ACLU Michigan, Voters Not Politicians
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
An update on a story we brought you in June. Michigan’s current Attorney General has been investigating voting machine tampering in four townships by groups attempting to turn up evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Turns out, the 2022 GOP nominee for Attorney General allegedly led at least one of the groups.
Reuters and Michigan Live had reported in June that search warrants were issued and town clerks interviewed by investigators in 11 townships in several counties. In an attempt to find evidence which corroborated President Trump’s false claims of voter fraud, unauthorized third parties were allowed to examine voting machines. At least five other vote tabulators were taken away to hotels in Oakland County where they were broken into by four individuals who have now been identified.
In an update on August 8, Reuters has evidence that the Trump-endorsed candidate for Michigan Attorney General, Matthew DePerno, led a group which examined a vote tabulating machine from Richfield Township, a small conservative-leaning town in Roscommon County. It is a felony under Michigan law to seek or provide unauthorized access to voting equipment.
The Detroit News reports that current Attorney General Dana Nessel will likely face DePerno in November, so she has called for a special prosecutor to pursue what she called a conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to the machines.
Articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds No Excuse Mail-in Voting Law
Today’s Links
Articles:
Pennsylvania Capital-Star - Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting law survives constitutional challenge by GOP lawmakers
NPR - Pennsylvania's mail-in voting law is upheld by the state's Supreme Court
Governor Tom Wolf - Statement on PA Supreme Court Upholding Mail-in Voting
USA Today - Fact check: Pennsylvania mail-in ballot claim mixes primary, general election data
State of PA - Pennsylvania's Election Stats
Groups Taking Action:
Keystone Votes Coalition, League of Women Voters PA, Common Cause PA
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
August 2nd, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Act 77, a bill allowing mail-in voting for all citizens, which passed with bipartisan support in 2019. The Big Lie caused some of the legislators who voted for the bill to join a suit against it after the 2020 election.
The Pennsylvania Capital Star reports that when Act 77 passed in 2019, a deal was struck by the Republican-controlled legislature with Democratic Governor Tom Wolf. In exchange for no-excuse mail balloting for any citizen, the Republicans got “Straight Ticket” voting removed from the ballot.
Then came President Donald Trump and his debunked narrative that fraudulent mail voting was to blame for his loss.
Seemingly overnight, mail voting was perceived as unsecure and liberal leaning by conservatives, and a suit by Pennsylvania Republicans argued that the legislature had overstepped its bounds. After a lower court struck it down, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said on August 2nd that the legislature did not overstep.
In 2020, 2.63 million Pennsylvania voters used mail in voting, one-third of them Republicans. Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement: “Voting is a fundamental right — a right that we should ensure is accessible for all voters. Mail-in voting is a safe, secure and legal option for Pennsylvania voters to exercise that right.”
Articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles:Associated Press: Meta quieter on election misinformation as midterms loom
Bloomberg: Meta Pulls Support for Tool Used to Keep Misinformation in Check
Washington Post: The midterms are here. Critics say Facebook is already behind.
Groups Taking Action: Common Cause CORRECTION: The ADM audio version cites Reuters. It was in fact Bloomberg News which should have been cited. Sorry for the error!You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
For over a year, the democracy advocacy group Common Cause has been voicing concerns that Facebook, now Meta, was pulling back on efforts to fight election disinformation. With the midterms upon us, are we being protected from disinformation by domestic and foreign bad actors?
To its credit, Facebook pulled down disinformation that Common Cause and researchers had reported in the runup to the November 2020 election. But in October 2021, Jesse Littlewood, vice president of campaigns at Common Cause, said in an opinion piece in USA Today that disinformation – intentionally spreading untrue information – was proliferating unchecked after the election. Now in 2022, there is word that Meta is not only doing little to curb disinformation, it has disbanded its team and the software it was using to find disinformation, CrowdTangle.
CrowdTangle is analysis software which searches across the Facebook platform, allowing organizations like Common Cause to spot trends in disinformation and report them. But according to reports in Broomberg News & the AP, Meta began to shink the support team for the software in the summer of 2021 from 300 to 60, and officially began the shutdown in February 2022. A spokesperson for Meta said the software would be in place for the 2022 election, and that other Meta employees would be temporarily retasked to support it, but current users report bugs and a lack of support.
Articles and a Meta statement are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
For over a year, the democracy advocacy group Common Cause has been voicing concerns that Facebook, now Meta, was pulling back on efforts to fight election disinformation. With the midterms upon us, are we being protected from disinformation by domestic and foreign bad actors?
To its credit, Facebook pulled down disinformation that Common Cause and researchers had reported in the runup to the November 2020 election. But in October 2021, Jesse Littlewood, vice president of campaigns at Common Cause, said in an opinion piece in USA Today that disinformation – intentionally spreading untrue information – was proliferating unchecked after the election. Now in 2022, there is word that Meta is not only doing little to curb disinformation, it has disbanded its team and the software it was using to find disinformation, CrowdTangle.
CrowdTangle is analysis software which searches across the Facebook platform, allowing organizations like Common Cause to spot trends in disinformation and report them. But according to reports in Reuters & the AP, Meta began to shink the support team for the software in the summer of 2021 from 300 to 60, and officially began the shutdown in February 2022. A spokesperson for Meta said the software would be in place for the 2022 election, and that other Meta employees would be temporarily retasked to support it, but current users report bugs and a lack of support.
Articles and a Meta statement are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Tin Foil Hat Week - Election Workers Report Conspiracy-Fueled Threats, Harassment & Intimidation
Today’s Links
Articles:
CNN - Election workers reported more than 1,000 'hostile' contacts in past year
Washington Post - Over 1,000 election-worker threats reported in past year, official says
Washington Post - Threats against election workers could have bad consequences
U.S. Dept of Justice Release - Readout of Election Threats Task Force Briefing with Election Officials and Workers
Brennan Center - Local Election Officials Survey (March 2022)
Groups Taking Action: Brennan Center for Justice, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Protecting Democracy, Election Official Defense Network
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
While the Tin Foil Hat Week on the American Democracy Minute was a humorous way to spotlight crackpot election fraud theories, a U.S. Senate hearing Wednesday shows the 2020 conspiracy theories have had serious and even life-threatening impacts on our nation’s election workers.
The Judiciary Committee hearings coincided with preliminary findings by the U.S. Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which cites over 1,000 cases of “hostile harassing,” 11% of which rose to federal crimes.
A survey of election workers by the Brennan Center for Justice showed that one in five election workers had been harassed, but only 20% of those incidents had been reported, suggesting the 1,000 DOJ total could have been much, much larger. The survey also found that nearly 2 of 3 election officials believed that false information was making their job more dangerous, and one in three knew an election worker who had left the job because of threats or intimidation.
The Justice Department hosted a virtual meeting with 750 election officials around the country on the subject of election threats and intimidation on Monday. But so far, the DOJ has engaged in just five cases, and only one, a Nebraska man, has been brought to trial.
New Mexico’s Secretary of State suggested Wednesday that conspiracy-fueled intimidation may lead to shortages of willing, experienced election workers.
Articles and groups taking action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Tin Foil Hat Week: Cyber Ninjas Said 282 Dead People in Arizona Voted in 2020 - They Were Dead Wrong
Today's Links
Articles:
Associated Press: Arizona official refutes review that counted 282 dead voters
Arizona Mirror: Brnovich: Senate ‘audit’ dead wrong it its claims that deceased voters cast 2020 ballots
The Hill: Cyber Ninjas shutting down after judge fines Arizona audit company $50K a day
NPR: Election denier Finchem wins GOP nomination to oversee voting in Arizona
Groups Taking ActionElection Protection Arizona, One Arizona, League of Women Voters Arizona, Arizona Democracy Resource Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re continuing with Tin Foil Hat week here on the American Democracy Minute with a breaking story from Arizona. A sham audit group hired in 2021 to review Arizona’s 2020 election results claimed to find 282 dead people who had voted. As the Arizona Mirror headline puts it, they were “Dead Wrong.”
The Associated Press reports that Arizona Attorney General & U.S. Senate candidate Mark Brnovich said his office found only one dead voter after reviewing the findings of the Cyber Ninjas, a company with questionable credentials hired by the Arizona Senate.
All but one of the 282 were in fact living, and were surprised to learn that they were allegedly dead. Combined with the Secretary of State’s own investigations, there were just over 400 total questionable voters, and all but a handful have been cleared up. None affected the outcome of the election, and as for the one legitimate case Cyber Ninjas did find, it was caught by election officials and not counted.
Cyber Ninjas went out of business in January, after a county report found the review riddled with errors and had a flawed methodology. That was followed by a judge fining the company $50,000 a day if they did not turn over texts, emails and documents of the publicly-financed review to the Arizona Republic newspaper.
Tuesday night, Mark Finchem, an election denier and January 6th insurrection participant, became the Republican nominee to replace Mark Brnovich as Secretary of State.
Articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Tin Foil Hat Week - Dominion Voting Machine Conspiracy Theories Persist
Today's Links:
Articles
CBS News - 6 conspiracy theories about the 2020 election – debunked
Intelligencer - Trump’s New Vote Fraud Theory Is So Much Crazier Than You Realize
Reuters - Trump allies breach U.S. voting systems in search of 2020 fraud ‘evidence’
PBS - Conspiracy theories fuel anger as New Mexico counties try to certify 2022 primary vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have another episode in Tin Foil Hat week here on the American Democracy Minute. Earlier, we reported that Dominion Voting Systems machines were falsely alleged to be part of a widespread 2020 election fraud scheme, yet we’re still hearing about these conspiracies.
Dominion and other suppliers of voting technology make different kinds of systems, but the most widely used are optical ballot tabulating machines. Such machines read the oval dots you make on ballots when selecting a candidate, and read the ballots faster and more accurately than humans.
But conspiracy theorists doggedly cling to assertions that Dominion tabulators were programmed to switch votes, that parts to the machines could be swapped out to give false vote totals, that Sharpie markers invalidated votes, and even that the Chinese and Venezualan governments hacked them to alter the results. None of these were true.
In Antrim County, Michigan, the Michigan Secretary of State investigated claims of inaccurate totals which turned out not to be the tabulators, which were accurate, but human error in not updating the reporting software.
In New Hampshire, the Secretary of State’s office made the decision to fold absentee ballots to save money on postage instead of mailing ballots flat, and optical readers misread the bubbles which fell in the crease, skewing the count.
Yet conspiracy theories are still being used as arguments to erode confidence in elections and as a pretext for passing more barriers to voting around the United States. More details at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
Articles:
Washington Post - Wisconsin anti-voting-fraud activist commits voter fraud to make a point
WISN - Racine County man admits to voter fraud to prove a point
Wisconsin Public Radio - Racine County man admits to fraudulent requests for absentee ballots in effort to criticize state voting system
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters Wisconsin, Common Cause WI
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
It’s tin foil hat week here at the American Democracy Minute. We told you yesterday about the county election official in Nye County, Nevada who had had enough of election conspiracy theories and resigned. Now to Wisconsin, where an activist took it upon himself to commit election fraud to prove it was possible – in a state that had no significant fraud issues in 2020.
The Washington Post and local ABC affiliate WISN report that Harry Wait of Racine County, Wisconsin submitted a request for an absentee ballot, pretending to be the mayor of Racine, Cory Mason, and another request pretending to be the Wisconsin Assembly speaker, Robin Vos.
Wait, who leads a local government watchdog group, said he wanted to prove it was possible, and was willing to risk arrest, quote, “for the good of the community.” He also submitted absentee ballot requests for six others with their permission, which is also illegal.
In Wisconsin, as in all states, such actions are against the law. The elected officials whose right to vote could have been compromised were not amused.
Mayor Mason said this in an interview with WISN: “"For a long time, there have been people so desperate to find election fraud that I think Mr. Wait has become the very thing that he claims to despise, which is apparently a felon who will steal somebody's vote.” So far, Wait has not been charged.
Read more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Election Conspiracy Theories in the Home County of Area 51, Nye County, Nevada
Today's Links
Articles
Associated Press - Election conspiracies grip Nevada community, sowing distrust
Associated Press - Officials in Nevada county endorse hand count, paper ballots
Forbes - Court Lets Fox Lawsuit Move Forward—Here’s Where Dominion And Smartmatic’s Defamation Suits Stand Now
Groups Taking Action
Let Nevadans Vote Coalition, ACLU NV, Promoting Democracy's List of Pro-Democracy Groups in NV
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re headed to the home of Area 51, Nye County, Nevada, where conspiracy theories of another type, election fraud, have driven out the county’s Republican chief election official.
The Associated Press reports that Sandra Merlino has stepped down from her post after over 20 years of service, citing the public’s persistent disbelief that elections have been conducted properly, and personal attacks by local election deniers.
Back in March, a special county commission meeting was organized by a group of citizens who, following the disinformation spread by President Donald Trump’s campaign legal team and others, called into question the security and accuracy of the Dominion Voting Systems tabulators used in the 2020 election. Out-of-state witnesses were brought in further seeding doubt, after which commission voted unanimously to count an estimated 20,000 ballots by hand for the June 2022 primary.
As with everywhere else in the country, no significant evidence of fraud or election hacking was ever found in Nye County. President Donald Trump was elected in Nye County with 69% of the vote.
On June 21, a state court in Delaware ruled that the defamation lawsuits against Fox News parent company Fox Corporation filed by Dominion Voting Systems and rival Smartmatic could move forward. Several other lawsuits are pending against former President Trump’s allies and other news organizations.
Read the AP story and get connected with the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Another GOP Congressional District Map for Partisan Gerrymandering
Today's Links
Articles:
Associated Press - Ohio Supreme Court scraps 2nd GOP-drawn congressional map
Columbus Dispatch - Redistricting: Ohio Supreme Court rejects congressional map used in May, orders new one
Cleveland.com - Ohio Supreme Court again rejects Republican congressional map, ordering redraw for 2024 election
Groups Taking Action: League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts OH, Ohio Voter Rights Coalition
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re headed back to Ohio today, where on July 19, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected another set of GOP-drawn Congressional district maps because they were gerrymandered for partisan gain.
You’ll remember that Ohio’s legislature had thrown up its hands and resubmitted a map previously rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court. The state was under pressure to get the maps in place for the Ohio primary on August 2nd, but now whatever maps are agreed upon will not be in force until 2024.
The Associated Press reports that the rejected map created 10 safe Republican seats and five Democratic seats. However, the high court’s majority said the latest map “packed” surrounding Democrats in three of the Democratic-leaning congressional districts, which diluted the Democratic voting power and strengthened Republican power around heavily-Democratic Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus.
The 4-3 decision by the Ohio high court cited the 2018 state constitutional amendment prohibiting partisan gerrymandering. GOP legislative leaders had said the rejected map was the best they could do, but the court included a fair model map in their opinion giving a representative share of seats to both parties.
The court gives the legislature 30 days from July 19th to come back with a fair map. If the legislature fails, it returns to Ohio’s redistricting commission.
Read the AP story and get connected with the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
Articles:
Statement from ACLU - ACLU COMMENT ON THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT REFORM PROPOSAL
Statement from Campaign Legal Center - Senate Introduces Bipartisan Bill Updating the Electoral Count Act
Article from the Brennan Center for Justice - How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Polling collected by Protecting Democracy - Polling shows bipartisan support for critical updates to the Electoral Count Act
Groups Taking Action: ACLU, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, Protect Democracy
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re wrapping up our discussion of the proposed, bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act in the U.S. Senate with what advocacy groups are saying about the legislation.
Kary Moss, Acting National Political Director of the ACLU, said in a statement: “The Senate should closely and carefully review the proposal introduced by Senators to reform the Electoral Count Act. Every American should be confident that the outcome of elections will be honored following a presidential election. It is imperative Americans have confidence in our democratic process, especially after the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6.”
The Campaign Legal Center also endorses the fixes to the Electoral Count Act. Their statement read, “The next presidential election could be one of the most contentious ever. Now is the time for the Senate to move this crucial legislation. Congress must act as soon as possible to pass the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act to protect the will of the people, because elections should be decided by voters, not partisan politicians.”
While endorsing the reforms, the Brennan Center for Justice reminds us, “Fixing the Electoral Count Act is a necessary and important step, but it is no substitute for broader national safeguards. The Freedom to Vote John R. Lewis Act, which passed the House but was narrowly defeated because of the filibuster earlier this year in the Senate, would have addressed many of the major problems our democracy faces. Passage of that bill or one like it must remain the long-term goal.
Read their full statements at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
Articles:
Lawfare - Correcting Misconceptions About the Electoral Count Reform Act
Brennan Center for Justice - How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Slate - The New Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Another Jan. 6 Would Actually Work
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
As we noted yesterday, a reform for the Electoral Count Act introduced last week in the U.S. Senate clarifies that the governor must appoint the slate of presidential electors. But how does this new proposal protect against, theoretically speaking of course, a governor who is an election-denier?
An analysis in the online journal Lawfare, written by former Obama White House Counsel Bob Bauer, and Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith, argues that the reform does include additional safeguards. It takes out the vague responsibilities in the 1887 rules about an “Executive of State” and clarifies it to be the Governor or the official responsible for the state’s elections. The Governor must follow state laws enacted before the election. And now, he or she must complete the certification six days before the electoral college.
Bauer and Goldsmith also say that the reform bill establishes a path for the courts, first state and then federal, should a rogue governor or chief election official stray from the rules. It also specifies that this judicial remedy should be expedited so as to not slow down the electoral college process.
While there are criticisms that the reforms could be stronger in some areas of the Electoral Count Reform Act, Bauer, Goldsmith and the majority of other scholars praise the bipartisan bill and say it would make our elections more resistant to bad actors.
Check out more articles on the Electoral Count Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
How Do Presidential Electors Get Their Job and Will it Change With the Electoral Count Act?
Today's Links
ArticlesVOX - The bill that could make it harder to overturn an election
National Archives - About the electors
History Channel - How Are Electoral College Electors Chosen?LawFare - Correcting Misconceptions About the Electoral Count Reform Act Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center, Protect Democracy, League of Women Voters
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In our second episode on the new Electoral Count Act amendments introduced July 20, today, we’re talking about how the electors are chosen, and what reforms are being proposed to keep the system from being manipulated.
The Constitution doesn’t say much about how electors are chosen. Electors get their jobs in different ways, depending on your state and political party rules. Most often, political parties elect or appoint a slate of electors prior to the election, and often this occurs during a state party convention. Usually, they are party loyalists like state officials, activists, and campaign donors. They can’t be U.S. Senate or House members, who would eventually certify the electoral count.
Technically, when you vote in a Presidential election, you actually are voting for this slate of electors. If your party’s candidate wins, that party’s slate of electors is appointed to go to Washington to submit the vote count. But who appoints the slate after the election? Parties, legislatures or governors?
Vagueness in the Electoral Count Act of 1887 was exploited in 2020, as party extremists tried to create an alternative slate of electors loyal to President Trump, who would be submitted if a pretext could be found to overturn Joe Biden’s win. The 2022 changes proposed for the Electoral Count Act would clarify this, giving the authority to only the governor to appoint the slate of electors.
With some 2020 election-denying gubernatorial candidates contending in the upcoming midterm, are we still in danger? More in tomorrow’s segment, but in the meantime, check out articles on the Electoral Count Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
Articles:
VOX - The bill that could make it harder to overturn an election
NPR - Proposed reforms for the Electoral Count Act draw broad support
New York Times - Bipartisan Senate Group Strikes Deal to Rewrite Electoral Count Act
Brennan Center - How to Fix the Electoral Count Act
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center, Protect Democracy, League of Women Voters
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
July 20th, the bipartisan Electoral Count Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate, and we’re going to spend some time this week examining the reforms it is proposing and what it will do – and not do – to protect our Presidential elections.
The apparent multi-pronged conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election rattled legal scholars and democracy advocates across the country. One of the elements of the alleged conspiracy was manipulating the electoral college system.
In our current version of the Electoral Count Act, passed in 1887, Congress receives the presidential election results in the January following the election from each state, and certifies the count. Now, it takes one U.S. Senator and one U.S. House member to object to a state’s count, then the House & Senate separately debate the merits of the objection.
The new changes to the Electoral Count Act just introduced, would require that two-fifth’s of a state’s federal legislators must object, for the objection to be considered in a vote – a higher bar.
The bill also defines the Vice President’s role as purely ceremonial, dispensing with the interpretation that the Vice President has the power to change the outcome of the election.
But what about the electors themselves? Who appoints them and how does the amendment to the Electoral Count Act change this? More in tomorrow’s segment, but in the meantime, check out articles on the Electoral Count Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Courts Ordered Undated PA Mail Ballots to Be Counted; 3 Counties Refused
Today's Links:
Marc Elias essay on Democracy Docket: A Constitutional Crisis Is Brewing in Pennsylvania
Prof. Derek Muller, Univ. of Iowa on Election Law Blog: Is mandamus appropriate in the Pennsylvania certification dispute, Chapman v. Berks County Board of Elections?
Phildelphia Inquirer Pennsylvania’s in an election results certification crisis over the primary, and the state just sued three counties
Groups Taking Action: ACLU of PA, League of Women Voters of PA, Democracy Docket
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Remember the undated mail ballot cases in Pennsylvania? Federal courts mandated the ballots be counted, overriding state law. Sixty-four counties followed the court’s order after the May 17th primary. Three counties did not.
Pennsylvania’s legislature passed a law after the 2020 election disallowing the counting of mail ballots with no date. Ultimately, the Third Circuit Federal Court ruled in a local county case that the date was immaterial, and the ballots must be counted. In a similar case during the state primary between Dr. Oz/David McCormick the courts also ordered undated ballots to be counted.
But three counties have refused to comply, arguing they believed the state lacks the power to force these kinds of counting orders. A Democracy Docket commentary by voting rights attorney Marc Elias raises questions on what this could mean for future elections. If election officials put partisan aims over their duty to run a fair election, wielding rules like Pennsylvania’s “no-date” rule to keep votes from counting could be used to suppress votes and shift elections.
Lurking in the shadows of all such state voting rights cases is the North Carolina U.S. Supreme Court case which may test the Independent State Legislature theory, giving state legislatures ultimate control over elections – and rules like not counting undated ballots.
The Elias Democracy Docket essay and another Election Law Blog article by Professor Derek Muller on the subject are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
Associated Press: No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds
Law Fare: The Rise of Ballot Drop Boxes Due to the Coronavirus
Brennan Center: Voting Laws Roundup: May 2022
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Recently we reported that the Wisconsin Supreme Court revoked use of ballot drop boxes in the state, and several other states have proposed legislation that limit, complicate, or eliminate their use, claiming they were a source of widespread fraud. The Associated Press just reviewed the use of drop boxes in the 2020 election, and didn’t find anything that affected the election.
The AP contacted top election officials in all but five states, asking whether their drop boxes were tied to fraudulent votes or stolen ballots, or whether the boxes and the ballots they contained were damaged. Of the states which allowed drop boxes, none experienced issues which would have affected the outcome of the election.
Massachusetts and California each experienced a case of arson in drop boxes, but most of the ballots were salvaged and voters were able to cast new ballots.
The AP points out how Big Lie disinformation impacted the legitimacy of drop boxes. North Carolina had no drop boxes in 2020, yet allegations were made that they played a role in the outcome of the election there.
The rapid expansion of drop boxes was due in part to preventable processing changes at the US Postal Service, as voters sought confidence in their ability to deliver their ballot on time. One voter interviewed by the AP stated, “Isn’t a mailbox a secure place to put a letter? Why would a drop box be any different?”
The AP’s article and additional data on drop boxes are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Ohio Redistricting Commission Doubles Down on Rigged Voting Map Just Weeks Before Aug. 2 Primary
Today's Links
Articles:
City Beat/Ohio Capitol Journal: Redistricting Commission: Leave Unconstitutional Maps for 2022 Election
Supreme Court of Ohio Clerk of Court - Filed May 09, 2022 - Case No. 2021-1198
ACLU Summary: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OHIO, ET AL. V. OHIO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION (CONGRESSIONAL MAP
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU of Ohio, League of Women Voters OH, Campaign Legal Center, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Ohio Organizing Collaborative
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the voting booth in Ohio . . .
The Ohio Redistricting Commission has doubled down on implementing a rigged state legislative voting map. Back in May as we reported, a federal court panel refused to hear an appeal, and returned it to the state to create a new map, not budging on moving the August 2nd state primary date.
Now with the clock ticking, the Ohio Capitol Journal reports that Gov. Mike DeWine & Secretary of State Frank LaRose are pushing for the gerrymandered February version of map because the Ohio Redistricting Commission is quote, “Out of options.” Fair maps advocates have asked the courts to hold the Commission members in contempt, and to order new fair maps by the end of the week.
The February map was one of three maps rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court as being manipulated for partisan advantage. In May, the federal court of appeals panel ordered that the map approved in February would be the default if the state could not draw a new map by May 28th. Instead of doing the right thing and drawing a fair map, the Ohio Redistricting Commission submitted another gerrymandered one, which was again rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court.
It’s not clear whether the August 2nd primary could be invalidated due to the lack of time for candidates to conduct a campaign. We’re going to need a bigger booth . . .
More details on this saga are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Maryland's July 19th Primary Features Close Races and Record Numbers of Mail-In Ballots
Today's Links
Articles:
Washington Post: What you need to know about delayed election results in Maryland
Washington Post: Meet the candidates who want to be Maryland’s next governor
WJLA TV: Maryland 2022 Primary Election: Everything you need to know before you vote
Maryland State Board of Elections: Primary Elections
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Maryland voters go to the polls July 19 for what is likely to be the most consequential election in two decades, with races for a new governor, attorney general and comptroller. Knowing who wins may take some time, as a record numbers of mail-in ballots are counted.
There are no fewer than nine Democratic candidates vying for governor, including Tom Perez, former Obama administration official and Democratic National Committee chair, and polling shows the race is extremely tight. There are two Republicans, with outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan endorsing Kelly Schulz, and Donald Trump endorsing, 2020 election-denying Daniel Cox. The Washington Post reports that Cox and Schulz are in statistical dead heat.
One of the big stories of the election is the number of mail-in ballots requested, and the unique rules in Maryland that don’t allow processing of them until two days after election day. The Post reports that almost 497,000 mail ballots were requested by Maryland voters, a record, and that 16.6 percent of registered Democrats and 8.7 percent of registered Republicans requested mail ballots. Ballots must be postmarked, or dropped in an official drop box, by 8 pm July 19th.
A close race, the two day wait, plus other outdated rules which require hand-opening and tabulation of mail ballots, may mean results will be days and possibly a week or more away. Democracy can be slow, but when the people are allowed to participate, it’s a good thing.
More details on the election and how to vote in Maryland are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
New Study Shows Stadium Voting is a Home Run
Today's Links:Civic Responsibility Project Study: VOTING IN 2020: PROFESSIONAL SPORTS STADIUMS & ARENAS AS
POLLING PLACES Washington Monthly: Take Me Out to the … Voting Booth!
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
It’s baseball’s All Star week, and a new study suggests that you might want to get out to your local ballpark or basketball arena – to exercise your freedom to vote.
The Civic Responsibility Project commissioned a study by a panel of experts during the 2020 election and found that sports stadiums make excellent voting venues. In fact, 48 MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NFL sports stadiums and arenas were used for voting in 2020.
But the value of sports facilities go beyond social distancing. The study found that stadiums are often located in densely populated metropolitan areas, accessible by mass transit. The facilities are capable of moving people in and out, are handicapped accessible, have adequate bathrooms and parking, and are in general, easy to get to. Staff at the stadiums are used to the logistics for games, concerts and other large events.
After decades of not being out front on social justice issues, many pro sports franchises are now looking for opportunities to be better corporate citizens. Providing valuable support for voting and civic engagement in their communities is an excellent way to do that.
Voters like it, too. The Civic Responsibility Project found that 2020 voters came from a wide range of political, racial and cultural backgrounds, and stadium voting didn’t benefit any particular group of voters. The study notes that proximity is the biggest factor in voter use of the sports venue, but in some cities voters came from significant distances. Seems like stadium voting is, well, a home run. A link to the study is at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
New All-Star Coalition Group will Research Ways to Protect Elections
Today's Links
Articles:
UCLA's Safeguarding Democracy Project
CBS News: Interview with Janai Nelson of Safeguarding Democracy Project and the Legal Defense Fund
Politico: Elections expert launches ‘Safeguarding Democracy’ project
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, League of Women Voters, Common Cause, ACLU
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The election subversion attempts by rogue state legislatures and the recent announcement of a North Carolina case in the U.S. Supreme Court which could potentially give ultimate control over elections to legislatures, have shaken our democratic foundation. The good news is that there are groups preparing for these and other issues eroding our American democracy.
Just announced this week is the UCLA Safeguarding Democracy Project, an all-star coalition of democracy academics, lawyers, and technical experts who are evaluating the strengths and weaknesses in our democratic system. In an interview this week on CBS announcing the group, board member and NAACP Legal Defense Fund director Janai Nelson, explained that the group is a collaboration of democracy experts from across the political spectrum who will research ways to prevent voter suppression, control election disinformation, prevent election sabotage, and develop tactics for use in the courts. The project’s website notes that this research will be shared with legislators, advocates and the public through conferences and education.
Advocacy groups are also gearing up. Common Cause continues to monitor misinformation and disinformation in social media and other channels through its network of volunteers. Nelson’s Legal Defense fund, ACLU, the League of Women Voters and others are preparing for legal action to protect the election, and voting rights coalitions like Declaration for American Democracy are preparing state groups to protect their voters.
We have links to articles and these groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Lawsuit Filed Against FEC for Dismissing Credible Complaint on Secret Payments to Trump Family & Insiders
Today's Links:
Articles
Campaign Legal Center - CLC Sues FEC over Dismissal of Complaint Alleging Violations by Trump Campaign
Business Insider - Trump's campaign committee dodges penalty as federal watchdog deadlocks on complaint it laundered hundreds of millions of dollars
Associated Press - FEC deadlocks, won’t punish Trump over questionable 2020 campaign spending
Campaign Legal Center
Organizations Taking ActionCampaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Public Citizen
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported back in May on the Federal Elections Commission deadlock over alleged secret payments benefitting Trump family members. The complaint alleges Trump family members and insiders financially benefited from sweetheart contracts paid out by a political action committee supporting President Trump’s re-election campaign. The Campaign Legal Center has now filed a lawsuit contesting that decision.
Based on 2020 reporting by the Business Insider, the Make America Great Again PAC allegedly misreported the payees of secret payments made to American Made Media Consultants, LLC, set up by Jared Kushner. The LLC had Vice President Pence, Lara Trump, and Kushner as board members, among others. American Made Media Consultants was reported to have been paid $617 million dollars from the PAC, and some of that money was used to compensate Trump campaign staffers and the partners of his adult children, violating campaign transparency rules. Parscale Strategy, LLC, headed by Brad Parscale, former Trump campaign manager, was also accused of having received misreported payments. Despite significant evidence, the FEC’s three Republicans and three Democrats deadlocked on whether further investigation was warranted.
The Campaign Legal Center lawsuit contests that decision, pointing out that the commissioners’ reasonings for rejecting the complaint don't stand up to legal scrutiny. They ask that the court invalidate the FEC’s dismissal, and that the alleged violations be investigated. Stay tuned for more on this story.
We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Voter ID Ballot Initiative in PA, Early Mail Ballot Tracking in AZ, & Banning or Drop Boxes in WI
Today's Links
Articles:
PA Capitol Star -- Pa. Senate Republicans advance late-night constitutional amendment package on abortion, voter ID
Arizona Legislature -- Text of AZ HB 1411
Wisconsin Public Radio -- Wisconsin Supreme Court rules absentee ballot drop boxes are illegal in Wisconsin
Groups Taking Action:
Disability Rights Wisconsin, Election Protection Arizona, Keystone Votes
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have state updates for you on voter ID restrictions in Pennsylvania, ballot tracking in Arizona, and the banning of dropboxes in Wisconsin.
First to Pennsylvania, where a statewide ballot initiative just got its initial approval from the General Assembly which would ask voters to show government-issued ID when voting, either in person or by mail. Government-issued IDs sounds good, except for those who may not have one or have the money to get one: Poor, elderly, or young voters. And the “by mail” option would require that you make a copy of your ID and send it through the U.S. Postal Service. Copies are a barrier for the elderly and disabled. The bill must be passed again in the 2023-24 session to be on the ballot in the 2024 election.
In Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey signed SB 1411, setting up an infrastructure for voters to track the status of their early mail ballots by the end of 2023, enhancing its current system. At least 45 states now allow online tracking of mail or absentee ballots.
In Wisconsin, however, mail is your only option for returning mail-in ballots. The right-leaning Wisconsin Supreme Court has found that drop boxes are not permissible under state law, despite the fact that some municipalities have used them for years without incident under the guidance of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The ruling also prohibits the delivery of ballots to the clerk’s office by anyone other than the voter. The likes of Senator Ron Johnson, the National Republican Party and several “liberty” groups signed on to the suit.
Sorry, Grandma, I guess your vote just doesn’t matter.
We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Cippelone's Testimony & Possibly Bannon's May Heat Up the Jan. 6th Committee Hearings
Today's Links
Articles:
Politico: Cipollone provided ‘a lot of relevant information,’ Jan. 6 committee member Murphy says
Washington Post: Bannon, dangling possible testimony, brings new focus to Jan. 6 role
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Both the weather and the January 6th insurrection hearings are heating up. Last week’s closed door testimony by former White House Counsel Pat Cipellone, and possible testimony by Trump advisor Steve Bannon, may shore up details of the insurrection.
Politico reports that Cipellone’s testimony provided “a lot of relevant information,“ and in an interview on Meet the Press, Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida said, “We have different voices telling about the same meeting, and more or less telling the same narrative.” Cippelone’s 8-hour interview comes after the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, an executive assistant to Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows,,detailing direct and indirect conversions with Cippelone about the run up to January 6th.
Then over the weekend, an interview with the Washington Post by Steve Bannon indicated he may be willing to testify, after months of stonewalling the committee. “Why now?” seems to be the question. Bannon received a pardon from the outgoing President Trump, but his refusal to testify to the committee resulted in a contempt of Congress charge, and his trial is coming up next month.
If he doesn’t plead the Fifth Amendment, Bannon’s testimony could give the January 6th Committee an understanding of Bannon’s role in mobilizing extremist groups, as well as what connections White House advisors had with those groups.
Links to more information are on our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links:
Articles:
Ballotpedia - Status of redistricting after the 2020 census
Brennan Center for Justice - Redistricting Litigation Roundup
FiveThirtyEight - What Redistricting Looks Like In Every State
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters People Powered Maps Project, Democracy Docket, ACLU
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Ballotpedia has issued a summary of the 2022 redistricting efforts around the country after the litigation dust has started to settle. Forty-nine states have now completed their state house and senate districts, and all the Congressional districts have been decided for the 2022 midterm elections.
Forty-four states made changes to their Congressional districts. Populations in six states didn’t change significantly, and legislatures opted not to change the boundaries. Ballotpedia reports that 97.5% of state Senate seats and 98.2% of House seats have been drawn.
The Brennan Center for Justice just updated their numbers on redistricting litigation, and as of July 1, a total of 72 cases have been filed in 26 states challenging congressional and state maps as racial or partisan gerrymanders.
Litigation also resulted in redrawn maps in Alaska, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio in time for the 2022 elections. And recently the U.S. Supreme Court issued stays on court-ordered maps in Alabama & Louisiana, with Alabama’s case to be heard in October. Forty-five cases are still pending in the lower courts around the country.
Now there’s the specter of a North Carolina redistricting case which will test the “independent state legislature” theory, an argument which give state legislatures supreme power over all election rules – even over state constitutions and the courts.
Links to this data and groups taking action are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, but something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Massachusetts' Republican Governor Signs Bill to Expand Early Voting & Mail Voting, Extend Voter Registration Dates
Today's Links:
Articles:
Read the bill: MA Senate Bill 2924
WBUR/AP - Gov. Baker signs bill ensuring mail-in ballots, early voting in Massachusetts
AP - State high court hears arguments in GOP mail-in voting suit
CBS - Republicans challenge Massachusetts' new mail-in and early voting law
Groups Taking Action: Common Cause Massachusetts, Massachusetts Voter Table, League of Women Voters MA, MassPower
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
With so much bad democracy news lately, we’re happy to share good news from Massachusetts, where Republican Governor Charlie Baker has signed new legislation which expands early voting, expands voting by mail, and extends the voter registration deadline before an election.
Massachusetts had previously limited early voting to the Presidential and midterm elections, but has now expanded it to all elections. The new law also requires cities of 25,000 people or more to have Saturday and Sunday hours, and adds a week of early voting.
Mail voting has also expanded. A portal will be created for Massachusetts voters to apply for early voting by mail with no excuse needed, allows for return by mail or dropbox, requires accessible ballots for the disabled, and facilitates mail voting by eligible incarcerated voters.
Voter registration deadlines have been moved closer to the election, ending at 5 p.m. 10 days prior, vs. the previous 20 days. It also adds voter registration documents in Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese, and authorizes additional languages as necessary. Massachusetts already has automatic voter registration which allows voter registration at the DMV and other agencies, but now allows someone to opt-out by contacting the agency later.
Convenient voting helps people exercise their freedom to vote and promotes participation in their democracy, a concept that all Americans should stand for. Details on the new Massachusetts law are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, but something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
U.S. Justice Dept. Files Suit to Block Arizona from Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Use Federal Election BallotCorrection - the audio podcast version has an error that has since been corrected for the syndicated radio broadcast. We referred to the National Voting Rights Act; it is the National Voter Registration Act. Sorry for the error!
Today's Links
Articles:
Arizona Star/Tuscon.com - Feds: Arizona could face lawsuit over voter ID law
Associated Press - Feds sue over new Arizona citizenship proof law for voting
Groups Taking Action: Mi Familia Vota, Living United for Change AZ, League of United Latin American Citizens, Arizona Students Association, Arizona Democracy Resource Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported back in April about a bill passed by the Arizona legislature and signed by Governor Doug Ducey that requires that Arizona voters must have proof of citizenship when voting for President, a law at odds with the National Voter Registration Act.. The U.S. Justice Department just filed suit last week to block that new law.
Arizona has two ballots for elections; a state & federal elections ballot and a federal-only ballot, which was implemented when the State of Arizona implemented a proof of citizenship law in 2004 for state ballots. The federal-only ballot uses an affidavit to swear to citizenship on penalty of perjury, but does not require identifying papers. It was used by about 12,000 voters statewide in 2020, some of whom are Native Americans who may not have the necessary documentation. Election deniers pointed to baseless claims of voter fraud among these ballots when Donald Trump lost Arizona by just under 10,500 votes. Voter fraud is extremely rare, and there was no evidence of widespread abuse in 2020.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has made comments that allowing such voting without proof of citizenship was part of a widespread plan by “neo-Marxists” to allow non-citizens to vote. But in addition to the Justice Department filing suit, two other voting rights organizations have filed their own suits, trying to protect the right of ALL Americans to vote.
We have links to articles and groups taking action at
AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, but something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
SCOTUS Case on “Independent State Legislature Theory” Could have Profound Impact on Your Right to Vote
Today's Links
Articles:
NPR - How the Supreme Court could radically reshape elections for president and Congress
Associated Press - Supreme Court to hear case on state authority over elections
Politico - Supreme Court to hear case on GOP ‘independent legislature’ theory that could radically reshape elections
Groups Taking Action - Common Cause North Carolina, Common Cause, Declaration for American Democracy, Democracy Docket
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
While you were getting ready for the July 4th weekend, four members of the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to Thursday hear a case from North Carolina which could explore the “independent state legislature” theory. It’s not an overstatement to say that If the high court agrees, it could have a profound negative impact on your right to vote and have it matter.
North Carolina’s legislature approved a gerrymandered Congressional map which was manipulated to cement 10 of its 14 Congressional districts for Republicans. The state supreme court threw out the map, a new fairer map was drawn and the new map will be in effect for the 2022 midterm election.
The Republican-dominated state legislature filed suit, and argues in Moore vs. Harper that the U.S. Constitution’s election clause overrides any protections in state constitutions or state courts, and allows state legislatures to control all aspects of elections.
But this new case is not JUST about redistricting. It could allow extremist legislatures to target communities of color and other voting blocks they don’t like with even more draconian barriers to voting, and those voters would have no federal protections. In addition, scholars say this could also foreshadow a post-election manipulation of Presidential electors by legislatures, essentially overriding the vote of the people. Other observers suggest it could require two ballots, one state and one federal, with different rules to qualify and vote for each.
Protection of the vote is paramount to our democracy, and alarmed pro-voter groups will be mobilizing on this topic. We have links to articles and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
On Independence Day, Some Advice from the Declaration on Fighting Absolute Despotism
Today's Links:
National Archives: Declaration of Independence: A Transcription (full text is also below)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We can’t read the entire Declaration of Independence in 90 seconds, but here’s a portion for Independence Day:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Read the Declaration in full at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Declaration of Independence: A TranscriptionIn Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Georgia
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton
North Carolina
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton
Massachusetts
John Hancock
Maryland
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton
Pennsylvania
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean
New York
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark
New Hampshire
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire
Matthew Thornton
Missouri Governor Signs Omnibus - and Ominous - Voting & Elections Bill
Today's Links
Articles
Kansas City Star - Missouri Gov. Parson signs sweeping new law requiring voters to show photo ID at polls
St. Louis Public Radio - Huge bill adds extra steps for voters and those who run Missouri elections
Text of Missouri's now signed HB 1878
Groups Taking Action
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters Missouri, MALDEF, Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Earlier this week we mentioned that the Missouri legislature had passed an omnibus–and ominous– voting and election bill, and that pro-voter groups and election officials were not happy with the additional barriers to voting and burdens to election workers. That bill was signed Wednesday by Republican Governor Mike Parson.
Sponsors of the bill hailed the provision to implement a voter ID requirement, common among many states, but they limited the allowable ID to only state or federal IDs, not other commonly-accepted options such as student IDs and other institutional documents. The State of Missouri charges for non-driver IDs, a barrier for low-income voters.
Changes to current law will allow no-excuse absentee ballot voting for a two week period prior to the election, but only in person, not by mail. Disabled and elderly voters would be forced to come into election offices to vote during this period.
St. Louis Public Radio reports that the bill also bans third-party assistance with voter registration, restricting groups like the League of Women Voters and other pro-voter groups from helping voters register. Nor can groups facilitate absentee voting.
Election officials voiced concern over the potential disruption of election-day auditing, and the banning of private grants to offset the costs of elections, which, like most of these new restrictions, were based on false claims of widespread election fraud.
Links to more information on this restrictive Missouri bill and groups taking action are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
U.S. Supreme Court Restores Racially Gerrymandered Maps in Louisiana
Today's Links
Articles:
Washington Post - Supreme Court frees Louisiana to use congressional map drawn by GOP
Vox - The Supreme Court just handed down very bad news for Black voters
NAACP Legal Defense Fund - U.S. Supreme Court Reinstates Louisiana’s Discriminatory Congressional Map
NPR - Supreme Court blocks creation of 2nd majority-Black congressional district in Alabama
Groups taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Power Coalition for Equity & Justice, ACLU of Louisiana, Alabama Voting Rights Coalition
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Lost among Tuesday’s testimony by Cassidy Hutchinson to the January 6th Committee was a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court restoring racially gerrymandered Congressional districts in Louisiana.
A conservative Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals sided with Governor John Bel Edwards, who argued that since Black citizens make up one-third of Louisiana’s population, Congressional districts should be drawn to include two majority-minority districts. But the U.S. Supreme Court now says the legislature’s maps should be used, pending another case this fall. Now, instead of two districts out of six, Black voters have only one, with the districts manipulated by the legislature to dilute Black, more liberal, voting power.
In 2013, the court eroded much of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Then in 2019, the court said that redistricting was inherently political and the states should have the ultimate authority.
Enter Alabama. In a case similar to Louisiana’s, Black voters were gerrymandered out of their second Congressional district. Lower courts ruled fair maps must be drawn, but the high court issued a stay in February, pending a full hearing of the case in October. But even if the gerrymandered maps were thrown out– not likely with the current rogue court – it would come too late for African-American voters in Alabama and Louisiana to have real say in their government.
Links to more information on the decision and groups taking action are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Voting Rights Updates from DC, DE, MO, & LA - Some are Good News for a Change
Today's Links
Articles:
January 6th Committee - CNN - January 6 committee unexpectedly adds new hearing for Tuesday
Delaware - Town Square Live - Same-day voter registration bill heads to Carney
Missouri - St. Louis Public Radio - Huge bill adds extra steps for voters and those who run Missouri elections
Louisiana - The state of voting: June 27, 2022
Groups:
Delaware - Delaware Voting Rights Coalition, League of Women Voters Delaware
Missouri - Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters Missouri
Louisiana - ACLU Louisiana, Power Coalition for Equality & Justice
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have some voting rights updates for you from Washington, DC, Delaware, Missouri, and Louisiana, some of it good news for a change.
First to DC, where a Tuesday 1 pm surprise January 6th Committee hearing was announced Monday, after having signaled the committee wouldn’t be meeting again until July. The committee didn’t indicate who would testify, but reports have now surfaced that Mark Meadow’s executive assistant is expected.
In Delaware, TownSquare Live reports that the legislature has passed a bill implementing same-day voter registration, which Gov. John Carney is expected to sign. Same-day registration has a track record of increasing voter participation.
Missouri’s Governor Mike Parson is expected to sign an omnibus election & voting rights bill which, while implementing early in-person voting for the first time, has added further restrictions to voter ID laws, absentee voting, and election procedures which have advocates and election workers upset. More on this in future reports.
The Fulcrum reports Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed two new bills, one allowing the creation of new rules for “curing” mistakes on absentee ballots, and another facilitating voter registration opportunities for 17-year-old high school seniors.
Links to more information on these bills and groups taking action are at our website, and you can send your comments to WethePeople@AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**Brennan Center Essays Show How Erosion of Democracy Made Overturning of Roe vs. Wade Possible
Today's Links:**Brennan Center article: Supreme Court’s Abortion Ruling Shows What Happens When Democracy Is Thwarted
Texas Tribute: Analysis: Gerrymandering has left Texas voters with few options
NPR: Supreme Court Rules Partisan Gerrymandering Is Beyond The Reach Of Federal Courts
Mother Jones: Eight Years Ago, the Supreme Court Gutted the Voting Rights Act. Widespread Voter Suppression Resulted.You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A new series of essays by the Brennan Center for Justice gives examples of how voter suppression and gerrymandering made the overturning of Roe vs. Wade possible.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially greenlighted this year’s extreme gerrymandering around the country by ceding authority to state legislatures. Texas, for example, manipulated the voting districts so that Democrats would need a 56.2% majority to win, while Republicans only need only a 43% majority, locking in seats and controlling the legislature.
The Brennan Center also notes that the 36 recently enacted laws eroding the freedom to vote in 18 states now makes it harder for communities of color to have a voice. By gutting the Voting Rights Act and making it more difficult to appeal discriminatory state laws, the U.S. Supreme Court has aided and abetted voter suppression.
U.S. Senators don’t have voting districts. So how do they stay in power and not face consequences for supporting extremist Supreme Court justices and opposing democracy reforms like the Freedom to Vote act? The answer is Money. Corporate donations unleashed after the court’s Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions flooded U.S. Senate campaigns and SuperPACs with special interest money, buying the blocking Merrick Garland’s nomination and the seating of Donald Trump’s three nominees.
Gerrymandering and unlimited campaign cash can be overcome with overwhelming turnout to primary and general elections. But that depends on you.
A link to the Brennan Center article is at our website. AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
June 28 Primaries in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Utah
Today's Links & Voter Guides:Brennan Center on the erosion of democracy's impact on overturning of Roe vs. Wade
Colorado - Colorado Public Radio voter guide
Illinois - WBEZ Chicago voter guide
New York - NY Now voter guide
Oklahoma - The Oklahoman voter guide
Utah - The Spectrum voter guide
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Tuesday, June 28th, voters in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Utah will head to the polls. Why should you vote in your state primary? Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court announcement of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade is one of many reasons.
Voters in Colorado’s U.S. Senate race can choose from two Republicans vying to unseat Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet. State Representative & 2020 Election denier Rep. Ron Hanks squares off against businessman Joe O’Dea.
In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker has six potential Republican challengers and one Democrat in the primary. Pritzker touts a balanced budget, while his challengers note excessive taxes, rising crime and their ability to beat a Democrat.
There’s also a busy gubernatorial primary in New York, with two Democrats challenging Governor Kathy Hochul, and four Republicans, including Rudy Guiliani’s son Andrew, a businessman, and a state assemblyman, and a former Westchester county executive.
For Oklahoma attorney general, incumbent John O’Connor and Gentner Drummond faceoff in Republican primary, with O’Connor running as the Trump candidate, and Gentner, who supports Trump but promises to be a more independent voice.
Finally to Utah, where U.S. Senator Mike Lee will be tested by two Republican challengers, after emails surfaced about his active efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Links to voting guides in all these states are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Because Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Roundup of Democracy News from DC, TX, NE, MA, AK & CA + June 28th Primaries
Articles:
Washington, DC: The Hill - Jan. 6 committee delays hearing schedule until July
Texas: NPR - Texas GOP's new platform says Biden didn't really win. It also calls for secession
Nebraska: US Justice Dept. - Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Election Official
California: San Diego Union Tribune - Ballot measure that could switch San Diego to ‘ranked choice’ voting delayed to 2024
Upcoming June 28th Primaries: State Primary Dates
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
It’s the end of the week so we’re updating some recent Democracy news from Washington, DC, Texas, Nebraska, Massachusetts and reminding you of June 28th’s state primaries.
The January 6th Committee has delayed next week’s scheduled hearings until July received, citing new documentary evidence of the Trump family, and new materials on events before and after the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
At last weekend’s Texas Republican convention, the updated platform espouses that the 2020 election was stolen, that President Biden is only the “acting” President, and calls for Texas to hold a vote secede from the United States.
A Nebraska man has been found guilty of threatening an election official on the official’s Instagram page, posting, “Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t. Do you think Soros will/can protect you?” The man faces up to 2 years in prison.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill making permanent accommodations for early voting and mail-in voting. The bill did not include same-day registration however, as was sought by democracy advocates.
Advocates in San Diego have pushed off an effort to implement Ranked Choice Voting for city elections until 2024 because of soft support in the city council. Meanwhile, Alaska’s first statewide election using RCV is August 16th.
Finally, voters in Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Utah should plan to vote in their June 28th state primaries. Why?
Because Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Links to articles on all of these stories are more are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Alaska Special Election is the Frontier for Election Reform
Today's Links
Articles: Ballotpedia - "United States House of Representatives special election in Alaska, 2022 (June 11 top-four primary)", Washington Post - "Alaska is having the wildest election of 2022", State of Alaska tutorial on Ranked Choice Voting - "ALASKA BETTER ELECTIONS IMPLEMENTATION"
Organizations Taking Action: Alaskans for Better Elections, Fair Vote
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
You may have heard news reports about a special election in Alaska two weeks ago to replace U.S. Congressman Don Young, who died March 18th. Most press reports focused on the 48 candidates, including former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and North Pole City Council member Santa Claus. But the next round of this election is more important for being a frontier in election reform.
Alaska’s June 11th special election was the first “Top Four” Congressional primary in U.S. history. As of the June 21st final count, Sarah Palin and three other candidates advanced to a second round. The primary was also an “open” primary, with Republicans, Democrats, third partys and independents on one ballot.
Now, the top four candidates will face off in the combination special election general and state primary on August 16th, but this time, Ranked Choice Voting will be used by Alaskans for the first time in a statewide election. RCV was adopted by referendum in the 2020 election, and the State of Alaska has posted sample ballots, instructions and videos to educate Alaska voters.
After all this, the winner of the election serves out Congressman Young’s term from August 2022 to January 2023. The midterm general election is November 8th, 2022, where incumbent U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is running for re-election.
Links to articles on the special election and Alaska’s tutorial on Ranked Choice Voting is at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Unicorn, meet the Ballot Mule
Today's Links:
Articles:
ProPublica - “Big Lie” Vigilantism Is on the Rise. Big Tech Is Failing to Respond
Pew Charitable Trust - "Voters with Disabilities Face New Ballot Restrictions Ahead of Midterms"
CBS News - "What is ballot harvesting, where is it allowed and should you hand your ballot to a stranger?"
Groups Taking Action: Common Cause, Public Citizen, Declaration for American Democracy
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Unicorn, meet the Ballot Mule. This mythical creature only appears when you’ve lost an election, or if you want to tighten voting restrictions to make it harder for the disabled, the elderly and working parents to vote.
An investigation by ProPublica tracks the term “Ballot Mule” to 2020 election denier allegations of widespread ballot delivery schemes by third-party voter advocacy organizations. The conspiracy theory, amplified by former President Trump, alleges groups and individuals “harvested” ballots from people who might not otherwise vote and dropped multiple ballots off in drop boxes.
ProPublica reports that “Wanted” posters with the images of alleged fraudsters went viral on social media platforms, resulting in online threats. In Arizona, there was a call for vigilantes to find and prosecute alleged Ballot Mules. But Propublica found no evidence of wrongdoing by the individuals pictured, and around the county, election officials found no such activity. ProPublica also found no evidence that the social media platforms did anything to stop the lies from spreading.
Disinformation campaigns like the Ballot Mule conspiracy theory contributed to dozens of states tightening restrictions for voting by mail, delivering ballots to drop boxes, restricting or eliminating drop boxes, and increasing required documentation for voting absentee. All making it harder to vote, and based on a myth.
ProPublica’s article and an article on the impact of voting restrictions on the disability community by the Pew Charitable Trusts are linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
MI, MN & IL Vie for DNC's Early Presidential Primary Spots
Today's Links:
The Hill - "Midwest Democrats jockeying to come out on top in primary calendar shake-up"
Chicago Sun Times - "Strong Democratic Party of Illinois bid to become early presidential primary" state
Minnesota Post - "DFL hopes its ‘Democracy’s North Star’ pitch wins Minnesota an early presidential primary spot"
Politico - "Michigan Dems launch lobbying effort to earn early 2024 primary"
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
For years, New Hampshire and Iowa have been first in the nation for their presidential primary and caucus. A place where presidential candidates come, visit diners, eat corn dogs, and practice their stump speeches. Their audience? Most rural white people. Now it appears that three upper midwestern states are vying for a chance to be the new proving ground.
Reports in The Hill suggest that the Democratic National Committee have put Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois in the the top tier of contenders along with existing early states, New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina. Despite its overwhelmingly white population, New Hampshire has been a purple state over the last two decades, has an engaged electorate, and a small media market. Solidly red Iowa appears to be on the bubble, trying to get out from under the cloud of a 2020 caucus which was mired in technical problems.
Michigan’s Democratic leadership touts its diverse mix of voters, economic drivers, education and geography - and voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Minnesota, for years a Democratic bastion, is turning purple as well, but boasts strong rural Democratic voters and a history of support for unions. And Illinois claims it has the most diversity, and an opportunity for candidates to hone their messages for a wider base of national voters.
Current early states are actively defending their spots, and the financial windfall and political power that comes with it. States are expected to make their formal pitches to the DNC later this month.
The Hill’s article on the primary selection process is linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
NM, NH & LA Court Updates on Election Subversion, Voter Suppression & Gerrymandering
Today's Links:
Articles:
NM Washington Post - "New Mexico county certifies election results, bowing to court order"
NH InDepth NH - "Lawsuit Filed Against Affidavit Ballot Bill Soon After Sununu Signs It Into Law"
LA AP - "Louisiana asks Supreme Court to delay mostly Black district" , Louisiana Illuminator - "GOP lawmakers invoke ‘precedent’ to stall on 2nd Black congressional district",
Groups Taking Action:
NM: Common Cause NM, ACLU NM
NH: 603 Forward, League of Women Voters NH, Open Democracy Action
LA: Power Coaliltion, ACLU-LA, League of Women Voters LA
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Quick updates on court action on election subversion, voting rights and redistricting in the states of New Mexico, New Hampshire and Louisiana.
Last week we brought you the story of New Mexico’s Otero County Commission, which refused to certify the county’s state primary election results because they didn’t trust the state-inspected tabulation machines. On Thursday, the New Mexico Secretary of State’s request to the courts to compel the commission to certify the results was granted. The commission then voted 2-1 to certify, with election-denier and convicted January 6th participant Couy Griffin the holdout.
Friday, within hours of signing a New Hampshire voter suppression provisional ballot bill particularly targeted at young voters, Governor Chris Sununu and the NH legislature now face a lawsuit by voting rights groups. SB 418 throws out a system which currently allows voters lacking a piece of documentation to still vote and have it count. Now, voters will have to return within 5 days with documentation or the vote is invalidated. Typically, over 600 people each election used the former system with almost no abuse.
Finally to Louisiana, where the state’s attorney general has joined in an appeal to the US Supreme Court to derail a lower court ruling allowing a redrawing of the Congressional voting district map. Gov. John Bel Edwards had vetoed the legislature’s map, saying that the map should include a second African-American district, since one-third of the state’s population is Black.
Links to articles on these cases, and where you can take action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
American Democracy Minute for June 17, 2022: NM County Officials Refuse to Certify Primary Election with No Evidence
Today's Links:
Articles: CNN-"New Mexico secretary of state sues county commission over refusal to certify primary results," AP-"GOP commission refuses to certify New Mexico primary vote," "Common Cause Denounces Otero County Commission’s Irresponsible Move to Not Certify Primary Election Results" L
Organizations Taking Action: League of Women Voters NM, Common Cause New Mexico
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported earlier about the 11 townships in Michigan whose voting machines may have been tampered with by Big Lie activists. Now to New Mexico, where Republican county officials have refused to certify their county’s June 7th state primary election, because they don’t trust their own state-tested Dominion voting machines.
The Associated Press reports that the Otero County, New Mexico’s three-member county commission unanimously refused to certify the election, but cited no discrepancies. Otero County Commissioner Vickie Marquardt was quoted by the AP saying, “When I certify stuff that I don’t know is right, I feel like I’m being dishonest because in my heart I don’t know if it is right.”
The Otero County board is chaired by 2020 election denier and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin, who was recently convicted of illegally entering restricted U.S. Capitol grounds during the January 6th insurrection.
Dominion vote tabulating machines were alleged by conspiracy theorists to have been the source of widespread fraud during the 2020 election, an allegation which was quickly debunked and which spawned lawsuits against those spreading the disinformation.
The New Mexico Secretary of State requested a writ by the courts on June 15th to mandate that the vote be certified. Maggie Toulouse Oliver said in an interview on MSNBC Wednesday that once the election is certified, recounts can proceed if warranted.
Links to more on this sordid tale and organizations where you can take action are at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Shocking New Poll Shows Half of Americans Think Our Democracy Won't Exist in the Future
Today's Links:Yahoo News/YouGov poll: "Poll: Half of Americans now predict U.S. may 'cease to be a democracy' someday"
National organizations taking action: Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD),
Public Citizen, Common Cause
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A shocking new poll shows that half of Americans of all political persuasions believe that it’s likely that America will cease to be a democracy in the future.
The Yahoo/YouGov poll released June 15th shows that 55% of Democrats, and 53% of Republicans believe that failure is likely. With independent voters factored in, just under half of those polled think it’s likely that America will cease to be a democracy. As for the other half, only 25% consider it UNlikely, and the other 25% are not sure. The survey was conducted among 1500 adults around the U.S. from June 10th to June 13th.
The survey also polled Americans on their viewing of the January 6th hearings. June 9th’s initial hearing was watched by 24% of Americans, with an additional 27% following news coverage afterwards. Among the watchers, 52% of MSNBC viewers tuned in; 22% of Fox News viewers tuned in. Fox broadcast the hearings live only on its Fox Business channel on Thursday; Monday’s daytime hearing was moved to Fox News.
After just the June 9th & 13th hearings, less than half of Americans, 45%, believe the January 6th insurrection was part of a conspiracy to overturn the election. This will be a statistic to watch in the coming weeks.
Links to the poll and some national organizations where you can take action are at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Links for Today:
Articles: Washington Post: "Appeals court lifts hold on Louisiana congressional remap" AP: "Louisiana governor: Special session to draw new Congress map"
Groups taking Action in Louisiana: Power Coaliltion, ACLU-LA, League of Women Voters LA
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A federal appeals court has given voters in Louisiana a break, lifting a lower court stay and forcing the Louisiana legislature to draw new, fairer Congressional voting districts maps which don’t dilute the voting power of majority Black communities.
Back in March, Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a gerrymandered Congressional map which chopped up majority-Black areas to dilute their vote, but the overwhelmingly Republican legislature overrode the veto. The Washington Post reports that Bel Edwards argues there should be two majority Black districts out of six, because the state is two-thirds African American.
Lifting the stay may only be temporary good news. In its statement, the appeals court panel urged a full appeal, citing weakness in proving that the map was a racial gerrymander. They signaled a willingness to hear the full case in July.
Meanwhile, Bel Edwards last week called a special session of the legislature for June 15th to the 20th to draw new maps. Louisiana’s Republican secretary of state, Kyle Ardoin, is at odds with his Democratic governor, having argued that the maps weren’t gerrymandered. Ardoin says he will comply while the ruling is in effect, but it’s unclear whether Louisiana’s legislature will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Links to articles and organizations working on Louisiana’s redistricting are available at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
June 14th Primaries for SC, ND, NV & ME
Todays Links:
Articles
South Carolina: "What you need to know before primary day in South Carolina"
North Dakota: "North Dakota governor's own funds target fellow Republicans," "Your guide to North Dakota’s June 14 primary election"
Maine: "2022 Maine Primary Preview: Here's What You Need to Know"
Nevada: "Trumpworld heads to Nevada to boost MAGA loyalist in Senate primary’s final days," "2022 Primary Election Voter Guide"
How to Vote Information:South Carolina: https://www.scvotes.gov/
North Dakota: https://www.vote.org/state/north-dakota/
Maine: https://www.vote.org/state/maine/
Nevada: https://www.vote411.org/nevada
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Tuesday, June 14th there are four states holding state primaries, including South Carolina, Nevada, North Dakota and Maine. South Carolina, North Dakota and Nevada all have U.S. Senate seats at stake, and all states have U.S. House and state races.
South Carolina’s Republican primary for the 1st US House District features, Nancy Mace, backed by former South Carolina governor and U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, vs. the Trump-endorsed Katie Arrington.
Maine’s primary features a preview of incumbent Democratic Governor Janet Mills’ November race against the man she unseated in 2018, former Governor Paul LePage. LePage was noted for his pugnacious and often offensive behavior while in office.
In ruby-red North Dakota, the AP reports that Governor Doug Burgum has been using some of his own substantial fortune to bankroll challengers to less loyal incumbents in state government, donating $935,000 to the Dakota Leadership PAC.
Finally to Nevada, where former attorney general & 2020 election denier Adam Laxalt is vying for a U.S. Senate seat. Trump administration loyalists have been stumping in Nevada, including Donald Trump Jr.
The best way to keep anti-democracy candidates from taking over your local, state and federal offices is to turn out and vote in YOUR state primary. Links to articles and voting information are available at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**SCOTUS Allows Undated Ballots, but Dissent Shows Some Justices Unfriendly to Voters
Today's Links:**SCOTUS Decision: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a772_h3dj.pdfScotus Blog: "Court allows Pennsylvania officials to count ballots that arrived in undated envelopes"
Election Law Blog: "Breaking and Analysis: Supreme Court, with 3 Noted Dissents, Won’t Interfere with Pennsylvania Race Requiring Counting of Undated but Timely Mail-In Ballots; Justice Alito Suggests Expeditious Review Before Next Elections"You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We told you earlier this month about the undated ballot case in Pennsylvania, and that it COULD have national implications. The U.S. Supreme Court has now lifted its temporary stay, but there are now more indications that the court may not be a friend to the American voter.
The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that mail-in ballots, which were on time but undated for a county election in Pennsylvania should be counted, but the U.S. Supreme Court recently issued issued a temporary stay.
SCOTUS Blog reports that June 9th, the Supreme Court rendered a decision, choosing to lift its stay and NOT to hear the case, clearing the way for the undated ballots to be counted.
Justice Alito, who had issued the temporary stay also wrote a dissent representing himself, Justice Thomas and Justice Gorsuch. Alito urged the court to take up the case and give a full decision by October in time for the 2022 general election. They argued the lower court’s assertion that throwing out on-time ballots without a date could disenfranchise voters was flawed and not specific enough. The dissenters also cited, among other criticisms, that filling out the ballot wrong didn’t have anything to do with the voter’s opportunity to vote, and therefore didn’t likely violate federal voting rights laws.
For this election, it appeals that the undated ballots will count, not just in Pennsylvania, but around the country. But it’s not likely the end of the issue.
Links to the decision and analysis are available at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
State AG Investigates Alleged Voting Machine Tampering by Big Lie Proponents in 11 MI Townships
Today's Links:
Articles: Reuters - "Exclusive: Michigan widens probe into voting system breaches by Trump allies"
Michigan Live - State Police expand investigation into alleged voting machine tampering after 2020 election
Organizations Taking Action: Promote the Vote MI, ACLU Michigan, Voters Not Politicians
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
It’s not only the January 6th committee who has questions about security breaches after the 2020 election. Michigan’s attorney general is pursuing allegations in 11 towns in Michigan of voting machine tampering or the sharing of electronic data from tabulation machines to third parties. The tampering was apparently instigated by local Trump loyalists who believed former President Trump’s now debunked claims of voter fraud.
Reuters and Michigan Live report that search warrants were issued and town clerks interviewed by investigators in townships in several counties. In some cases, unauthorized third parties were allowed to examine voting machines, in other cases, equipment and data was taken off the premises by the third parties.
In Missaukee and other Michigan counties, a Michigan state legislator approached multiple township clerks asking them to provide access to their voting equipment. Trump won the election with 76% of the vote in Missaukee County.
Lake Township located in Barry County, was notified that the state intended to seize its tabulation machine. Barry County has also been home to a crusade by its county sheriff. Republican Sheriff Dar Leaf reportedly joined with local Big Lie proponents and launched his own investigation despite the protests of local election officials and an election margin which favored Trump 2-1.
No charges have yet been brought against the alleged tampering suspects or complicit election officials.
Links to more details on the investigations are available at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
NY Legislature sends John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to the Governor
Today's Links:
Articles:
Bronx Times - "State Legislature passes John Lewis Voting Rights Act, awaits Hochul’s approval"
Legal Defense Fund - LDF Urges Governor Hochul to Immediately Sign the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York into Law
NY Senate Statement: "Senate Passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York"
Organizations taking action: Legal Defense Fund, Let NY Vote, League of Women Voters NY
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In November 2021, pro-voter legislators tried to pass the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. Senate. Among several reforms, the bill which would have restored some of the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The bill failed to get the 60 votes needed to override the anti-democracy filibuster.
But the State of New York may succeed where the U.S. Senate failed. The Bronx Times reports that the NY State Senate and General Assembly have now passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of New York, which would institute dozens of voter protections, including: Increasing state oversight to root out voter discrimination; expanded language assistance to voters with less proficiency in English; protections against voter intimidation & disinformation; guidance to courts to side with encouraging voter access and having votes counted; and centralizing election data to promote transparency and improve election best practices.
Civil rights advocacy organization Legal Defense Fund cheered the vote, and urged Governor Kathy Hochul to immediately sign the bill. Legal Defense Fund director Lisa Cylar Barrett said, “It is greatly encouraging to see that lawmakers in the State of New York are responding to their own constituents by strengthening and securing every New Yorker’s right to vote — no matter where they live, what they look like, or where they came from.”
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Intrigue, Conspiracies & Cover-Ups in Prime Time - It's Thursday's Insurrection Hearings
Today's Links:
Listen or watch the January 6th Committee Hearings.
ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, CNN, NPR, U.S. House of Representatives Stream
Articles: Washington Post, CNN, Deadline, NPR,
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
There will be conspiracies, drama, betrayal, blood, death and a coverup during primetime this week. But not of the HBO variety. Thursday night, June 9th at 8 pm, the January 6th Committee hearings begin, laying out an enormous trove of information gleaned from over 1,000 interviews conducted in the 500 days since the January 6th 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In reports from the Washington Post, the New York Times, CNN and other reputable news outlets, members of the January 6th Committee have hinted that there will be new information released about the planning of the insurrection, and what senior Republican leadership knew, or did, before, during and after the event. The event caused the deaths of two civilians, one police officer, was a factor in the deaths of others, and injured 138 police officers. The insurrection also threatened the lives of members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence.
News reports suggest that the primetime hearings will include video from testimony by Trump administration officials, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Hearings may also include staffers of Vice President Pence and former Trump chief of staff, Mark Meadows.
Thursday’s hearing will be the first of five to seven hearings which may stretch from now until September, likely winding up with details of what former President Trump’s role was in this major stain on American history.
ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and PBS will all carry the 8 pm Thursday hearing live. Fox News will not. Rather, Fox will carry it on Fox Business cable channel.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
Two New Mail Ballot Rejection Lawsuits in PA | McCormick Concedes to Oz in U.S. Senate Race
Today's Links:
Articles - Pennsylvania State Senate Primary Mail-in Ballot Challenge, Lawsuit says tossed-aside votes might affect outcome in Lehigh Valley race Get Involved - League of Women Voters PA,Keystone Votes
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have updates for you on the election drama in Pennsylvania, including the undated mail-in ballot lawsuit, the Dr. Oz - David McCormick recount, and two NEW lawsuits which are challenging other mail-in ballots not counted because of minor issues.
As we’ve reported, a county election in Pennsylvania had 257 mail-in ballots which were properly signed and delivered on time, but not counted because the voter didn’t date the affidavit envelope. A federal court ordered them to be counted because the date was deemed to be immaterial, but the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay while the high court reviewed it.
This, while the Dr. Oz - David McCormick U.S. Senate race was being recounted and IT had 860 undated ballots. The race had a .07% margin between them, 922 votes. But this weekend, with the recount not yet finalized, David McCormick conceded the race, saying there was no path to victory.
Now there are two MORE lawsuits in Pennsylvania. Two counties allegedly rejected mail ballots which were mailed on time but didn’t get delivered by the U.S. Postal Service by the 8 pm deadline, or were on time but didn’t have the outer “secrecy” envelope. Affected voters are arguing that these defects, too, are immaterial, and their votes should have counted.
We’ll be watching these cases and will keep you informed. There’s more information on these stories and more at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Federal judge finds Native Americans Denied Voter Registration Opportunities by State of SD
Today's Links:
Articles: Court Rules That South Dakota Failed To Offer Adequate Voter Registration, Litigation: SD Voter Registration, South Dakota ruled noncompliant with federal voter law, The Federal Court's Ruling
Ways to get involved: Native American Rights Fund, Four Directions
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A partial ruling on an important voting rights case was announced last week, finding the State of South Dakota in violation of the National Voter Registration Act. The U.S. District Court found that the state had multiple violations, among them the inadequate implementation of voter registration locations which particularly affected tribal areas.
In September 2020, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, a voting rights organization and individual voters sued the state and its election officials arguing the state didn’t offer voter registration options at motor vehicle agencies or state-run public assistance offices as required by the National Voter Registration Act.
Jacqueline De León, a staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, said in a statement, “We documented Native American residents routinely being underserved by the state of South Dakota when it came to voter registration. Native Americans are not being offered the voter registration opportunities they are entitled to under law. We told the state that there was a problem, but they did not fix it. Apparently they did not see the disenfranchisement of Native voters and the silencing of Native voices as an important issue. We do.”
The federal judge agreed, ruling that the state did not offer voter registration at some motor vehicle and public assistance locations as required by the federal law, and hadn’t properly trained employees. Several other parts of the suit are still in litigation.
There’s more on this lawsuit and a link to the Native American Rights Fund and voting rights group Four Directions at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Redistricting & Voting Rights Updates from PA, NH & TX
Today's Links:
Articles:
PA - Pittsburgh Post Gazette - U.S. Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots could affect Pa.'s GOP Senate race between David McCormick and Mehmet Oz
NH - New Hampshire Bulletin - Court approves new congressional map
TX - Texas Signal - "THE CONTINUING LEGAL FIGHT OVER TEXAS REDISTRICTING", Scotus Blog
Groups working on these democracy issues:
PA - ACLU Pennsylvania
NH - Open Democracy Action, League of Women Voters NH
TX - League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Some end of the week updates for you today from Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Texas.
The undated mail ballot case in Pennsylvania has taken another turn. A federal appeals court had allowed ballots which were on time and properly signed, but had no date, to be counted for a county election. With the tight U.S. Senate race between Dr. Oz and David McCormick, Oz and the national GOP pushed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. June 1, the court issued an “administrative stay” prior to a full ruling, meaning that those ballots can’t be counted – yet. Stay tuned on this story, because it could have a national impact on absentee and mail voting.
We finally have a new Congressional map in New Hampshire, after the NH Supreme Court approved the maps submitted by a special master on Tuesday, May 31. This is a win for advocates, who pressured Governor Chris Sununu to keep his word and veto the extremely gerrymandered Congressional map proposals from his party. The court’s new, competitive map is a “least changed” map moving only 5 towns between districts, in keeping with 140 years of precedent.
Finally to Texas, where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state legislators must testify about their intentions when gerrymandering districts to dilute the power of black & brown communities, which the U.S. Justice Department says violated the Voting Rights Act.
There’s more information on these stories and more at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
RI No-Excuse Absentee Bill Pending; Two Big Lie Bills Defeated in AZ
Today's Links
Articles on Rhode Island's No Excuse bill: Narragansett Times, Providence Journal
Articles on Arizona Big Lie bills: Poll of AZ voters on mail-in voting, AP story on HB 2617
Groups taking action: Let Rhode Island Vote, League of Women Voters RI, League of Women Voters AZ, One Arizona, Arizona Wins
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
It’s good news Thursday, with a pending freedom to vote reform in Rhode Island, and the defeat of two Big Lie bills in Arizona.
Rhode Island’s legislature passed a “no-excuse” mail-in voting law which now goes to the Governor. Up to now, Rhode Island has allowed absentee ballots to be cast by mail, but required a reason of disability, absence from town on the day of the vote, confinement to a nursing facility, or military service as an excuse. If signed, the Let Rhode Island Vote Act would eliminate the need for an excuse in order to receive a mail ballot.
In Arizona, where several Big Lie bills have been attempted this term, Governor Doug Ducey vetoed one of the most egregious on May 27th. The Associated Press reports that HB 2617 expanded the reasons that would require a voter to be purged from the voter rolls, and would have required county recorders to launch an investigation anytime someone claims a person’s voter registration is invalid.
Another Big Lie bill failed in the state senate. HB 2238 would have set extreme restrictions on the use of mail ballot drop boxes, by adding costly video surveillance, moving boxes indoors, and prohibiting dropping off ballots from a car. Such restrictions would particularly affect tribal areas. There has been next to no abuse of mail-in ballots, and a March 2022 poll shows that three-quarters of Arizonans support mail-in voting.
There’s more information on the legislation affecting Rhode Island and Arizona voters at AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Undated Ballots Case Impacts PA U.S. Senate Race
Today's links:
Articles: Phildelphia Enquirer; NPR; Associated Press
Ways to take action: ACLU Pennsylvania; Keystone Votes
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We reported last week about a federal appeals court decision in a Pennsylvania county election that could have national implications. It’s now impacting the recount of that state’s U.S. Senate race, and could end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case involves 257 mail-in ballots which were properly signed and submitted on time, but were lacking a date on the affidavit form. But Pennsylvania law says those ballots must be dated, and they were thrown out by the county elections board. The ACLU of Pennsylvania filed suit on behalf of those voters, and a federal appeals court allowed the ballots to be counted, saying the lack of the date was immaterial.
The ruling was only days after the Pennsylvania state primary, where the Republican race for U.S. Senate is awaiting the results of a recount, started last Friday. The margin between Dr. Oz and David McCormick is only 922 votes, or .07%. Election officials report that the number of undated mail-in ballots identified in the Republican primary is 860. Counties have until June 7 to finish recounts, and until June 8 to submit them to the state.
But this may not be the end of the story. Because of the nationwide effort by Republicans to curb mail-in voting, falsely alleged to be the cause of wide-spread fraud, the case may end up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Oz and the national GOP oppose counting the undated ballots, and may seek help from a higher, more friendly, court.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links:
Articles - InDepthNH, Concord Monitor
Fair Maps Advocacy Groups in NH - Open Democracy Action, ACLU NH, League of Women Voters NH
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re back in New Hampshire, today, where on May 27, Republican Governor Chris Sununu vetoed two gerrymandered Congressional maps, which a defiant Republican legislature passed despite overwhelming public condemnation.
Gov. Sununu had earlier threatened to veto HB 52, having made several public remarks about vetoing a voting district map which, quote, “Doesn’t pass the smell test.”
The NH Legislature passed the bill anyway along party lines, changing a competitive map which had remained largely the same for 140 years and had flipped three times over the last decade, to an uncompetitive map which packed Democrats into one district and Republicans into the other to guarantee a Republican Congressional seat. It also gerrymandered the NH House, Senate & Executive Council maps which Sununu later signed, including a rigged NH Senate map which creates a veto-proof majority despite an evenly-divided state.
Alternative Congressional maps were drawn by the legislature, including SB 200, the last legislative attempt to pass a gerrymandered map. The NH State Supreme Court issued a statement saying that if a map wasn’t agreed upon by the end of May, a special master would create a “least changed” map. That map was released Friday, and oral arguments will be heard May 31 over the objections of NH House and Senate leadership.
Action by the public changed the debate in NH. What was a secret process 10 years ago faced unprecedented public scrutiny, engagement and pressure.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
More information at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
On Memorial Day, some thoughts about civic duty.
As we know, local volunteer militias supplemented a professional military during and after the American Revolution, but there was no draft until the Civil War, when national conscription was attempted, but met with an angry public uprising. But drafts in subsequent wars – calling men and women to do their “civic duty” continued until 1973, when military service again became voluntary.
We at the American Democracy Minute thank all those men & women who have died serving our country, whether they volunteered or were drafted. We honor your efforts to keep our country free.
We also thank those who died doing their civic duty in other capacities, including teachers, scientists, first responders, health care workers, election workers, government workers and many other critical public professions. Our increasingly polarized and dysfunctional American Democracy has made these professions increasingly dangerous. We owe these brave public servants a debt of gratitude, too.
On Memorial Day, it’s not good enough to just fly the flag, go to a parade or leave flowers on a gravestone. To repay the debt, you need to be involved in your local, state and federal government. Vote. Every time. Volunteer for a local board. Run for office. Support causes that help make America a better place. THAT’s honoring the sacrifice of our fallen.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Redistricting Updates for OH, NY, KS & AK
Today's Links:
Articles- Ohio, New York, Kansas, Alaska
How Partisan Gerrymandering Limits Voting Rights
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have four quick updates for you on state redistricting plans we’ve talked about in past weeks for Ohio, New York, Kansas and Alaska.
In Ohio, where the state supreme court rejected an earlier redistricting plan for state house and senate, the court has rejected yet another plan from the state’s redistricting commission, citing gerrymandering in favor of Republicans. A date of June 3 was ordered for another map to be drawn. If that map is rejected, a federal court order would default to the earlier rejected map.
In New York, Democrats are taking issue with a special master’s Congressional map, adopted by a federal court, which splits communities of color and pits incumbent legislators against one another.
To Kansas, where a landmark case in state history last week found gerrymandered Congressional maps to be legal under the Kansas Constitution. The new map dilutes the vote of liberal-leaning Lawrence by moving it into a conservative district, and manipulates the Kansas City-area Congressional district 3 to dilute the vote in a majority Black area.
Finally to Alaska – yes, Alaska – where the Alaska Supreme Court struck down a map for Alaska House of Representatives, for gerrymandering districts in Anchorage to Republican advantage. The maps were changed by the courts to be more equitable.
Despite what the politicians and the courts do, gerrymandering is never in the best interest of the voters.
We have links to more information for all these states at American Democracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
The Big Money Spent by the Gun Lobby since Sandy Hook
Today's Links:
Articles: Open Secrets "Gun rights groups set new lobbying spending record in 2021"
The Trace "How Much Did the NRA Spend to Support Republicans in 2020?"
Gun safety groups: Everytown for Gun Safety, The Brady Center, Giffords.org PAC, Moms Demand Action
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Lacking in the news reports about the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas were the totals spent by the gun lobby to influence our U.S. Congress and Senate into inaction.
A May 16th article by money-in-politics research organization Open Secrets, details the lobbying and campaign contribution efforts since the Sandy Hook elementary massacre in 2012.
Gun rights groups have spent over $190 million dollars lobbying in Washington since 1998 but $114 million of that has been spent since 2013. That doesn’t include lobbying expenses for state legislation. Just in the last year, gun rights groups spent a record $15.8 million on lobbying in 2021, and $2 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Then there’s the campaign contributions. Gun rights groups, including the NRA, use their Super PACs to elect gun-friendly candidates. Open Secrets says that from 1989 to 2022, $50.5 million dollars was contributed to federal candidates and party committees – 99% of direct contributions went to support Republican candidates.
In recent years, gun control groups have also started to spend money, and contributed $26.3 million during the same period. Contributions from such organizations as Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords PAC supported almost entirely Democrats.
We have links to the Open Secrets article as well as ways to take action at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Oklahoma Adds Layer of Complexity to Absentee Voting, Gives Legislature All Power on Elections
Today's Links:
Oklahoma passes new laws -
Making use of absentee ballots more complicated
Slightly increasing access to blind voters
Prohibiting any state body other than the legislature from making election law
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Today we’re in Oklahoma, where new elections laws signed by Governor Kevin Stitt slightly improved voting access for some disabled citizens, but adds significant layer of complexity to absentee ballot voting.
After the Oklahoma legislature patted themselves on the back in 2021 for an added day of in-person early voting and allowing for early voting on Saturdays, the newly-signed House Bill 3364 requires a code, retained in a government voter file accessible to local election officials, to be added by the voter on the absentee ballot. No code, no vote. And if your voter record doesn’t have a code on file? Your absentee ballot won’t be counted.
Another bill, HB 1711, does allow for a ballot to be distributed electronically to the blind, but makes no provision to return the ballot electronically. All absentee ballots must be either mailed or returned in person.
Also concerning is Oklahoma’s new law giving the legislature the last word on election rules. Senate Bill 523 prohibits any branch of state government, including the Oklahoma elections board from modifying state statute, and allows legislative leadership to act as “intervenors” in challenges to election law. Such laws are being implemented around the country and are seen by pro-voter groups as enabling partisan interference in election results.
Oklahoma absentee ballot voters should check with their election officials to make sure they have the proper code to exercise their freedom to vote.
We have links to details to these new laws on at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Georgia Voters Defy New Voting Restrictions, Set Records for Early Voting
Today's Links:
Article: Georgia Recorder
Voter Guides for May 24th Primaries: Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
Tuesday, May 24, three states conduct state primaries, including Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia.
In Georgia, voters defied the new draconian voting rules on absentee ballots, and restricting the number of ballot drop boxes and assistance from third party voting rights organizations, and turned out in record numbers for early voting. The three-week period of early voting ended Friday.
The Georgia Recorder reports vote totals of more than 655,000 ballots cast in person, and another 54,000 absentee ballots. This is a 180% increase over the 2018 primary election for the same time period, and a 149% increase over the 2020 primary election.
In some precincts, there were even lines of an hour or more for early voting, a highly unusual occurrence.
More Republicans turned out for early voting, over 406,000, driven by the Kemp - Purdue race for Governor, and for Democrats, a 299,000 early voting count for competitive races for secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor.
Several states have changed voter registration laws. If you haven’t already, double check your voter registration with your local election officials, and get ready for the primary in your state.
We have state primary voter guides for Georgia, Arkansas and Alabama at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Federal Appeals Court on Undated Ballots May Protect PA Voters
Today's Links:
Articles: Philadelphia Inquirer, ACLU Pennsylvania
Groups working on the Freedom to Vote in PA: ACLU Pennsylvania, Keystone Votes coalition, Urban League of Philadelphia, Common Cause PA
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
An interesting pro-voter court ruling in Pennsylvania in a case brought by the ACLU could have national implications and help thousands have their vote counted.
The Philadelphia Enquirer reports that In a 2021 local election in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, 257 mail-in ballots were rejected because they were undated. Pennsylvania law requires that voters sign and date mail-in ballots.
In Migliori v. Lehigh County Board of Elections, the ACLU argued on behalf of five affected voters. The federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, ruling that the lack of a date was immaterial and the ballots should be counted in that election, and possibly including last week’s Pennsylvania state primary, where a recount of the Republican race for U.S. Senate is pending and the margin between Dr. Oz and David McCormick is only .5%.
That was in federal court. But in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a 2020 ruling on the same issue was much murkier. In that case three state justices said they should be counted, three justices said they shouldn’t, and one said he would allow it in 2020 but not in the future.
In the 2022 state primary, 2,000 mail-in ballots were submitted without a date – just in Philadelphia.
We have more information and links to the ACLU case at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
FEC Deadlocks on Trump Campaign Payments to Family-Controlled LLC
Today's Links:
- Articles: Business Insider, Associated Press, Campaign Legal Center
- Organizations fighting political corruption: Campaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Public Citizen
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
One of the many reforms in the S. 1 For the People Act, which stalled in the U.S. Senate earlier this year, would have fixed the Federal Elections Commission. Over the last two decades, the bipartisan members of the FEC routinely deadlock on campaign corruption and misdeeds complaints, using their role not to uphold the rules, but to protect their own parties.
In a report by Business Insider, the FEC has apparently deadlocked again, this time over sketchy 2020 payments made from former President Trump’s campaign to even sketchier LLCs and holding companies set up by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Make America Great Again PAC was accused by the Campaign Legal Center for misreporting the payees of secret payments made to American Made Media Consultants, LLC, set up by Kushner, and which included Vice President Pence, Lara Trump, and Kushner as board members, among others. American Made Media Consultants was reported to have been paid $617 Million dollars from the Trump campaign coffers. Parscale Strategy, LLC, headed by Brad Parscale, former Trump campaign manager, was also accused of having received misreported payments.
Even though the FEC deadlocked, it’s not yet over. Campaign Legal Center filed a federal lawsuit on this matter in March after its complaint in January to the FEC.
We have more information and links to organizations fighting corruption at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
FEC v. Cruz SCOTUS Ruling on Campaign Finance
Today's Links:
SCOTUS Opinion
Articles on FEC v. Cruz: Talking Points Memo, Election Law Blog, The Guardian
Campaign Finance Reform Groups: Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, Brennan Center
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
You may have missed it, but there was a U.S. Supreme Court decision on campaign finance last week. One of the remaining provisions in the 2002 McCain–Feingold Campaign Finance Act, kept candidates making loans to their campaign late in the election cycle from paying themselves back more than $250,000 after the election. It was intended to keep candidates from personally benefiting – or being influenced– from donations after the election.
FEC vs. Cruz – yes, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz – contested this rule. Senator Cruz contended that it infringes on potential expenditures by candidates, and limits their self-expression. The Court “ruled that this was a “great burden” on free speech and wasn’t justified by the potential for corruption.
The court cited the 2014 McCutcheon case, which struck down the combined limits which could be made to candidates, parties and political action committees. In FEC v. Cruz, the court said, “However well intentioned such proposals may be, the First Amendment—as this Court has repeatedly emphasized—prohibits such attempts to tamper with the ‘right of citizens to choose who shall govern them.’ The justices were split – you guessed it – along partisan lines.
A May 17th article in The Atlantic Daily by David Graham suggests that despite overwhelming public opinion that there should be limits on campaign funding, there is no appetite on one side of the aisle in Congress to curb it.
We have more information and links to ways to take action on money in politics at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Redistricting Whiplash in NY, FL & NH
Links for Today:New York - NBC article on new court Congressional map, Common Cause New York
Florida - Miami Herald article on court stay, likely appeal lifted on Congressional map, Fair Districts Florida
New Hampshire - InDepth NH article, Open Democracy Action
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
We have some redistricting whiplash for you in New York, Florida & New Hampshire. In New York, after the Congressional district map gerrymandered by Democrats was ruled unconstitutional, a state court has created its own map, which throws multiple incumbents into races against each other, including U.S. House Judiciary and Oversight chairs, Rep. Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney in the newly drawn 12th Congressional District. Common Cause New York objected to the map, which it says divides communities of interest and neighborhoods.
In Florida, a court-ordered alternative map to the Congressional map Governor Ron Desantis signed had its stay lifted. The state is expected to appeal to stop it, but voting groups have asked that any appeal be fast tracked directly to the Florida Supreme Court. The Desantis map dilutes the heavily African American Congressional District 5 in north Florida, reducing the chances that a Black member of Congress would be elected. The court’s map keeps most of District 5 intact. Florida has a constitutional amendment forbidding gerrymandering for partisan purposes.
In New Hampshire, another Congressional map proposal has been made, tempering earlier proposals which gerrymandered the Granite State’s two Congressional districts to be uncompetitive. But an independent citizen mapping group says Senate Bill 200 is only slightly less bad than the previous proposals. Governor Chris Sununu has pledged to veto gerrymandered maps, but has already signed heavily gerrymandered NH Senate & Executive Council maps.
We have more information and links to the groups fighting gerrymandering at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2022/05/17/american-democracy-minute-for-may-18-2022-redistricting-whiplash-in-ny-fl-nh/
Kansas Courts Review Legislature's Gerrymandered State & Congressional Maps
Today's Links:
League of Women Voters Kansas
Kansas Reflector article on the May 16 Kansas Supreme Court case
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
Today we’re in Kansas, where redistricting map proposals are being reviewed by the Kansas Supreme Court on May 16. The League of Women Voters Kansas challenged the legislature-approved voting maps, pointing out how the new lines for state House & Senate fractured black and brown communities to intentionally weaken minority voting strength in Wichita, Olathe, Leavenworth and Kansas City, Kansas.
The Kansas attorney general – also a candidate for governor – is endorsing the maps, using a familiar defense of the, “Yes, but it’s all legal.” The Kansas Reflector reports that Attorney General Derek Schmidt is quoted as saying “Anyone who believes a redistricting map is unfair or dissatisfying in some respect can claim gerrymandering, but there is no legal standard to measure such claims.”
This is thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court striking down key portions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and refusing to hear a gerrymandering case in 2019, kicking redistricting cases back to the states. However, one remaining provision of the Voting Rights Act in place is the intentional gerrymandering of majority minority communities.
The state’s Congressional map is also under scrutiny by the state supreme court after it was struck down by a lower court as unconstitutional. The proposed map waters down the vote of more liberal areas by shifting half of Wyandotte County out of the urban 3rd District, and moves college town Lawrence out of the 2nd District and into the rural 1st District.
We have links to the League of Women Voters Kansas website for more information at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links
The Campaign Legal Center - "Voters Need to Know What “Redboxing” Is and How It Undermines Democracy"
NH Public Radio - In N.H., Pro-Fiorina Super PAC Tests Boundaries in Campaign Ground Game
Get involved! End Citizens United, American Promise
Campaigns Using "Red Boxing" to Coordinate with Super PACs
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
The Campaign Legal Center just shared an article on “Red Boxing,” the slimy ways that campaigns and political action committees are navigating around federal campaign finance rules.
The new limits for a personal contribution to a campaign for federal office is $2,900 per person. But for a Super PAC, there are no limits to donations. And the super-rich can give huge amounts, but only if the Super PAC doesn’t give the money to the candidate, AND there is no coordination on spending or strategy between the candidate and the Super PAC. But campaigns are using a special spot on their public websites, often surrounded by a red box, to send a message to SuperPACs supporting their candidate on what they need done. The Campaign Legal Center says that phrases like “voters need to see” signals messages to be delivered via TV ads, “read” is asking for direct mail, and “see on the go” is a request for digital ads.
In the 2016 Presidential campaign, candidate Carly Fiorina’s “Carly for President” team used such red box techniques to communicate the candidate’s schedule in the NH Primary, while the “Carly for America” SuperPAC scheduled the venue, provided staffers, and communicated the event.
Both parties use this sleazy practice, and so far, the Federal Election Commission has not taken substantive action.
Links to the Campaign Legal Center article are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Legislatures and Courts Scramble to Finish Maps in NY, MO & FL
Groups working on redistricting n New York, Missouri & Florida
New York: Common Cause New York
Missouri: Fair Maps Missouri Coalition
Florida: Equal Ground, Fair Districts Florida
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
As states near their primary election dates, legislators, redistricting commissions and the courts are scrambling to finish new voting maps, including today’s states, New York, Missouri and Florida.
Two developments in New York state. A federal court has ruled that the state primary can be delayed until August to allow more time for the maps to be completed. Democrats, responsible for the gerrymandering this time, had tried to block the delay in the wake of their maps being ruled unconstitutional. The New York Times reports that a county judge has appointed a neutral special master to complete the maps.
With the legislative session clock running out in Missouri, St. Louis Public Radio reports a state House bill passed last week attempted to gerrymander the 5th Congressional District, now held by Democrats, into a solidly Republican district. In a separate case, a federal judge issued a restraining order on the 2nd Congressional district, which the court said has unequal populations compared with other districts in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
And back yet again to Florida, where the attempt by Governor Ron Desantis to gerrymander the heavily African American 5th Congressional district to put Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson out of a job ,has been blocked by a Leon County Circuit Court judge. Florida has a constitutional amendment prohibiting partisan gerrymandering.
We have links to state organizations working on redistricting issues in these states at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
A Mixed Bag of Redistricting Updates from OH, SC & NH
Check out organizations working on redistricting in our featured states today:Ohio: Fair Maps Ohio
South Carolina: ACLU SC & South Carolina Conference of the NAACP
New Hampshire: Open Democracy Action & League of Women Voters NH
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
We have a mixed bag of updates on redistricting from Ohio, South Carolina & New Hampshire today.
We reported that in Ohio, the redistricting maps for Ohio House & Senate made by the state’s redistricting commission were struck down in April by the Ohio Supreme Court. Then, a federal court gave the state a deadline of May 28th to redraw the maps, but despite an attempt to broker a deal by Governor Mike DeWine, the redistricting commission adjourned without a plan for redrawing the maps. The federal court’s directive was to create new maps, or default to another Republican plan already found unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Next to South Carolina, where a settlement will allow a redrawing of the state legislative maps for five counties to allow majority minority communities to elect candidates more reflective of the population. The suit had argued that the gerrymandered maps diluted Black voting power in violation of the 14th and 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Finally to New Hampshire, where Governor Chris Sununu signed badly gerrymandered NH Senate and Executive Council maps, despite his claims he would veto unfair maps. The NH Senate map was engineered to create a veto-proof majority for Republicans in an almost equally-divided state. New Hampshire has yet to settle its gerrymandered Congressional districts.
We have links to organizations working on Democracy issues in these states at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
**What's a "Wet Signature," and why does it matter for elections?
Today's Links from Democracy Docket**:The Little Known Rule That Makes It Harder to Register to Vote
Georgia Sued Over Wet Signature Requirement for Absentee Ballot Applications
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
Let’s talk “wet signatures!”
Yes, there is such a thing called a “wet signature,” and voters need to know about it because it’s critical to registering to vote and voting in most states.
A wet signature is one made by ink with a pen on paper, not an electronic signature that you can, say, buy a home with, or file your federal taxes. No, for many states, an electronic signature is not sufficient proof to use for registering to vote.
Now, 42 states and the District of Columbia have implemented electronic or automatic voter registration systems under the 1993 federal law Voter Registration Act. Most states require a driver’s license to register which has a signature on file.
Unsurprisingly, Texas is one of the states which does not allow registration without a wet signature. Democracy Docket reports that in 2018, the largest third-party voter registration nonprofit, Vote.org, allowed registrants in Texas to take a picture of their signature and upload it. But only one week before the voter registration deadline, the Texas Secretary of State invalidated those registrations.
May 2nd, a lawsuit was filed in Georgia, challenging their wet signature rule. Georgia voters can fill out an absentee ballot application online, but must print it out, then mail or fax it, making it more complicated for elderly voters, or voters who don’t own a printer. And by the way, what’s a fax machine?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us an email at WethePeople@AmericanDemocracyMinute.org and tell us the state and station where you listen.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Links:
Fair Vote: Voter Turnout 101
Public Affairs Council: Are Primary Voters Really Extreme?
Federal Voting Assistance Program - Upcoming Primaries
American Democracy Minute for May 10, 2022: Why should you vote in your state's primary?
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
May 10th is primary day in Nebraska and West Virginia, and state primaries are coming up May 17th in Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon and Pennsylvania. On May 24th, there are primaries in Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia, and a run-off in Texas.
So, why should you vote in the state primary?
On a nationwide average, only 40% of eligible voters actually do in a midterm primary, In the 2018 midterms, 50% of voters turned out, the highest in over a century. That’s encouraging, but the other half not showing up has big consequences.
Recently, we’ve talked about gerrymandering manipulating state voting districts for partisan advantage. When the districts are rigged, partisan primaries often cause candidates to appeal not to the middle of their party, but to the true believers of the party who show up in higher numbers. Candidates make more extreme promises because if they make it past the primary, they are almost guaranteed to win.
One study by the Public Affairs Council found that primary VOTERS weren’t more extreme, but primary voters shared a “dissatisfaction with the current political establishment.”
Another important reason: When extremists get elected or incumbents unseated, party leadership takes cues from the results to help shape the coming general election and the post-election policy. You can send an important message by showing up on primary day.
Check out today’s links at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
https://www.fairvote.org/voter_turnout#voter_turnout_101
https://pac.org/impact/are-primary-voters-really-extreme/
https://www.fvap.gov/guide/appendix/state-elections
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
We reported last week that the Secretary of State in Florida had held up portions of SB 54, awaiting a court case involving another Florida voter suppression bill, SB 90, signed into law last year by Governor Ron Desantis. It put further restrictions on the use of drop boxes and the role of groups facilitating voter registration.
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday on SB 90 – sort of. The lower court had ruled that SB 90’s provisions targeting black & brown voters were egregious enough that Florida should be subject to federal Voting Rights Act “preclearance” of any voting laws prior to implementation.
But the three Trump-appointed judges on the appeals court panel ruled Friday not on the merits of the case, but on the timing. The ruling instead cited the “Purcell principle,” from the 2006 Purcell v. Gonzalez, which found that changes should not be made too close to an election. It also called the historical arguments of the League of Women Voters of Florida “vague,” and questioned the pro-voter group’s assertion that the provisions of the law were “intentional discrimination.”
The ruling grants a stay to the circuit court’s decision, and allows Florida to move forward with implementation pending appeal. To the less than voter friendly U.S. Supreme Court.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send us an email at WethePeople@AmericanDemocracyMinute.org and tell us the state and station where you listen.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's Action Links:
NH's Open Democracy Action
ACLU NH
League of Women Voters NH
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
New Hampshire voters became the latest victims of the Big Lie Wednesday as its 400-seat legislature voted along party lines to adopt SB 418. The bill throws out the state’s long-standing “Qualified Voter Affidavit” system, which allows a voter with incomplete documentation to sign an affidavit on penalty of fines or imprisonment, and to vote as usual. Despite no evidence of misuse by the typical 650 voters statewide who must use the system, it will be eliminated if Governor Chris Sununu decides to sign the bill.
Instead, Granite Staters who don’t have a birth certificate when they register same day, or a driver’s license when they check in, will be instead given a provisional ballot. The ballot will be marked, violating the secrecy of the ballot, and unless the voter returns within 10 days, will be thrown out and not counted in the vote total. If signed, this rule will hurt more voters than it contributes to so-called “election integrity.”
While most voter suppression states use this as a tool to keep black and brown communities from voting, in New Hampshire, it’s college students, along with older voters, and the poor. Same day registration is often used by students at one of New Hampshire’s several small colleges, and this term, younger voters have been targeted with several bills challenging their eligibility to vote.
Students nationwide should contact their local town election officials or campus voting rights groups to find out state rules now, rather than waiting for the November midterm elections.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today's links for more information and action:
Georgia: Voting rights group All Voting is Local
Florida: League of Women Voters Florida
Arizona: ACLU Arizona
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.
We have freedom to vote updates from Arizona, Georgia and Florida today.
First an update on Georgia voter suppression bill SB 441, which authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to pursue allegations of election misconduct, rather than election officials. Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill, despite concerns from voting rights groups that such actions are intimidating to black and brown communities who have a shaky relationship with law enforcement already.
Florida’s SB 524, signed last week by Governor Ron Desantis, also deploys an election police force, but other provisions of SB 524 are on hold, pending a federal court case filed by the League of Women Voters Florida. The Florida Secretary of State said that changes to the use of drop boxes for mail-in ballots, and penalties third-party voter registration groups if they make mistakes,await the federal court’s decision, and will not be enforced in the meantime.
Arizona’s HB 2338 advanced out of a Senate rules committee last week, which implements more rules on the use of drop boxes, mandating 24 hour video surveillance for drop boxes not inside a government building. The expense of these drop box restrictions around the US most often disproportionately affects majority minority communities where fewer drop boxes create transportation challenges for voters, and Native American voters, where distance and the lack of postal services make it more difficult to deliver ballots.
Links to organizations in Florida, Georgia and Arizona where you can take action are on our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A glimmer of good news from California to share on the Money-in-Politics front today. Last week, AB1819 advanced out of the California State Assembly's Election Law committee, which prohibits “foreign-influenced business entities” from spending money in the state's elections and ballot initiatives. This includes the use of “straw man” entities where money is given to someone who doesn't work for the company makes the contribution.
As foreign company holdings in the US has increased, so has their influence. The Federal Elections Commission recently levied the largest campaign finance fine ever on a Canadian steel executive who used his Pennsylvania subsidiary to illegally contribute $1.75 million dollars to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
A frequent tool of foreign companies wanting to make anonymous contributions to campaigns and political action committees has been Limited Liability Corporations, which make the donations in the company's name, not the actual donors. A 2020 report called “Mystery Money” by campaign finance reform group Issue One demonstrates how this is done, and the havoc it can wreak on U.S. Elections.
AB 1819 is headed next to the Appropriations committee as it winds throught the California legislature.
Visit AmericanDemocracyMinute.org to find Issue One's report and
more information on AB 1819 at advocacy group Free Speech for People.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We noted yesterday that Governor Ron Desantis just signed a bill which banned ranked choice voting in Florida. But ballot initiatives to implement RCV in Missouri and Nevada are picking up steam.
Ranked choice voting allows a voter to support a candidate they like but wouldn't otherwise win vs. the more likely candidate. This gives dark horse, independent or third party candidates a chance without the voter throwing a vote away. RCV often leads to more congeniality between candidates, particularly in primaries, because they have to appeal to a wider array of voters, not just to the extremes of their party.
Ballotpedia reports that a pro ranked choice voting citizens initiative PAC in Missouri reported contributions of $4.3 million dollars as of March 31 as the initiative approaches a May 8th deadline for signatures. The Missouri proposal would use RCV in primaries to determine the top four candidates, which would all advance to the general election.
In Nevada, a similar PAC reports donations of $2.26 million dollars to fund the initiative's signature drive, which concludes June 21st. Nevada's proposal would advance the top 5 candidates out of the primaries.
Visit AmericanDemocracyMinute.org to find links to the organizations behind these citizen initiatives, and learn more about RCV.
Fair Vote, a national resource on Ranked Choice Voting:
Nevadans for Election Reform: https://nevadansforelectionreform.org/
Better Elections Missouri: https://betterelectionsmo.org/
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.” For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We're headed to Florida, land of sunshine, alligators and Governor Ron Desantis, who last week signed SB 524 into law, another in a string of voter suppression laws using unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud as a pretext.
SB 524 creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security which will work with Florida State Police to investigate and prosecute allegations of voter fraud. The so-called "election police" are viewed by pro-voter organizations as an intimidation tactic, particularly among black and brown populations where relations are already strained.
Another provision in the law makes third parties like churches and nonprofits criminally liable if they make mistakes on voter registration efforts. Discouraging such drives again targets poorer communities, and majority-minority communities. The law also prohibits one person from returning more than two mail-in ballots, in a state with the country's oldest population. So it will be against the law to return your disabled neighbors' ballots.
And the increasingly popular ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank their candidates in order of preference without throwing a vote away, is now banned by the new law.
For more information on SB 524 and its impact, visit the League of Women Voters Florida's website, linked from AmericanDemocracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Voting rights updates from Wisconsin and Nevada today.
The never-ending 2020 sham review in Wisconsin just got yet another extension from the speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who is not a professional auditor, had been given a taxpayer-funded budget of $676,000 dollars, which includes an $11,000 monthly salary.
Since the review launched in June 2021, Gableman has missed multiple deadlines to issue a final report. Enter former President Donald Trump, who threatened Assembly Speaker Robin Vos with supporting a primary challenger. The Gableman contract was extended the next day.
In Nevada, a circuit court judge blocked a Republican-led citizen referendum aimed at ending AB321, a measure approved by the legislature in 2021, which implements universal mail-in voting in Nevada. In a separate case, another judge threw out the language used on the petition regarding voter ID changes, citing it as being argumentative. Doing so invalidated the signatures collected, and there will not be enough time to collect enough by state deadlines.
Links to state organizations Silver State Voices and Common Cause Wisconsin at American Democracy Minute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A report by the Brennan Center for Justice has some sobering news for American election officials, who face the made up accusations of widespread voter fraud, and the very real cybersecurity threats coming from overseas.
The Brennan Center reports that 77% of electon workers say threats against them have increased since 2020, and nearly 1 in 3 know of at least one election worker who has left the job because those concerns. Nearly 2 of 3 cite the spread of false information as making their jobs more dangerous.
On top of that, the FBI reported in March that hackers have targeted election officials in at least nine states with phishing attacks, and intelligence officials have warned that Russia may attempt to interfere with American elections this fall.
The Brennan Center recommends that the Department of Homeland Security should provide additional assistance to election offices to secure the infrastructure, protect election workers, and fight misinformation and disinformation.
With states poised to purchase over $500 million dollars of election systems in the next decade, Brennan says the Election Assistance Commission should expand training, improve voter system testing and certification programs, and increase oversight of election system vendors.
To read the report, entitled “How Federal Departments and Agencies Can Help Secure America’s Elections,” visit BrennanCenter.org, or our website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
More court cases impacting fair voting districts today. In Florida, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis recently vetoed the legislature's Congressional District map so he could move forward his own. The DeSantis map disassembles a predominately Black district in northern Florida. The lawsuit argues that the map, approved by the legislature just last week, violates the Fair Districts amendment to the Florida constitution, and is biased toward Republicans.
In New York, an appeals court overturned a trial court decision upholding Congressional voting maps the Democratic legislature drew, bypassing New York's citizen-led independent redistricting commission. The appellate court said the legislature's maps were biased toward Democrats. The case was heard April 26 in the New York Supreme Court and a decision is pending.
In Kansas, a state trial court judge threw out that legislature's Congressional map, deciding, in a 200 page opinion, that it was an extreme partisan gerrymander that would give Republicans all four Congressional seats, and dilute minority voting strength. The judge directed that new maps be constructed as expediently as possible.
Visit our website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, or for more information on redistricting lawsuits around the country, visit the League of Women Voters website, LWV.org.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The impact of gerrymandering is poised to have an even larger impact on the purple state of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has pledged to veto a Congressional map passed by the legislature which makes the state's two seats uncompetitive – one manipulated to benefit Republicans, the other packed with Democrats. Currently, the state has an all Democrat federal delegation.
But Sununu also needs to take a harder look at the NH Senate and NH Executive Council maps passed last Friday, which guarantee veto-proof majorities in a state which over the last decade has swung both ways.
The legislature has ignored the overwhelmingly negative public testimony on the maps, with hundreds of pieces of written and in-person testimony from residents around the state.
Sununu has made several statements professing that he will only sign bills which, quote, “Pass the smell test,” but so far he has signed the gerrymandered NH House districts, and has taken no positions on the NH Senate or NH Executive Council maps. The proposed rigged maps would give as much as a 16-8 majority in the NH Senate, and a 4-1 advantage in the Executive Council, a body which advises the NH Governor on state contracts and department heads.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl. Visit our website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, or for more information on New Hampshire's redistricting, visit OpenDemocracyAction.org.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
More redistricting drama in Ohio last week. Cleveland.com reports that the Ohio Supreme court recently rejected the third set maps for the Ohio legislature which were specificially designed for Republican advantage.
Anticipating an appeal in federal court, state justices sent a message in the decision suggesting that the federal court's April 20th deadline could be extended and still keep the August 2nd Ohio primary date.
As expected, GOP activists appealed to keep the gerrymandered maps. Last Friday, April 21, a three-judge federal panel responded that they would not act – yet. The panel questioned the Ohio court's jurisdiction in forcing any date changes for the primary, but agreed to wait until May 6th until taking further action. The federal panel said that after that date, they would accept the third set of GOP maps which the state court had rejected.
The panel wrote: “We are acutely aware of its flaws, yet with deference to the state in mind, we see it as the best of our bad options.”
Fair maps advocates are watching carefully. The US Supreme Court opted in 2019 to leave redistricting to the state courts, so the case is unlikely to go further.
So it's back to the drawing board in Ohio.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl. Visit our website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, or for more information on Ohio's redistricting, visit FairDistrictsOhio.org.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
With rampant gerrymandering by state legislatures around the US, the courts may be the last hope for fair, competitive districts. Not so in Wisconsin, however.
In March, Governor Tony Evers proposed maps which minimized changes to gerrymandered 2011 maps in an effort to get proposals passed that headed off a Republican supermajority in the legislature. The Wisconsin Supreme Court blessed those maps, but the conservative US. Supreme Court threw them out.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that last week, in another 4-3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has embraced even more gerrymandered maps proposed by the legislature. The new plan likely gives 63 of the 99 Assembly seats and 23 of the 33 Senate seats to Republicans, in a state that has almost equal numbers of Republican and Democrat voters.
New Hampshire's House last week adopted heavily gerrymandered NH Senate and Executive Council maps, despite a voter-opinion sign-in that was 281-6 against the Senate maps. SB 240 and 241 await action in the full House before going to the governor. Facing reelection, Governor Chris Sununu asked for changes in the Congressional maps, but has shown no indication of vetoing the Senate & Executive Council plans.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl. Visit our website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
An update on a Georgia voter suppression bill we told you about two weeks ago. Public pressure pushed HB 1464's senate committee to strip the most controversial provisions of the bill, among them using the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to follow up on election irregularities, not election officials.
But that's not the end of the story. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that anti-voter legislators resurrected the stripped provisions and attached them to SB 89, another Georgia Senate bill. The bill then passed out of committee on the last day of the session. In addition to use of the GBI, it also restored full public access to voters' ballots, which currently requires a court order, and, adds “chain of custody” reporting requirements anytime a ballot is touched by an election worker. Such burdensome requirements are being implemented around the country using now-debunked claims of voter fraud. Both SB 89 and HB 1464 remain pending before the full Georgia Senate.
In campaign finance news, a Canadian steel executive was fined $975,000 for violation campaign finance rules. He used a Pennsylvania subsidiary to funnel $1.75 million dollars to a Super PAC supporting President Donald Trump. Contributions by foreign entities are not allowed by federal law.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This week to Arizona, where Republican Governor Doug Ducey has signed HB 2492, which imposes a “proof of citizenship” requirement to vote for all Arizona voters.
After 1996, Arizona required proof of citizenship for any new driver's licenses, allowing a driver's license to be used when registering to vote. But voters in prior years could swear to citizenship, subject to civil penalty for inaccurate information.
The Arizona Republic reports that under HB 2492, an estimated192,000 voters, many of whom have been voting for decades, will now have to provide citizenship documents before voting this fall. Many of these voters will be unaware of the changes and may become disenfranchised.
This also sets up a showdown with federal law. A subset of Arizona voters use a federal voter registration form, which allows qualified voters to vote in federal, but not state, elections, often used by Native American voters, some of whom do not have birth certificates or other citizenship documents. A 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision upheld the sworn citizenship for this U.S. Election Assistance Commission form.
HB2492 was proposed by an Arizona legislator implicated in the “fake electors” scheme, supporting the now debunked claims of voter fraud around the country.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In the wake of Georgia's legislation last year adding layers of voter ID rules for mail ballots, limiting ballot drop boxes, and shortening the time in which to return those ballots, a bill passed last Tuesday in the Georgia House of Representatives piles on yet more restrictions.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that HB 1464 gives authority to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to investigate suspected ballot or election irregularities, rather than election officials, adding a layer intimidation to the voting process. GBI assisted after the 2020 election and found no fraud.
Another provision in the bill would allow anyone to review a paper ballot, sacrificing the privacy of the voter. Current law only allows review of a ballot with a court order. Such provisions have been proposed around the country, and voting rights advocates see this as yet another way of intimidating voters.
Despite long lines at polling places in 2020, particularly in majority-minority communities, the bill sets the minimum number of voting machines to 1 per 250 voters, higher than current law. This could lead to even longer lines in November 2022.
The bill faces an April 4 deadline as the Republican-majority Georgia legislature winds up its session.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Partial good news on the badly gerrymandered Congressional districts in NH. The full NH Senate passed SB 52 last Thursday, but Governor Sununu issued a statement after the vote and signaled he would veto the bill when it reached his desk.
The gerrymandered Executive Council map from 2010 received no changes and will stay the same for the next 10 years, thus receiving an “interim study” recommendation from the committee. The House maps have passed both chambers, and the Senate voting maps, drawn to guarantee at least a 15-vote Republican majority, await a hearing in the NH House Election Law committee.
Overshadowed by the Governor's veto announcement was SB 418, which was passed the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee. This establishes a provisional ballot in NH, potentially disenfranchising thousands of voters who use NH's qualified voter affidavit system. Euphemistically called “Affidavit Ballots,” these ballots require the voter to return with documentation within 10 days for the vote to count. This bill targets students, many of whom use NH's Same-day registration system.
As with so many Big Lie bills being proposed, SB 418 disenfranchises far more honest voters than the tiny number of dishonest ones.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.
You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping our government by and for the people.
After months of promising an open and fair process, the NH Senate Election Law Committee voted last Monday to recommend two rigged voting districts for U.S. Congress and NH Executive Council to the full Senate. The NH Senate will vote on the gerrymandered maps on Thursday, March 17.
Amendments to these maps have been rumored for months, but Republican party hardliners pressured the Election Law Committee to make no changes, despite almost universal condemnation in hearings in the NH House and Senate committees. The Congressional map gerrymanders to make both districts uncompetitive, guaranteeing the outcome of the election. The Executive Council map is a repeat of the 2010 “Dragon District,” which packs liberal-leaning towns into District 2, leaving adjoining districts more conservative.
While Governor Chris Sununu has made statements asking for a redrawing of the maps, there is no evidence that the Governor's office has made counter proposals. It looks increasingly as if his comments were orchestrated for political cover rather than protection on the voters.
Whether floor amendments will be proposed Thursday is an open question. If the maps are approved, they head to Governor Sununu's desk.
Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we HAVE, it's something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I'm Brian Beihl.