Defending Democracy

Democracy Docket

Weekly podcast from Democracy Docket going over the top voting rights, elections and democracy news. read less
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Episodes

Why Republicans Want Your Voter Info
Mar 22 2024
Why Republicans Want Your Voter Info
Republican and conservative groups are filing lawsuits targeting states' voter info under the guise of "cleaning the rolls." But the real motivations behind the lawsuits are to purge voters and facilitate mass voter challenges. Marc and Paige break down what's happening in the latest episode of Defending Democracy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Subscribe here: https://www.democracydocket.com/member/ Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources:-Find voter purge lawsuits Democracy Docket is tracking: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/?k=voter%20purge -On the Heels of Recent Shakeup, RNC Files Lawsuit in Michigan Seeking to Purge Voters: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/on-the-heels-of-recent-shakeup-rnc-files-lawsuit-in-michigan-seeking-to-purge-voters/ -RNC Files Second Lawsuit Targeting Voter Rolls This Year: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/rnc-files-second-lawsuit-targeting-voter-rolls-this-year/ -Right Wing Organization Files New Lawsuit To Gain Access To South Carolina Voter Rolls: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/right-wing-organization-files-new-lawsuit-to-gain-access-to-south-carolina-voter-rolls/ -Right-Wing Group Sues Illinois to Demand Removal of Allegedly Ineligible Voters: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/right-wing-group-sues-illinois-to-demand-removal-of-allegedly-ineligible-voters/ -The Growing Threat of Election Vigilantes by Marc Elias: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-growing-threat-of-republican-election-vigilantes/ -How Voter List Maintenance Becomes Voter Purging by Mac Brower: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/how-voter-list-maintenance-becomes-voter-purging/ -Republicans Want to Make It Easier to Access Vote Records by Paige Anderholm: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/republicans-want-to-make-it-easier-to-access-vote-records/ -The Right’s Dangerous and Unreliable Alternative to ERIC by Devon Hesano: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/the-rights-dangerous-and-unreliable-alternative-to-eric/
The Republican War on Mail-In Voting
Mar 15 2024
The Republican War on Mail-In Voting
In 2023, the Republican Party launched the “Bank Your Vote” program to encourage people to vote early and by mail. Despite this, the RNC is involved in multiple lawsuits to restrict mail-in voting — some filed after this program was announced. Marc and Paige break down the GOP’s hypocrisy and go over the details of the cases.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Subscribe here: https://www.democracydocket.com/member/ Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -In Hypocritical Move, RNC Releases New Ad Promoting Mail-in and Early Voting: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/in-hypocritical-move-rnc-releases-new-ad-promoting-mail-in-and-early-voting/ -Case: Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-rnc/ -Case: Georgia Absentee Ballot Application Deadline Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/georgia-absentee-ballot-application-deadline-challenge/ -Case: Michigan Voting Rights Constitutional Amendments Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/michigan-voting-rights-constitutional-amendments-challenge/ -Case: Mississippi Mail-In Ballot Receipt Deadline Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/mississippi-mail-in-ballot-receipt-deadline-challenge-mississippi/ -Case: New York Early Mail Voter Act Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/new-york-early-mail-voter-act-challenge/ -Case: New York 2023 Absentee Voting Law A.B. 7931 Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/new-york-2023-absentee-voting-law-ab7931-challenge/ -Case: Ohio Mail-in Voting Assistance Limitations Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/ohio-mail-in-voting-assistance-limitations-challenge/ -Case: Pennsylvania Absentee Ballot Return Policy Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-absentee-ballot-return-policy-challenge/ -Case: Wisconsin Absentee Ballot Witness Requirement Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-absentee-ballot-witness-requirement-challenge-federal-court/
Republicans Attack Fair Election Rules in Arizona
Mar 8 2024
Republicans Attack Fair Election Rules in Arizona
The Republican Party and affiliates have filed almost a dozen anti-voting lawsuits so far in 2024. A majority of those lawsuits were filed in Arizona alone. The GOP’s lawsuits are targeting Arizona election rules that restrict voter intimidation, ballot challenges, regulate voter registration cancellation and more. Marc and Paige break it down.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Subscribe here: https://www.democracydocket.com/member/ Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (RNC): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-rnc/ -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (Petersen): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge/ -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (Arizona Free Enterprise Club): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-arizona-free-enterprise-club/ -Arizona Mohave County Hand Count Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-mohave-county-hand-count-challenge/ -Arizona Counties Election Administration Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-counties-election-administration-challenge/
Michigan Republicans Are Not Okay with State Sen. Jeremy Moss
Feb 23 2024
Michigan Republicans Are Not Okay with State Sen. Jeremy Moss
While Republicans have focused on voter suppression laws, Michigan Democrats are using their trifecta to pass legislation focused on expanding ballot access, updating old election laws and ensuring that voters are fairly represented. Michigan Senator Jeremy Moss (D), President Pro Tempore of the state Senate, joins Marc Elias to talk about the state of voting rights and the Republican Party in the Great Lake State.   Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources:  -Michigan Legislature Sends Bill Permitting Paid Voter Transportation to Governor: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-legislature-sends-bill-permitting-paid-voter-transportation-to-governor/ -Using Rejected ISL Theory, Michigan Republicans Challenge Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendments: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/using-rejected-isl-theory-michigan-republicans-challenge-voter-approved-constitutional-amendments/ -Michigan House Democrats Pass Five Pro-Voting Bills: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-house-democrats-pass-five-pro-voting-bills/ -Michigan Democrats Introduce State Voting Rights Act: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-democrats-introduce-state-voting-rights-act/ -Michigan Legislature Advances Slate of Pro-Voting Reforms Implementing 2022 Ballot Measure: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-legislature-advances-slate-of-pro-voting-reforms-implementing-2022-ballot-measure/ Sen. Moss Op-Eds:-An election year like no other spotlighted need for reforms: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2021/01/01/opinion-election-year-like-no-other-spotlighted-need-reforms/4088140001/ -How Michigan is fighting back against threats to our elections, democracy: https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/01/06/jan-6-2020-election-2024-michigan-legislature/72121972007/
Why You'll See Trump on the Ballot
Feb 9 2024
Why You'll See Trump on the Ballot
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral argument in the Colorado lawsuit seeking to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Marc and Paige explain the top takeaways from the proceedings:1. Donald Trump won’t be disqualified from the ballot 2. Trump’s lawyer focused on questions of procedure, not the insurrection 3. Trump’s lawyer said Jan. 6 was “shameful, criminal and violent” 4. The justices want to be sure they’re not creating a future loophole 5. Trump’s lawyer and Justice Kavanaugh made arguments for democracy Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Anderson v. Griswold Case Page: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/colorado-trump-14th-amendment-ballot-disqualification-challenge/ -What to Watch During Oral Argument in Trump’s Ballot Disqualification Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-to-watch-during-oral-argument-in-trumps-ballot-disqualification-case/ -Disqualifying Trump Is on the Docket by Marc Elias: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/disqualifying-trump-is-on-the-docket/ -The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause Was Made for This Moment by Noah Bookbinder: The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause Was Made for This Moment -The Justices Must Choose: Trump or the Constitution by Rakim Brooks: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-justices-must-choose-trump-or-the-constitution/
Republicans Want Your Ballot Rejected for Minor Mistakes
Feb 2 2024
Republicans Want Your Ballot Rejected for Minor Mistakes
Every election, tens of thousands of ballots are rejected. Many of these rejections are due to minor mistakes made by voters or officials that cause otherwise valid ballots to be tossed. The Republican Party has been involved in efforts to expand what types of errors cause a ballot to be rejected and limit voters’ opportunities to correct errors in key states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and more. Marc and Paige explain this widespread issue and what you should know. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post⁠ -⁠Facebook -⁠Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -Threads -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Democracy Docket’s 2023 Litigation Report: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/democracy-dockets-2023-litigation-report/ Wisconsin: -Wisconsin Court Issues Major Mail-in Voting Victory Ahead of 2024 Election: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/wisconsin-court-issues-major-mail-in-voting-victory-ahead-of-2024-election -Rise v. Wisconsin Elections Commission Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-witness-certificate-incomplete-address-guidance-rise/ -League of Women Voters of Wisconsin v. Wisconsin Elections Commission Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-witness-certificate-incomplete-address-guidance-lwv/ North Carolina: -North Carolina Changes Same-Day Voter Registration Rules to Comply With Court Ruling: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/north-carolina-changes-same-day-voter-registration-rules-to-comply-with-court-ruling/ -Lawsuits challenging S.B. 747: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/state/north-carolina/2023/10/?k=747 -Disenfranchising Rural North Carolina Is By Design: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/disenfranchising-rural-north-carolina-is-by-design/ -Unpacking North Carolina Republicans’ Voter Suppression Bill S.B. 747: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/unpacking-north-carolina-republicans-voter-suppression-bill-s-b-747/ Pennsylvania: -Republican Attorneys General Don’t Want Your Ballot To Count: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/republican-attorneys-general-dont-want-your-ballot-to-count/ -Pennsylvania Supreme Court Explains 2022 Order Disqualifying Certain Mail-in Ballots: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/pennsylvania-supreme-court-explains-2022-order-disqualifying-certain-mail-in-ballots/ -Majority of Rejected Pennsylvania Mail-in Ballots Came From Democrats: ​​https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/majority-of-rejected-pennsylvania-mail-in-ballots-came-from-democrats/ -Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-undated-and-wrongly-dated-mail-in-ballots-challenge-eakin/ -Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP v. Chapman Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-undated-and-wrongly-dated-mail-in-ballots-challenge-pa-naacp/ -Pennsylvania Court Dismisses Republican Lawsuit Challenging Cure Procedures: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/pennsylvania-court-dismisses-republican-lawsuit-challenging-cure-procedures/ Texas:-Federal Judge Strikes Down Portions of Texas Voter Suppression Law S.B. 1: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/federal-judge-strikes-down-portions-of-texas-voter-suppression-law-s-b-1/-Texas Governor Signs Election Bills Into Law, Including Two Aimed at Harris County: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/texas-governor-signs-election-bills-into-law-including-two-aimed-at-harris-county/ -How We Broke Voting Records in Harris County by Chris Hollins: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/how-we-broke-voting-records-in-harris-county/
What Election Day 2023 Says About Election Day 2024
Nov 17 2023
What Election Day 2023 Says About Election Day 2024
Democracy was on the ballot this past Election Day — and it won. Marc and Paige discuss major takeaways from this year’s election and what it means for 2024. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠Twitter⁠ -⁠Facebook⁠ -Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: Ohio: -Article: Ohio Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Abortion Rights Amendment -Article: Ohio Secretary of State Quietly Removes 26,000+ Ohioans From Voter Rolls -Article: Ohio Voters Defeat Attempt to Raise Ballot Measure Threshold -Article: LaRose Rewrites Abortions Rights Amendment Summary With Misleading Language -Lawsuit: HB 458 Challenge -Lawsuit: Ohio Reproductive Freedom Language Challenge Virginia: -Article: Virginia Groups Condemn Youngkin Administration for Illegal Voter Purge Kentucky: -Article: Lawsuit Challenging Kentucky’s Rights Restoration Process Dismissed Pennsylvania: -Article: Democrat Dan McCaffery Wins Pennsylvania Supreme Court Seat -Article: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Blocks Counting of Wrongly Dated & Undated Ballots -Article: What’s at Stake in Pennsylvania’s State Supreme Court Race? -Hinds County, Mississippi: -Article: Hinds County Experiences Election Day Meltdown Spanish-Language Ballot Access: -Lawsuit: Union County, New Jersey Spanish Voting Materials -Lawsuit: York County, Pennsylvania Spanish Voting Materials