American Democracy Minute A 90 second radio news report & podcast on U.S. democracy issues %

Maine Senator Susan Collins Embroiled in ‘Pay-to-Play’ Allegations, After ProPublica Investigation Exposes a Shelved DOJ Investigation

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026

Nonprofit investigative news outlet ProPublica is reporting a previously unknown 2024 FBI investigation involving a super PAC associated with U.S. Senator Susan Collins, and possibly Collins herself. The ‘pay-to-play’ allegations involve a federal contractor and donor to the Collins’ PAC.

Third SCOTUS Appeal Now Submitted in Missouri Congressional Map; Secretary of State Faces Three Lawsuits Over His Conduct

September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

As anticipated, an appeal of an 8th Circuit ruling reviving Missouri’s gerrymandered 2025 congressional maps has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Back in Missouri, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins faces three new lawsuits over his behavior in the lead up to the case.

The Fight for Missouri’s Congressional Maps Not Over as 8th Circuit Allows Gerrymandered 2025 Map, Tees Up 3nd U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

The fight over what Missouri congressional map will be used for the November election is apparently not over. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals made a decision opposite from the U.S. Supreme Court September 21st, and sets up a third high court case on the maps. Absentee ballots are already printed.

In Quest to Find Noncitizen Voters, DOJ Allegedly Violated State Privacy Laws Thousands of Times Using State Voter Portals, Says Whistleblower

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026

In its Holy Grail quest to find noncitizen voters, the U.S. Department of Justice allegedly violated state privacy laws by looking up voter information on state voter registration portals. A whistleblower report says thousands of voter records may have already been accessed.

With USPS Blocked from Mail-In Voter Verification, Pro-Democracy Groups Go to Court to Keep Armed Federal Agents Out of Polling Places

September 20, 2026September 20, 2026

After the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the U.S. Postal Service from conducting mail-in ballot citizenship verification, pro-voter groups have shifted their attention to keeping federal agents away from polling places. Trump administration officials have refused to rule out a presence, creating a potential voter suppression threat.