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

President Trump Ties Ending the Partial Government Shutdown to Passage of the SAVE America Act. The Draconian Voting Bill Still Doesn’t Have the Votes.

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

March 22nd, President Donald Trump tied ending the partial government shutdown to passage of the GOP’s draconian voting bill, the Save America Act. It still doesn’t have the votes.

The Supreme Court’s Conservatives Appear Likely to End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods, Affecting Dozens of State Laws and Millions of Voters

March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

During oral arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee on March 23rd, the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority appeared ready to end grace periods for mail-in ballots. A decision could come in the early summer, four months before the midterm.

A North Carolina State Primary Race Separated by 23 Votes is Likely to End Up in Court After a Second Recount

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

A North Carolina state senate primary race separated by only 23 votes and marred by accusations of dirty tricks and dark money, will face a partial second recount. Like last year’s state supreme court race, this one is likely headed to court.

March 23rd, U.S. Supreme Court Hears Mississippi Case Which Could Impact Mail-in Ballots in 14 or More States

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court hears Watson v. Republican National Committee Monday, March 23rd. It’s a Mississippi case determining whether the U.S. Constitution and federal law allow states to offer grace periods for otherwise eligible mail-in ballots to be counted after election day. The outcome could affect tens of thousands of voters in 14 or more states.

Since 2018, CISA Helped States Harden Elections From Foreign Interference by Iran and Others. In 2025 Its Workforce & Funding was Cut.

March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

In March 2025, President Trump’s DOGE team cut the career workforce of the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency, or CISA, by one third, including cyber threat intelligence and response experts. Do those cuts and the war with Iran put U.S. election cybersecurity at risk?