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

NH’s GOP Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Student IDs as Voter ID, a Long Sought-After Tool to Make It Harder for Students to Vote

April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

With Governor Kelly Ayotte’s signature, New Hampshire became the latest GOP-led state to ban use of student IDs for voting purposes. It’s a long sought-after tool to make voting harder for high school and college students, despite no evidence of widespread misuse.

State Briefs on CA Sheriff’s Illegal Seizure of Ballots, and a Court-Ordered Resentencing of CO County Election Official Tina Peters

April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

We’re bringing you some state democracy news briefs today, including on the California county sheriff who seized over 600,000 ballots based on conspiracy theories, and a court-ordered resentencing of a former county clerk in Colorado who allowed access to her county’s voting machines.

Georgia House & Senate Sessions Expire Without a Fix for Ballot QR Codes. A Special Session May Be Needed to Meet a July Deadline.

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

The Georgia legislature’s term ran out before passing an election bill removing QR codes from ballots. It may require a special session to fix before the midterms.

Trump Executive Order on Mail-In Voting Spurs 5 Lawsuits from States, Pro-Democracy Groups, Civil Rights Groups and the Democratic Party

April 5, 2026April 5, 2026

President Donald Trump’s March 31st executive order obstructing mail-in voting spurred five lawsuits from 23 states, 2 coalitions of pro-democracy groups, 2 coalitions of civil rights groups and the Democratic party. The suits universally argue that the constitution does not grant election administration power to the president.

Florida Governor Signs State Version of the Restrictive SAVE America Act. Pro-Voter and Civil Rights Groups Sued Within Minutes.

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 991 April 1st, a state version of the still pending SAVE America Act. Within minutes of the signing, multiple pro-voter groups sued, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution, and harms thousands more eligible voters than prevents the rare fraudulent one.