The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 16, 2025
The American Bar Association has issued a final report and recommendations from its ABA Task Force for American Democracy. The report calls for major reforms to elections, civics education and the role of lawyers in defending constitutional governance.
The two year project was chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson, a Democrat, and former U.S. Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, a Republican
Among several reforms, the report calls for substantial state and federal investments in K – 12 civics education for a more informed electorate. It recommends establishing citizen-led independent redistricting commissions to reduce the partisan and racial gerrymandering unfolding right now in Texas, Missouri and other states. It encourages states to adopt open primaries, ranked choice voting or fusion voting to reduce polarization and increase accountability.
The report also calls for expanding automatic and same-day registration, standardizing early and mail voting procedures and an election day holiday. It recommends ways of reducing disinformation and enhancing election security.
For election workers, the report calls for depoliticizing selection of election officials, and setting professional standards and codes of responsibility. It also asks for stronger protections for those workers, and the funding to support it.
For lawyers, ABA recommends more law school training and continuing ed on election law, and affirming lawyers’ responsibility to uphold the rule of law.
We’ve linked the full report at AmericanDemocracyminute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) American Bar Association’s ‘Task Force for American Democracy’ Urges Members to Take Larger Community Role to Protect Election System
American Bar Association – American Bar Association releases final report of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy
American Bar Association – Full Report of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy
Task Force for American Democracy – Website, Task Force Members, Listening Sessions
Task Force for American Democracy – Papers & Resources
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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