The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 23, 2025
In the run-up to the 2024 election, we reported on the organized GOP efforts to challenge the certification of elections, laying the groundwork for sowing doubt and disrupting the outcome. A new report published by the Brennan Center for Justice studied the threats to certification, and how to prevent them.
For over 100 years, certification of elections by local and state election boards has been a routine process. Trusted, experienced election officials and highly accurate technology instilled confidence in the system. That changed in 2020.
Trump and his allies used baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud as a means of overturning the election, but now the tactic is being used to cast doubt in local and state races. More than 30 local officials have refused to certify their elections in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia since 2020, according to the Brennan Center’s report. Can this noxious behavior be prevented? The new Electoral Count Reform Act helped in 2024, setting hard deadlines for states and disincentivizing certification challenges in Congress.
The report’s author further recommends strengthening language that explicitly clarifies officials’ mandatory duty to certify. Courts should expedite cases to compel certification. State legislatures should explicitly allow state election officials to intervene if a county refuses, and rogue counties should bear any resulting costs.
We’ve linked this excellent report and our past reporting on election certification at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Election Certification: How to Strengthen State Frameworks – Summary
Brennan Center for Justice – Election Certification: How to Strengthen State Frameworks – Full Report
American Democracy Minute – The Electoral Count Reform Act Adds Federal and State Protections, But It Won’t Stop Local Loyalists from Throwing a Wrench in the Certification Works
American Democracy Minute – Unlike the 2020 Election, 2024’s Election Was Certified without Violence, Sham Audits or Criminal Conspiracies. How Come?
Associated Press – Election certification disputes in a handful of states spark concerns over 2024 presidential contest
Protect Democracy – Election certification, explained
Groups Taking Action:
CREW, Protect Democracy, Campaign Legal Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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