Brian Beihl

While We Were Distracted with DC Discord, States Advance New Voting Regulations

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025

While President Donald Trump’s Jan. 6th pardons and executive orders have dominated the news, state legislatures have been hard at work on both pro-voter and anti-voter legislation. Democracy legislation tracker Voting Rights Lab counts 432 election bills pending in 32 states, with 100 of those bills restricting voter access, while 205 expand it.

Executive Orders Can Also Terminate Previous Orders; One of Trump’s Day-1 Orders Ended a Federal Policy to Promote Voting

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

We recently reported on presidential orders, including executive orders, and how they’re used. Executive orders can also be used to revoke previous orders, and among President Donald Trump’s day-one orders was removing a policy of the federal government to promote access to voting.

ND Native American Nation Prevails in Protecting Majority-Minority Voting Districts. A Victory for Minority Voters, But GOP Efforts to Neutralize the VRA Continue

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Native American voters prevailed in federal court against the State of North Dakota, protecting the ability to elect the candidate of their choice. The state has a history of diluting Native voting power.

What are the Rules as to How Contributions to Inaugural Committee Funds Are Spent? There Aren’t Any.

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025

Our recent reporting explored the massive contributions to Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, reportedly reaching $170 Million dollars. What are the rules as to how that money is spent? The short answer is, there aren’t any.

An Estimated $15.9 Billion was Spent in the 2024 Election Cycle, and 50% of It Came from the Top 1% of Special Interest Donors

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025

As we approach the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s fateful Citizens United decision, we consider the estimated $15.9 billion dollars spent in the 2024 campaign. That’s a lot of special interest influence.

American Democracy Minute

Author: Brian Beihl

While We Were Distracted with DC Discord, States Advance New Voting Regulations

Executive Orders Can Also Terminate Previous Orders; One of Trump’s Day-1 Orders Ended a Federal Policy to Promote Voting

ND Native American Nation Prevails in Protecting Majority-Minority Voting Districts. A Victory for Minority Voters, But GOP Efforts to Neutralize the VRA Continue

What are the Rules as to How Contributions to Inaugural Committee Funds Are Spent? There Aren’t Any.

An Estimated $15.9 Billion was Spent in the 2024 Election Cycle, and 50% of It Came from the Top 1% of Special Interest Donors