Brian Beihl

Control of the Minnesota House May Come Down to a Race Decided by 15 votes – and 21 Missing Absentee Ballots

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

If you ever need proof that your vote matters, consider a Minnesota House race decided by only 15 votes. Or was it? Twenty-one absentee ballots are missing, and hanging in the balance are not only who wins the district, but who wins control of the Minnesota State House.

Can a U.S. President Pardon Him or Herself? Legal Scholars ThinkThe Question Will Likely End Up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Recently, we discussed the President’s broad powers and some limitations to issue a pardon. But can a U.S. President pardon him or herself?

Voter Suppression of Native Americans is on the Rise. Three Pieces of Pending Legislation Could End It.

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024

On Thanksgiving, we're rerunning a report from earlier this fall on the increase in suppression of Native American voters, who've been targeted by anti-voter state and local legislators for their consistently liberal voting patterns.

The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption. Recently, Not So Much.

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024

The framers of the U.S. Constitution included the Foreign Emoluments Clause because they feared the influence, corruption and bribery they witnessed in Europe’s monarchies. Why should Americans care about it?

The Presidential Transition Turns Into One Big Dark Money Special Interest Swamp

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024

Federal election law governs campaign contributions directly to Presidential candidates. But when an incoming administration refuses to follow the Presidential transition rules, those contributions become an unregulated spigot of special interest dark money.

American Democracy Minute

Author: Brian Beihl

Control of the Minnesota House May Come Down to a Race Decided by 15 votes – and 21 Missing Absentee Ballots

Can a U.S. President Pardon Him or Herself? Legal Scholars ThinkThe Question Will Likely End Up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Voter Suppression of Native Americans is on the Rise. Three Pieces of Pending Legislation Could End It.

The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption. Recently, Not So Much.

The Presidential Transition Turns Into One Big Dark Money Special Interest Swamp