The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 23, 2025

The “Independent State Legislature Theory” met a skeptical U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 in Moore v. Harper, a North Carolina gerrymandering case. The Michigan GOP tried to employ the fringe theory to undo Michigan’s Question 2 citizen initiative, but the U.S. Supreme Court refused the case May 19th.

Proponents argue the Independent State Legislature Theory gives legislatures ultimate power over federal election rules, based on a widely dismissed interpretation of the elections clause of the U.S. Constitution.  In North Carolina’s case, the legislature admitted it gerrymandered, but said it had the final say, and the courts and governor had no jurisdiction.

In 2022, Michigan’s “Promote the Vote” Question 2 ballot initiative passed 60% to 40%.  It enshrined multiple voting rights in the state constitution, including 9 days of early voting, guaranteeing the right to vote without harassment, offering a permanent vote by mail list, and mandating drop boxes and several other important voting reforms. 

Eleven GOP legislators tried to invalidate the ballot question, using the ISL theory. They argued only the state legislature could make election law  – not those pesky constituents.  The Michigan Supreme Court dismissed the case in April 2024, and on May 19th, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case. 
We have more on ISL and the Michigan case at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Brennan Center for Justice – Moore v. Harper, Explained
American Democracy Minute – SCOTUS Hears Arguments on Dismissing Moore v. Harper; Democracy Advocates Divided
American Democracy Minute – (2022) Citizen Initiative Protecting Voting Rights Passes in Michigan
Michigan Advance – GOP lawmakers petition U.S. Supreme Court to hear case against Michigan election laws
Campaign Legal Center – (2022)  What Voters Need to Know About the Independent State Legislature Theory
Bridge Michigan via Votebeat – US Supreme Court rejects Michigan GOP bid to overturn new voting rules

Groups Taking Action:

Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans,  Detroit Downriver A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Detroit Disability Power

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers

The post Michigan GOP’s ‘Independent State Legislature Theory’ Case Rebuffed by U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 22, 2025

The New Hampshire Senate killed a bill requiring absentee voters to include copies of citizenship documents when requesting and returning absentee ballots.   In a separate court case in April, voters challenged the state’s proof of citizenship law for in-person registration.

For decades, a prospective New Hampshire voter could provide documents to prove domicile and U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, or, when those documents weren’t available, use a sworn affidavit under penalty of fines or imprisonment.  Under that system, there has never been any evidence of widespread illegal or noncitizen voting in New Hampshire. 

Then in 2024, New Hampshire became one of the first states to further restrict its proof of citizenship rules.  It ended use of affidavits entirely, requiring voters to provide a documentary birth certificate, U.S. Passport, naturalization papers or other documents proving citizenship to register.  No documents, no voting.   

HB 217 went even further, requiring absentee ballot users, including nursing home and homebound voters, to provide those documents with their absentee requests and ballots. Fortunately for Grandma, and the 1 in 9 Americans who don’t have access to those documents, the bill was killed May 15th. 

April 23rd, arguments by pro-voter groups and voters were heard in federal district court in an effort to strike down the 2024 proof of citizenship law, after dozens were turned away in local elections earlier this year.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

NH Secretary of State – REGISTERING TO VOTE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
NHPR – Federal judge hears arguments over NH’s proof of citizenship voting law
Associated Press – New Hampshire town elections offer a preview of citizenship voting rules being considered nationwide
NH Legislature via LegiScan – Text of HB 217, killed by the NH Senate
New Hampshire Bulletin – Senate advances anti-sanctuary city bills, but stops short on other House priorities

Groups Taking Action:

Coalition for Open Democracy, League of Women Voters NH, ACLU NH

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers

The post NH Senate Kills Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship with Absentee Ballots; Challenge to 2024 NH Proof of Citizenship Law Heard in Federal Court appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 17, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Following up our report on states which have passed a voting rights act comes an authorization to collect signatures for the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights, protecting voters from suppression tactics, and implementing reforms like automatic voter registration.  The State of Ohio tried to reject it.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost twice objected to the title of the measure, tactically delaying the measure beginning in early 2024 so it couldn’t make the November ballot.  October 30th, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the AG did NOT have the authority to reject it on the basis of its title.  Then in mid-November, the Ohio Ballot Board, headed by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, approved the measure to collect signatures, AFTER complaining about its content.  

If passed, the constitutional measure, similar to Michigan’s 2022 initiative, would enshrine Ohio voters’ right to vote: Early in person, by mail or on election day, and to do so without intimidation or harassment. It allows voter registration online, at the DMV, or on election day.  It gives municipalities flexibility to expand polling locations and use drop boxes, and directs that state government and the courts should defer to supporting voters’ rights. 

Given the state’s derailment of November’s citizen-led redistricting commission, expect more state-sponsored shenanigans before voters weigh in.  

We have the full text of the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Ohio Attorney General – Full Text of the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights
State of Ohio – Summary – Ohio Voters Bill of Rights
Court News Ohio – Attorney General Not Authorized To Review Proposed Amendment Titles

Ohio Supreme Court – Decision in Dudley v. Yost

Ohio Capital Journal – Ballot board clears Ohio Voters Bill of Rights, organizers can begin collecting signatures

Groups Taking Action:

Ohio Voters Rights Coalition, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Unity Coalition, Ohio NAACP 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Ohio #VRA #OHVotersBillofRights #VotingRights

The post Ohio Voters Bill of Rights Ballot Measure Finally Authorized to Collect Signatures appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 9, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The nonpartisan Fair Elections Center released a report to state and local election officials in February suggesting ways voter participation can be expanded.  Recommendations include expanding voter registration options, making use of public/private partnerships to distribute voting information, developing communication plans, and expanding poll worker training.

Fair Elections Center urges local governments to expand access points for online voter registration in the 42 states which offer it.  Instead of just the election department website, it suggests linking voter registration at DMV, employment security and other government sites.  It also suggests libraries and other public places make computers and voter registration forms available for those without broadband or computer access.  

Highly mobile populations often don’t re-register to vote.   Fair Elections Center recommends banks and other lenders, and landlords and other housing providers offer voter registration information.  It also recommends election officials work with schools to conduct voter registration events, and with local organizations in underrepresented communities.   

Voter information outreach continues to be a struggle for smaller election offices. The report recommends a communications plan which includes all modes of social media, voting information in additional languages, and in media for all disabilities.

We’ve linked the report at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. Find us on Bluesky Social @DemocracyMinute.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Fair Elections Center – LOCAL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE VOTING EXPERIENCE:
Recommendations for Local Elected Officials and Election Officials
U.S. Election Assistance Commission –  Election 2024 Toolkits

Groups Taking Action:
Fair Elections Center, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #RegistertoVote #BeAPollWorker #ProtectElections

The post Ways Local Officials Can Expand Voter Participation and Recruit Election Workers Using Public/Private Partnerships appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 4, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow citizens to register to vote on election day.   But that doesn’t mean that election-day registration is convenient, simple, or that your vote will count in all cases.  

The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that states with election-day registration have an average 5% higher voter participation, including younger voters and voters of color.  Which is why since 2020 some partisan state legislatures have put in more restrictions on same day registration, disingenuously claiming QUOTE, “election integrity.”  There is no evidence of widespread abuse of election day registration.  

While it’s more challenging than it used to be, election day registration is still better than not voting at all.  These states allow election day registration:  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.  Alaska and Rhode Island allow it to vote for President and Vice President.

Restrictions may include use of a provisional ballot if the voter’s eligibility can’t be established on election day  – which may not count if the voter doesn’t return with proof in a specified time.  For voters registering on election day, best practice is to bring your birth certificate or passport, driver’s license, and proof of where you live, such as apartment rental documents, bank statements, tax documents or utility bills.

Links to information on election-day registration and voting requirements can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Conference of State Legislatures – Same-Day Voter Registration
Rock the Vote –  Same Day Voter Registration & Requirements

Ballotpedia – Voter Registration Deadlines
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst – New Study Finds That States with Same Day Voter Registration Have Higher Black and Latinx Turnout
Montana Free Press – Montana Supreme Court says no to Election Day voter registration
Center for Public Integrity – It’s already too late for thousands of would-be voters: Why that matters

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause US, League of Women Voters US,  Native American Rights Fund

Check Your Voter Registration:

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
• USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
• Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
• Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
  
  

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VoterRegistration #SameDayRegistration #ElectionDayRegistration

The post Not Registered to Vote?  Your State May Be One of Nineteen Which Allows Election Day Registration, But You’ll Need to Be Prepared. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.