American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Why People Don’t Vote Week: Nonvoters Less Likely to Follow News, Discuss Politics with Others

July 8, 2024July 8, 2024

This week we’re looking at the reasons why people don’t vote. Research shows when citizens don’t follow the daily news, or when their family and friends don’t vote, citizens are less likely to vote.

Why People Don’t Vote Week: Surveys Show Many Nonvoters Don’t Think Their Vote Matters

July 7, 2024August 2, 2024

This week we’re looking at the reasons why people don’t vote. A 2020 survey by political research site FiveThirtyEight.com found that many just don’t like the candidate, some have to wait in line for hours, and some, well, they just don’t think their vote makes a difference.

Following Three Chaotic Years of Politician-Run Redistricting, Ohio Organizers Submit Ballot Measure Signatures for Citizen-Led Commission

July 4, 2024July 4, 2024

After three chaotic years with a politician-led commission and an anti-voter legislature failing to produce Ohio redistricting maps without gerrymandering, a ballot measure proposing a citizen-led redistricting commission will likely be put to the voters in November.

Would the Founding Fathers Have Embraced Having Unfettered Power for the Presidency? Not Likely.

July 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Anti-authoritarian feelings ran high in the years before and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as the Declaration’s litany of complaints against the King suggests. So it’s unlikely the founding fathers would have supported expansion of Presidential powers, and absolute immunity for “official acts.”

U.S. Supreme Court Majority Says Trump Immunity Hinges on ‘Official’ vs. ‘Private’ Actions, and Alarmingly Expands Presidential Powers

July 2, 2024July 2, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled July 1st that former President Donald Trump has criminal immunity for his “official” acts as President, but not for “private” acts. The majority’s decision was not quite a “get out of jail free” card, but expanded the official powers of the President to near authoritarian levels.