American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Fallout from Georgia State Election Board Decisions; Accusations that Texas AG Paxton’s Raids of LatinX Democracy Activists Were ‘Intimidation’ Tactic

August 27, 2024August 27, 2024

We have updates on two state stories today. New reporting suggests Georgia officials may seek to remove State Election Board members for recent fringe rule changes. And the Texas attorney general is under scrutiny for raids on the homes of pro-democracy LatinX activists.

U.S. Supreme Court Restores Arizona Law Aimed at Disenfranchising Native Americans and College Students

August 26, 2024August 26, 2024

In a 5-4 vote August 22nd, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated part of an Arizona voter suppression bill requiring citizens to provide proof of citizenship in addition to other identity documents. The law targets Native American voters, who sometimes don’t have birth certificates, and college students, who may not have the documents available. Both groups skew liberal.

Passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are Top Priorities for Democrats, But They Need Majorities to Do It

August 25, 2024August 25, 2024

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during the Democratic National Convention that he would make passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act a 2025 priority. But THAT requires Democratic majorities in the House and Senate – AND fixing the filibuster.

New York Court of Appeals Upholds Constitutionality of New Early Mail Ballot Law

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

New York’s highest court upheld two lower court rulings August 20th, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to routinely vote early by mail without an excuse. The decision rebuffed state and national GOP leaders who sued to overturn it.

Ohio SOS Under Fire Again, This Time for Sabotaging the Ballot Measure Description for a Citizen-Led Redistricting Commission

August 21, 2024August 21, 2024

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is again under fire, this time for attempting to undercut a citizen-run redistricting commission ballot initiative which threatens to undo politician-drawn gerrymandered maps. Initiative organizers challenged the action in the Ohio Supreme Court August 19th.