American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Limits to Individual Contributions to SuperPACs, and Lay the Groundwork for SCOTUS Case

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024

“Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?” Almost 75% of Maine voters agreed with that statement November 5th, overwhelmingly passing ballot initiative Question 1. But its second act may be even more important.

Colorado Women Arrested for Allegedly Stealing and Submitting Mail-In Ballots to ‘Test’ Election Security

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024

November 6th, the Mesa County, Colorado district attorney’s office announced charges against two women who allegedly stole mail-in ballots, filled them out and submitted them in an attempt to test the ballot signature verification process.

Florida Voters Retain Public Funding of Elections, as Amendment 6 Repeal Fails to Reach 60% Constitutional Threshold

November 10, 2024November 10, 2024

In an election with few bright spots for democracy, Amendment 6, a repeal of Florida’s public funding of elections option, failed to reach its 60% constitutional threshold, with voters evenly split. Such small donor matching systems help candidates outside the political machine structure to compete, and can help limit special interest influence.

Hoax Bomb Threats, Ballot Shortages, and Unlocked Access Panels Appear to be the Worst of the 2024 Election Problems

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

State and federal election officials termed most problems encountered in the Nov. 5th Presidential election as routine, with quickly discredited bomb threats and ballot shortages among the worst issues of the day

High Turnout of Conservative Voters Also Led to Losses for Democracy Reform in Ohio, Nevada, Colorado and Potentially Alaska

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024

Democracy reform-related citizen ballot initiatives failed November 5th, as high turnout of GOP voters and deceptive messaging overwhelmed a citizen-led redistricting commission, open primaries and ranked choice voting.