American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Ever Wonder The Reason It Took So Long for the IRS to Offer an Online Tax Preparation App? Big Money Lobbying.

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024

The IRS has a pilot program in 12 states this year to file your personal taxes online for free without the use of 3rd party software. Wonder why it took so long? Big money lobbying.

Michigan Case Which Used the ‘Independent State Legislature Theory’ to Challenge Voting Rights Ballot Questions is Thrown Out

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024

We reported last October that 11 Michigan GOP legislators used the “Independent State Legislature” theory to challenge two Michigan ballot questions expanding voting rights. A federal judge dismissed their case April 10th.

National Study of Elections Officials Confirms Turnover from Harassment, But Also Finds An Aging Workforce and Increasing Workloads are Factors

April 10, 2024April 10, 2024

Disinformation spread about the 2020 election by candidates & partisan groups mobilized extremists to harass or threaten election officials. Many of those officials resigned. But a large national study also found other reasons for large-scale turnover, and some hope for the 2024 election.

Trying to Game the System, Missouri Legislature Proposes Ballot Question Rule Changes to Head Off Reproductive Rights Question in November

April 9, 2024April 9, 2024

In the face of a reproductive rights ballot question later this year, Missouri’s legislature is the latest to try to game the system, making the passage of ballot initiatives harder, and taking power away from the voters.

Rebroadcast: Nonpartisan Report Recommends Ways Local Officials Can Expand Voter Participation and Recruit Election Workers Using Public/Private Partnerships

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024

The nonpartisan Fair Elections Center released a report to state and local election officials in February suggesting ways voter participation can be expanded.