The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 16, 2024

Brian is gone today.  The current climate suggests that further VRA destruction is imminent, so expect pro-democracy states who’ve not already implemented state VRAs to act rapidly in 2025.

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.

We reported recently on the impact of Shelby County v. Holder, the U.S. Supreme Court majority’s decision invalidating Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  Anticipating even more erosion of the VRA, some states have passed their own state VRAs. 

It’s not only the dismantling of Section 5, the preclearance requirements for states with a history of discrimination.  The conservative justices also just made proving racial gerrymandering harder under Section 2, and they’ve made it easier for a state legislature to dilute minority voting power.  And in the lower courts, more cases attempting to keep individual voters from bringing voting rights lawsuits under the VRA are pending. 

With dwindling protections from the federal government, California, Washington, Oregon, Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota, have enacted State VRAs. Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and Florida have efforts underway. 

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund recommends that state VRAs should have preclearance requirements for counties or municipalities which have patterns of discrimination.  Rules should include a prohibition against vote denial or dilution through gerrymandering; strong protections against intimidation or deception; language assistance; a statewide database to make evidence-based decisions on election administration; and a directive to the state judiciary to support pro-voter and pro-democracy decisions.

We have the Legal Defense Fund’s recommendations and links to state VRAs at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund – State Voting Rights Acts Provide Critical Protections to Black Voters and Other Voters of Color
Campaign Legal Center – Protecting the Freedom to Vote Through State Voting Rights Acts
Center for American Progress – The Protection of Voting Rights Requires State Action

State of Oregon via Casetext – Text of the Oregon Voting Right Act
State of Connecticut – Text of the Connecticut Voting Rights Act
NAACP Legal Defense Fund – Proposed Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Voting Rights Act of Florida (FLVRA)
NAACP Legal Defense Fund – The Proposed New Jersey Voting Rights Act (NJVRA)
Democracy Docket – Several States Look To Pass Their Own Voting Rights Acts

Groups Taking Action:

NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU,  Campaign Legal Center, MALDEF, Voters Not Politicians

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VotingRightsAct #StateVRA #FreedomtoVote

The post With the SCOTUS Majority Intent on Dismantling the Voting Rights Act, Pro-Democracy States are Enacting State VRAs appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 21, 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.

Early voting is well under way in 22 states, and will be joined by another 11 states Oct. 21st and 22nd.   But if you’re not registered in Pennsylvania, Alabama or South Dakota, your time runs out by the end of day on Oct. 21st.  

On Monday and Tuesday, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, South Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, Missouri, Utah, and Wisconsin begin early voting.  Depending on your state’s rules, that could mean early in-person voting, or by mail, or both.   Seven more states, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey and New York begin later in the week.

Monday October 21st, voter registration closes in the battleground state of Pennsylvania for the November 5th general election, as do Alabama and South Dakota.   Other states closing registrations later this week are Nebraska, Massachusetts and New York, none of which, for voters who miss those deadlines, offer election-day registration.

Voter registration has already closed in 22 states, and none of those states offer election day registration, either.    

Voting early can mean shorter lines, less hassle and if you’re voting by mail, sometimes a chance to fix minor mistakes on your ballot. 

We’ve linked information on early voting and registration deadlines for all these states at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – Voter registration deadlines, 2024

BallotPedia –  2024 election and voting dates
National Conference of State Legislatures – Same Day/Election Day Voter Registration
Vote.gov – Register to Vote by State
Pennsylvania Voter Services – Voter Registration Application
Alabama Secretary of State – Register to Vote / Update Your Information
South Dakota Secretary of State –  Register to Vote, Update Voter Registration or Cancel Voter Registration

Check Your Voter Registration/State Information on Registering:

• 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 #EarlyVoting #VoterRegistration #RegistertoVote 

The post Early Voting Begins in 18 States This Week, But Voter Registration Ends in 6 States.  You Can’t Vote If You’re Not Registered.  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 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.

April 2nd, Wisconsin voters passed two ballot questions impacting how local elections are run, and in Wisconsin and other states’ primaries, large numbers of voters made it known they’re not happy with the apparent nominees.

Wisconsin’s Question 1 constitutionally bans private funding for elections. Unfounded accusations blamed grant money from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for increasing turnout of Democrats, contributing to Donald Trump’s 2020 loss. It passed with over 54% of the vote.

Question 2 limits who can help run elections, but its vague language raised questions of unintended consequences. It passed with over 58% support. Both questions were aided by lower primary turnout of around 34%.

Despite Donald Trump and Joe Biden already being the apparent nominees, substantial numbers of voters in the April 2nd Presidential primary states of Wisconsin, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island made it clear they weren’t happy with their options.

Almost 21% of Wisconsin GOP voters chose a candidate other than Donald Trump or “Uninstructed,” as did 27% of Connecticut Republicans. Over 12% of Wisconsin Democrats didn’t for Joe Biden, including 8.3% voting for Uninstructed. In Rhode Island, 14.5% voted “Uncommitted,” and a total of 19.3% didn’t vote for Biden. Connecticut Democrats voted 11.5% for Uncommitted, and a total of 15.2% didn’t support Biden.

We have links to the results at AmericanMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – April 2nd Wisconsin Ballot Measures Would Prohibit Outside Help & Funding, Hampering Small Town Elections
Milwaukee Independent – WISCONSIN VOTERS SET TO DECIDE ON REPUBLICAN-BACKED BALLOT MEASURES AIMED TO RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS
Reuters – April 2 US presidential primary states, delegate counts
Wisconsin Examiner – Constitutional amendments pass setting new limits on elections officials
NBC News – April 2, 2024 Primary Results
Wisconsin Elections Commission – April 1, 2024 Voter Registration Statistics

Groups Taking Action:
All Voting is Local Wisconsin, League of Women Voters WI, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, ACLU WI

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #WisconsinPolitics #ProtectElections #Uncommitted #VoteUninstructed #April2Primary

The post In April 2 Presidential Primaries, Wisconsin Voters Approve Restraints on Running Elections; Large Numbers of Voters Unhappy With Nominees appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 5, 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.

While some state legislatures are making it harder to vote, a 2023 recap from Voting Rights Lab shows a few states passed legislation to help people register to vote and to make voting more accessible to all citizens.

Michigan passed several laws to implement an expansion of voting rights passed by ballot measure in 2022.  It includes automatic voter registration at the DMV and other state agencies, a permanent vote by mail list, nine days of early voting, making secure drop boxes available, and pre-registration for 16 & 17 year olds.

Minnesota restored voting rights to returning felons upon release, helping an estimated 55,000 citizens to vote. It also expanded automatic voter registration to more state agencies, created a permanent mail-in voting list, and offered pre-registration to 16 & 17 year olds.

The New Mexico Voting Rights Act passed in March.  It automatically registers voters at the DMV and other state offices, restores the vote for the formerly incarcerated, creates a permanent absentee voter list, mandates same-day registration, and enacts the first Native American Voting Rights Act.

Connecticut voters passed a 14-day early voting period, and its legislature moved a constitutional amendment to a November 2024 vote which would allow no-excuse absentee voting.   

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro directed that automatic voter registration be implemented by the DMV.  And all New York voters have the opportunity to vote by mail, though this new law is being challenged in court.  

We have links to the legislation summarized at Voting Rights Lab at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Voting Rights Lab – The Top Ten Election Laws of 2023
Michigan Advance – At Detroit NAACP, Whitmer signs voting rights bills
Minnesota Public Radio – Voting rights restored to 50,000 under new Minnesota law
New Mexico Governor’s Office – Gov. Lujan Grisham signs New Mexico Voting Rights Act into law
Associated Press – Connecticut Senate passes early voting bill, new system allows up to 14 days of in-person voting
Spotlight PA/Votebeat – Pa. will now prompt people to register to vote when they get a driver’s license

Democracy Docket – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Package of Voting Rights Laws

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Declaration for American Democracy, NAACP, Native American Rights Fund,  League of United Latin American Citizens,  National Disability Rights Network

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FreedomtoVote #VotingRights #LetUsVote

The post Democracy News Wasn’t All Bad in 2023;  MI, MN, NM, CT, PA, & NY All Passed Substantial Pro-Voter Legislation  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for June 16, 2023

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

Today’s Links now below the script

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

We have some quick updates on democracy stories we’ve been following in Alabama, Ohio, New York & Connecticut concerning mail-in ballots and constitutional ballot questions.

In Alabama, in addition the U.S. Supreme Court throwing out racially gerrymandered Congressional maps, the bill criminalizing outside assistance with absentee ballots never reached the floor before the term expired.  The now-dead bill would have narrowed who could assist voters with filling out and delivering mail-in ballots, and threatened voter advocacy groups with felony charges for helping.

Saying the language was misleading, the Ohio Supreme Court ordered a rewording of the legislature’s partisan State Issue 1, trying to increase the margin to pass future ballot measures to 60%.  But, democracy advocates are suspiciously watching the Ohio Ballot Board’s rewrite for more partisan politics.  The existing 50%+1 margin has been in place since 1912, and the August 8th referendum is seen as an effort to thwart a reproductive freedom ballot question expected in November. 

The New York legislature sent a bill expanding mail-in ballots to Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this week.  Last week, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill expanding in person early voting, and the Connecticut legislature recently passed a constitutional resolution ballot question to allow no-excuse mail-in voting.  The ballot question goes to the voters in 2024.

We have links to the details, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Bolts – Voting Rights Just Got a Second Surprise Win in Alabama

Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio Supreme Court says Issue 1 ballot language must be rewritten
Spectrum News – Early voting expansion to mail-in ballots will head to Hochul’s desk
NBC Connecticut – Governor signs early voting into law in Connecticut
CT Insider – CT has caught up to 46 states that offer early voting. Lamont thinks voting should be even easier.
Democracy Docket – Connecticut Legislature Passes Early Voting and No-Excuse Mail-in Voting

Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters AL, No on Issue 1, Common Cause NY, Let NY Vote, Connecticut Citizens Action Group

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VotebyMail #OnePersonOneVote

The post Quick Democracy News Updates from Alabama, Ohio, New York, & Connecticut appeared first on American Democracy Minute.