The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 7, 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.

After a 2023 resolution by the Republican National Committee, GOP state legislators have pushed legislation to ban ranked choice voting.  April 29th, Oklahoma became the seventh state to ban RCV.  But other states are considering its adoption.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed HB 3156, which specifies, QUOTE, “No election conducted by the State Election Board, a county election board, or any municipality authorized to conduct elections in Oklahoma shall use ranked choice voting, ranked voting, proportional ranked voting, preferential voting, or instant runoff voting.”   Oklahoma joins Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, Montana, Kentucky and South Dakota.  

In 2016 and 2020, Maine and Alaska adopted RCV for specific elections, and nationally, scores of municipalities now use it for local elections.  Nevada voters approved a first step in 2022 and vote on the constitutional amendment again in November 2024. Oregon voters also consider it this fall.  Vermont may consider a bill next term, and an Illinois state task force reports next year on RCV’s possible use in 2028.

Ranked choice eliminates the need and expense for separate run-off elections, requires a majority vote to win, encourages issue-based campaigns, disincentivizes race-to-the-bottom candidates, and offers voters more candidate choices.  Major party critics claim RCV is too complicated, and see it as a threat to party dominance.

We have resources explaining ranked choice voting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Oklahoma Voice – Republican senator files bill to ban ranked choice voting in Oklahoma
BallotPedia – Oklahoma bans ranked-choice voting, joins six other states in prohibition
FairVote – 2024 ballot measures
BallotPedia – Ranked Choice Voting
PBS – (2023) Ranked-choice voting coming to more statewide ballots in 2024
Associated Press – Georgia senators move to ban expansion of ranked-choice voting method in the state
State of Illinois – Ranked-Choice and Voting Systems Task Force
Represent.Us – Explainer on How Ranked Choice Voting Works

Groups Taking Action:
Rank the Vote Oklahoma, FairVote, Represent.Us

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #RankedChoiceVoting #RCV #OklahomaPolitics  #RanktheVoteOK

The post Oklahoma Becomes the 7th State to Ban Ranked Choice Voting, While Pro-Voter States Consider Its Adoption appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 31, 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 we wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on former President Trump’s appeal to the Colorado 14th amendment ballot eligibility decision, we have updates on other recent state cases. 

In Massachusetts on Jan. 29th, the state’s ballot law commission ruled against two challenges, saying that the body did not have jurisdiction.  In Maine, a court kept Trump on the ballot after the Secretary of State’s decision to remove him, pending the U.S. Supreme Court appeal in February. 

An Illinois Board of Elections’ hearing officer said Tuesday that the Board of Elections can only rule on Illinois election code matters, not the U.S. Constitution, and recommended dismissing the case.  But Capital News Illinois reports that the judge also said that if the board chose not to dismiss, QUOTE “President Trump engaged in insurrection, within the meaning of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, and should have his name removed from the March, 2024 primary ballot in Illinois.” 

States having already dismissed challenges include Washington, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and New Hampshire, some which could be reconsidered based on the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Ten more minor cases remain pending. Several others have been withdrawn by the plaintiffs, according to Lawfare. 

We have links to more information on these challenges at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Court Challenges to Trump’s Ballot Eligibility are Pending in 17 States.   Losses in Colorado & Michigan are Being Appealed.
PBS Newshour – Supreme Court to hear Trump ballot case that could upend 2024 presidential election
The Hill – Trump candidacy challenge dismissed in Massachusetts
The Hill – Maine judge defers decision on Trump 14th Amendment question until Supreme Court rules
CNN – Illinois election board hears objection to Trump candidacy based on January 6 insurrection

Capital News Illinois – State election board to rule on challenge to Trump candidacy
Lawfare – Tracking Trump Section 3 Challenges
CNN – Tracking the major 14th Amendment efforts to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot

Groups Taking Action:
Free Speech for People, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW)

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #14thAmendment #BallotDisqualification #Insurrectionists

The post The U.S. Supreme Court hears the Appeal of Donald Trump’s Eligibility in February, But Where Do the Many State Cases Stand? appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for November 7, 2022

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Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
The 21 States Which Have Same Day Registration:  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington, DC, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and  Wyoming.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission –  Links to Registration Information in Every State
National Conference of State Legislatures  –  Same Day Voter Registration States

Brennan Center –  Study Showing No Increase in Fraud With Election Day Registration
Univ. of Massachusetts/Demos – NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STATES WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HAVE HIGHER BLACK AND LATINX TURNOUT
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MA,  American Academy of Sciences, Student Public Interest Research Groups

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

Election Day is upon us, and voter registration in most states is closed.  But if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the 21 states which allow Same-Day registration, you still may be able to vote on election day.

Used to help make voter registration more accessible since the 1990s, Same Day registration has been attacked recently as unsecure, despite the facts.  New Hampshire, which has used Same Day  registration for decades, recently tightened its restrictions with no justification, making same-day registrants use a provisional, rather than a normal, ballot.

Same day registration is used most often by new residents, younger citizens, and eligible voters who are historically underrepresented, such as the Black and LatinX community.  

To register on Election Day, you need these documents in most states:  A state-issued ID;  proof of your citizenship, like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers;  and proof of your residence, such as rental receipts, property tax bills or utility bills showing your name & address.  Check your state or local election office website before you go.

In some states, you may need to also sign an affidavit, have your picture taken, and may only be able to use a provisional ballot until your address is verified.  But, it may also be your best option to have your voice heard! So use it!

We have links to state Same Day registration information and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org 

Granny D said Democracy isn’t something we HAVE it’s something we DO!

The post <strong>Registration on Election Day Still an Option in 21 States</strong> appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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Today’s Links

Articles:  

Ballotpedia – Early voting dates, 2022
KMSP TV – Early voting in Minnesota: Everything you need to know for 2022 midterms
AARP Wyoming – How to Vote in Wyoming’s 2022 Elections
State of South Dakota – 2022 Election Information

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

With the last of the state primaries completed September 13, the focus now turns to the general election on November 8th.   But for some states with early voting, casting a ballot may start this week.   

Ballotpedia reports that qualifying voters in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wyoming begin casting ballots on September 23rd for the midterm general election, and continue to November 7th.

Then on September 29, Illinois, Michigan and North Dakota begin, also ending on November 7.   Throughout October, another 35 states allow for some kind of early voting, whether in person or by mail, with most states ending a day or two prior to the traditional election day, this year, November 8th.  Kentucky and Oklahoma have only 2 and 3 days respectively, both ending November 5th.   

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that among those living in states that used nontraditional voting methods, turnout increased in 2020 by 7.7 percent compared with 2016.  In Hawaii, 97.6% of voters cast ballots early or by mail in 2020 and voting participation increased by an estimated 17 percent.

To participate in early voting – or any voting – you must be registered.  If you are not registered, check with your local or county election offices, or your state’s Secretary of State website for more details.

Details on when your state’s early voting begins and ends are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl. 

The post ADM for Sept. 21, 2022: Early Voting for the Midterm General Election Begins in Sept. for Six States appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

Listen! https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/americandemocracyminute/episodes/2022-06-26T09_03_32-07_00

Today’s Links & Voter Guides:
Brennan Center on the erosion of democracy’s impact on overturning of Roe vs. Wade
Colorado – Colorado Public Radio voter guide
Illinois – WBEZ Chicago voter guide
New York – NY Now voter guide
Oklahoma – The Oklahoman voter guide
Utah –  The Spectrum voter guide

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

Tuesday, June 28th, voters in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Utah will head to the polls. Why should you vote in your state primary? Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court announcement of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade is one of many reasons.

Voters in Colorado’s U.S. Senate race can choose from two Republicans vying to unseat Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet. State Representative & 2020 Election denier Rep. Ron Hanks squares off against businessman Joe O’Dea.

In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker has six potential Republican challengers and one Democrat in the primary. Pritzker touts a balanced budget, while his challengers note excessive taxes, rising crime and their ability to beat a Democrat.

There’s also a busy gubernatorial primary in New York, with two Democrats challenging Governor Kathy Hochul, and four Republicans, including Rudy Guiliani’s son Andrew, a businessman, and a state assemblyman, and a former Westchester county executive.

For Oklahoma attorney general, incumbent John O’Connor and Gentner Drummond faceoff in Republican primary, with O’Connor running as the Trump candidate, and Gentner, who supports Trump but promises to be a more independent voice.

Finally to Utah, where U.S. Senator Mike Lee will be tested by two Republican challengers, after emails surfaced about his active efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Links to voting guides in all these states are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.

Granny D said, “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”
For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.

Links to articles on all of these stories are more are at our website, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.

The post American Democracy Minute for June 28, 2022: June 28 Primaries in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and Utah appeared first on American Democracy Minute.