Defending Democracy

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral argument in the Colorado lawsuit seeking to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Marc and Paige explain the top takeaways from the proceedings:1. Donald Trump won’t be disqualified from the ballot 2. Trump’s lawyer focused on questions of procedure, not the insurrection 3. Trump’s lawyer said Jan. 6 was “shameful, criminal and violent” 4. The justices want to be sure they’re not creating a future loophole 5. Trump’s lawyer and Justice Kavanaugh made arguments for democracy Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Anderson v. Griswold Case Page: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/colorado-trump-14th-amendment-ballot-disqualification-challenge/ -What to Watch During Oral Argument in Trump’s Ballot Disqualification Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-to-watch-during-oral-argument-in-trumps-ballot-disqualification-case/ -Disqualifying Trump Is on the Docket by Marc Elias: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/disqualifying-trump-is-on-the-docket/ -The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause Was Made for This Moment by Noah Bookbinder: The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause Was Made for This Moment -The Justices Must Choose: Trump or the Constitution by Rakim Brooks: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-justices-must-choose-trump-or-the-constitution/

Every election, tens of thousands of ballots are rejected. Many of these rejections are due to minor mistakes made by voters or officials that cause otherwise valid ballots to be tossed. The Republican Party has been involved in efforts to expand what types of errors cause a ballot to be rejected and limit voters’ opportunities to correct errors in key states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and more. Marc and Paige explain this widespread issue and what you should know. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post⁠ -⁠Facebook -⁠Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -Threads -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Democracy Docket’s 2023 Litigation Report: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/democracy-dockets-2023-litigation-report/ Wisconsin: -Wisconsin Court Issues Major Mail-in Voting Victory Ahead of 2024 Election: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/wisconsin-court-issues-major-mail-in-voting-victory-ahead-of-2024-election -Rise v. Wisconsin Elections Commission Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-witness-certificate-incomplete-address-guidance-rise/ -League of Women Voters of Wisconsin v. Wisconsin Elections Commission Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-witness-certificate-incomplete-address-guidance-lwv/ North Carolina: -North Carolina Changes Same-Day Voter Registration Rules to Comply With Court Ruling: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/north-carolina-changes-same-day-voter-registration-rules-to-comply-with-court-ruling/ -Lawsuits challenging S.B. 747: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/state/north-carolina/2023/10/?k=747 -Disenfranchising Rural North Carolina Is By Design: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/disenfranchising-rural-north-carolina-is-by-design/ -Unpacking North Carolina Republicans’ Voter Suppression Bill S.B. 747: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/unpacking-north-carolina-republicans-voter-suppression-bill-s-b-747/ Pennsylvania: -Republican Attorneys General Don’t Want Your Ballot To Count: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/republican-attorneys-general-dont-want-your-ballot-to-count/ -Pennsylvania Supreme Court Explains 2022 Order Disqualifying Certain Mail-in Ballots: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/pennsylvania-supreme-court-explains-2022-order-disqualifying-certain-mail-in-ballots/ -Majority of Rejected Pennsylvania Mail-in Ballots Came From Democrats: ​​https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/majority-of-rejected-pennsylvania-mail-in-ballots-came-from-democrats/ -Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-undated-and-wrongly-dated-mail-in-ballots-challenge-eakin/ -Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP v. Chapman Case: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-undated-and-wrongly-dated-mail-in-ballots-challenge-pa-naacp/ -Pennsylvania Court Dismisses Republican Lawsuit Challenging Cure Procedures: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/pennsylvania-court-dismisses-republican-lawsuit-challenging-cure-procedures/ Texas:-Federal Judge Strikes Down Portions of Texas Voter Suppression Law S.B. 1: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/federal-judge-strikes-down-portions-of-texas-voter-suppression-law-s-b-1/-Texas Governor Signs Election Bills Into Law, Including Two Aimed at Harris County: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/texas-governor-signs-election-bills-into-law-including-two-aimed-at-harris-county/ -How We Broke Voting Records in Harris County by Chris Hollins: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/how-we-broke-voting-records-in-harris-county/

On Feb. 8, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a case that will likely determine if Donald Trump is eligible for office following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify him from the state’s ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Marc and Paige break down the central questions in this case and give an update on some of Trump's legal troubles.    For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post⁠ -⁠Facebook⁠ -⁠Instagram -⁠TikTok⁠ -Threads -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠ -Support our work and keep our content free Resources: -How the 14th Amendment Could Disqualify Trump and His Allies -Trump and Section 3 of the 14th Amendment -Case: Colorado Trump 14th Amendment Ballot Disqualification Challenge -US Supreme Court To Decide If Trump Can Appear On Colorado Primary Ballot -Maine Keeps Trump on the Primary Ballot Until Decision From U.S. Supreme Court -179 Congressional Republicans File Brief Supporting Trump in Colorado Case Before SCOTUS -House Democrats Urge Clarence Thomas to Recuse From Trump’s Colorado Case

In 2023, the Republican Party launched the “Bank Your Vote” program to encourage people to vote early and by mail. Despite this, the RNC is involved in multiple lawsuits to restrict mail-in voting — some filed after this program was announced. Marc and Paige break down the GOP’s hypocrisy and go over the details of the cases.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Subscribe here: https://www.democracydocket.com/member/ Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -In Hypocritical Move, RNC Releases New Ad Promoting Mail-in and Early Voting: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/in-hypocritical-move-rnc-releases-new-ad-promoting-mail-in-and-early-voting/ -Case: Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-rnc/ -Case: Georgia Absentee Ballot Application Deadline Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/georgia-absentee-ballot-application-deadline-challenge/ -Case: Michigan Voting Rights Constitutional Amendments Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/michigan-voting-rights-constitutional-amendments-challenge/ -Case: Mississippi Mail-In Ballot Receipt Deadline Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/mississippi-mail-in-ballot-receipt-deadline-challenge-mississippi/ -Case: New York Early Mail Voter Act Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/new-york-early-mail-voter-act-challenge/ -Case: New York 2023 Absentee Voting Law A.B. 7931 Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/new-york-2023-absentee-voting-law-ab7931-challenge/ -Case: Ohio Mail-in Voting Assistance Limitations Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/ohio-mail-in-voting-assistance-limitations-challenge/ -Case: Pennsylvania Absentee Ballot Return Policy Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/pennsylvania-absentee-ballot-return-policy-challenge/ -Case: Wisconsin Absentee Ballot Witness Requirement Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/wisconsin-absentee-ballot-witness-requirement-challenge-federal-court/

The Republican Party and affiliates have filed almost a dozen anti-voting lawsuits so far in 2024. A majority of those lawsuits were filed in Arizona alone. The GOP’s lawsuits are targeting Arizona election rules that restrict voter intimidation, ballot challenges, regulate voter registration cancellation and more. Marc and Paige break it down.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Subscribe here: https://www.democracydocket.com/member/ Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.democracydocket.com/defendingdemocracy/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket -⁠Post⁠: https://post.news/@/democracydocket -⁠Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket -⁠Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket -⁠TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket -Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠: https://www.democracydocket.com/youtube-subscribe/ -Support our work and keep our content free: https://www.democracydocket.com/help-keep-our-content-free/ Resources: -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (RNC): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-rnc/ -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (Petersen): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge/ -Arizona 2023 Election Procedures Manual Challenge (Arizona Free Enterprise Club): https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-2023-election-procedures-manual-challenge-arizona-free-enterprise-club/ -Arizona Mohave County Hand Count Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-mohave-county-hand-count-challenge/ -Arizona Counties Election Administration Challenge: https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/arizona-counties-election-administration-challenge/

Over 20 lawsuits are using the 14th Amendment to challenge former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to serve a second term in office due to his involvement in the January 6th Insurrection. Marc and Paige explain what these lawsuits are doing, the issues they face and when a decision might come on the issue.    For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post -⁠Facebook -⁠Instagram -⁠TikTok -Threads -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters Resources: -How the 14th Amendment Could Disqualify Trump and His Allies -The U.S. Court System, Explained -Profiles in Cowardice -Donald Trump’s Plot Against America -A “Big Lie” Ring Leader Becomes Speaker of the House

Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett joins Marc to discuss voter suppression in Texas, the cowardice of Republicans to stand up for democracy and what gives her hope. Plus, her thoughts on George Santos’ expulsion from Congress. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post⁠ -⁠Facebook -⁠Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠ Resources: -Profiles in Cowardice by Marc Elias -Santos, McCarthy and the Shameless Republican Party by Marc Elias -The Real Reason Why Texas Republicans Are Criminalizing the Vote by Delilah Agho-Otoghile-Battling for Democracy in the Lone Star State by State Rep. Julie Johnson

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act was having a good year — until the 8th Circuit ruled that there’s no private right of action under the statute. Marc and Paige break down that the 8th Circuit’s decision means, new threats facing the Voting Rights Act and a group of new lawsuits seeking to protect ballot access using lesser-known parts of the landmark law.  For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠X/Twitter⁠ -⁠Post⁠ -⁠Facebook⁠ -⁠Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠ Resources: Lawsuits: -Alabama Congressional Redistricting -Louisiana Congressional Redistricting -Georgia Congressional Redistricting Articles: -Federal Judge Rules North Dakota’s Legislative Districts Violate Voting Rights Act, Orders New Map -Federal Judge Rules Washington State’s Legislative Map Violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act -5th Circuit Panel Asks to Overturn Its Own Precedent, but Affirms Galveston County, TX Violated the Voting Rights Act -8th Circuit Rules Private Plaintiffs Cannot Sue Under Section 2 of Voting Rights Act -The U.S. Court System, Explained -The Conservative Legal Movement’s Latest Target -A Constellation of Anti-Voting Groups Threaten Democracy-Using Lesser Known Portions of the Voting Rights Act, New Lawsuits Aim To Protect Voters

Democracy was on the ballot this past Election Day — and it won. Marc and Paige discuss major takeaways from this year’s election and what it means for 2024. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! -⁠Twitter⁠ -⁠Facebook⁠ -Instagram⁠ -⁠TikTok⁠ -Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: Ohio: -Article: Ohio Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Abortion Rights Amendment -Article: Ohio Secretary of State Quietly Removes 26,000+ Ohioans From Voter Rolls -Article: Ohio Voters Defeat Attempt to Raise Ballot Measure Threshold -Article: LaRose Rewrites Abortions Rights Amendment Summary With Misleading Language -Lawsuit: HB 458 Challenge -Lawsuit: Ohio Reproductive Freedom Language Challenge Virginia: -Article: Virginia Groups Condemn Youngkin Administration for Illegal Voter Purge Kentucky: -Article: Lawsuit Challenging Kentucky’s Rights Restoration Process Dismissed Pennsylvania: -Article: Democrat Dan McCaffery Wins Pennsylvania Supreme Court Seat -Article: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Blocks Counting of Wrongly Dated & Undated Ballots -Article: What’s at Stake in Pennsylvania’s State Supreme Court Race? -Hinds County, Mississippi: -Article: Hinds County Experiences Election Day Meltdown Spanish-Language Ballot Access: -Lawsuit: Union County, New Jersey Spanish Voting Materials -Lawsuit: York County, Pennsylvania Spanish Voting Materials

Marc Elias answers the top questions from Defending Democracy listeners about democracy, voting rights, and litigation. Plus, Marc shares what gives him hope for the 2024 election. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket across the web! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: Marc Elias: A “Big Lie” Ring Leader Becomes Speaker of the House Marc Elias: The “Big One” Missing From Trump’s Indictment Defending Democracy Podcast: How Thousands of Mississippians Could Get Their Right to Vote Back

Recently, labor unions have exercised power in ways not seen in decades. Former political director of the AFL-CIO Mike Podhorzer joins the podcast to discuss the surge of activity in the labor movement, how the fight for democracy and labor rights are connected and what you should look out for as we get closer to the 2024 election. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: Subscribe to Mike Podhorzer’s Substack Marc Elias: We Cannot Out-Organize Voter Suppression

Across the country, there are growing reports of small groups and individuals harassing voters, challenging people’s rights to vote and spreading election disinformation. This movement of election vigilantism is poised to become one of the biggest threats to the 2024 elections. Marc and Paige break down exactly what these groups are doing, the new technologies supporting their work and how to stop them. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Shop Democracy Docket merch! Use code THANKYOU10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $25 or more. Offer expires Oct. 31, 2023. Resources: New York Voters Intimidated By Individuals Impersonating Elections Officials Virginia Attorney General Warns Right-Wing Group To Stop Sending False Info to Voters The Growing Threat of Republican Election Vigilantes The Republican Party's Voter Fraud Vigilantes The Right's Dangerous and Unreliable Alternative to ERIC New Mexico Case: Voter Reference Foundation v. Balderas

The redistricting cycle is far from over. Litigation over congressional maps continues in 12 states, but in 5 key southern states, there is a path for fair maps in 2024. Marc and Paige break down these states — Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida — where they’re at in the litigation process and why every American should care.  For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Shop Democracy Docket merch! Use code THANKYOU10 at checkout for 10% off your order of $25 or more. Offer expires Oct. 31, 2023. Resources: Alabama Case page Alert: After Unprecedented Defiance, Alabama Finally Has a Fair Congressional Map for 2024 Louisiana Case page Alert: US Supreme Court Denies Petitioners in Louisiana Redistricting Case Emergency Relief Georgia Case pages Nearly Two Years Later, Georgia’s Congressional Map Heads to Trial South Carolina Case page Takeaways from Supreme Court Arguments Over South Carolina’s Congressional Map Florida Case pages Alert: Florida’s 5th Congressional District Heads to Federal Trial Alert: Florida Judge Strikes Down DeSantis Congressional Map for Diminishing Black Voting Power in North Florida

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision, it was allegedly returning the question of abortion to the states and voters. However, the same forces that work to reduce abortion access also aim to suppress voters. Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, joins the podcast to discuss how the fight for abortion access is connected to the fight for democracy and you can’t have one without the other. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Follow Democracy Docket! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: Learn about Democracy Forward’s lawsuit fighting to secure mifepristone access Marc Elias: A Constellation of Anti-Voting Groups Threaten Democracy Katy Shanahan: Abortion Rights Are at the Center of Ohio GOP’s Latest Attack on Democracy Alert: Ohio Supreme Court Orders Small Tweak to GOP Rewrite of Abortion Amendment Ballot Language Alert: Abortion Amendment Will Be On Ballot This Fall, Ohio Supreme Court Rules

Republicans in North Carolina are taking voter suppression and election subversion to a new level. Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, joins to discuss anti-democratic acts from the GOP, redistricting, how she plans to engage young and rural voters, plus, who exactly is the interim speaker of the U.S. House? For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com. Donate to the North Carolina Democratic Party. Volunteer with the North Carolina Democratic Party. Use code THANKYOU10 for 10% off the Democracy Docket merch shop on orders of $25 or more. Discount is good through the end of October 2023. Follow Democracy Docket! ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Post⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters⁠  Resources: ⁠Alert: S.B. 749⁠ ⁠ Alert: S.B. 747⁠ Article: ⁠The North Carolina Supreme Court Attacked Democracy in Broad Daylight⁠ by Anderson Clayton Article: ⁠How North Carolina Democrats’ Youngest Party Chair Plans To Protect Voting⁠ by Mac Brower