Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Latest Episodes:

Abortion is More Popular Than Your Favorite Politician with Renee Bracey Sherman Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Abortion rights activist and founder of We Testify Renee Bracey Sherman joins the podcast to discuss how gerrymandering is an issue for both voting rights and abortion rights. Bracey Sherman talks with Marc about how we can’t secure reproductive rights for all until fair ballot access is secured for all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️Sign up for Democracy Docket's new premium membership! Subscribe here.⭐️⭐️⭐️

For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@democracydocket.com.

Follow Democracy Docket!

-⁠Subscribe to our free newsletters

-Support our work and keep our content free

Resources:

-We Testify

-This Country’s Abortion Crisis Is Really a Voting Rights Problem by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone

-The Turn Away Study by Dr. Diana Greene Foster

-The A Files: The Secret History of Abortion Podcast

-Liberating Abortion: Our Legacy, Stories, and Vision for How We Save Us by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone (Pre-Order)

Michigan Republicans Are Not Okay with State Sen. Jeremy Moss Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

While Republicans have focused on voter suppression laws, Michigan Democrats are using their trifecta to pass legislation focused on expanding ballot access, updating old election laws and ensuring that voters are fairly represented. Michigan Senator Jeremy Moss (D), President Pro Tempore of the state Senate, joins Marc Elias to talk about the state of voting rights and the Republican Party in the Great Lake State.

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:

-Michigan Legislature Sends Bill Permitting Paid Voter Transportation to Governor: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-legislature-sends-bill-permitting-paid-voter-transportation-to-governor/

-Using Rejected ISL Theory, Michigan Republicans Challenge Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendments: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/using-rejected-isl-theory-michigan-republicans-challenge-voter-approved-constitutional-amendments/

-Michigan House Democrats Pass Five Pro-Voting Bills: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-house-democrats-pass-five-pro-voting-bills/

-Michigan Democrats Introduce State Voting Rights Act: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-democrats-introduce-state-voting-rights-act/

-Michigan Legislature Advances Slate of Pro-Voting Reforms Implementing 2022 Ballot Measure: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/michigan-legislature-advances-slate-of-pro-voting-reforms-implementing-2022-ballot-measure/

Sen. Moss Op-Eds:-An election year like no other spotlighted need for reforms: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2021/01/01/opinion-election-year-like-no-other-spotlighted-need-reforms/4088140001/

-How Michigan is fighting back against threats to our elections, democracy: https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/01/06/jan-6-2020-election-2024-michigan-legislature/72121972007/

The Threat of a Second Trump Presidency with Rep. Jamie Raskin Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

Democracy champion Congressman Jamie Raskin joins the podcast to discuss the threat a second Trump presidency could pose to the U.S. Constitution, democracy and voting rights.

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:

Rep. Raskin’s Democracy Summer: https://jamieraskin.com/DemocracySummer

Why You'll See Trump on the Ballot Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

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/

Republicans Want Your Ballot Rejected for Minor Mistakes Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

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!

-⁠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/

The Supreme Court Will Determine Trump's Future Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

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!

-⁠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

How Felony Disenfranchisement Harms 56,000 North Carolinians Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

This podcast originally aired on March 3, 2023. In 1876, North Carolina added a felony disenfranchisement provision to its state constitution with the express purpose of disenfranchising Black voters. Forward Justice Co-Director Daryl Atkinson joins to discuss how felony disenfranchisement harms communities. Atkinson and his team were involved in a lawsuit challenging the provision. While the trial court initially struck down the provision — and returned voting rights to 56,000+ North Carolinians — the North Carolina Supreme Court overturned the ruling on April 28, 2023. 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/ Related links: -The History of Felony Disenfranchisement in North Carolina: https://forwardjustice.org/felony-disenfranchisement-history/ -North Carolina’s Felony Disenfranchisement Law Heads to Court: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/north-carolinas-felony-disenfranchisement-law-heads-to-court/ -Inside Forward Justice’s Fight To Restore Voting Rights to 56,000 North Carolinians -Community Success Initiative v. Moore: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/inside-our-fight-to-restore-voting-rights-to-56000-north-carolinians/ -North Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Felony Disenfranchisement Law: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/north-carolina-supreme-court-upholds-felony-disenfranchisement-law/

We Need Supreme Court Reform with Rakim Brooks Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

This podcast was originally published Sept. 29, 2023. America is facing a judicial crisis. From lower courts to the U.S. Supreme Court, it’s clear that reform is needed to protect democracy and secure our rights. And as the Supreme Court is about to start a new term, change is needed more than ever. Rakim Brooks, Democracy Docket contributor and president of the Alliance for Justice (https://www.afj.org/), joins to discuss the issues plaguing the judiciary and what reforms are needed. 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/ Related articles: -Read Rakim’s articles on Democracy Docket: https://www.democracydocket.com/author/rakim-brooks/ -In a Major Victory, the Supreme Court Didn’t Break Democracy by Marc Elias: https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/in-a-major-victory-the-supreme-court-didnt-break-democracy/ -Here Are the Leading Reforms to the Federal Judiciary by Devon Hesano: https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/here-are-the-leading-reforms-to-the-federal-judiciary/

Could Trump Be Kicked off the Ballot? Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

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!

-⁠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

The GOP is Full of Cowards and Liars with Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

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!

-⁠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