Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Latest Episodes:

The 8th Circuit’s Attack on the Voting Rights Act Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

What Election Day 2023 Says About Election Day 2024 Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Q+A with Marc Elias Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Labor, Democracy and Building Power for All Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

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.

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A Looming Threat to the 2024 Elections Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

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.

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Will Key States Have Fair Maps in 2024? Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Louisiana

Georgia

South Carolina

Florida

The Fight for Democracy Includes Abortion Rights with Skye Perryman Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

On the Ground in North Carolina with Anderson Clayton Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

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

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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

The Not-So-Supreme Supreme Court with Rakim Brooks Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

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, joins to discuss the issues plaguing the judiciary and what reforms are needed.

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

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Read Rakim’s articles on Democracy Docket

In a Major Victory, the Supreme Court Didn’t Break Democracy by Marc Elias

Here Are the Leading Reforms to the Federal Judiciaryby Devon Hesano

The Wisconsin GOP Is Out of Control with State Rep. Greta Neubauer Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

The Wisconsin GOP has a new scheme: remove the state’s top elections official and impeach newly-elected state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Why? So they can cling to majority rule with minority support and avoid accountability. Democratic Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Greta Neubauer explains what’s going on, why Republicans are doing this and what she thinks will happen.

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

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