Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Latest Episodes:

How Thousands of Mississippians Could Get Their Right to Vote Back Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

In August, the 5th Circuit struck down a Jim Crow-era provision of the Mississippi Constitution that permanently disenfranchised Mississippians with certain felony convictions. The 2-1 opinion held that the provision violates the 8th Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Paloma Wu of the Mississippi Center for Justice and Hannah Williams of Mississippi Votes join Marc Elias to discuss Mississippi's harsh felony disenfranchisement law, how it affects people on the ground and the innovative lawsuit fighting for these communities.

Support the work of the Mississippi Center for Justice and Mississippi Votes

Resources:

Alert: 5th Circuit Strikes Down Mississippi’s Jim Crow Era Felony Disenfranchisement Provision

Mississippi Votes' Rights Restoration page

Hopkins v. Horsemann Case Page

"The Supreme Court Allows a Relic of White Supremacy To Remain in Mississippi’s Constitution" by Rob McDuff

Felony Disenfranchisement, Explained

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

Follow Democracy Docket!

TikTok
Subscribe to our free newsletters

Where Does the U.S. Supreme Court Go From Here? Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its latest term last month, issuing decisions affecting elections, affirmative action, student loan relief and more as justices faced allegations of ethics violations. Marc and Paige discuss the rulings in the face of falling confidence in and support for the nation’s highest court.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Related links:

Allen v. Milligan

Moore v. Harper

John Roberts’ Last Word Is Not the Final Say The U.S. Supreme Court’s Supreme Takeover

A Dangerous Legal Theory Is Rejected

Revisiting Moore v. Harper and the Threats to Democracy

2023 Election Bills: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

State legislative sessions are wrapping up across the country, and with that, the best and worst election bills are being enacted. Marc and Paige recap the types of voting bills Republican-led states prioritized enacting this year compared to those in Democratic-led states.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

These States Made Voting Easier This Year

Texas Republicans Want To Take Houston’s Power Away

The Republican Election Law That Could Bankrupt Our Elections

What the Supreme Court’s Allen v. Milligan Decision Means for Democracy Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

On Thursday, June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Allen v. Milligan that leaves Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act intact and, in a landmark win for voters, struck down the state’s congressional map. Marc and Paige are joined by Abha Khanna, one of the attorneys who argued the case before the Supreme Court, to break down what the decision means for voters, why it is a victory for democracy and how it’ll impact future redistricting cases.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Breaking Down the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Decision Out of Alabama

How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Allen v. Milligan Will Impact Ongoing Redistricting Litigation

Cases:
Allen v. Milligan

Ohio Republicans’ War on Democracy Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Ohio Republicans are taking a sledgehammer to democracy. In their latest act, the Ohio GOP has passed a proposal to make it more difficult for voters to amend their own state constitution by increasing the threshold for state constitutional amendments to pass, despite overwhelming public opposition. To make matters worse — they’re pushing an allegedly illegal August election to ram through the proposal before Ohioans are expected to vote on a pro-choice abortion measure in November.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Despite Broad Public Opposition, Ohio GOP Pushes Its War on Democracy

Ohio Resolution Restricting Ballot Measures Will Head to Voters

Cases:

Ballot language lawsuit

August election lawsuit

We Need a Pro-Democracy Government: A Conversation With Congressman Mondaire Jones May 19, 2023

Show notes

Marc sits down with former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) to discuss the Congressman’s experience in the U.S. House, the future of federal voting rights legislation, New York’s antiquated voting laws and what’s next for Mondaire Jones.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Is Voter Registration Outdated? Feat. Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey May 12, 2023

Show notes

Voter registration in the U.S. is out of date and in desperate need of an update. Marc Elias sits down with Andrea Hailey of Vote.org — the nation’s largest nonpartisan digital voter engagement organization — to discuss voter registration, the outdated voter technology in America and legislation targeting how and when people can register to vote.

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

Check out Vote.org.

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Vote.org Georgia lawsuit

Vote.org Texas lawsuit

Vote.org Florida lawsuit

How the Supreme Court Could Rule in Moore v. Harper and Allen v. Milligan May 05, 2023

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to issue rulings in two major elections cases — Moore v. Harper and Allen v. Milligan — in the next few months. In this episode, Marc and Paige discuss the potential ways the Supreme Court could decide these cases and how each ruling would impact democracy. However the Court decides to rule will impact the voting rights of millions of Americans across the country.

Shop our new merch!

Make sure to follow us on:

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Related links:

Moore v. Harper

Allen v. Milligan

What is the independent state legislature theory?

HOW SCOTUS can rule in Moore v. Harper

How SCOTUS can rule in Allen v. Milligan

North Carolina Supreme Court Reverses Decision, Permits Partisan Gerrymandering

Republicans Don’t Want Students to Vote Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

Youth voters are making a difference in elections across the country. Instead of celebrating this increased turnout or Instead of changing its policies to win young voters' trust and support, Republicans would rather enact laws that suppress them from voting. Marc and Paige discuss the latest Republican attacks on the youth vote.

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

Subscribe to our free newsletters

Cleta Mitchell Recording

Attacking the Youth Vote on Florida’s College Campuses

It’s Harder for Young People To Vote

Young Voters Turned Out in Droves Despite Barriers

New Hampshire Moves To Limit Student Voting

Cases:

Idaho state lawsuit

Idaho federal lawsuit

Ohio lawsuit

Red States Are Targeting Blue Cities Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

After years of extreme gerrymandering and suppressive voting laws to block opposition, Republican-led states are now enacting laws explicitly targeting their Democratic-leaning cities and counties — particularly in how they conduct elections. In states like Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and North Carolina, GOP lawmakers are determined to strip power away from the states’ bluest areas.

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

🛍️Shop our new merch! 🛍️

Subscribe to our free newsletters

“An Unprecedented Disenfranchisement”: How Republicans Are Stripping Nashville of Political Power

Tennessee General Assembly Expels Two Black Lawmakers in Latest Attack on Democracy

Texas Senate Passes Bill To Seize Control of Elections from Local Authorities

This 1986 Louisiana Case Is Back in Court 40 Years Later