Washington DC has 702,000 people, is 45% Black and has 0 senators Wyoming has 590,000 people, is 86% white and has 2 senators DC needs a state with proper representation, not a military takeover
National voting rights correspondent Mother Jones. Author of Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It and Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America
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Washington DC has 702,000 people, is 45% Black and has 0 senators Wyoming has 590,000 people, is 86% white and has 2 senators DC needs a state with proper representation, not a military takeover
“The short-term game is getting five seats to retain the gavel of the House. The long-term game is to repeal the Voting Rights Act.” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Full on authoritarianism on every front in Texas: -Stealing five seats to help Trump rig midterms -Threatening to arrest/expel democratically elected reps opposing election rigging -Weaponizing federal law enforcement to illegally target elected reps -SCOTUS preparing to kill Voting Rights Act
This is blatantly unconstitutional. The Census is constitutionally mandated to take place every 10 years and count the "whole number of persons in each state"
"Texas has basically violated the Voting Rights Act every single redistricting cycle since the Voting Rights Act was passed." Great conversation with @jenrubin.bsky.social about TX gerrymandering & why VRA remains vital today contrarian.substack.com/p/republican...
Voting Rights Act turns 60 today. I've studied VRA for 15 years. Most people don't realize just how much it transformed American democracy, ended Jim Crow & enfranchised millions of Americans Now it’s on life support. If it dies, American democracy dies with it www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
John Roberts has been trying to kill Voting Rights Act since he was young lawyer in Reagan DOJ. Now SCOTUS conservative justices appear set to dismantle what’s left of the country’s most important civil rights law, dealing a catastrophic blow to American democracy www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Voting Rights Act turns 60 today but under dire threat -SCOTUS conservatives preparing to kill what’s left of law -Trump's Texas power grab dismantles districts held by Black & Latino Dems -115 new voting restrictions passed in 31 states since Shelby County www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
LBJ signed Voting Rights Act 60 years ago today. It ended Jim Crow & transformed American democracy But now country’s most important civil rights law under attack from every angle, from Texas Republicans to Supreme Court. This is 5 alarm fire for democracy www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Texas House was once again without a quorum today. Texas Dems have blocked passage of Trump's power grab for a second day in a row
Trump got 56% of the vote in Texas, less than Romney, GW Bush, Reagan & Nixon, but his mid-decade gerrymandering plan would give Republicans nearly 80% of Texas's seats
There's officially no quorum in the Texas House. If Dems hadn't left the state last night Texas House Republicans would've passed Trump's egregious mid-decade gerrymander today
@ericholder.bsky.social: “In this moment of democracy survival, people need to be prepared to do anything in order to ensure that our constitutional system of government continues to exist. The authoritarian move dictated to Texas by the White House needs to be opposed by any means necessary.”
Re-gerrymandering a state to rig an election & then threatening to arrest and expel the members protesting that election rigging is pure authoritarianism Texas Dems who fled state are fighting for very survival of American democracy www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Every Democrat in Congress but 3 voted to ban partisan gerrymandering in 2021/2022 with Freedom to Vote Act & every single Republican voted against it. There should be no false equivalence on this issue
@ericholder.bsky.social: “The president and his party are afraid of the voters and they’re trying to manipulate the maps in Texas so that they can rig the elections in 2026.” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Breaking: Texas House redistricting committee passes Trump’s egregiously gerrymandered US House map giving GOP 5 new seats & 80% of congressional delegation in state Trump won with 56% of vote. Increases # of seats Trump won by 10+ points from 25 to 30 & reduces # of competitive seats from 2 to zero
Days before the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on Aug 6 the conservative majority on Supreme Court is announcing its intention to kill what’s left of the country’s most important civil rights law
President Trump is pushing for a redrawing of the Texas electoral map to favor Republicans in next year's midterms and beyond. Journalist @ariberman.bsky.social calls it an "unprecedented power grab" that will further disenfranchise voters of color in the state. www.democracynow.org/2025/8/1/tru...
“This map is racist, it’s illegal, and it’s part of a long, ugly tradition of trying to keep Black and Brown Texas from having a voice,” said Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey.
This is an amazing blow to democracy and an illustration of how Trump and the GOP are trying to impose minority rule. Great work from @ariberman.bsky.social
thanks! I tried and failed to do this
^32nd district above
Look what Texas Republicans did to Dem Rep. Julie Johnson's district to shift it from Harris +24 to Trump +18. She used to represent north and east of Dallas. Now her district stretches 100 miles east into rural Texas under Trump's gerrymander. Absurd
Texas population is 60% people of color but whites control 65% of current Congressional districts. The existing GOP drawn map is already severely gerrymandered & Trump’s Texas power grab will make it far worse
Trump’s Texas gerrymander would give Republicans nearly 80% of seats in state where he got 56% of vote This is direct result of John Roberts & conservative SCOTUS majority gutting Voting Rights Act & refusing to stop blatant partisan gerrymandering www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
It’s been 1,275 days since Senate Republicans, with the help of Joe Manchin & Kyrsten Sinema, filibustered passage of the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act. The consequences for voting rights have been devastating #goodtrouble
John Roberts & SCOTUS conservative justices squarely to blame for enabling Trump’s massive power grab in Texas. His scheme to “pick up five seats” through mid-decade redistricting can only succeed because the court greenlit extreme partisan gerrymandering www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Texas congressional districts: Whites 40% population but majority in 60% districts Hispanics 39% of pop but majority in 18% districts Blacks 12% of pop but majority in 0% districts Now Texas re-gerrymandering for 2026 bc Trump says they’re not skewed enough 🤔 www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Instead of mourning 120 dead in Texas & focusing on preventing another disaster, TX Republicans set to re-gerrymander congressional districts this summer to block Dems from retaking House in 2026. Trump DOJ orchestrated massive power grab. There truly is no low www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Here are three ways Trump is weaponizing the DOJ to advance his voter suppression plans ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Read more from @ariberman.bsky.social here: bit.ly/44tYsoj
"This is the moment in history that we will look back on and say, 'Where were you when? Where were you when we were watching dictators take over?'" @ariberman.bsky.social reports from New Paltz, NY where State Senator (D) Michelle Hinchey speaks.
Massive #NoKings protest in Kingston, NY, home of swing 18th congressional district. Sheriff said 5,000 attended! City has 24k people total Video by @thomasbrodin.bsky.social
Perfectly sums up Trump’s second term
NY State Sen Michelle Hinchey gave powerful speech at No Kings protest in New Paltz today. “When we are watching the very fabric of our country unravel, this is the moment in history where we will look back on and say where were you when? Where were you when we were watching dictators take over?"
Huge turnout for No Kings protest in key swing district in NY Hudson Valley. Close to 400 showed up in town of 15k despite cold and rain "We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution next year. We are fighting a war against tyranny again” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Bay Area people! I will be speaking at the Book Festival in Berkeley tomorrow at 11 AM. Please come by if you want to hear me and @ariberman.bsky.social talk about democracy www.baybookfest.org/session/voic...
70% of lawyers have left DOJ Civil Rights Division & voting section down from 30 lawyers to just 3, dropping all major voting rights cases Trump has completely decimated crown jewel of DOJ & now weaponizing it to advance his extreme voter suppression plans www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
In its first major voting lawsuit Trump DOJ resurrected claims Republican judicial candidate used to try to overturn Democratic victory in NC Supreme Court race. This is extremely dangerous & shows how Trump weaponizing DOJ to advance his voter suppression plans www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
🚨189 days after November election Democrat Allison Riggs finally certified as winner of North Carolina Supreme Court race
Allison Riggs says she's "glad the will of the voters was finally heard six months and two days after Election Day" but rightly notes "immeasurable damage done to our democracy" by Griffin's plot to steal election
Six-month GOP scheme to brazenly steal NC state supreme court race is finally over. But Jefferson Griffin's attempt to throw out tens of thousands of legal votes and fact that two GOP-dominated state courts agreed with it has done lasting damage to democracy www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Utterly disgraceful how he sought to throw out tens of thousands of legal votes & two GOP-dominated courts in NC green-lit his brazen effort to steal election. Sets very dangerous precedent for future elections. Trying to overturn elections now the norm for GOP
Federal court decision ordering NC to certify state supreme court election of Democrat Allison Riggs is BFD But can’t overlook how two GOP-dominated state courts ok'd brazen effort to steal election & throw out 1000s of votes. Chilling precedent for democracy www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"This case concerns whether the federal Constitution permits a state to alter the rules of an election after the fact and apply those changes retroactively to only a select group of voters," writes Judge Richard Myers, a Trump appointee. "The answer is no."
Breaking: federal district court orders North Carolina to certify state supreme court election for Democrat Allison Riggs & rejects Republican attempt to overturn election and throw out thousands of votes. Huge victory for democracy & fair elections www.courtlistener.com/docket/69489...
Remember when lame-duck NC GOP legislature snuck a massive power grab into hurricane relief bill, giving Rs control over board of elections? Welp, it went into effect yesterday and new GOP election board could now help Republicans steal state Supreme Court race www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Tonight! Virtually! Live from the frontlines! Join @ariberman.bsky.social + @workerscircle.bsky.social for a timely discussion on the many threats to democracy during Trump's first 100 days—and how to fight back.
Fed court blocked Trump EO requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. That could disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans “Our Constitution entrusts Congress and States—not the President—with authority to regulate federal elections” judge wrote www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Minority Rule out in paperback today We need to fundamentally change system where 5 of 6 conservative SCOTUS justices appointed by GOP presidents who initially lost popular vote & confirmed by senators elected by minority of Americans us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
1/ THRILLED to announce that we've won two National Magazine Awards! The big kahuna: General Excellence (in politics, literature, science) and Podcasting We also had nominations in Reporting and Profile. asme.memberclicks.net/american-soc...
If the SAVE Act were enacted, this would be the first federal voter suppression bill in recent memory, and possibly ever,” says Eliza Sweren-Becker, senior counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice’s voting rights and elections program.
In addition to requiring proof of citizenship documents to register to vote that millions of Americans don’t have, SAVE Act requires voters to register or re-register IN PERSON at election offices. That's absolutely crazy. Some voters might have to drive 8 hours just to update their registration
Greta Bedekovics @americanprogress.bsky.social says SAVE Act would disenfranchise 69 million married women who changed name & can’t use birth certificate to register to vote calling it “a marriage penalty” that “completely ignores the implications of the 19th Amendment”
SAVE Act just passed House. It is modern-day poll tax that would disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans, end online, mail + voter registration drives & require voters to register in person at election offices, forcing some rural voters to drive 8 hours to register. Total disaster in every way
“If the SAVE Act were enacted, this would be the first federal voter suppression bill in recent memory, and possibly ever,” says Eliza Sweren-Becker of @brennancenter.bsky.social. “It’s a five-alarm fire for voters & election officials.”
🚨House voting on SAVE Act today, worst voter suppression bill ever considered by Congress. Could disenfranchise: -21 million w/out access to citizenship docs -69 million women who took spouses last name -ends online + mail registration & voter reg drives www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
When the guy who represented Bush in 2000 says you're going to bizarre places in challenging votes...
GOP court decision overturning Democratic victory in North Carolina Supreme Court race is 5 alarm fire for democracy. It’s January 6 without the insurrection. Make no mistake, if GOP succeeds in stealing election in NC, they’ll use that playbook everywhere www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
“I’m very very worried about what it means for democracy if Republicans are just able to outright steal a state supreme court election in North Carolina” I told @briantylercohen.bsky.social. “What happens in North Carolina won’t stop there” www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSQU...
Highly alarming: "1/No precedent to changing election rules after election 2/Griffin hasn’t found single example of ineligible voting 3/Only challenging absentee/early votes + ballots in D counties 4/Only challenging votes in his race (not Trump's) 5/ Two recounts already affirmed Riggs victory"
This is damn important.
Key points: 1/No precedent to changing election rules after election 2/Griffin hasn’t found single example of ineligible voting 3/Only challenging absentee/early votes + ballots in Dem counties 4/Only challenging votes in his race (not Trump's win) 5/Two recounts already affirmed Riggs victory
As this case winds its way through the courts most important thing NC voters can do is check if they’re on list of 60,000 voters GOP wants to throw out & update their registration asap triangleblogblog.com/2025/04/05/h...
GOP court decision overturning Democratic victory in North Carolina Supreme Court race is 5 alarm fire for democracy. It’s January 6 without the insurrection. Make no mistake, if GOP succeeds in stealing election in NC, they’ll use that playbook everywhere www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Sauk County, outside Madison, is where WI Dems launched their "People vs. Musk" campaign last month. Sizable swing toward Ds yesterday.
Bradley is up for re-election in 2026. If she loses, there will be 5-2 progressive majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court
"Because of Musk, the race was much bigger than just a judicial election in Wisconsin. Crawford’s victory provides a blueprint for how Democrats and progressives can run against Musk’s plan for oligarchy all across the country—and win" www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
10 Wisconsin counties flipped from Trump to Susan Crawford last night www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...
Musk said the "entire destiny of humanity" depended on the outcome of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Well, no. But read @ariberman.bsky.social on what Crawford's win—and Musk's loss—means for the state. And the country: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This image is making the rounds among Wisconsin Dems & progressives this am
Said by the billionaire who spent $25 million trying to buy a state supreme court race & gave three million dollar checks directly to voters
"Because of Musk, the race was much bigger than just a judicial election in Wisconsin. Crawford’s victory provides a blueprint for how Democrats and progressives can run against Musk’s plan for oligarchy all across the country—and win." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
@benwikler.bsky.social: "Tonight, Democrats got up off the mat and fought back...Let the lesson of Wisconsin’s election ring out across the country: hope is not lost, democracy can yet survive, and the voice of the American people will not be silenced.”
Susan Crawford's victory speech: "Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court, and Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale."
Susan Crawford ran directly against Musk's millions--and overwhelmingly won
Susan Crawford ran directly against Elon Musk's millions & struck first electoral blow against Trump-Musk plan for oligarchy. Dems should replicate this in every race Progressives will now control WI Supreme Court through 2028 & can strike down 1849 abortion ban, Act 10, gerrymandered US House map
Democracy > oligarchy
Susan Crawford victory in Wisconsin Supreme Court race would keep court's progressive majority until at least 2028, huge for issues like abortion, voting rights & redistricting, and provide a blueprint for how Dems and progressive can defeat Musk and his millions across the country
Wasserman has called Wisconsin Supreme Court race for Susan Crawford
Polls have now closed in Wisconsin. If you're in line, stay in line and make sure your vote is counted
thank you prof!
Seven polling sites in Milwaukee ran out of ballots due to "historic turnout" according to city election director. More ballots are being printed and on way. Very important to remind voters that if they're in line when polls close at 8 CT they get to vote. Do not leave. Please spread the word
"Musk has made this a referendum on the idea of an American oligarchy” - @benwikler.bsky.social www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"Musk has engaged in the most openly brazen scheme to buy an election in modern American history" www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Musk's pac now offering $50 to people who "snap a picture outside of a voting location with a WI resident holding a photo of" Brad Schimel It's illegal in Wisconsin to "engage in electioneering" within 100 feet of polling place
🤡🤡🤡
Read @ariberman.bsky.social on why the election happening today is referendum on whether or not Musk can just buy any election www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
A Musk paid petitioner was removed by police in city of Waukesha (Brad Schimel's home county) for badgering voters waiting to vote to sign Musk pac's petition & be awarded $100, according to Common Cause WI & local news reports www.gmtoday.com/the_freeman/...
Trump tried to overturn 221,000 votes in Madison & Milwaukee in 2020. “My ballot was one of the ones they were trying to throw out,” WI Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford told me. She says her opponent Brad Schimel will “absolutely” try to overturn future elections if he gets on court
After years of Republicans falsely accusing Dems of buying elections, Musk running most brazen scheme in modern US history to quite literally buy Wisconsin Supreme Court This is why today’s election huge referendum on whether oligarchy or democracy prevails www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Why Musk spending $25 million to buy Wisconsin Supreme Court: -Tesla suing WI -Keep gerrymandered US House map favoring GOP 6-2 -Make it easier to overturn elections -MAGA judge pledged to be “support network” for Trump WI voters can reject oligarchy today www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
REMINDER: Wisconsin has same-day voter registration. So, if you haven’t registered or recently moved or anything like that, you can register at your polling place (with ID and proof of residence) TODAY. Every state should do this. It’s great that Wisconsin does this. Go vote.
“Wisconsin is the laboratory that will tell us whether not just the state, but the entire country, is swinging toward an insurmountable oligarchy or whether democracy still has a fighting change” This is why today’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election so important
The high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court election is today. Read @ariberman.bsky.social on how the race became a referendum on Elon Musk—and what a Democratic win could mean for Trump's plans for oligarchy.
After spending last three days in Wisconsin I’m more convinced than ever April 1 state Supreme Court election a referendum on whether Musk-Trump oligarchy will take over the states or if democracy still has a fighting chance. The stakes are that high www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This quote from State Rep Robyn Vining perfectly sums up how GOP rigs elections in Wisconsin “They gerrymander to rig system & when they can’t gerrymander, they try to take away people’s votes & when they can’t rig votes, the richest man in the world comes in & decides he wants to buy it.”
Not content with spending more than a quarter of a billion dollars to elect Trump in 2024, Elon Musk is now trying to flip the balance of power on the top court in one of the country’s most important swing states. Hear from @ariberman.bsky.social
“Musk has made this a referendum on the idea of an American oligarchy” says @benwikler.bsky.social If Musk buys Wisconsin Supreme Court race it will embolden him to spend millions more extending oligarchy to states. But if Susan Crawford wins it will give Dems a blueprint for how to fight back