LOSS: The 5th Circuit upholds parts of a Texas voter suppression law that restrict how people can assist voters in casting ballots, reversing a lower court decision that found the provisions violated Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
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LOSS: The 5th Circuit upholds parts of a Texas voter suppression law that restrict how people can assist voters in casting ballots, reversing a lower court decision that found the provisions violated Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
Just months after failed judicial candidate Jefferson Griffin tried to disenfranchise over 65,000 voters in the state supreme court election, the GOP-led North Carolina election board is now threatening to discount voters who don’t present additional ID.
As the Trump administration continues to suppress voters and undermine democracy, we're tracking their every move to keep you informed. Upgrade now for $120/year to get exclusive analysis like this sent straight to your inbox. newsletters.democracydocket.com
A California court denied Republicans’ petition asking it to stop state officials from putting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure on the ballot. The decision appears to clear the way for the governor’s plan to appear on the November ballot.
The truth is there is no secret plan to defend American democracy. But what gives me hope is when people reject the cool cynicism of despair and choose to act rather than surrender. That is what keeps democracy alive, @marcelias.bsky.social writes.
Trump’s unprecedented weaponization of National Guard troops in recent months raises alarming concerns that the administration might be laying the groundwork to interfere with elections in key cities next year and in 2028.
As the federal government continues to press states for voting information, Colorado election officials are pushing back against its demands. “This all is part of a bigger ploy to further undermine our voting in this country,” a state county clerk said.
VIDEO: Trump is throwing the Constitution out the window, and Rep. Jamie Raskin is calling him out. Rep. Raskin joined Marc Elias to discuss restoring American democracy, the administration’s overreach into elections and Trump’s desire to be a dictator. youtu.be/YDLIgNzb5FM
After six GOP governors volunteered to send their National Guard troops to D.C., Democracy Docket reporter @jimsaksa.com reached out to ask how they would feel about troops being deployed in their own states. Here’s what they had to say ⤵️
As the Trump administration continues to suppress voters and undermine democracy, we're tracking their every move to keep you informed. Upgrade now for $10/month to get exclusive analysis like this sent straight to your inbox. newsletters.democracydocket.com
LIVE PODCAST: Democracy is under attack. History has lessons to guide us. On Sept. 3, Heather Cox Richardson joins Marc Elias for an exclusive live podcast. Members can go behind the scenes, hear exclusive questions, and connect live in the chat. Upgrade to join:
Trump spent part of his Saturday night posting that he wants to sign new executive orders aimed at voter ID and mail-in ballots. That would be unconstitutional. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
A Texas Republican lawmaker suggested in 2022 that a way to deal with immigrants is to “shoot, shovel and shut up.” The comments could strengthen the legal challenge to the state’s gerrymander by demonstrating racial discrimination against Latinos. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
This isn’t just a Texas story. It’s a warning for democracy nationwide. Upgrade today to power in-depth coverage of redistricting battles in Texas and beyond because what happens here affects us all. newsletters.democracydocket.com
What can history teach us about saving democracy today? Marc Elias sits down with political historian Heather Cox Richardson LIVE on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. ET. Members can hear exclusive questions and connect in the chat. Become a member to join:
An Arizona court rejected a right-wing lawsuit seeking to make mail-in ballot signature verification harder. The ruling will help prevent wrongful ballot rejections for the nearly 90% of Arizonans who vote by mail.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has widely deployed the National Guard, with clear plans to expand its presence nationwide and few safeguards to limit him. And it looks like he might take his use of the military to the polls in 2026 and 2028.
NEW: For decades, protecting the voting rights of people with disabilities was a bipartisan priority. Now, as the GOP restricts voting access through the lens of “election integrity,” those long-standing protections are already beginning to erode. From: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
We asked readers if they want more coverage of Texas redistricting. One said: “Absolutely. We need to get ready.” We agree. Sign up to get the reporting you won’t find anywhere else — and for free. newsletters.democracydocket.com
VIDEO: Marc Elias joined Deadline: White House on Wednesday to discuss the California Supreme Court's rejection of the latest GOP redistricting challenge, Louisiana’s decision to no longer defend its congressional map in the SCOTUS, and more. Watch now: youtu.be/h68Yg0ml9dQ
NEW: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) just called a special session to push a GOP gerrymander and block almost all citizen ballot initiatives. His so-called “Missouri First” plan puts democracy last.
NEW: In a loss for voters, the 5th Circuit upholds parts of a Texas voter suppression law that restrict how people can assist voters in casting ballots. The court ruled that the pro-voting groups challenging the provisions lacked standing. From: @jenrice.bsky.social
The state’s argument, in addition to the high-stakes Louisiana redistricting case set to be re-heard in the Supreme Court this fall, is part of a broader push to weaken the Voting Rights Act by restricting who can file lawsuits against discriminatory state actions.
NEW: Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to determine whether voters and advocacy groups can continue filing lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The state argued that such lawsuits can only be brought by the Justice Department.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is suing Trump after he attempted to remove her over allegations that she claimed two different homes as her primary address. Cook's lawsuit argues such claims are not grounds for removal under federal law.
Watch the full video below👇
NEW: The Texas Republican lawmaker who blocked Democrats’ effort to filibuster the state’s gerrymander suggested “shoot, shovel and shut up” as a way to deal with immigrants — a comment that could boost legal efforts to block the state’s map. From: @jenrice.bsky.social
NEW: Trump’s unprecedented weaponization of National Guard troops in recent months raises alarming concern that the administration might be laying the groundwork to deploy troops to the polls. And @pgeddington.com thinks it may just start with Virginia’s fast-approaching gubernatorial election.
The redistricting battle now moves from the state capitol to the federal courthouse, where pro-voting advocates have already taken steps to try to block the map.
BREAKING: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs Republicans’ gerrymander, which could add five GOP seats ahead of the midterm elections, into law. After signing the map, Abbott said, “Texas is now more red than the United States Congress.”
Since the Texas redistricting saga began, our newsroom has published over 50 articles to keep you informed. Our free newsletters are the best way to follow it all. Join thousands of others and sign up today. hubs.ly/Q03jcjCC0
NEW VIDEO: Trump is attacking the Constitution and Rep. Jamie Raskin is calling him out. He joined me to discuss restoring American democracy, the administration’s overreach into elections, and Trump’s desire to be a dictator. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDLI...
TODAY: A Texas court will hear former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s request to temporarily block Attorney General Ken Paxton's attempt to shutter his nonprofit. Paxton previously sued the organization for fundraising for quorum-breaking House Democrats. Background: www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
TODAY: A federal court will hold a hearing in Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s lawsuit challenging Trump’s attempt to remove her from office. Cook is seeking to temporarily block the administration from proceeding with her termination. Background:
Recently, in a legally questionable move, the DOJ has sent letters to multiple states requesting access to their voter registration lists. Now, the department is escalating its efforts by threatening legal action if states refuse.
The Justice Department has led an unprecedented effort to access states’ sensitive voter data, but no one safeguards elections more than state and local officials. Colorado officials proved that by pushing back against federal demands, Pamela Smith writes.
A judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit against every federal district judge in Maryland. The department’s suit sought to overturn a court order that temporarily blocked the government from deporting people after they had filed a challenge.
Thoughts? 👀 #katyperry
Our team works hard to bring you exclusive access to people on the front lines of the fight to protect voting rights. Upgrade today to power in-depth coverage of redistricting battles in Texas and beyond because what happens here affects us all.
Federal Reserve governors are appointed to 14-year terms, specifically to assert their independence from executive power over the central bank and insulate them from political pressure. Trump’s unprecedented attempt to remove Cook from her position challenges the board’s independence.
NEW: Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook sues Trump after he attempted to remove her from the board for “potentially criminal conduct,” citing mortgage claim allegations. Cook argues the president failed to show requisite sufficient cause for the attempted dismissal.
Pro-voting groups challenging Texas's 2021 congressional map are now challenging the newly-approved gerrymander. The groups allege it violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by further diluting Black and Latino voting power.
The Trump administration invited North Carolina to help "soft launch" a new DHS voter program that allows states to verify citizenship to hunt for noncitizens on the rolls. The administration called the rollout “an exciting opportunity.”
After Texas started a gerrymandering war, several other states are proposing their own mid-decade redistricting in hopes of swaying control of the House in 2026. These are the states you should be watching ⤵️
BREAKING: In a major win for voting rights, an Arizona Court tosses a GOP lawsuit that tried to make voting by mail even harder. With nearly 90% of Arizonans voting by mail — this ruling protects voters from mass ballot rejections based on minor signature mismatches.
Trump escalated his war on Democratic-led cities by threatening to send military forces into Chicago. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the move is about Trump “searching for ways to lay the groundwork to circumvent our democracy… and end elections.”
I'm tired of this theater where Donald Trump asks Republicans to do something, they seem to push bank and then cave. The only two factions of the current GOP are proud MAGA and scared MAGA. Anyone who thinks Republicans are acting in good faith is delusional.
WIN: The 9th Circuit just upheld a fairer map for Yakima Valley, rejecting bad-faith appeals that tried to dilute Latino voting power in Washington state. The remedial map stands — and Latino communities in central WA will get a real chance to elect candidates of their choice.
Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, marking the first time in U.S. history that a president has tried to fire a sitting member of the Federal Reserve Board. The move raises questions about the limits of executive power over the central bank.
This is very bad news. Louisiana won't even defend its own map in SCOTUS. It abandoned its own Black voters. Those of us committed to defending the VRA are now entirely on our own. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
NEW: Only those who are authorized and accountable to their voters should have access to voting systems, even if the request for access comes directly from the White House. Right now, state and local officials are the ones pushing back as these bounds continue to be tested, Pamela Smith writes.
NEW: Louisiana — after filing its brief in a Supreme Court case that could shape the future of the Voting Rights Act — will no longer defend its court-ordered map adding a second majority-Black district. Instead, it argues that using race in redistricting is unconstitutional.
BREAKING: The California Supreme Court rejects Republicans’ bid to block state officials from putting a redistricting measure aimed at countering Texas’ gerrymander on the November ballot. This marks the second GOP challenge to the state’s redistricting to be thrown out in one week.
Democracy Docket just hit 500,000 YouTube subscribers! Thank you for the support 🎉 If you haven’t yet, subscribe now to get the latest pro-democracy stories straight to your screen 📺 www.youtube.com/democracydoc...
BREAKING: A Georgia judge rules to hold the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in civil contempt after two Democrats blocked the appointment of two election deniers to the county election board. The commission board faces a $10,000 daily fine until the appointments are made.
You can read that story here: www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
In a landmark victory for voters, a Utah judge struck down the state Legislature’s gerrymandered congressional map. The ruling permanently blocked use of the GOP-drawn map, which diluted the power of non-Republican voters.
We broke the story on a top election conspiracy theorist appointed to a new DHS election post. Then, WaPo, AP, Pro Publica and others followed suit. We’ll always be first to give you the deep dive on voting, elections and democracy. Subscribe to always be the first to know. hubs.ly/Q03jcjCC0
SCOOP: The Trump administration is asking states to help "soft launch" a new DHS voter program that allows states to more readily verify citizenship. The move is part of the administration’s broader effort to use federal data to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. From: @jimsaksa.com
NEW VIDEO: Donald Trump is weaponizing the Department of Justice to target Democrats. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ) joins the podcast to discuss Trump’s threat to the immigrant community, the federal takeover in D.C. and the GOP’s refusal to do their job. youtu.be/-9GqHs09QcY
The political appointment, first reported by Democracy Docket, shows how self-styled election investigators who have thrown themselves into election conspiracy theories since 2020 are now being celebrated by a presidential administration that indulges their false claims.
The state argued that while racial discrimination in voting was an “extraordinary problem” in 1965, "today, no one contends that the same degree of 'pervasive evil' persists. Gone are the days of 'literacy and knowledge tests, good moral character requirements...and the like.”
NEW: Alabama asks the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that the state’s congressional map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Alabama argues that race-based districting under Section 2 is no longer constitutionally justified.
ICYMI: The 3rd Circuit ruled Pennsylvania must count undated or wrongly dated mail-in ballots, determining that rejecting such ballots was unconstitutional. “Casting a ballot and having it counted are central to the democratic process,” a judge wrote.
HAPPENING NOW: Stream the Fulton County hearing below👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtSL...
Read more about these cases below👇 Texas: www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/... Georgia: www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
TODAY: ⚖️ A Texas court will hear voting advocates’ request to block the state’s new gerrymandered map. ⚖️ A Georgia court will hear the Fulton County GOP’s request to hold Democratic commissioners in contempt for refusing to appoint election deniers to the county election board.
Voter ID laws shift the burden of voting onto citizens, turning a fundamental right into a privilege for those who lack the required documentation at the right time. These laws disproportionately impact: ✅Black and Latino voters ✅Women ✅Students www.democracydocket.com/analysis/the...
Not tired of winning!🥳
Texas Voters are seeking to block the state's new congressional map before the 2026 midterms, arguing it constitutes a racial gerrymander. Voters offered evidence that a Republican state representative said the redraw was based on race, not partisanship. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
NEW: The GOP-led North Carolina Board of Elections warned 82,000 voters that their votes might not count unless they provide additional identifying information — a move that offers a preview of the kind of Republican schemes we may soon see across the country, @billycorriher.bsky.social writes.
The far-right threatens our democracy, and fighting back takes reporting that exposes them before they make headlines. That’s what we do at Democracy Docket — all powered by our premium members. Upgrade today for $10/month and help push extremism back to the fringe. newsletters.democracydocket.com
Democracy Docket is getting ready to publish my latest about how yesterday was a day of tyranny in America. Receive premium content and support Democracy Docket's critical mission by joining now. hubs.ly/Q03jcjqP0
Very big ruling: Democrats can win a seat if the new maps have at least most of Salt Lake City in a single district (as opposed to split among all 4 of Utah's congressional districts, in the struck-down map) www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
NEW VIDEO: Donald Trump is weaponizing the Department of Justice to target Democrats. Rep. Rob Menendez joins me to discuss Trump’s threat to the immigrant community, the federal takeover of Washington, D.C., and the GOP’s refusal to do their job. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Gq...
NEW: A federal judge dismisses a DOJ lawsuit against every federal district judge in Maryland, calling the Trump administration’s efforts to “smear and impugn” judges unprecedented. The lawsuit sought to overturn a court order blocking the government from deporting certain individuals.
Days after being freed from custody, Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been detained again after arriving at a required check-in at a Maryland ICE field center. ICE said they intended to deport him to Uganda. For now, a judge has blocked the agency from doing so.
Pro-voting rights groups sued Ohio over a new law mandating proof of citizenship for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) voter registrations. Given that nearly 30% of Ohioans register through the BMV, the lawsuit's outcome could significantly impact voting access in a key swing state.
"The date requirement imposes a burden on Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to vote… discarding thousands of ballots each time an election is held. The date requirement will not protect against the vast majority of attempts at voter fraud," the court wrote.
NEW: In a huge win for voters, the 3rd Circuit upholds a lower court ruling that requires Pennsylvania to count undated or wrongly dated mail-in ballots, finding that a previous law rejecting such ballots was unconstitutional. From: @jimsaksa.com
Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to overturn a 5th Circuit ruling that struck down the state’s five-day post-election grace period for late mail-in ballots. If the Court takes up the case, it could theoretically strike down grace periods nationwide.
Fighting Republican attacks on democracy can feel like an uphill battle, but one way to make a difference is by campaigning for Democratic governors who have the power to veto unfair congressional maps, Meghan Meehan-Draper writes.
BREAKING: In a massive win for democracy, a Utah judge struck down the GOP’s gerrymandered congressional map. Utah voters demanded fairer maps and politicians must now deliver.
BREAKING: Trump has FIRED Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook — the first time in U.S. history a president has removed a sitting Fed governor. This unprecedented power grab shatters long-standing protections meant to keep the Fed independent from partisan politics.
The FBI raided the home of Trump’s former national security advisor who later became a prominent critic of the president, marking a major escalation in the DOJ’s campaign against Trump’s perceived political enemies. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
NEW: President Trump has renewed his threat to send troops into Chicago, escalating his war on Democratic-led cities. Illinois leaders emphasized crime is down sharply this year and vow to fight him every step of the way.
California approved bills to set up a November special election where voters can greenlight a new congressional map that could add five blue seats in Congress. “With our democracy on the line, we will not run away from this fight,” Democrats said.
WIN: The 3rd Circuit denies the RNC's request to halt a lower court ruling requiring Pennsylvania counties to count undated and wrongly dated ballots through the 2025 General Election. Counties must count these ballots as litigation continues.
The law singles out BMV applicants: 👩 Many women lack documents that reflect legal names after marriage or divorce. 👵 Seniors may have lost or never obtained citizenship papers, which may be prohibitively expensive to replace. 👩🎓 Students often keep important records with family far from campus.
NEW: Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit against Ohio, warning that a new law requiring proof of citizenship for voters registering at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles threatens to disenfranchise thousands of eligible citizens, especially women, older voters and students.
NEW: California Republicans sue to block Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan from appearing on the November ballot, claiming Democrats violated state constitutional restrictions on redistricting. The Democratic effort aims to respond to the GOP's Texas gerrymander. From: @jenrice.bsky.social
NEW: Mississippi asks SCOTUS to restore its five-day post-election grace period for late mail-in ballots. Scrapping the grace period as the GOP wants, the state argues, could jeopardize the voting rights of military and overseas voters. From: @jimsaksa.com
NEW: Trump signs executive orders to expand the military's role in D.C., and across the country. The directives call for the preparation of national guard units in each state to be ready to "assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances." From: @jimsaksa.com
SCOOP: Heather Honey, an election conspiracy theorist tied to anti-voting lawyer Cleta Mitchell, was appointed to a new “election integrity” position at DHS. Honey boasts a long history of promoting election conspiracies and has questioned the 2020 election results. From: @mattdcohen.bsky.social
UPDATE: A federal judge in D.C. blocks Abrego Garcia’s immediate deportation to Uganda and orders that he remain detained in a Virginia ICE facility until a hearing Friday.
To bolster its claim that the legislature intentionally discriminated against minority Texans, the pro-voting plaintiffs offered evidence that a key GOP lawmaker used racial data to make the case for the map.
NEW: Pro-voting groups and minority voters challenging Texas’ existing congressional map from 2021 are now seeking to block the state’s newly-passed gerrymander from taking effect, claiming the new map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. From: @jenrice.bsky.social
NEW: After being freed from custody last week, Kilmar Abrego Garcia — who was wrongly removed from the U.S. and imprisoned in El Salvador earlier this year — has been detained by ICE once again after arriving at a required check-in at ICE’s Baltimore field office. From: @mattdcohen.bsky.social
As the Trump administration continues to suppress voters and undermine democracy, we're tracking their every move to keep you informed. Upgrade now for $120/year to get exclusive analysis like this sent straight to your inbox. newsletters.democracydocket.com
NEW VIDEO: My weekly update on what’s happening to our democracy and the court cases you need to watch. This week I give you the most up to date news on Texas' gerrymandered map, the weaponization of the government, the Epstein Files, some good news, and more. Watch and share!