American Democracy Minute A 90 second radio news report & podcast on U.S. democracy issues

High Turnout of Conservative Voters Also Led to Losses for Democracy Reform in Ohio, Nevada, Colorado and Potentially Alaska

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024

Democracy reform-related citizen ballot initiatives failed November 5th, as high turnout of GOP voters and deceptive messaging overwhelmed a citizen-led redistricting commission, open primaries and ranked choice voting.

States Increased Security in Election Offices and Polling Places, and Increased Penalties for Threatening or Harassing Election Officials

November 4, 2024November 5, 2024

Election deniers, take notice. Since just 2022, 20 states have tightened laws to protect election workers, upping penalties, expanding definitions of harassment, protecting personal information, and prohibiting “doxing.” In other words, “Don’t mess with election workers.”

Close Races, New Rules, Mail-in Ballots and Election Deniers Mean Election Night is Not Likely to Be Results Night

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

Election night is unlikely to be “results night”. Irresponsible candidates may exploit an extended time to declare a winner and say there’s something illicit about the process. In fact, it’s our patriotic friends and neighbors who serve as poll workers, taking the time needed to get it right.

Not Registered to Vote? Your State May Be One of Nineteen Which Allows Election Day Registration, But You’ll Need to Be Prepared.

November 3, 2024November 3, 2024

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow citizens to register to vote on election day. But that doesn’t mean that election-day registration is convenient, simple, or that your vote will count in all cases.

U.S. Supreme Court Allows Virginia to Purge of Alleged Non Citizen Voters Only Days Before the Election, Ignoring Established Federal Law. Eligible Voters Were on the List, Too.

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024

Ignoring established federal law, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority overturned two lower court decisions and allowed Virginia to continue its purge of suspected registered non citizen voters. News outlets have since confirmed that eligible Virginia voters were among them.