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

American Democracy Minute’s Brian Beihl Reads the full original text of the Declaration of Independence

July 3, 2026July 3, 2026

Host Brian Beihl reads a transcription of the original Declaration of Independence on July 2, 2026 in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday. Feel free to share this recording with others. A reminder that the text includes racist descriptions of Native Americans.

Throwing Off Despotism: For Independence Day, a Portion on the Declaration of Independence

July 2, 2026July 3, 2026

For July 4th, while we can't read the entire Declaration of Independence in 90 seconds, we read a portion which includes the passage: "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government." Happy Independence Day.

U.S. Supreme Court’s Conservative Majority Unleashes Political Party Coordinated Campaign Money – And Likely More Big Donor Influence

July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

In the tradition of Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority decided National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC, allowing political parties to spend unlimited funds on behalf of a federal candidate. It could unleash even more campaign money and more big donor influence.

In a Surprising Pro-Voter Decision the U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Mississippi’s Five-Day Mail-In Ballot Grace Period

June 30, 2026June 30, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court surprisingly upheld Mississippi’s law allowing eligible mail-in ballots to be counted up to five days after election day. The decision protects voters in the 29 states which allow receipt of absentee, mail-in, or overseas UOCAVA ballots after election day, if postmarked on or before that day.

SCOTUS Lets Stand an 8th Circuit Decision Disallowing a ‘Private Right of Action’ in Voting Rights Cases. It May Be the Next VRA Domino to Fall

June 29, 2026June 30, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a case from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals June 22nd which takes another step toward striking down a “private right of action” for Voting Rights Act cases. For the moment, it impacts only seven states, but it may be the next VRA domino to fall.