The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 8, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Trump’s pick of Senator J.D. Vance raises a question for pro-democracy voters. How do the VP candidates stand on democracy issues?
In his 2022 U.S. Senate primary, J.D. Vance embraced 2020 election fraud theories when he told the Youngstown, OH Vindicator, “There were certainly people voting illegally on a large-scale basis,” and repeated a conspiracy theory that Meta founder Mark Zuckerburg used election administration grants to manipulate the results. He recently told the New York Times that the alternate slates of electors should have been debated in Congress. Newsweek reported Vance HAS called for election day as a national holiday, widely supported by Americans, but as a tool to end mail-in voting.
Earlier this year, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill including the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, restoring protections stripped from the federal 1965 VRA. In 2023, he restored voting rights to 55,000 formerly incarcerated citizens and signed the Democracy for the People Act, establishing automatic voter registration, creating a standing mail-in voting list,pre-registering 16 and 17 year olds, and requiring more disclosure of political advertising funders.
Upon its signing, Walz said, “Democracy thrives when everyone’s voice is heard. Today, we’re ensuring a strong democracy by prioritizing accessibility and voter protections.”
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Minnesota Takes More Big Steps in Expanding and Protecting the Right to Vote, Including Passing the Minnesota Voting Rights Act
American Democracy Minute – Minnesota Governor Signs “Democracy for the People Act” Enhancing Voting Access and Protections
VoteBeat – Vice president candidates present stark contrast on voting issues
Democracy Docket – Trump VP Pick JD Vance Has a History of Election Denialism and Anti-Voting Policies
NOTUS – JD Vance Insists He Has Trump’s Confidence
Newsweek – (2022) What J.D. Vance Has Said on Voter Fraud as Ohio Sets Mail-In Ballot Record
The Vindicator – Vance talks voter fraud, conspiracy
New York Times – (Possible paywall) What J.D. Vance Believes
Check Your Voter Registration
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #TimWalz #JDVance #DemocracyReform