The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 26, 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.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during the Democratic National Convention that he would make passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act a 2025 priority. But THAT requires Democratic majorities in the House and Senate – AND fixing the filibuster.
The Freedom to Vote Act was reintroduced in 2023, after coming within two votes of changing filibuster rules to allow it to pass with 51 votes in 2021. Filibuster rules allow a Senator to block a bill, unless there are 60 votes to overcome the objection.
The sweeping Freedom to Vote Act increases ballot access by requiring early voting in all 50 states, allows mail-in voting in federal elections, sets federal minimum polling place rules for wait times, security and access, bans gerrymandering for Congressional voting districts, adds protections for certifying elections, among dozens of other reforms. The two Senators previously blocking the legislation, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, are both retiring.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act codifies Justice Department rules based on the 1965 Voting Rights Act, including the “preclearance” requirements for states with histories of discrimination. Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down those and other requirements, voter suppression has surged.
Passage of these voting rights bills depends on Democrats winning majorities in the 2024 election. We have explainers on both bills linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Explainer: The Freedom to Vote Act
Brennan Center for Justice – Explainer: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
NBC News – Chuck Schumer outlines 2025 agenda if Democrats sweep, eying filibuster changes
The Hill – Schumer: Voting rights will be first priority in 2025 if Democrats control Congress
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, LULAC, Native American Rights Fund, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,
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 #FreedomtoVote #JohnLewisAct