The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 19, 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.

In official meeting rooms around the country, 538 electors for the 2024 Presidential election met December 17th to cast their vote on behalf of their state’s results.  Thirteen of those Electoral College electors are accused 2020 fake electors, some of whom still face prosecution. 

Trump campaign associates coordinated a plot in seven battleground states to submit a fraudulent slate of Republican electors.  The plot failed when Vice President Mike Pence refused to participate and certified the results. 

The alleged “fake electors” in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia and Arizona were subject to investigations by state officials, the January 6th Committee, and the Special Counsel.  Fake electors in Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona still face trial. Nevada prosecutors just refiled charges Dec.12th.  No charges were brought in New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

Stunningly, 13 of those electors were renominated by their state Republican parties as electors in 2024.  Six of the 15 awaiting trial for forgery in Michigan were renominated. Six Nevada electors were re-indicted last week on forgery charges, two of whom were renominated, including Jesse Law and state GOP chair Michael McDonald.  

Still unclear is whether Trump will include the fake electors in his promised pardons for those accused and convicted for the January 6th insurrection.  

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – The cases against fake electors and where they stand
LawFare – Where the Fake Electors Cases Stand in State Court
Michigan Public – “Vindication” as Trump’s “fake electors” serve as real ’24 electors
NPR – ‘Fake electors’ from 2020 are casting 2024 votes for Trump while facing felony charges

ABC News – 13 accused of being ‘fake electors’ cast Electoral College votes for Trump
Wisconsin Politics – Trump vows to eliminate Education Department, pardon Jan. 6 convicts during Mosinee rally
CNN – Recordings, emails show how Trump team flew fake elector ballots to DC in final push to overturn 2020 election
WSAZ – January 6th defendants, “fake electors” hope President-elect Trump keeps his word on pardons

Groups Taking Action:
C.R.E.W.,  LawForward

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #January6th #FakeElectors

The post Among 2024 Electoral College Presidential Electors Were 13 Alleged 2020 Fake Electors, Some of Whom Await Trial on Fraud Charges appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 13, 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.

We have updates on stories we’ve been following, including North Carolina’s  Supreme Court race & a power grab by its legislature, ranked choice voting in Alaska, and more charges in Wisconsin for Donald Trump’s fake elector scheme advisors.

We reported December 11th that a GOP state Supreme Court candidate who lost by 734 votes and failed in two recounts, asked the North Carolina Election Board to invalidate as many as 60,000 voters.  North Carolina Newsline reports that in a 3-2 vote Wednesday, the board rejected that request, though a court appeal is likely.

Also December 11th, the North Carolina legislature overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill designed to strip power from the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.  In an attempt to retain GOP power before it loses its supermajority, the authority to appoint election board members was shifted to the state auditor, a Republican.  The attorney general was also stripped of any ability to bring suit against legislation proposed by the North Carolina legislature.

In Alaska, a recount of the attempted repeal of ranked choice voting and open primaries is complete.  The repeal failed by 743 votes – one-quarter of one percent.

In Wisconsin, 10 additional felony forgery charges were brought against Trump campaign advisors, attorney Jim Troupis, attorney Kenneth Chesebro, and election day director Mike Roman.

We have links to more on all these stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – After losing two recounts in State Supreme Court Race, North Carolina GOP Candidate Is Still Challenging the Eligibility of 60,000 Voters
NC Newsline – NC Board of Elections rejects GOP Supreme Court candidate’s efforts to throw out thousands of votes
Carolina Public Press – Holdout NC House reps get in line with GOP, override veto
American Democracy Minute – Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting and ‘Top 4’ Open Primaries Survive Repeal Referendum – By a Whisker
Alaska Public Media – The recount is over. Alaska will keep ranked choice voting.

PBS Newshour/AP – Trump lawyers and aide face additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors

Groups Taking Action
Democracy North Carolina, Alaskans for Better Elections, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W.)

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social 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 #Wisconsin #Alaska #North Carolina

The post Updates for State Stories We’ve Been Following in North Carolina, Alaska, and Wisconsin appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 29, 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.

Our last three reports focused on the likely plans for bad actors to subvert the election.  Thankfully, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, which most experts believe will prevail. How does it work?

The ECRA sets up federal court guidelines for expedited election challenges, including emergency U.S. Supreme Court action.  That’s important, because the ECRA also sets hard deadlines for states to submit their certification and slate of electors, limiting litigation intended to delay the process. 

It also prohibits a state legislature from changing the set of electors are chosen AFTER the election, a tactic bad actors proposed in 2020.  It clarifies that only a governor or designated “executive” are allowed to transmit the “certificate of ascertainment” and list of electors, avoiding another fake elector scheme.  The transmission goes directly to Congress six days before the electors convene, which must occur by the “the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December.”  This election, that’s December 17th, 2024.

Once the process reaches Congress, the ECRA raises the threshold to object to a state’s certification from one senator and one representative, to one-fifth of each body, making it harder to second-guess a state’s certification and obstruct the proceedings.  And it clarifies the role of the Vice President as procedural, not the final word on state certifications or electors.

We have more on the Electoral Count Reform Act at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Protect Democracy – Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022

Brennan Center for Justice – How Electoral Votes Are Counted for the Presidential Election
Campaign Legal Center – Updating the Electoral Count Act to Protect the Will of the People in Presidential Election
The Fulcrum – Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act
National Constitution Center – Democracy Checkup: Preparing for the 2024 Election

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 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 #ProtectElections #ElectoralCountReformAct #ECRA

The post It May Be Bumpy, But Most Democracy Experts Think the Electoral Count Reform Act Will Help Protect the Election appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 29, 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.

Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted a revised criminal conspiracy indictment of former President Donald Trump Aug. 27th, adjusted to remove actions deemed “official acts” by the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority. 

Like the original indictment, Trump is charged with four felony counts in the U.S. District Court in DC:   Conspiracy to Defraud the United States; Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding; Obstruction of and an Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding; and Conspiracy Against Rights.  Removed in this version are charges related to Trump’s alleged manipulation of the U.S. Justice Department, to pressure state officials to change the outcome of the election, which the justices explicitly said was an “official” act.

Alleged “unofficial acts”, however, are still included, including: Knowingly deceiving the American public about the outcome of the election; attempting to pressure Georgia officials to “find” 11,780 votes; knowledge and support of the fake elector scheme; the attempt to pressure Vice President Mike Pence in his Constitutional but ceremonial role presiding over the certification; his speech at a privately-funded rally prior to the Capitol violence on January 6th; and attempting to “injure, oppress, threaten and intimidate” citizens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution.

No new trial date has been set, but it’s no longer feasible to try the former President prior to the election.   We have a link to the new indictment at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court – Presidential Powers – Presidential Immunity Opinion

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia – Revised Indictment in United States v. Donald J. Trump
SCOTUS Blog – Special Counsel Jack Smith revises indictment against Trump

The Hill – Smith files new indictment in Trump Jan. 6 case, adjusting for immunity decision

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Campaign Legal Center, States United Democracy Center

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 #TrumpCriminalTrials #ElectionInterference #JackSmith

The post Special Counsel Submits Revised Criminal Conspiracy Indictment of Trump After SCOTUS Immunity Ruling on Presidential Powers appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 12, 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.

We’re beginning a series exploring whether our Presidential election is safer now from being overturned by bad actors.  In our first report, we examine new protections in the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. Later, we’ll explore what  protections states have in place — or not. 

The attempt by GOP bad actors to legally and savagely pressure Vice President Mike Pence to not certify the 2020 Presidential election resulted in changes to the federal 1887 Electoral Count Act in 2022.       

It takes 270 electoral votes to win a Presidential election, out of a possible 538 from the 50 states plus DC.  The fake elector scheme hinged on members of Congress objecting to their state’s count, reducing Joe Biden’s number of electors, then substituting a slate of fake electors giving Donald Trump the electoral votes instead. 

The Electoral Count Reform Act raised the threshold to consider an objection in the House and Senate, from one senator and one representative, to one-fifth of each body.  Should the bodies vote to object to a state’s count, the total electoral votes needed to win diminishes by the number of that state’s electors, removing that incentive to object.  It also clarified the role of the Vice President as procedural, not judging validity of the state’s counts.   

We’ll explore how the act clarified the states’ role in our next report. 

Find detailed resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Archives – Electoral College Timeline of Events
National Archives – Roles and Responsibilities in the Electoral College Process
Brennan Center for Justice – How Electoral Votes Are Counted for the Presidential Election
Senator Susan Collins – SUMMARY – ELECTORAL COUNT REFORM ACT OF 2022
Campaign Legal Center – Congress Takes Historic Action to Update the Electoral Count Act
Brennan Center for Justice – Much Needed Reform for the Electoral Count Act

Groups Taking Action:

Protect Elections, League of Women Voters US, National Popular Vote Compact

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 #ProtectElections #ElectoralCountReformAct #ElectionSubversion

The post What is the Electoral Count Reform Act and How Will it Protect Presidential Elections at the Federal Level?  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.