Voters Archives | American Democracy Minute A 90 second radio news report & podcast on U.S. democracy issues Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:20:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AmericanDemocracyMinuteLogo3_sm.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Voters Archives | American Democracy Minute 32 32 204031415 Updates on Two Consequential State Supreme Court Cases in North Carolina and Pennsylvania https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/01/23/updates-on-two-consequential-state-supreme-court-cases-in-north-carolina-and-pennsylvania/ Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:43:30 +0000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/?p=4467 From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!

We have updates on important state supreme court cases involving the outcome of a November 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election, and whether Pennsylvania can count mail ballots with missing dates.  

The post Updates on Two Consequential State Supreme Court Cases in North Carolina and Pennsylvania appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!



Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

We have updates on important state supreme court cases involving the outcome of a November 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election, and whether Pennsylvania can count mail ballots with missing dates.  

First to North Carolina, where after two recounts, a race for supreme court justice is separated by 734 votes, with 5.5 million ballots cast.  Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs was declared the winner over Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin, but Griffin refused to concede and appealed to invalidate as many as 60,000 voters.  

Griffin’s challenge includes voters with felony convictions, despite North Carolina’s returning citizen rights restoration.  He and the North Carolina GOP also challenge voters with incomplete registration information, some of whom are even elected officials and have voted for years. 

Wednesday, the Carolina Journal reported that the North Carolina Supreme Court refused to hear the case in a 5 to 1 decision, sending it back to Wake County Superior Court to consider Judge Griffin’s complaints

Back in October, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused to rule whether  on-time mail-in ballots missing a signing date could be counted. Of the two challenges filed, the ACLU’s argument that rejecting the ballots is a violation of the state constitution’s Free and Equal Elections Clause will be considered, and the other dismissed.   No trial date has been set.

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

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (2024) After losing two recounts in State Supreme Court Race, North Carolina GOP Candidate Is Still Challenging the Eligibility of 60,000 Voters
Carolina Journal – NC Supreme Court sends Griffin’s election complaint back to trial court
Courthouse News – North Carolina Supreme Court sends election challenge for associate justice seat downwards
American Democracy Minute – (2024)  PA Supreme Court Refuses to Rehear Mail-In Ballot Missing Date Appeal and Others As Too Close to the Election
Pennsylvania Supreme Court – BRIAN T. BAXTER AND SUSAN T. KINNIRY  v.  PHILADELPHIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE,, AND REPUBLICAN PARTY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Votebeat PA – Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear latest case over undated mail ballots

Groups Taking Action:

ACLU PAPA Conference of the NAACP, Common Cause PA, Black Political Empowerment Project

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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


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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCarolina #Pennsylvania #NCSupremeCourt #PASupremeCourt  #VoterSuppression


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Not Registered to Vote?  Your State May Be One of Nineteen Which Allows Election Day Registration, But You’ll Need to Be Prepared. https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/11/03/not-registered-to-vote-your-state-may-be-one-of-nineteen-which-allows-election-day-registration-but-youll-need-to-be-prepared/ Sun, 03 Nov 2024 17:39:07 +0000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/?p=4167 From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!

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.  

The post Not Registered to Vote?  Your State May Be One of Nineteen Which Allows Election Day Registration, But You’ll Need to Be Prepared. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!



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.

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.  

The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that states with election-day registration have an average 5% higher voter participation, including younger voters and voters of color.  Which is why since 2020 some partisan state legislatures have put in more restrictions on same day registration, disingenuously claiming QUOTE, “election integrity.”  There is no evidence of widespread abuse of election day registration.  

While it’s more challenging than it used to be, election day registration is still better than not voting at all.  These states allow election day registration:  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia.  Alaska and Rhode Island allow it to vote for President and Vice President.

Restrictions may include use of a provisional ballot if the voter’s eligibility can’t be established on election day  – which may not count if the voter doesn’t return with proof in a specified time.  For voters registering on election day, best practice is to bring your birth certificate or passport, driver’s license, and proof of where you live, such as apartment rental documents, bank statements, tax documents or utility bills.

Links to information on election-day registration and voting requirements can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Conference of State Legislatures – Same-Day Voter Registration
Rock the Vote –  Same Day Voter Registration & Requirements

Ballotpedia – Voter Registration Deadlines
Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst – New Study Finds That States with Same Day Voter Registration Have Higher Black and Latinx Turnout
Montana Free Press – Montana Supreme Court says no to Election Day voter registration
Center for Public Integrity – It’s already too late for thousands of would-be voters: Why that matters

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause US, League of Women Voters USNative American Rights Fund

Check Your Voter Registration:


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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VoterRegistration #SameDayRegistration #ElectionDayRegistration


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Pew Study Finds 85% of Americans Don’t Think Elected Officials Care About What ‘People Like Them’ Think – Up 30% since 2000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/06/18/pew-study-finds-85-of-americans-dont-think-elected-officials-care-about-what-people-like-them-think-up-30-since-2000/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:56:56 +0000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/?p=3572 From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!

A Pew Research Center report released in late April finds that Americans are frustrated with their federal government, and say that elected officials don’t care about what “people like them” think.

The post Pew Study Finds 85% of Americans Don’t Think Elected Officials Care About What ‘People Like Them’ Think – Up 30% since 2000 appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!



Chart: Pew Research Center

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.

A Pew Research Center report released in late April finds that Americans are frustrated with their federal government, and say that elected officials don’t care about what “people like them” think.

U.S. adults were surveyed in 2023 as part of a poll conducted since 1994.  In the early 2000s, 55% agreed with the statement that “Elected officials don’t care about what people like me think.”  In the most recent survey, that figure is 85%.  

It’s not surprising then that 70% of Americans say ordinary people have too little influence over the decisions members of Congress make, and 73% say lobbyists and special interests have too much influence. Eighty percent see campaign donors as having too much influence. 

In response to how the political system in the U.S. is working, only 4% said “Extremely well.”  Twenty-three percent said “very well,” 45% “not too well”, and 

27% not well at all.  Fifty-nine percent said they were frustrated with the federal government; 21% said they were angry.

Democracy advocates point to ranked choice voting, single ballot open primaries, and small-donor public financing of campaigns as ways of refocusing the attention of elected officials on ordinary citizens.   

RCV and open primary initiatives are on the November ballot in Nevada, Colorado & Arizona.

We’ve linked the Pew survey at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Pew Research Center – More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think
Pew Research Center – Money, power and the influence of ordinary people in American politics
Pew Research Center – Views of the U.S. political system, the federal government and federal-state relations
Groups Taking Action:
Open Primaries, Represent.Us, FairVote, American Promise, Issue One


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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #PewResearchCenter #EndBigMoney #OpenPrimaries #RCV


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Gallup Poll Finds Americans Think a Major Third Party is Needed https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/05/29/gallup-poll-finds-americans-think-a-major-third-party-is-needed/ Wed, 29 May 2024 15:41:42 +0000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/?p=3493 From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!

A poll by Gallup finds majority support for a major third party option among almost every segment of voters, ticking up to 63%  last fall.  This includes increases among Republicans and independents.

The post Gallup Poll Finds Americans Think a Major Third Party is Needed appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!



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.

A poll by Gallup finds majority support for a major third party option among almost every segment of voters, ticking up to 63%  last fall.  This includes increases among Republicans and independents.

Gallup asked this question:  “In your view, do the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job of representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a third major party is needed?”

Among those who answered, “No, a third party is needed,” 58% identified as Republicans, 75% as independents and 46% as Democrats.  As to household income, 63% of voters with incomes less than $50,000 dollars thought a third party was needed. Incomes of $50 to $100,000 were 58%, and over $100,000, 70%. 

Since 2013, support for a major third party hovers at plus or minus 60%, and hasn’t dropped below 40% since the poll’s inception in 2003.    

Source: Gallup

Third parties have been viewed as spoilers in American elections, such as Ralph Nader and the Green Party in 2000, or independent Ross Perot in 1992.  But Democracy reform advocates argue single ballot open primaries offer more choices, and ranked choice voting allows voters to vote with their heart for a third party candidate, while still choosing a major party candidate as a second choice.  

We’ve linked to the Gallup poll and more AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Gallup Organization – Support for Third U.S. Political Party Up to 63%
Gallup Organization – Poll Details – PDF Download
U.S. Department of State – Election Briefing Series: The Role of Third Parties in U.S. Elections

ABC News –  Why these voters are considering third-party options in the 2024 presidential race
Politico – ‘It Will Be a Nail Biter’: A Third-Party Scholar on the 2024 Election

Groups Taking Action:
FairVote, Represent.Us, Open Primaries


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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ThirdParty #GallupPoll #RCV #OpenPrimaries


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Federal Court Releases Redistricting New WA Maps After Striking Down Districts Diluting Latino Voting Power https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/03/19/federal-court-releases-redistricting-maps-after-striking-down-districts-diluting-latino-voting-power/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:49:42 +0000 https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/?p=3139 From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!

A Washington State fight over Latino voting rights may still not be over, but March 15th, a federal judge approved new state house and senate maps for central Washington State.  The previous Washington State Redistricting Commission maps were thrown out as diluting Latino voting power.

The post Federal Court Releases Redistricting New WA Maps After Striking Down Districts Diluting Latino Voting Power appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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From the American Democracy Minute Radio Report!



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.

A Washington State fight over Latino voting rights may still not be over, but March 15th, a federal judge approved new state house and senate maps for central Washington State.  The previous Washington State Redistricting Commission maps were thrown out as diluting Latino voting power.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik chose a map submitted by the plaintiffs which he said QUOTE  “… provides Latino voters with an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the state legislature.”    Remedial Map 3 stretches from the town of Pasco in Franklin County to the East Yakima area of Yakima County, which the judge noted would meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act.

The opportunity district was also made an even-numbered district, which under Washington’s staggered election system means candidates there would face election during higher turnout Presidential election years. 

Federal Court changes to Washington’s 14th & 15th districts. Graphic – Campaign Legal Center

Five Republican legislators elected under the former maps, find themselves in different districts, and are crying foul.  The Washington State Standard quotes the GOP’s Senate Minority Leader John Braun as saying, “This is an unjust outcome,” and he claims that the decision was about electing more Democrats.   An attorney for the Campaign Legal Center said, “This map gives the Yakima Valley Latino community at long last the opportunity to have a fair shot at electing the candidate of their choice.”

 Republicans have already appealed to the federal Ninth District Circuit Court.

We have links to more reporting on Washington’s new maps, the groups taking action, and a sign-up to receive free daily updates by email, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. District Court, Western District of WA via Democracy Docket – Order in Palmer v. Hobbs
Washington State Standard – Federal judge sets new boundaries for Yakima Valley legislative district
Washington State Standard – Redistricting ruling stirs partisan uproar
Oregon Public Broadcasting/Northwest News Network – Judge approves Washington’s new legislative district maps after court battle over Latino voting rights

Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), UCLA Voting Rights Project


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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #EndGerrymandering #LatinoVoters

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