The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 21, 2023

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Politico – The biggest election of 2023 reaches final sprint

Wisconsin Politics – New independent expenditures push Supreme Court spending to nearly $30 million
The Guardian – In Wisconsin’s supreme court race, a super-rich beer family calls the shots
NBC News – Everytown launches ad campaign attacking conservative in WI Supreme Court race
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Secretary of State Doug La Follette to retire, Gov. Tony Evers appoints Sarah Godlewski to post
My Vote Wisconsin – Deadlines and Registration Information for April 4th Election

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We’re in the land of cheese, beer and partisan politics today.  Swing state Wisconsin not only has a pivotal state supreme court election on April 4th – the most expensive in U.S. history – its Secretary of State also just announced his retirement, creating a firestorm over his appointed replacement.

In February, liberal-leaning Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz and conservative former state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly won a primary election among four candidates.  With the general election fast approaching April 4th, an estimated $30 Million or more may be spent on the campaigns, making it the most expensive state supreme court race in U.S. history. 

Hanging in the balance is majority control of the court, currently a 4-3 conservative lean, which could impact reproductive rights, gun legislation, voting rights, and gerrymandering. Should the court shift, so could Wisconsin’s gerrymandered voting districts, which could not only change Wisconsin’s House & Senate, but its Congressional seats as well.

Also in Wisconsin news was the retirement of its long time Secretary of State, Doug La Follette, and the appointment of his successor, former State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski.  La Follette was just re-elected in November, causing critics to accuse Governor Tony Evers of planning  to subvert the voters, and they demand another special election.   

Wisconsin voters, March 31st is the deadline to register to vote at your municipal clerk’s office.  

We have articles and resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Remember to Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!  

#Democracy #DemocracyNews

The post The Stakes – and the Campaign Spending – are High in April 4 Wisconsin Supreme Court Race appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

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Today’s Links
Associated Press:   No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds
Law Fare:   The Rise of Ballot Drop Boxes Due to the Coronavirus
Brennan Center:  Voting Laws Roundup: May 2022

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Recently we reported that the Wisconsin Supreme Court revoked use of ballot drop boxes in the state, and several other states have proposed legislation that limit, complicate, or eliminate their use, claiming they were a source of widespread fraud.  The Associated Press just reviewed the use of drop boxes in the 2020 election, and didn’t find anything that affected the election.

The AP contacted top election officials in all but five states, asking whether their drop boxes were tied to fraudulent votes or stolen ballots, or whether the boxes and the ballots they contained were damaged.   Of the states which allowed drop boxes, none experienced issues which would have affected the outcome of the election.

Massachusetts and California each experienced a case of arson in drop boxes, but most of the ballots were salvaged and voters were able to cast new ballots.

The AP points out how Big Lie disinformation impacted the legitimacy of drop boxes.   North Carolina had no drop boxes in 2020, yet allegations were made that they played a role in the outcome of the election there. 

The rapid expansion of drop boxes was due in part to preventable processing changes at the US Postal Service, as voters sought confidence in their ability to deliver their ballot on time.   One voter interviewed by the AP stated, “Isn’t a mailbox a secure place to put a letter? Why would a drop box be any different?”

The AP’s article and additional data on drop boxes are available at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   Granny D said “Democracy is not something we have, it’s something we DO.”  For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.

The post American Democracy Minute for July 21, 2022: States Limited or Eliminated Drop Boxes Claiming Fraud; the AP Found None appeared first on American Democracy Minute.