The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 11, 2025

Trump Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair ‘Effective Immediately.’  It’s Not Legal.
After 22 years as a commissioner and chair of the Federal Election Commission, Ellen Weintraub was purportedly sacked by President Donald Trump with this terse sentence: “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”  But as with several of Trump’s recent actions, it’s not legal. 

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Federal Election Commission - Mission & History
Federal Election Commission - Agency Structure (Weintraub's seat is now listed as vacant)
FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub on "X" - Letter Firing Wintraub from President Donald Trump
FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub on "Bluesky" - Response to Donald Trump's Letter
Open Secrets - What is Happening at the FEC?
Campaign Legal Center -  Trump Illegally Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) - No, the FEC did not absolve Trump of his hush money campaign finance issues
Federal Election Commission - (2021) STATEMENT OF REASONS OF CHAIR SHANA M. BROUSSARD AND COMMISSIONER ELLEN L. WEINTRAUB
Investigative Reporting Workshop - (2021) FEC debates deadlocks and dismissals

Groups Taking Action:

CREW, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FEC #FederalElectionCommission #EllenWeintraub #TrumpCriminalTrials

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 10, 2025

In WI, State Supreme Court Candidate’s Image Altered by AI in Opponent’s Attack Ad, and Election Commission Administrator Targeted by Conspiracy Theorists Allowed to Stay
We’re in Wisconsin today, where a candidate for state supreme court had her image manipulated by AI in an opponent’s attack ad, and the state high court allowed the state’s embattled elections board administrator to stay, after three years of conspiracy-driven attacks by state GOP leaders.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Wisconsin Legislative Council -  2023 WISCONSIN ACT 123
Schimel Campaign on X - Attack ad on WI Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Schimel campaign acknowledges altering photo in ad to make opponent Crawford look 'ashamed'
Wisconsin Politics - Crawford campaign: Files ethics complaint, urges thorough investigation over manipulated image used by Brad Schimel
American Democracy Minute - (2023) Wisconsin Senate Election Deniers Vote to Oust the State’s Election Director for Recommending 2020 Pandemic Voting Accommodations
Wisconsin Watch - Meagan Wolfe can stay on as Wisconsin’s top election official, state Supreme Court rules

Wisconsin Examiner - Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously finds WEC administrator can stay in job

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #WINews #WisconsinElection #AIEthics #MeaganWolfe

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 7, 2025

Nebraska & New Hampshire Wrestle with “Winner Take All” and “Winner by District” Presidential Electoral Vote Systems
A New Hampshire Senate bill, just killed in committee, would have moved the state’s four presidential electoral votes to a “Winner by District” system, from “Winner Take All”.  Nebraska, the only state besides Maine which apportions its electoral votes by district, is trying to end it.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Conference of State Legislators - The Electoral College
National Archives - Distribution of Electoral Votes
New Hampshire Bulletin - Some push for end to New Hampshire ‘winner take all’ Electoral College allocations
American Democracy Minute - GOP-Controlled NH Legislature Proposes Proportional Presidential Electoral Votes. Will Gerrymandered Congressional Districts Follow?

NH General Court - SB 11 , relative to the allocation of electoral college votes
Nebraska Examiner - Lawmaker proposes ‘backup’ winner-take-all measure for Nebraska presidential electors
AP - The GOP keeps failing to make Nebraska a winner-take-all state. Now it might ask voters to do it

Groups Taking Action:

National Popular Vote, Stand Up America, FairVote, Common Cause US

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ElectoralCollege #NationalPopularVote #NebraskaNews #NHNews

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 6, 2025

Will Utah’s Voter-Approved Independent Redistricting Commission and Fair Maps Prevail Over the Legislature’s Attempt to RigThem?
In 2018, Utah voters approved a ballot initiative establishing an independent redistricting commission to create fair voting districts.   The legislature neutralized it, and gerrymandered the maps anyway.  It’s now back before a Utah judge.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - Utah Voters Fought Back After Their Fair Voting Districts Constitutional Amendment was Gutted by an Anti-Voter Legislature.  They Won.
Utah Supreme Court -  LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF UTAH, et al., v. UTAH STATE LEGISLATURE
American Democracy Minute - After Losing in Court and at the Polls, Utah Legislature Approves Nov. Ballot Measure to Veto or Alter Citizen Ballot Measures to Protect Its Power
Campaign Legal Center - Utahns Score Huge Victory Voiding Amendment D
Utah News Dispatch - Will Utah get new congressional maps? Judge hears oral arguments in Utah redistricting case

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #UtahLegislature #EndGerrymandering #FairMaps

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 5, 2025

Could Trump Run for a Third Term? The 22nd Amendment Prohibits it, But a TN Congressman Wants to Repeal It.  And There are Loopholes.

In 1944, when Franklin Roosevelt said he would run for a fourth term, discussions began on a Constitutional amendment to limit a U.S. President to two terms in office. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified.  Now, a Tennessee Congressman wants to repeal it.  Would it actually be possible for Donald Trump to be President again?

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Constitution - 22nd Amendment
National Constitution Center - FDR’s third-term election and the 22nd amendment

Office of Congressman Andy Ogles - Rep. Ogles Proposes Amending the 22nd Amendment to Allow Trump to Serve a Third Term
U.S. Congress - JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States to provide that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times.
The Hill - Tennessee Republican proposes amendment to allow Trump to serve third term
NBC News - Trump jokes about running for a third term in speech to House Republicans
Politico - How Trump Could Snatch a Third Term — Despite the 22nd Amendment

Groups Taking Action:

Protect Democracy

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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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #22ndAmendment #PresidentialTermLimits #Repeal

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 4, 2025

Elon Musk Spent Over a Quarter Billion Dollars in the 2024 Election - MoreThan Expected.  
Millions More Came After the Election
New Federal Election Commission filings by multi-billionaire and quasi Trump cabinet member Elon Musk show he and his companies spent at least $288 million dollars in the 2024 election cycle, even more than expected.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Federal Election Commission - Individual Contributions of Elon Musk
Open Secrets - Top 2024 Election Cycle Contributors
Open Secrets - Organizations Disclosing Donations to America PAC (Texas), 2024
Open Secrets - 2024 Election Cycle Contributions Supporting Donald Trump 

Politico - Elon Musk was behind mysterious pro-Trump super PAC that invoked Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Groups Taking Action:

Issue One, Public Citizen, American Promise, End Citizens United, Equal Citizens

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #BigMoneyCorruption #EndCitizensUnited #MoneyinPolitics  #ElonMusk

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for February 3, 2025

The SAVE Act Could Disenfranchise as Many as 21 Million Voters.  It’s Been Fast Tracked in Congress
Last month, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas reintroduced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act, mandating proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, and requiring only certain types of ID be used. Millions of eligible voters may not have the documents it requires – AND it’s been fast tracked in Congress.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Congress - H.R.8281 - SAVE Act
Democracy Docket - House Republicans to Prioritize Controversial SAVE Act in New Session
Center for American Progress - The SAVE Act Would Disenfranchise Millions of Citizens

Brennan Center for Justice - The SAVE Act would be one of the worst voting laws in congressional history.
State of New Hampshire - What you need to know regarding REAL ID
CAL Fire - The LA County fires devastated homes in the wildland urban interface. Here’s what that is
Voting Rights Lab - There Are Ways to Modernize Our Elections. The SAVE Act Isn’t One of Them.

Groups Taking Action:

America's Voice, Campaign Legal Center, League of Women Voters, The Civics Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #SAVEAct #VoterSuppression #USCongress

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 31, 2025

Federal Agency CISA Helps States Harden Election Systems.  It’s Now Under Attack by Its Own Administration
Last April, federal cybersecurity agency CISA issued warnings to election officials on how to combat a Russian online scheme to mislead American voters in the 2024 election.  CISA is now under attack by its own administration.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Brennan Center for Justice - Project 2025’s Plan for Cybersecurity Agency Threatens Election Security
Federal News Network - What will 2025 bring for CISA?
Democracy Docket - A Little-Known Federal Agency Helps Secure Elections. Trump Wants to Gut It.
Associated Press - US cyber agency’s future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration
Wired -  Audio Story - Under Trump, US Cyberdefense Loses Its Head
Politico - Noem calls to shrink CISA, saying the cyber agency has gone ‘far off mission’
South Dakota Searchlight - After Noem turns down federal cyber money, lawmaker suggests using state funds

Groups Taking Action:

IssueOne/Don’t Mess With US.org,  Common Cause US,  Protect Elections, Center for Internet Security/ISAC

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! 

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ElectionSecurity #CISA #CyberSecurity 

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 30, 2025

‘Let America Vote Act’ Would Encourage States Allow Unaffiliated Voters to Vote in Primaries
American voters identifying as “independent” are the largest group of voters, at 43%, according to recent Gallup polling.  Depending on what kind of primary election your state parties have, millions of unaffiliated voters may not be able to vote.   A bill in the U.S. House called the “Let America Vote Act” would change that.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Gallup - GOP Holds Edge in Party Affiliation for Third Straight Year
National Conference of State Legislatures - State Primary Election Types
American Democracy Minute - (2023)  Who Can Vote in a State Primary? Well, that Depends on Where You Live and Sometimes Whether You Belong to a Political Party

Office of U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) - Gluesenkamp Perez, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Election Reform and Integrity Legislation
U.S. Congress - H.R.155 - To require States to permit unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal office, and for other purposes
Georgia Recorder/States News - Though noncitizens can vote in few local elections, GOP goes big to make it illegal
Bipartisan Policy Center - (2024) The Effect of Open Primaries on Turnout and Representation

Groups Taking Action:

Open Primaries, Represent.Us, Unite America

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #OpenPrimaries #LetAmericaVoteAct #VotingRights

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 29, 2025

Majority-Minority Voting Districts Give Minority Voters a Fair Chance to Elect Proper Representation. The Equal Protection Clause is Now Being Used to Try to End Them
There are 141 majority-minority congressional voting districts in the U.S., out of 435.  A new conservative legal tactic has emerged, arguing such districts harm  White Americans, and citingthe Equal Protection Clause, originally passed to end state discrimination against Black Americans.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Ballotpedia - Majority-Minority Congressional Districts
U.S. Supreme Court  - Allen v. Milligan Decision
U.S. Justice Department - States and Counties Formerly Required for Section 5 Preclearance Because of Consistent Racial Voting Discrimination
Brennan Center for Justice - Black Louisianians Fight in Court to Preserve Fair Voting Map
U.S. Supreme Court - BRIEF OF ALABAMA AND 12 OTHER STATES 

American University Law Review  - (2024) The Twists and Turns of A Map that Captured National Attention - Robinson v. Callais
SCOTUS Blog - Louisiana v. Callais (formerly Robinson v. Callais)

Groups Taking Action:

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice,  ACLU of Louisiana

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

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

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EqualProtectionsClause #14thAmendment #VoterSuppression #RacialGerrymandering  #MajorityMinority