America is facing a judicial crisis. From lower courts to the U.S. Supreme Court, it’s clear that reform is needed to protect democracy and secure our rights. And as the Supreme Court is about to start a new term, change is needed more than ever. Rakim Brooks, Democracy Docket contributor and president of the Alliance for Justice, joins to discuss the issues plaguing the judiciary and what reforms are needed. 

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Read Rakim’s articles on Democracy Docket

In a Major Victory, the Supreme Court Didn’t Break Democracy by Marc Elias

Here Are the Leading Reforms to the Federal Judiciary by Devon Hesano

The Wisconsin GOP has a new scheme: remove the state’s top elections official and impeach newly-elected state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Why? So they can cling to majority rule with minority support and avoid accountability. Democratic Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Greta Neubauer explains what’s going on, why Republicans are doing this and what she thinks will happen.

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In August, the 5th Circuit struck down a Jim Crow-era provision of the Mississippi Constitution that permanently disenfranchised Mississippians with certain felony convictions. The 2-1 opinion held that the provision violates the 8th Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Paloma Wu of the Mississippi Center for Justice and Hannah Williams of Mississippi Votes join Marc Elias to discuss Mississippi's harsh felony disenfranchisement law, how it affects people on the ground and the innovative lawsuit fighting for these communities.

Support the work of the Mississippi Center for Justice and Mississippi Votes

Resources:

Alert: 5th Circuit Strikes Down Mississippi’s Jim Crow Era Felony Disenfranchisement Provision

Mississippi Votes' Rights Restoration page

Hopkins v. Horsemann Case Page

"The Supreme Court Allows a Relic of White Supremacy To Remain in Mississippi’s Constitution" by Rob McDuff

Felony Disenfranchisement, Explained

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The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its latest term last month, issuing decisions affecting elections, affirmative action, student loan relief and more as justices faced allegations of ethics violations. Marc and Paige discuss the rulings in the face of falling confidence in and support for the nation’s highest court.

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Allen v. Milligan

Moore v. Harper

John Roberts’ Last Word Is Not the Final SayThe U.S. Supreme Court’s Supreme Takeover

A Dangerous Legal Theory Is Rejected

​​Revisiting Moore v. Harper and the Threats to Democracy

State legislative sessions are wrapping up across the country, and with that, the best and worst election bills are being enacted. Marc and Paige recap the types of voting bills Republican-led states prioritized enacting this year compared to those in Democratic-led states.

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The Anti-Voting Bills Republicans Enacted This Legislative Season

These States Made Voting Easier This Year

Texas Republicans Want To Take Houston’s Power Away

The Republican Election Law That Could Bankrupt Our Elections

On Thursday, June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Allen v. Milligan that leaves Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act intact and, in a landmark win for voters, struck down the state’s congressional map. Marc and Paige are joined by Abha Khanna, one of the attorneys who argued the case before the Supreme Court, to break down what the decision means for voters, why it is a victory for democracy and how it’ll impact future redistricting cases.

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U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Alabama Congressional Map, Upholds Voting Rights ActIn a Major Victory, the Supreme Court Didn’t Break Democracy

Breaking Down the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Decision Out of Alabama

How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Allen v. Milligan Will Impact Ongoing Redistricting Litigation 

Cases:
Allen v. Milligan

Ohio Republicans are taking a sledgehammer to democracy. In their latest act, the Ohio GOP has passed a proposal to make it more difficult for voters to amend their own state constitution by increasing the threshold for state constitutional amendments to pass, despite overwhelming public opposition. To make matters worse — they’re pushing an allegedly illegal August election to ram through the proposal before Ohioans are expected to vote on a pro-choice abortion measure in November.

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Abortion Rights Are at the Center of Ohio GOP’s Latest Attack on Democracy

Despite Broad Public Opposition, Ohio GOP Pushes Its War on Democracy

Ohio Resolution Restricting Ballot Measures Will Head to Voters

Cases:

Ballot language lawsuit

August election lawsuit

Marc sits down with former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) to discuss the Congressman’s experience in the U.S. House, the future of federal voting rights legislation, New York’s antiquated voting laws and what’s next for Mondaire Jones.

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Congressional Black Caucus letter to the DOJ

Voter registration in the U.S. is out of date and in desperate need of an update. Marc Elias sits down with Andrea Hailey of Vote.org — the nation’s largest nonpartisan digital voter engagement organization — to discuss voter registration, the outdated voter technology in America and legislation targeting how and when people can register to vote.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

Check out Vote.org.

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The Little Known Rule That Makes It Harder to Register to Vote

Vote.org Georgia lawsuit

Vote.org Texas lawsuit

Vote.org Florida lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to issue rulings in two major elections cases — Moore v. Harper and Allen v. Milligan — in the next few months. In this episode, Marc and Paige discuss the potential ways the Supreme Court could decide these cases and how each ruling would impact democracy. However the Court decides to rule will impact the voting rights of millions of Americans across the country. 

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Moore v. Harper

Allen v. Milligan

What is the independent state legislature theory?

HOW SCOTUS can rule in Moore v. Harper

How SCOTUS can rule in Allen v. Milligan

North Carolina Supreme Court Reverses Decision, Permits Partisan Gerrymandering