A retired circuit judge explains why 18-year terms are good policy. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  
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Brennan Center for Justice
 
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Today’s Supreme Court is far removed from what the framers envisioned centuries ago. Justices can now serve upwards of 40 years, in the process often becoming disconnected from a rapidly changing world. Under these circumstances, retired circuit judge Diane Wood explains, legislation implementing 18-year term limits is just what the Court needs. Increasing turnover on the bench promises to restore balance to the Court while maintaining its stability and independence.
This fall, voters in nine battleground states will face new rules since the last presidential election. While some states have made it harder to vote, particularly for absentee voters, others have expanded voting access. A new Brennan Center expert brief maps out these changes and how they will affect voters in 2024.
Project 2025, a multifaceted conservative policy agenda, threatens to derail the fight against election misinformation. It outlines plans to target tech companies, researchers, and government agencies that work to identify and debunk false claims, as well as weaken federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that help defend the safety and integrity of elections. As voters increasingly turn to social media for election information and falsehoods too often outpace election officials’ ability to circulate the facts, the promised attack on these groups would be especially destructive.
The Georgia Election Board has spent months pushing controversial voting rule changes that could inject chaos into the state’s elections. Its latest move would replace Fulton County’s carefully vetted slate of independent monitors with biased, inexperienced ones. With less than three months until Election Day, the board’s actions risk compromising the transparency and security of the voting process.
Bail reform has become a flashpoint in ongoing political attacks on criminal justice reform, with some critics claiming — without evidence — that curbing money bail increases crime. A Brennan Center explainer breaks down what bail is, why it needs to be reformed, and how our new, comprehensive study shows that these reforms don’t affect crime rates.
Many college students will have the opportunity to vote for the first time this fall, but they may encounter confusing and frustrating hurdles, such as long lines and strict voter ID laws. A new Brennan Center resource uses discussions with students and election officials to provide targeted recommendations for addressing the unique challenges these voters experience.
The Department of Justice has released its fourth annual report on the First Step Act of 2018, a landmark law aimed at reforming harsh sentencing practices and improving conditions in federal prisons. So far, the law has helped reduce thousands of lengthy sentences and expand rehabilitative programs, but legal disputes have prevented it from achieving its full potential.
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down race-based affirmative action in college admissions last summer set off a wider assault on civil rights and social justice initiatives. The ruling, which hinges on a flawed, ahistorical interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, has given a boost to conservative challenges against race-inclusive policies, undoing decades of progress toward a more equitable society. The damaging effects of this fiction of a “race-neutral” Constitution will likely be felt for years to come.
Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are pushing for paper ballots in the 2024 election. They’re right that paper ballots are crucial for verifying votes, but they’re omitting one important detail: almost all votes in the general election will already be cast on paper. Thanks to federal funding and upgraded security measures since 2016, paper ballots are now a staple in almost every jurisdiction, ensuring both accuracy and confidence in election results.

 
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Fix the Insurrection Act
Our latest episode features a discussion on how to prevent misuse of the Insurrection Act, which grants presidents virtually limitless power to use the U.S. military as a domestic police force. Listen to this conversation featuring lawyer and writer Hawa Allan, Harvard law professor Jack Goldsmith, and Brennan Center counsel Joseph Nunn, moderated by Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center Liberty & National Security Program. They explore potential reforms for the 19th-century law and its implications for civil liberties and American democracy. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

 
BRENNAN CENTER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, and the Brennan Center is dedicated to ensuring that every eligible voter can cast a ballot. Hear from one of our researchers, Chelsea Jones, on why we continue this fight >>

 
Virtual Events
 
The Experts’ Guide to Free and Fair Elections
Thursday, September 19, 3–4 p.m. ET
Election workers are unsung heroes, working behind the scenes to ensure that our elections run smoothly and securely. Yet many people don’t fully grasp what their job entails, leaving room for election deniers to spread misinformation. This lack of understanding has fueled a disturbing rise in threats, intimidation, and abuse of election officials since 2020. As we approach another critical election marked by rampant misinformation and attacks on democracy, it’s more important than ever to know the facts about election administration.
 
Join us for a live virtual event that will spotlight these essential but often overlooked professionals. The discussion will offer a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from the people who make our elections possible as they share their day-to-day challenges and the role that they play in protecting democracy. RSVP today

 
 
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