Two Democratic members of the Fulton County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners defied a court order and blocked the appointment of two election deniers to the county board of elections.
Thursday, August 21
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Georgia Democrats defied court order to block appointment of election deniers
- Two Democratic members of the Fulton County, Georgia Board of Commissioners defied ([link removed] ) a court order Wednesday and blocked the appointment of two election deniers to the county board of elections.
- In response, the Fulton County GOP asked ([link removed] ) a state court Thursday to hold the Democratic Board members in contempt. The GOP is seeking daily fines of up to $1,000 and up to 20 days in jail for Democrats.
- “I think it is outrageous for them to ask for jail time and criminal charges, given the fact that there is a law in Georgia that no elected official can be compelled to vote in any particular way,” Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett told Democracy Docket.
Texas House and Senate committees approve GOP gerrymander
- The Texas House ([link removed] ) and the Senate ([link removed] ) redistricting committees both voted to advance a new, gerrymandered congressional map that could add five GOP seats to Congress, teeing up final approval when the full Senate convenes Friday.
- House Democrats fought the map with a number of proposed amendments that ultimately failed to pass. And 20 Democrats refused to show up for the House vote Wednesday, but the map cleared a major hurdle with enough Democrats present to establish a quorum.
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California Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to derail Newsom’s redistricting plan
- Meanwhile, in California, the state Supreme Court denied ([link removed] ) Republicans' effort to block Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new redistricting plan, clearing the way for Democratic lawmakers to approve a new congressional map that could counter Texas’ gerrymander.
- The legislature looked set to give the new map final approval Thursday. After being signed by Newsom, it would be placed on the ballot for a November special election. If approved by voters, the new map could give Democrats five more seats in the U.S. House.
Court rules former Trump lawyer Alina Habba was illegally employed as federal prosecutor
- A federal judge ruled ([link removed] ) former Trump attorney Alina Habba has been unlawfully serving as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey since her interim appointment expired last month. The judge said the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) attempts to keep her in office constituted a manipulation of appointment rules.
- “Ms. Habba has exercised the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey without lawful authority since July 1, 2025,” the judge ruled Thursday.
- The court’s ruling echoes broader national concern ([link removed] ) over the Trump administration’s power grab, particularly in regard to appointments to high-level offices without Senate confirmation.
Ed Martin posts threatening photo in probe of Letitia James
- In a threatening move, Ed Martin — the Trump crony who heads DOJ’s weaponization task force — posted ([link removed] ) a picture of himself outside the home of New York’s Democratic attorney general, who he is currently investigating over mortgage fraud allegations.
- Martin posted the photo just days after he sent James’ attorney Abbe Lowell a letter asking that she resign from public office “as an act of good faith” or face further proceedings.
- In a letter in response to Martin, Lowell described his Columbo-esque photo as a “truly bizarre, made-for-media stunt,” pointing out that a photojournalist had been outside James’ home waiting for Martin.
Maine’s Secretary of State fires back as DOJ doubles down on demands for voter data
- The DOJ escalated ([link removed] ) its demand for access to Maine’s voter registration records by requesting election officials turn over unredacted copies of voter rolls and every voter registration application submitted in the past 18 months.
- “I will do everything in my power to continue to protect sensitive, personal voter data of Maine citizens,” Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) told Democracy Docket. “The Trump DOJ needs to respect the Constitution and rule of law.”
- The effort to get Maine’s voter data is part of a dangerous broader push by DOJ, which Democracy Docket is tracking, to pressure states into handing over their voter rolls and related voting information.
GOP pushes new bill that would strip voting rights from overseas citizens
- House Republicans introduced ([link removed] ) the PROVE Act — a bill that would strip millions of U.S. citizens abroad of their voting rights. If voters can’t prove they have a “current residence” in the U.S., they would be forced to vote in heavily Democratic Washington, D.C.
- “This is a naked attempt to silence a segment of the American electorate that is already underrepresented. Overseas voting is complex enough without invented barriers,” a coalition of voting rights groups said in a statement condemning the bill. “There is no justification for this bill.”
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