Spurred by the myth of a “stolen” 2020 election, there is an increased risk of voter and election worker intimidation this year. However, the law makes clear that intimidating or harassing voters or election workers is illegal.
From armed volunteers staking out drop boxes in Arizona to people in Colorado going door-to-door looking for evidence of voter fraud, there is mounting concern about Americans being able to freely exercise their right to vote. The Brennan Center’s new series details federal protections and focuses on 10 states where the risk of disruption is especially high based on the volume of false allegations and anti-voter activity. From state laws restricting guns at polling places to federal laws prohibiting a wide range of
intimidating behaviors, our new resources cover the legal guardrails that protect elections from disruption.
Brennan Center experts have identified some of the most widespread false claims about who votes, mail ballots, vote counting, and more. Our new explainer lays out seven facts that debunk these rumors and demonstrate that elections are secure and trustworthy.
Revelations from the congressional investigation of the January 6 insurrection show how close Donald Trump came to weaponizing the Justice Department to validate his false claim that the 2020 election was “stolen.” The department’s leadership ultimately resisted Trump’s efforts, but we may not be so lucky next time. Congress must pass reforms to ensure that future presidents can’t use the Department of Justice to thwart democracy.
Advocates have long pushed to end for-profit immigration detention centers, citing concerns about the welfare of people held in these facilities. Toward that end, California enacted legislation barring private firms from operating prisons and immigration detention centers in the state, but the law was blocked by a federal appeals court last month. The ruling is a blow to all states trying to move away from for-profit immigrant detention in their jurisdictions.
In a change from earlier this year, election denial candidates for governor and secretary of state are being significantly outraised — largely due to unprecedented spending by big donors to support candidates opposed to election denial. The newest installment in the Brennan Center’s series tracking the financing of races for key election administration positions shows which candidates are dominating the money race in states that could be pivotal battlegrounds in 2024.
Vote counting is far from over on election night. Instead, finalizing election results involves a multistep administrative process that takes place over the course of weeks. Our comprehensive guide explains what happens at 10 stages — from receiving ballots to verifying final results — and the safeguards that ensure the count is accurate.
Congress failed to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act earlier this year, which would have given voters powerful new tools to fight partisan gerrymandering. That failure will have consequences in the midterm battle for the House as Americans in 19 states will vote under maps presumed to be biased in favor of the party that drew them. It’s a lesson that should be remembered next time there’s an opportunity for redistricting reform.
Virtual Events
The Midterms: What Happened — and Where Do We Go From Here? Wednesday, November 9, 3–4 p.m. ET
Join us the day after the 2022 midterm elections for a discussion with expert panelists to unpack results that may impact voting rights, women’s rights, and democracy itself. David Plouffe, former senior advisor to President Obama; Rob Jesmer, FP1 Strategies managing partner and former Republican Party official; and Elise Jordan, NBC News and MSNBC political analyst, will provide analysis alongside moderator Sewell Chan, Texas Tribune editor in chief. RSVP today.
