Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Exclusive: A top election conspiracy theorist was appointed to a DHS leadership position

Top election denier wants Congress to give Trump DMV data Heather Honey, a leading election conspiracy theorist with close ties to anti-voting lawyer Cleta Mitchell, has been appointed to a new “election integrity” position at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). W…

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August 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Wins for democracy in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Utah

Wins for democracy in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Utah A court dismissed a DOJ lawsuit against every federal district judge in Maryland. The judge, a Trump appointee, called the administration’s efforts to “smear and impugn” the judiciary, “unprecedented.” Tuesday, August 26 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM

A day of tyranny in America

A day of tyranny in America Sitting in the Oval Office, flanked by adoring aides standing stiffly at attention, Donald Trump yesterday announced: “A lot of people are saying maybe we’d like a dictator.” The remark, delivered with his trademark mixture of menace and showmanship, might hav…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Q&A: Mail-in voting, Texas, Epstein and more

Q&A: Mail-in voting, Texas, Epstein and more Republicans have been busy attacking free and fair elections for years. In fact, I started Democracy Docket in 2020 to provide accurate news, information and analysis about these attacks and how pro-democracy groups were fighting back in c…

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August 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Republicans sue to block California redistricting measure

Republicans sue to block California redistricting measure A group of California Republicans filed an emergency petition asking the California Supreme Court to block the state’s new redistricting measure from being put on the November ballot. Monday, August 25 View …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM

Trump’s threats, Texas maps, and Ohio’s hidden voter suppression

Trump’s threats, Texas maps, and Ohio’s hidden voter suppression On Thursday night, I appeared on Chris Hayes’ television show to discuss Donald Trump’s attacks on free and fair elections. He began by asking me why Trump is once again attacking mail-in voting: “Is it just a paranoid obse…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM

The fight for democracy in Texas isn’t over

The fight for democracy isn’t over in Texas Shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, Texas Republicans shut down debate in the state Senate over their mid-cycle congressional gerrymander. In a final blow to democracy in the Lone Star State, the GOP ignored its own rules and denied Democrats…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Michael Steele: MSNBC behind the scenes, his advice to Dems and more

My conversation with Michael Steele: MSNBC behind the scenes, his advice to Dems and more Michael Steele went from RNC Chair — at a time when the Republican Party looked very different — to MSNBC analyst. I sat down with him to talk about his journey leading a major political party and t…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM

Trump has replaced justice with retribution

President Trump has replaced justice with retribution Donald Trump has now fully weaponized the Department of Justice (DOJ), transforming it from an institution meant to safeguard the rule of law into a blunt political instrument used to silence critics and punish adversaries. This is no…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Trump’s attack on museums is another note from the dictator playbook

Trump’s attack on museums is another note from the dictator playbook Author Toni Morrison once said, “All good art is political.” When students study art history, they learn about the confines of the artist’s political environment. They learn about how it bled into the artwork. They lear…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM

A Texas Dem is preparing to filibuster the GOP’s gerrymandered map

A Texas Dem is preparing to filibuster the GOP’s gerrymandered map Texas State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D) is preparing to filibuster the gerrymandered congressional map that could add five new GOP seats to Congress. “Republicans think they can walk all over us,” she wrote on social media. “…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM

Trump is still hiding the Epstein Files

Trump is still hiding the Epstein Files Donald Trump doesn’t mind that we’re focused on his circus. Trump wants you to focus on his efforts to rig the 2026 elections. He wants you to pay attention to his use of the military and federal law enforcement to patrol the streets of Washington,…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM

The Texas gerrymander nears the finish line

The Texas gerrymander nears the finish line The GOP’s proposed Texas gerrymander is set to make it across the legislative finish line Friday — while California passed its own new map. Next the battle moves to the courts and other states. Friday, August 22 View in b…

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August 21, 2025 at 10:08 PM

Georgia Dems defy court order to keep election deniers off board

Georgia Dems defy court order to keep election deniers off board 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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August 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Trump says the quiet part out loud

Donald Trump says the quiet part out loud This week, Trump openly admitted what voting rights advocates have long warned: His push to end vote by mail isn’t about election security but is meant to help Republicans maintain their grip on power. Thursday, August 21 V…

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August 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Texas Democrat threatened with ‘felony’ during press call

Texas Democrat threatened with ‘felony’ during press call Texas Republicans are readying to pass their extreme gerrymander through the House Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, State Rep. Nicole Collier (D) was forced by GOP-organized security to leave  a press call organized by the DNC. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM

Move over Stalin: The playbook for controlling elections

Move over Stalin: Trump's playbook for controlling elections Donald Trump posted on social media that he will lead an effort to ban mail-in ballots and unspecified voting equipment in advance of the 2026 midterms. Even worse, he made clear that he will issue an executive order directing …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Top election denier wants Congress to give Trump DMV data

Top election denier wants Congress to give Trump DMV data Cleta Mitchell, the prominent anti-voting lawyer who played a key role in President Donald Trump’s attempt to steal the 2020 election, is pushing a dangerous new idea: requiring states to give the federal government DMV data and p…

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August 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM

GOP advances new Texas gerrymander and sues to block California’s response

GOP advances new Texas gerrymander and sues to block California’s response A Texas House committee voted 12-8 to advance their mid-decade gerrymander to the full chamber. State Rep. Todd Hunter (R) said , “there’s nothing that prevents mid-decade redistricting, and we could do it again.”…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM

What gives me hope

What gives me hope It usually comes as a question: What gives you hope? Sometimes it is more of a demand: Tell me something hopeful! Everywhere I turn — in person and online, from lawyers to retirees, activists to students — people are searching for hopeful words about the future of demo…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Your questions on redistricting, answered

Your questions on redistricting, my answers It was another busy week for democracy. The gerrymandering saga continued in Texas and California released its proposed map to fight back. Other states, both red and blue, continue to explore what they may want to do to change maps in advance o…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Exclusive: DOJ threatens California with legal action over voter data

Exclusive: DOJ threatens California with legal action over voter data In a letter to California’s top elections official, obtained by Democracy Docket, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon threatened the state with legal action if it did not provide DOJ with full access to its…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM

Trump escalates attacks on mail-in voting

Trump escalates attacks on mail-in voting In March, Donald Trump signed an executive order asserting powers over elections that he does not possess. He was promptly sued by the Democratic Party and others, and the most immediate threats were halted. In another executive order — one that …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM

Trump’s militarization of American cities grows more dangerous

Trump’s militarization of American cities grows more dangerous Early on in Donald Trump’s second term, I predicted that he would deploy the military and federal law enforcement in our nation’s largest cities. Trump specializes in harassing and intimidating immigrants, minorities and Demo…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Rep. McIver: ICE oversight, political retaliation and standing up to Trump

My conversation with Rep. McIver: ICE oversight, political retaliation and standing up to Trump New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver is one of the main targets in Trump’s weaponization of government — in May, she faced aggressive intimidation and federal charges simply for inspecting an ICE d…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM

The culture pendulum swings back left

The culture pendulum swings back left On Wednesday, Joe Rogan shed his MAGA cape and dug into Rep. Anna Paulina Luna over ICE raids. The conservative podcaster who once yuked it up with Trump for three hours was now concerned about the administration’s immigration policies. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM

D.C. AG sues to block Trump’s takeover of Metropolitan Police Department

D.C. AG sues to block Trump’s takeover of Metropolitan Police Department D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said he’s suing the federal government over President Donald Trump's "brazenly unlawful" attempt to federalize and control the Metropolitan Police Department. Friday, …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM

The fight against GOP gerrymandering is just beginning

The fight against GOP gerrymandering is just beginning A smart political operative told me earlier this week that he was surprised by how much the Texas gerrymandering story had broken through to the public. I began thinking about what the situation might be analogous to — and what the r…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM

The redistricting war of 2025 

The redistricting war of 2025 The Texas redistricting showdown is nearing the end of its first act, and what comes next is far from certain. But the battle is likely just the start of a national redistricting war. Friday, August 15 View in browser …

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August 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Texas House democrats to return when California releases new maps

Texas House democrats to return when California releases new maps State Rep. Gene Wu (D), chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said he and the other quorum-breaking democrats will return to Austin once California introduces its redistricting maps to “neutralize” the Texas plan. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM

What to know about Trump’s D.C. takeover

What to know about Trump’s D.C. takeover It started, as it so often does these days, with Big Balls. Over the weekend, the 19-year-old DOGE staffer was hanging out in Dupont Circle at around 3:00am. As he stood outside of his vehicle, a group of teenagers approached him in an apparent ca…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Trump expands military campaign against Americans

Trump expands military campaign against Americans Trump deployed troops to yet another major metropolitan area this week, claiming he needs the military to “liberate” D.C. from rampant crime and homelessness. More likely, the deployment is part of an attempt to normalize the use of soldi…

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August 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Judge rejects Paxton’s effort to arrest Texas Dems in Illinois

Judge rejects Paxton’s effort to arrest Texas Dems in Illinois As Texas continues its redistricting scheme to secure five additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, Democratic states have said they’ll fight fire with fire. But as blue states push back, the Trump DOJ is threatening …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM

Why AI will make gerrymandering worse

Why AI will make gerrymandering worse Times have changed. So has gerrymandering. The first time I saw how new congressional maps were drawn was after the 2000 census. The process was difficult, imprecise and time-consuming. The only data available came from the census itself. Although co…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 13, 2025 at 11:03 AM

These states responded to DOJ’s requests for private voter data

These states responded to DOJ’s requests for private voter data Over the past couple of months I’ve been tracking the DOJ’s unprecedented effort to obtain sensitive voting data — including access to voter rolls — from states across the country. Wednesday, August 13 …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Texas Senate passes GOP map, AG threatens Beto O’Rourke with arrest

Texas Senate passes GOP map, AG threatens Beto O’Rourke with arrest After two Senate Democrats refused to break quorum, the Texas Senate passed a redistricting map that could add five GOP seats in Congress. However, the map cannot take effect until the House votes on it. Tues…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM

Trump’s 3-step plan for 2026

Trump’s 3-step plan for 2026 You see it everywhere you turn. Once you start looking for it, you can’t stop. Federal agencies are being gutted by teenage boys who think the destruction is funny. The rule of law is mocked by administration officials who believe they stand above it. Governm…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM

Answering your questions on redistricting, voter data and more

Answering your questions on redistricting, voter data and more As the GOP continues its gerrymandering and voter suppression crusade, Democrats are fighting back. Democratic legislators in Texas are bravely standing up for democracy. Several governors are working to counter Republicans b…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Trump deploys National Guard to D.C., threatens federal takeover

Trump deploys National Guard to D.C., threatens federal takeover Trump announced the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., which he said is overwhelmed by crime and homelessness — a claim disputed by police data. Monday, August 11 Vie…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM

Why JD Vance’s latest lie matters

Why JD Vance’s latest lie matters Many of the people in Donald Trump’s orbit are what Vladimir Lenin once called useful idiots. These are individuals Trump has manipulated into advancing his own personal interests while believing they are serving some larger cause. View …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM

My conversation with Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer: Why he broke quorum

My conversation with Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer: Why he broke quorum Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer is one of the brave state lawmakers who fled the state last week to stop the GOP from enacting its gerrymandered map. I sat down with him to talk about their plan, the history of r…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM

The Voting Rights Act’s final test

The Voting Rights Act’s final test On Wednesday, we celebrated the Voting Rights Act’s (VRA) birthday. I fear it may very well be its last. It is hard to imagine today, but the VRA was, until recently, a bipartisan achievement claimed by both parties. Even during the tumultuous days of …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM

Unprecedented request: 13 Texas Dems face removal fight in court

Unprecedented request: 13 Texas Dems face removal fight in court Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the Texas Supreme Court to remove 13 Democrats from office, days after Gov. Greg Abbott filed a similar petition. Friday, August 8 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM

72 hours of chaos and 20+ Dem seats

72 hours of chaos and 20+ Dem seats I’m old enough to remember when Labor Day of an even-numbered year marked the unofficial start of campaign season. Well, times have certainly changed. It’s a so-called “off year,” it's the first week of August, and the midterms are already up and runni…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 8, 2025 at 11:04 AM

Texas Republicans are out of control

Texas Republicans are out of control Texas Democrats are holding their ground in Illinois to block a GOP redistricting map that could add five more Republican seats in Congress. Now, Texas Republicans are locked in a competition to be the guy who’s doing the most to punish them. …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Republicans say FBI will help find quorum-breaking Texas Democrats

Republicans say FBI will help find quorum-breaking Texas Democrats Texas Republicans are scrambling to tell their base they’re mobilizing all resources to punish Democrats who left the state. Sen. John Cornyn said FBI Director Kash Patel responded to his request for federal assistance in…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM

Trump takes notes from Putin and Kim Jong Un

Trump takes notes from Putin and Kim Jong Un Dictators love elections. They just hate free and fair elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin spends more than $1 billion to create the illusion that his citizens have the ability to elect their own leaders. With electronic voting and an …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 7, 2025 at 11:03 AM

What weaponization looks like

What weaponization looks like In a clear example of Trump’s weaponization of government, the Justice Department opened a grand jury probe into Obama administration officials based on misleading claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. It comes after Trump declared forme…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

August 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM

Happy (last?) birthday to the Voting Rights Act

Happy (last?) birthday to the Voting Rights Act The Voting Rights Act, the landmark Civil Rights era law that has long protected minority voters from racially gerrymandered maps, turned 60 today. But instead of celebrating, legal experts are bracing for what could be its final days. …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

August 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM

Texas GOP’s big mistake isn’t what you think it is

Texas GOP’s big mistake isn’t what you think it is In politics, as in life, timing is everything. Great leaders understand when to act boldly and when to hold the line — when to compromise and when to walk away. In elections, successful candidates understand the electoral calendar and le…

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