Democracy Docket · [email protected]

February 2, 2026 at 11:03 PM

Trump calls on GOP to seize control of elections

Trump calls on GOP to seize control of elections In a radio interview, Trump falsely claimed immigrants were brought to the U.S. to vote illegally and urged Republicans to ‘take over’ federal elections. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

February 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM

Republicans are in trouble for the midterms. So is democracy.

Republicans are in trouble for the midterms. So is democracy. There are two dominant stories about the upcoming midterm elections that are in direct tension with one another. One is about a building blue wave that could sweep Democrats into power across the country. The other is about a …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

February 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM

My conversation with Sen. Tina Smith

My conversation with Sen. Tina Smith From the state capitol to the U.S. Senate, my friend Sen. Tina Smith has spent her life and career fighting for the people of Minnesota. Today, that fight has never been more important. We’ve all witnessed the horror and tragedy in her home state. Sen…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 31, 2026 at 3:06 PM

A crucial victory in the fight for free and fair elections

A crucial victory in the fight for free and fair elections While much of the legal and political world was consumed by the latest release of the Epstein Files and the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, a case with far-reaching consequences for American democracy was quietly decided in Washi…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 30, 2026 at 11:02 PM

Judge smacks down Trump’s anti-voting order, blocks key parts

Judge smacks down Trump’s anti-voting order, blocks key parts In a major win for voters, a federal judge today permanently blocked key portions of the sweeping executive order on elections President Donald Trump signed last year. Friday, January 30 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 30, 2026 at 8:08 PM

This week Don Lemon was arrested while Tony Dokoupil interviewed his mother.

This week Don Lemon was arrested while Tony Dokoupil interviewed his mother. Earlier this week, Bari Weiss, CBS News’ newly installed editor in chief, told the news division what she called the “honest truth:” “Right now, we are not producing a product that enough people want.” …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 30, 2026 at 5:04 PM

DOJ’s legal machinery to subvert the 2026 election is already in place

DOJ’s legal machinery to subvert the 2026 election is already in place the 2020 election, it was not a surprise. Earlier this month, Donald Trump lamented that he had not seized the Georgia ballot boxes back in 2020. He told the World Economic Forum that “the 2020 U.S. presidential elect…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 30, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Redistricting takes a hit in Virginia, advances in Maryland 

Redistricting takes a hit in Virginia, advances in Maryland Democrats could gain up to five more seats in Congress if both states pass new maps. It’s a high-stakes effort, especially with Florida set to redistrict in April. Friday, January 30 View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 29, 2026 at 11:03 PM

This may be the most dangerous attack on voting rights ever

This may be the most dangerous attack on voting rights ever Republican lawmakers unveiled the Make Elections Great Again Act — a new bill that would impose the most extreme federal voting restrictions in history.  Thursday, January 29 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 29, 2026 at 4:39 PM

DOJ’s ballot seizure in Georgia looks like a dry run for 2026

DOJ’s ballot seizure in Georgia looks like a dry run for 2026 Donald Trump recently told a group of New York Times reporters that he “should have” used the military in 2020 “to seize election boxes.” Yesterday, he made up for that earlier regret. View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 28, 2026 at 11:03 PM

‘Five alarm fire for democracy’: Outrage as FBI raids Georgia election hub

‘Five alarm fire for democracy’: Outrage as FBI raids Georgia election hub In a shocking development, the FBI carried out a court-authorized raid at Fulton County, Georgia’s main election operations center. The search is part of the Trump admin's probe of the 2020 election in Fulton Coun…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 28, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Voter suppression group says it’s probing blue state’s election staff

Voter suppression group says it’s probing blue state’s election staff Public Interest Legal Foundation president J. Christian Adams said in a recent interview that his group is doing a “deep dive into the personnel” of a blue state elections office. Wednesday, January 27 …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM

Judge blocks Virginia Democrats’ ‘10-1’ redistricting plan for 2026 midterms

Judge blocks Virginia Democrats’ ‘10-1’ redistricting plan for 2026 midterms A Virginia judge blocked Virginia Democrats’ “10-1” redistricting plan, ruling that the General Assembly failed to follow procedure for voting to amend the state’s constitution to pass a new map.  Tu…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 27, 2026 at 9:23 PM

Don’t confuse Trump’s tactical pause as a change of heart

Don’t confuse Trump’s tactical pause as a change of heart After weeks of attacks on the citizens of Minnesota and the rule of law, there are signs that Donald Trump is ready to scale back — or at least make changes to — his assaults on the Twin Cities.  View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 26, 2026 at 11:03 PM

What to know about Bondi’s ‘blackmail’ letter to Minnesota

What to know about Bondi’s ‘blackmail’ letter to Minnesota State election officials are condemning the U.S. Attorney General for blackmailing Minnesota by suggesting the administration would withdraw ICE if the state hands over its unredacted voter data. Monday, January 26 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 26, 2026 at 3:51 PM

To restore the rule of law, Bondi wants us to hand over democracy

To restore the rule of law, Bondi wants us to hand over democracy On Saturday morning, Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. While trying to assist a woman who had been pepper-sprayed, he was grabbed and beaten by at least six officers. He was shot 10 times by at least…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 25, 2026 at 5:34 PM

Lies, violence and the American state

Lies, violence and the American state The violence aimed at Minnesota citizens could stop if the state gives the administration the tools to subvert the next election — effectively trading one set of lies for another. View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 24, 2026 at 5:02 PM

We cannot be nostalgic for the United States

We cannot be nostalgic for the United States Only a day before Donald Trump stood on a global stage and declared that he was prosecuting political enemies, Prime Minister Mark Carney issued an important warning: “We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it. Nostalgia …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 23, 2026 at 11:03 PM

D’oh! DOJ filed lawsuit for Georgia voter rolls in wrong district

D’oh! DOJ filed lawsuit for Georgia voter rolls in wrong district A federal court dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s unredacted voter registration data, because it filed the suit in the wrong district. The ruling marks the department's third loss in its unprecedented…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 23, 2026 at 5:05 PM

The SAVE Act will only save Trump

The SAVE Act will only save Trump Donald Trump is determined to make voting harder for Americans — and Republicans are making it their priority.  View in browser January 23, 2026 Donald Trump is determined to make voting ha…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 23, 2026 at 12:02 PM

2026 congressional maps are still up in the air

2026 congressional maps are still up in the air The 2026 election is fast approaching, but in many states the congressional maps remain unclear thanks to Trump’s mid-decade redistricting scheme.   Friday, January 23 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 23, 2026 at 12:33 AM

‘Adaptive Normalcy’ and the Cowards of Davos 

‘Adaptive Normalcy’ and the Cowards of Davos “The Ministry of Peace concerns itself with war, the Ministry of Truth with lies, the Ministry of Love with torture and the Ministry of Plenty with starvation.” That is what George Orwell described as “doublethink” or, “contradictions [that] …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 22, 2026 at 11:00 PM

Judge rules Virginia unlawfully denied voting rights to hundreds of thousands

Judge rules Virginia unlawfully denied voting rights to hundreds of thousands A federal court ruled Virginia's lifetime voting ban for people with certain prior felony convictions unlawfully strips voting rights beyond what Congress allows. The decision could restore voting rights to hun…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 21, 2026 at 11:02 PM

Trump: ‘People will soon be prosecuted for’ 2020 election

Trump: ‘People will soon be prosecuted for’ 2020 election Speaking to the world’s political and economic leaders, Trump falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged and insisted “people will soon be prosecuted for what they did.”  Wednesday, January 21 View in brow…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 21, 2026 at 4:46 PM

Donald Trump just announced breaking news. The legacy media ignored it.

Donald Trump just announced breaking news. The legacy media ignored it. Earlier today, a frail, sickly Donald Trump took the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Most of the speech was standard fare — false claims of credit sprinkled between personal grievances and ou…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 21, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Anti-voting activists now using jury records to try to claim voter fraud

Anti-voting activists now using jury records to try to claim voter fraud Anti-voting activists and a GOP election official in Michigan claim to have found noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls. But experts say the allegations are a long way from being verified. The goal, of course, is t…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 20, 2026 at 11:03 PM

DOGE worked with election denial group to probe voter rolls, Trump admin admits

DOGE worked with election denial group to probe voter rolls, Trump admin admits Federal officials revealed that DOGE engaged in unauthorized communications with a political advocacy group tied to election denial efforts. According to a legal filing, staffers were coordinating on a "voter…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 20, 2026 at 7:04 PM

Trump adds Walz and Frey to DOJ hit list

Trump adds Walz and Frey to DOJ hit list Donald Trump has added two more names to his hit list: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. This weekend was dominated by news that the Department of Justice is investigating the two Minnesota leaders for conspiring to impede …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 20, 2026 at 3:48 PM

17 words, one year, and the betrayal of the rule of law

17 words, one year, and the betrayal of the rule of law One year ago, Donald Trump delivered his second inaugural address. He made promises he has since broken. He painted a future of safety and unity that all but his most ardent supporters now acknowledge was a lie. Yet, with everything…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 19, 2026 at 3:24 PM

The DOJ offers only excuses as the Epstein Files remain secret

The DOJ offers only excuses as the Epstein Files remain secret It has been more than 30 days since the Department of Justice was required by federal law to make all of the Epstein Files public. According to the DOJ’s own estimates, it has released less than 1% so far. Even worse, the las…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 17, 2026 at 5:02 PM

Big law didn’t just capitulate. It cashed in.

Big law didn’t just capitulate. It cashed in. Every Saturday, I try to highlight a story from the week that you may have missed. My goal is to give context to a dizzying time in American society. To help explain what is really going on in the fight for democracy. View in…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 16, 2026 at 11:03 PM

GOP spent $2.9 million to stop Missourians from voting on gerrymander

GOP spent $2.9 million to stop Missourians from voting on gerrymander A new ethics report showed Republicans spent $2.9 million — nearly all of which went to a Trump Jr.-endorsed political campaign company — in an attempt to stop Missourians from gathering enough signatures to block the …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM

So much winning!!! A week of legal losses for DOJ’s anti-voting agenda

So much winning!!! A week of legal losses for DOJ’s anti-voting agenda Shortly after noon on Wednesday, the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, posted on social media, “So much winning!!!” She was celebrating the Supreme Court’s 7–2 decision that ma…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 16, 2026 at 12:02 PM

At least we have some redistricting wins to celebrate

At least we have some redistricting wins to celebrate Trump started the redistricting arms race, but it’s not going very well for him at the moment. This week, voters had big wins in California and Virginia.  Friday, January 16 View in browser …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 16, 2026 at 12:32 AM

Trump’s call to cancel elections must be a wake-up call

Trump’s call to cancel elections must be a wake-up call Today, Donald Trump told us how he really feels about the midterms: “When you win the presidency, you don't win the midterms.” His conclusion was stark: “We shouldn’t even have an election.” View in browser …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 15, 2026 at 11:02 PM

Win! Courts deny DOJ's request for voter data in 2 states

Win! Courts deny DOJ's request for voter data in 2 states  In two big wins for voters, federal courts have rejected the DOJ's demands for the unredacted personal data of Oregon and California voters, marking the first rulings on DOJ data grabs. Thursday, January 15 …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 14, 2026 at 11:02 PM

Federal court rejects GOP bid to block California redistricting

Federal court rejects GOP bid to block California redistricting In a huge win for democracy, a federal court denied Republicans' bid to block California’s new voter-approved congressional map, rejecting the GOP claim that the measure was a racial gerrymander. Wednesday, Janua…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM

For CBS, ‘we ask about everything’ means anything but the threat to elections

For CBS, ‘we ask about everything’ means anything but the threat to elections Donald Trump has been on a media tour. Last week, he granted a two-hour-long interview to the New York Times. Last night was Tony Dokoupil’s turn. Dokoupil’s short tenure as host of the CBS Evening News has bee…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 14, 2026 at 12:02 PM

Colorado gov. signals possible clemency for Tina Peters

Colorado gov. signals possible clemency for Tina Peters After pressure from Trump, Colorado’s governor said he’s considering clemency for Tina Peters, the former election official serving a nine-year state prison sentence for her role in a 2021 voting system breach. Wednesday…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 13, 2026 at 11:03 PM

Win! Court rejects GOP request to block Virginia redistricting 

Win! Court rejects GOP request to block Virginia redistricting A Virginia court rejected a Republican bid to halt a constitutional amendment that would allow state Democratic lawmakers to redraw Virginia’s congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders nationwide. Tuesday, Ja…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 13, 2026 at 5:34 PM

JD Vance’s prosecutorial state

JD Vance’s prosecutorial state Donald Trump is a thug who aspires to be a dictator. It is therefore no surprise that he came to office wanting to build a loyal domestic paramilitary force. JD Vance, by contrast, is a Yale-trained lawyer who understands that police power can only take an …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 12, 2026 at 11:03 PM

Trump: ‘I should have’ seized ballots in 2020 election

Trump: ‘I should have’ seized ballots in 2020 election Trump said he “should have” ordered the National Guard to seize ballots during the 2020 election, but said he doesn’t know that they are “sophisticated enough in the ways of crooked Democrats.” Monday, January 12 …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM

Trump wishes he seized ballots in 2020. What does that mean for 2026?

Trump wishes he seized ballots in 2020. What does that mean for 2026? Last Wednesday, while sitting in the Oval Office, Donald Trump was reminded by a reporter that after the 2020 election, he had threatened “to use the National Guard to seize election boxes.” Without missing a beat, Tru…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM

Vance turns the administration’s sights squarely on investigating progressive media

Vance turns the administration’s sights squarely on investigating progressive media By now, we have all seen the videos. On Wednesday, a 37-year-old woman was shot dead in her car by an ICE agent. The victim, Renee Nicole Good, was a mother and U.S. citizen. Pictures of the vehicle after…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 9, 2026 at 11:02 PM

‘DOJ cannot be trusted’: Lawmakers ask judge for independent oversight on Epstein files

‘DOJ cannot be trusted’: Lawmakers ask judge for independent oversight on Epstein files In a bipartisan effort, two U.S. lawmakers asked a federal judge to appoint an independent monitor to compel the DOJ to release the Epstein files. The request follows the department's violation of a n…

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM

The week in courage: Americans who are fighting back

The week in courage: Americans who are fighting back Each Friday, I write to you about the news of the week. Sometimes I highlight a particular person, case or event. Other times, I take a step back and try to identify emerging trends and threats. However, over the last 12 months, there …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 9, 2026 at 12:03 PM

Trump’s redistricting battle reignites in 2026

The DOJ is gearing up for an unhinged 2026  With the midterm election looming, states like Florida and Louisiana are trying to schedule last-minute gerrymanders, while the country braces for a possible landmark Supreme Court ruling that could make it much harder to fight back.  …

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 8, 2026 at 11:02 PM

White House uses ICE shooting to threaten political retaliation 

White House uses ICE shooting to threaten political retaliation A day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot a Minneapolis mother dead, the Trump administration portrayed her as a domestic terrorist and used the incident to threaten retaliation against the left.…

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  Democracy Docket · [email protected]

January 7, 2026 at 11:02 PM

DeSantis: Florida will take up redistricting in April 

DeSantis: Florida will take up redistricting in April Florida’s governor said he will call a special session on redistricting in April. A redraw of the Sunshine State’s congressional map could give Trump and the GOP a major boost in this year’s midterms.  Wednesday, January …

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  Marc Elias · [email protected]

January 7, 2026 at 5:17 PM

On Jan. 6, I was tired. Today, I speak

On Jan. 6, I was tired. Today, I speak In past years, I have written on Jan. 6 to commemorate the tragedy of that day. This year, I chose not to. It is not that I have forgotten the events or that their importance has diminished. Rather, there were many other topics to cover, and I felt …

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