Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Episode: The Fight for Voting Rights Across the Country
Release Date: October 3, 2024
Host: Stacey Abrams
Guest: Ari Berman, National Voting Rights Correspondent for Mother Jones

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Fight for Voting Rights Across the Country," Stacey Abrams delves into the escalating battle over voting rights in the United States. Hosting Ari Berman, a renowned expert on voting rights, they explore the current landscape, historical context, and actionable steps for listeners to engage in protecting and expanding voting access.

Overview of Current Voting Rights Challenges

Stacey Abrams opens the discussion by highlighting the persistent resurgence of voter suppression tactics, particularly as the 2024 elections approach. She references a satirical portrayal from Curb Your Enthusiasm to underscore the absurd lengths some politicians go to undermine voting rights.

• Notable Quote:
  Stacey Abrams [01:12]: "This is one that Republicans passed and the governor signed in 2021 that criminalizes anyone giving food and water to folks waiting in line to vote."

Key Points:

• Georgia's Struggle: Republicans in Georgia have enacted laws such as SB202 and SB189, which impose restrictive voter ID requirements, limit mail ballot requests, and target marginalized groups like the homeless and disabled.
• National Trend: Across 28 states, new restrictive voting laws are being introduced, totaling 291 bills during the 2024 legislative session. These laws impose unprecedented restrictions compared to previous elections.
• Historic Context: Since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act, over 100 restrictive voting laws have been passed in 31 states.

Interview with Ari Berman

Stacey Abrams introduces Ari Berman, whose extensive work on voting rights brings depth to the conversation.

Ari Berman shares his journey into advocating for voting rights, beginning with his 2011 Rolling Stone article, "The GOP War on Voting," which laid bare Republican strategies to suppress votes in swing states post-2010 elections.

• Notable Quote:
  Ari Berman [07:49]: "I realized that this was not a fringe issue, but the fight over voting rights was really at the core of what kind of democracy we would be."

Changes in Voting Access from 2020 to 2024

Stacey Abrams and Ari Berman discuss the evolution of voting restrictions post-2020 elections.

Key Points:

• Expansion of Restrictions: Since 2020, 28 states have implemented new laws hindering voter access. These include:
  • Georgia: SB202 and SB189, restricting assistance to voters and expanding challenges to voters.
  • North Carolina & Arizona: New barriers to mail voting and voter ID laws.
• Shift to Backend Suppression: Beyond making registration and casting votes harder, there's an increasing focus on impeding the counting process to alter election outcomes.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [10:00]: "Now we also have voter suppression on the back end, meaning that they're not just trying to make it harder to register to vote or cast a ballot, they're making it harder for votes to be counted."

Mail-In Voting and Its Challenges

The conversation turns to the critical role of mail-in voting and the tactics used to undermine it.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: Contrary to popular belief, mail-in voting was originally a Republican-supported method.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [12:15]: "Republicans really had no problem with vote by mail. In fact, it was one of their preferred methods of voting until Democrats and people of color and younger people started using it."
• Current Restrictions: States like Georgia and North Carolina have imposed stricter deadlines and requirements, making mail ballots more cumbersome and susceptible to nullification.
• Impact on Vulnerable Populations: These restrictions disproportionately affect rural, older, and disabled voters.
• Resource Highlight: Stacey encourages listeners to use Vote.gov to navigate the complexities of voting in their respective states.

Legal vs. Grassroots Approaches to Voting Rights

Stacey Abrams and Ari Berman debate the effectiveness of relying solely on legal challenges to protect voting rights.

Key Points:

• Overreliance on Courts: Berman argues that excessive dependence on the judiciary overlooks the importance of grassroots movements in effecting change.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [20:42]: "They became too reliant on the courts and too reliant on the Congress to protect voting rights... they didn't build enough boots on the ground."
• Foundation of Fair Fight: Abrams' organization emphasizes grassroots activism to counteract restrictive laws and promote democratic engagement.

Recent Developments in Georgia and Nebraska

The discussion shifts to recent rule changes in Georgia's State Election Board and potential alterations in Nebraska.

Key Points:

• Georgia's Election Board: New rules mandate hand-counting of ballots on election night, increasing the time and potential for errors in vote tallying.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [21:49]: "They have to manually count all of those votes one by one... which can be used as a pretext not to certify election results if a Democrat wins."
• Nebraska's Electoral Votes: Efforts to alter Nebraska's separate electoral vote for the Omaha district could impact the 270 Electoral College threshold, potentially leading to a House-decided election if rules are manipulated.
  • Potential Constitutional Crisis: Berman warns of a scenario where Republican majority in state delegations could override Democratic electoral wins, leading to a constitutional impasse.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [24:34]: "They are trying to do this all ahead of time so they don't have to do as much to try to steal it after the fact."

The Role and Threats to Election Workers

Stacey Abrams underscores the vulnerability of election workers, who are critical to the voting process.

Key Points:

• Threats and Burnout: Election officials face disinformation campaigns, death threats, and burnout, leading to a decline in experienced workers.
• Rise of Election Deniers: This vacuum allows individuals with anti-democratic intentions to take over election processes, exacerbating voter suppression efforts.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [30:24]: "People who have bad intentions are now running things like the state election board in Georgia, which is very, very concerning."

States Exemplifying Resilient Democratic Processes

Highlighting positive examples, Berman cites states that have fortified their voting systems.

Michigan as a Case Study:

• Reforms and Initiatives: Michigan implemented citizen redistricting commissions, automatic voter registration, and expanded absentee and early voting.
• Public Support: These measures were overwhelmingly supported by voters, demonstrating a robust pro-democracy majority.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [32:38]: "This was a really good example of how majority support can be channeled into ways that change the actual laws in the state."

Combatting Disinformation and Voter Fraud Myths

Addressing the pervasive myths of voter fraud, the episode dispels false narratives used to justify restrictive laws.

Key Points:

• Low Incidence of Voter Fraud: Extensive studies, including those by the Brennan Center, have found voter fraud rates between 0.0003% and 0.0025%.
• Propagation of Myths: Repeated false claims by influential figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have ingrained misconceptions about non-citizen voting and election rigging.
  • Notable Quote:
    Ari Berman [35:49]: "If political leaders just say things over and over again, their followers start to believe them."

Empowering Voters: Strategies and Hope

The episode concludes with strategies to empower listeners and foster a resilient democratic system.

Key Takeaways:

1. Vote for Pro-Democracy Candidates: Support leaders committed to protecting and expanding voting rights.
2. Engage Locally: Participate in local elections and state legislatures, where significant changes can occur.
3. Build a Movement for Structural Reform: Advocate for long-term changes such as the direct election of the president and Electoral College reform.
   • Notable Quote:
     Ari Berman [40:06]: "We're in this election at one of those historical hinge moments right now where we can either commit to multiracial democracy or turn our backs on it."
4. Protect and Support Election Workers: Encourage and safeguard those who uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
5. Combat Disinformation: Educate others about the realities of voter fraud and the importance of factual information in elections.

Resource Highlights:

• Follow Democracy Docket: For up-to-date reports on voting rights developments.
• Volunteer with Fair Fight: Engage in various capacities from voter registration to managing hotlines.
• Stay Informed and Advocate: Use platforms like Vote.gov to stay informed about voting procedures and advocate for fair laws.

Notable Quote from Stacey Abrams:
Stacey Abrams [40:20]: "Voting is medicine. If you take it, things can get better. If you don't, whatever ill you have is going to metastasize."

Conclusion

Stacey Abrams and Ari Berman emphasize the critical juncture at which American democracy stands. By understanding the mechanisms of voter suppression, supporting resilient voting systems, and actively participating in the democratic process, listeners are encouraged to take tangible steps toward safeguarding and enhancing voting rights nationwide.

Final Note:
To engage further or share your experiences, listeners are invited to email email@assemblyrequiredrocket.com or leave a voicemail at 213-293-9509. Join the movement to defend and expand democracy by taking action at local and national levels.