Podcast
Defending Democracy with Marc Elias
Hosted by Democracy Docket · EN
Every week, election lawyer Marc Elias interviews lawmakers, policy leaders and changemakers about the problems facing our democracy and how we fix them.
52episodes
Episodes
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Supreme Court Only Applies Made-Up Rule When It Helps Republicans
2w ago00:31:19Tap to summarizeThe Purcell principle is a legal concept in U.S. election law that dictates federal courts should not alter state voting rules, district maps, or election procedures too close to an election. That is, unless you’re a Republican state. Marc Elias breaks down the contradictory nature of the Supreme Court when it comes to using Purcell, and what this means for the redistricting fight ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Transcribe →Republicans Release Playbook to Suppress Your Vote in 2026
2w ago00:31:17Tap to summarizeCleta Mitchell’s anti-voting group recently released its midterm playbook, urging lawmakers and election officials to severely restrict mail-in voting, eliminate same-day voter registration, and impose rigorous ID requirements. This is Project 2026, and Republicans are coming directly for your vote. In this video, Marc Elias breaks down the key propositions that will make it harder for you to cast your ballot in the midterms and beyond.
Transcribe →Something Dangerous Just Shifted for Democracy — And Trump Allies Noticed
3w ago00:27:28Tap to summarizeSupreme Court rulings don't just shape the law, they can also change what becomes acceptable in politics. Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias explains how Republicans are already using the recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais to target Black and Latino representation and minority voting rights far beyond Louisiana. The most dangerous part of the ruling isn't just the legal outcome, it's the cultural message it sent.
Transcribe →Hakeem Jeffries on Gerrymander War: "The Empire State Will Strike Back"
3w ago00:22:49Tap to summarizeHouse Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins Marc Elias to break down Donald Trump's mid-decade gerrymandering war, the Supreme Court's Callais decision, and the New York Democracy Project — his home state's plan to fight against GOP gerrymandering.
Transcribe →The Supreme Court Just Declared War on Voting Rights. Here's How We Fight Back | Expert Panel
4w ago00:34:47Tap to summarizeThe Supreme Court just gutted the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais, delivering what Marc Elias calls the worst voting rights ruling in modern memory. The fight isn't over — but no new law can undo what the court just did. So what comes next, and how do we actually push back?In this Democracy Docket panel, Marc Elias is joined by Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Leah Litman, University of Michigan law professor and co-host of Strict Scrutiny; and Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.Together they break down the Callais ruling, the Supreme Court's pattern of dismantling voting rights, the threat to Black and Latino representation in Congress, and the real reforms that could turn this around.
Transcribe →Louisiana Suspends Election as Redistricting Crisis Enters Dangerous New Phase
May 200:27:35Tap to summarizeIn the fallout of the Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act, Republican states across the country are rushing to redraw their congressional maps. Governor Jeff Landry has even called a state of emergency to suspend Louisiana's ongoing primary elections. Marc Elias breaks down what this means for voters, what Republicans will try next, and why we need to stay hopeful in the face of this existential threat.Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/42wcKUCLouisiana governor suspends active election to allow for gerrymanderhttps://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/louisiana-governor-suspends-active-election-to-allow-for-gerrymander/0:00 The Supreme Court Guts the Voting Rights Act3:01 History of Attacks on the Voting Rights Act7:04 Louisiana Governor Suspends Elections11:44 Republicans Dismiss the Crisis18:36 What You Can Do to Fight Back22:43 Why 2027 and 2028 Redistricting Battles Matter25:36 Democracy Has Always Been Under Attack----Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint.Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else.Catch up on our latest reporting: https://www.democracydocket.com/Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtubeFollow us:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.comX: https://x.com/DemocracyDocketFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocketInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocketTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket
Transcribe →Trump's DOJ Has Stopped Making Sense | Legal AF
May 100:47:46Tap to summarizeMichael Popok (LegalAF) joins Marc Elias to break down the recent indictment of James Comey, the Department of Justice losing credibility with federal judges, and the latest updates in the Epstein Files saga.Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/3OK7w4A00:00 Today's Guest: Michael Popok01:47 DOJ Has Lost the Court's Confidence06:43 Trump Gets Away With Everything10:11 Did Trump Dictate this Court Filing?17:31 The Comey Seashell Indictment25:10 Trump Can't Escape the Epstein Files32:10 Republicans' Redistricting Gamble May Backfire37:37 Florida Redistricting Updates39:54 How Michael Popok Built Legal AF on YouTube----Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint. Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else.Catch up on our latest reporting: https://www.democracydocket.com/Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtubeFollow us:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.comX: https://x.com/DemocracyDocketFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocketInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocketTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket
Transcribe →BREAKING: Supreme Court GUTS the Voting Rights Act
Apr 2900:21:48Tap to summarizeBREAKING: The U.S. Supreme Court just kneecapped the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a landmark civil rights law that restricted racial gerrymandering and racial discrimination in voting. Marc Elias is joined by Legal Content Editor Ashley Cleaves to break down the implications of this ruling and the impact it will have on voter representation.Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/42wcKUC----Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint. Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else.Catch up on our latest reporting: https://www.democracydocket.com/Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtubeFollow us:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.comX: https://x.com/DemocracyDocketFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocketInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocketTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket
Transcribe →Florida GOP Reveals Latest Gerrymander Scheme
Apr 2800:12:57Tap to summarizeRepublicans across the country are attempting to gerrymander their way to electoral victory, and Florida is the latest state to join this movement. Marc Elias is joined by Legal Content Editor Ashley Cleaves to break down all of the battlefronts in the redistricting war and predict who will come out on top when the dust settles.Support Democracy Docket's mission:https://bit.ly/42wcKUC00:00 The Redistricting War01:02 Trump Started in Texas04:58 Desantis Pushes Forward New Florida Gerrymander06:59 The Legal Ramifications of Florida Maps10:37 Why This Map Could Actually Backfire for Republicans
Transcribe →Trump's Dangerous Propaganda Playbook REVEALED
Apr 2500:46:44Tap to summarizeDonald Trump's nonstop lying about elections isn't accidental; it's a strategy. In this video, Marc Elias breaks down Trump's propaganda tactics, and how we can all stay vigilant in the face of this threat.Support Democracy Docket's mission:https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/anchor-youtube-friday00:00 How Propaganda Threatens Free and Fair Elections01:12 Trump Blurs Truth and Reality03:49 Election Lies and Social Media Disinformation15:55 How 2020 Election Lies Were Built19:51 The Real Goal Behind “Proof of Citizenship” Laws28:24 New 2026 Strategy Attacking Voter Rolls34:00 Redefining Citizenship and Controlling Who Votes39:48 Ballot Seizures and Weaponizing the Justice System42:50 Why Truth Itself Is the Ultimate Target
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