#SistersInLaw Episode 208: The Election
Release Date: November 2, 2024
Hosts: Joyce Vance, Barb McQuaid, Jill Winebanks

Introduction: Coping with Election Stress [00:11 – 05:32]

In the opening segment, Joyce Vance welcomes listeners back to the show and introduces the episode's focus on the upcoming election. The hosts share their personal strategies for managing the stress that accompanies election season.

• Barb McQuaid emphasizes staying active and engaged by volunteering with nonpartisan organizations such as phone banking for voter assistance. She highlights the importance of helping voters navigate absentee ballots and other voting procedures.
  "[02:30] Barb McQuaid: ...I have it easy by volunteering to phone bank with just help for voters."

• Jill Winebanks discusses channeling stress into proactive actions like canvassing in swing states and participating in postcard campaigns to support voter turnout. She also mentions the support network called the "Quints," a group of friends who help each other manage stress through humor and shared activities.
  "[03:54] Jill Winebanks: ...I've been canvassing in Wisconsin... I am doing everything I can to help and to make this happen."

Joyce shares her own methods for staying calm, including meditation and spending quality time with friends, illustrating the diverse ways individuals cope during high-stress periods.

Pre-Election Lawsuits and DOJ's Role [31:04 – 47:40]

The conversation shifts to the surge of pre-election lawsuits and their potential impact on the election outcome.

• Jill Winebanks points out that the Republican National Committee (RNC) has filed 130 lawsuits in 26 states aiming to influence the election results before votes are counted, a sharp increase compared to the 60 lawsuits filed post-election in 2020.
  "[08:26] Jill Winebanks: ...the RNC ... has filed 130 lawsuits in 26 states."

• Joyce Vance delves into specific cases, such as the Department of Justice's lawsuits against Virginia and Alabama for removing suspected non-citizens from voter rolls within 90 days of the election, violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). She critiques the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision allowing Virginia to continue these purges, expressing concern over the court's perceived political bias.
  "[09:47] Joyce Vance: ...the NVRA prohibits systematic purges... [11:51] ...Supreme Court said that Virginia can return to removing voters..."

• Barb McQuaid discusses the Supreme Court's use of the "shadow docket" for emergency decisions, criticizing the lack of thorough briefing and reasoning, which undermines the court's credibility.
  "[12:19] Barb McQuaid: ...they just say, nope, you know, this is permitted..."

The hosts express alarm over the potential erosion of federal voting protections and the precedent set by the court's rulings.

• Jill Winebanks raises concerns about the implications of these lawsuits in swing states like Pennsylvania, where technical challenges to mail-in ballots could sway tight races. She also addresses the rampant spread of misinformation on social media, offering best practices for verifying information to combat disinformation.
  "[20:49] Barb McQuaid: ...read some of these things with some skepticism..."

Money in Politics and Dark Money [31:04 – 43:58]

Barb McQuaid transitions the discussion to the pervasive influence of money in politics, using Elon Musk's recent activities as a case study.

• Barb McQuaid highlights Musk's strategy of paying voters to sign petitions and sponsoring lotteries, which has attracted legal scrutiny for potentially violating consumer protection laws.
  "[31:04] Barb McQuaid: ...Elon Musk is paying registered voters..."

• Joyce Vance explains a civil case filed by Philadelphia’s district attorney against Musk, alleging that his lotteries violate Pennsylvania’s consumer protection statutes by operating an illegal lottery.
  "[32:23] Joyce Vance: ...district attorney in Philadelphia filing a civil case..."

• Jill Winebanks critiques the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited campaign spending by corporations and super PACs, enabling billionaires like Musk to exert significant influence over elections. She questions Musk’s motives, suggesting he seeks to secure government contracts in return for his financial contributions.
  "[37:35] Joyce Vance: ...Citizens United... allows billionaires to exert significant control over our elections."

The hosts also discuss the issue of dark money facilitated by 501(c)(4) organizations, which can make substantial political donations without disclosing donors, thereby undermining transparency and accountability in political funding.
"[42:31] Jill Winebanks: ...we don't know who is funding all of this..."

Handling Misinformation [20:49 – 23:17]

The episode addresses the challenge of misinformation on social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and verification to prevent being misled by false claims aimed at undermining election legitimacy.

• Barb McQuaid provides practical tips for discerning credible information, such as evaluating the source, seeking corroboration from multiple outlets, and avoiding reliance solely on headlines.
  "[20:49] Barb McQuaid: ...read some of these things with some skepticism..."

Q&A Segment [60:37 – 68:38]

In the concluding segment, the hosts answer listener questions related to the election process and constitutional scenarios.

• Jill Winebanks responds to a question about how a convicted felon like Trump could receive a security clearance if elected, explaining that the President does not require a traditional security clearance and has access to all classified information by virtue of the office.
  "[61:59] Jill Winebanks: ...the President doesn't actually get a security clearance..."

• Barb McQuaid addresses another question regarding the protocol if a President-elect dies between Election Day and inauguration, clarifying that the Vice President-elect would assume the presidency as per the 20th Amendment.
  "[63:11] Barb McQuaid: ...Vice President-elect would assume the presidency."

Joyce Vance encourages listeners to stay informed and actively participate in the voting process, underscoring the importance of every vote in maintaining democratic integrity.

Notable Quotes

• Barb McQuaid on Citizens United:
  "[37:35] ...it's how the United States Supreme Court created an end run around American democracy that permits billionaires to exert significant control over our elections."

• Joyce Vance on DOJ's Role:
  "[57:44] ...it's very gratifying work, and it's very important to voters."

• Jill Winebanks on President's Security Clearance:
  "[61:59] ...the President doesn't actually get a security clearance. He just gets to have any information he wants."

Conclusion

Episode 208 of #SistersInLaw provides a comprehensive overview of the critical issues surrounding the 2024 election, including legal challenges, the impact of financial influence in politics, the Department of Justice’s responsibilities, and the battle against misinformation. The hosts offer valuable insights and actionable advice, encouraging listeners to engage thoughtfully and responsibly during this pivotal time.

This summary is crafted to capture the essence of the podcast episode, focusing on the substantive discussions while omitting advertisements and non-content segments.