What Got Us Through 2021
On the last day of the year, we wanted to reflect on the music, books, people and more that inspired and entertained us through 2021, both Marc’s favorites and some special picks from the Democracy Docket team.
Democracy Docket
After Election Day: The Basics of Election Certification
Let’s take a look at what happens after Election Day. In this Explainer, we highlight the points throughout the election certification process that are most vulnerable to bad actors seeking to subvert elections.
Breaking Down Voting Rights Litigation: Part Two
Voting rights litigation can cover a wide range of topics, all of which are important to ensuring that every eligible voter has the chance to participate in the political process and have their voice heard.
What Is the Filibuster and How Can the Senate Reform It?
We outline how the filibuster actually works, its history of thwarting progressive policies and given the intransigence of today’s Republican party, what steps Senate Democrats must take to enact voting rights legislation.
Breaking Down Voting Rights Litigation: Part One
Voting rights litigation focuses on addressing all barriers to or attacks on the ballot box, no matter how small they may seem.
Felony Disenfranchisement, Explained
In today’s Explainer, we dive into the laws that disenfranchise millions of Americans on the basis of criminal convictions. We outline the origin of these laws, how they reached today’s scale of exclusion and their unequal impact on people of color.
Impasse Litigation: When Politicians Can’t Agree on New Maps
There’s a special type of redistricting litigation going on in Wisconsin called impasse litigation. In today’s Explainer, we walk through what it is, where else we might be seeing it and what the courts can do in these cases.
Prison Gerrymandering, Explained
Redistricting is in full swing across the country after the 2020 census, but the way that the census and the majority of states count their incarcerated populations goes against the notion of equal representation.
Legal Jargon 101
Courts hold immense power when it comes to voting rights, but there are many terms that are unique to the legal profession, which can make it hard to follow along.
The Petition Process and Ballot Initiatives, Explained
In today’s Explainer, we cover the basics of ballot initiatives so that you can follow these important developments and understand how and why a state law or constitutional amendment may appear on your ballot.
