Opinion

Read in-depth op-eds on voting rights and democracy from our contributors, guest authors and Democracy Docket's founder, Marc Elias. Use the drop-down menu to organize by topic.

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Focus on State Legislatures, Not Just Congress

We know that the fight is in our own backyards. State legislatures are the soil from which our polity grows, and must be secured against corrosive ideals.

By Andrea Stewart-Cousins

June 28, 2022

Dark blue background with dome of state capitol toned in blue but the dome is made up of mostly blue dots and some red dots to indicate state legislative seats.

How We Broke Voting Records in Harris County

When I was appointed Harris County Clerk in 2020, my focus wasn’t politics. It was problem-solving.

By Chris Hollins

June 17, 2022

Light blue background with the city of Houston split up by ward similar to a puzzle and toned in blue; in black and white, there are voting elements including a sign for a polling place, a sign for the Texas Medical Center, a ballot drop box, an early voting sign and a drive-thru voting sign

Voter Suppression Is Youth Suppression

The youngest, most diverse generation in American history turned out in record numbers for the 2020 presidential election, proving young Americans’ power to shape our country’s future from statehouses to the White House.

By Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez

June 10, 2022

Red hands in surgical gloves holding dentistry tools surround a blue ballot that reads “THE YOUTH VOTE” with several letters missing and instead held by the hands.

Inside Our Fight To Restore Voting Rights to 56,000 North Carolinians

Used as a tool to silence communities and strip them of their power, felony disenfranchisement has no place in our democracy.

By Daryl Atkinson, Caitlin Swain

May 18, 2022

Six hands in black and white reaching up to grab a blue key hanging from the top over a light blue background.

Young People Have Power. Let’s Use It.

As November inches closer, the midterm elections will be the center of attention, and it’s important to remember that young people have power.

By Sam Schmir

May 6, 2022

Light blue background with a collage of young voters, some of whom are holding a megaphone and others are looking down at their phones, and other voting symbols such as a blue "VOTE" sign with an arrow, an official ballot drop box and mail-in ballot envelopes. There are also text bubble elements in red tones.

We Must Meet the Fight for Voting Rights at the State Level

With the ongoing attacks on the integrity of our elections and on democracy itself, there is simply too much at stake to remain on the sidelines. That’s why I’m in this fight.

By Katie Hobbs

April 22, 2022

Light blue background with bright blue Arizona State House with a blue ballot for the 2020 presidential election to the left, a dark blue toned image of someone holding up a sign that says “WHO STOLE OUR VOTES?” to the top left laid over a red-toned square, a dark blue toned image of protestors holding a sign that says “STOP THE SEAL” laid over a red toned square to the top right, a dark blue toned image of a police officer with a helmet and mask and a man standing behind him in a baseball cap and sunglasses (to the bottom right of the state house), a blue toned image of Trump over a red toned square to the bottom right, a dark blue toned image of a newspaper dispenser with USA Today inside laid over a red toned rectangle all to the bottom left of the state house, and a dark blue toned image of an officer putting up caution tape over a red toned square image of protestors holding a TRUMP and American flag. Bright blue dots connect the dark blue toned images.

Voting Laws May Present Challenges to Youth Participation in 2022

Young people ages 18-29 turned out to vote at historic rates in 2018 and 2020, and their participation could be decisive in the upcoming midterms. But that participation is not a given.

By Dayna L. Cunningham, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg

April 15, 2022

Man standing over a table signing a piece of paper that a woman (who is sitting on the other side of the table) is pointing at [both people are in black and white]. Layed out around the two people is a blue "same-day registration sign" with a blue arrow, a blue voter registration application, a blue voters' pamplet, and two white and blue ballot envelopes. There is also a "VOTE" sign above the man in dark grey. The background is light blue and there is also a white circle in the middle.

How Secretaries of State Can Lead the Fight to Strengthen Democracy

Massachusetts has long prided itself on creating blueprints for change, but so far, our Commonwealth has not been the leader it can – and should – be on voting rights and access.

By Tanisha M. Sullivan

April 6, 2022

A blueprint with an blue outline of the Massachusetts state shape beneath a hand holding a megaphone and notepad that says, in black ink, "We demand voting rights now!" with a black pen and black pencil next to the notepad.

Why Some States Are Moving To Restrict Ballot Initiatives

In 2021, there were 146 bills aimed at restricting or abolishing the ballot measure process. These restrictive measures take a variety of forms, but they all have the same function: to undermine the will of the people and diminish their decision-making power.

By Chris Melody Fields Figueredo

March 30, 2022

A cigarette box labelled Florida Amendment 2 $15 Minimum Wage Inititiave, with pens instead of cigarettes and the label "WARNING: Ballot initiatives may bring positive change to your community."

We Need To Change the Way We Elect Members of Congress

The solution to our current crisis of democracy: proportional representation and a multiparty system. It’s proven to ensure that all votes count equally, all voters are better represented and anti-democratic forces are sidelined.

By Charlotte Hill, Lee Drutman

March 25, 2022

Dome of the U.S. Capitol divided into four different sized rectangles, misaligned on one another. The rectangles are tinted blue, red, green and purple.

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