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.

Type

Topic

Date

Clear

The Future of Partisan Gerrymandering in North Carolina

The impact of the new maps — on state and national politics and on the lives of North Carolinians — will be profound.

By Asher D. Hildebrand

November 10, 2023

Red background with old-looking paper that reads "The Future of the Gerrymander!" "Things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and North Carolina redistricting." and an image of the original gerrymander with "The Past" written above it and an image of North Carolina's recently approved congressional map with "The Present" written above it.

Despite Ohio GOP’s Efforts to Silence Us, the People of Ohio Won

The fight for abortion rights is the fight for our democracy and this week, Ohioans stood firmly against rampant attacks from Republicans.

By Katy Shanahan

November 9, 2023

Red background with hands holding up a large blue button that reads "KEEP ABORTION LEGAL"

A Quarter of Federal Courts Have Only Ever Had White Judges

We deserve a country where the administration of law reflects not just our hope for justice, but the beauty of our common struggle against racial hierarchy.

By Rakim Brooks

November 6, 2023

Dark blue background with four faded images of white judges behind four colorful images of four judges/justices from left to right: Judge Nancy Maldonado, Judge Loren AliKhan, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Judge Dale Ho.

Why the Sheriff’s Office Is an All-White Boys Club

Maybe the sheriff’s office should be relegated to history books. There, it could remain a relic and the rest of society can move on.

By Jessica Pishko

October 30, 2023

Red background with sign that reads "Welcome to Louisiana" in English and French and "Keep Louisiana Beautiful" and an image of a sheriff standing next to his sheriff's car.

The Keystone to Democracy’s Future in Pennsylvania

The decisions made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have far-reaching consequences, and we cannot afford to let these rights be eroded or diminished.

By Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez

October 27, 2023

Light blue background with a man standing in front of the Pennsylvania state shape holding and pointing to a voter registration form on a clipboard.

In South Carolina, Making Redistricting Work for All

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a case that will shape the future of South Carolina’s Black communities.

By Brenda Murphy

October 11, 2023

Light blue background with black and white toned U.S. Supreme Court and protestors standing outside holding up blue signs that read "END GERRYMANDERING NOW," "FAIR DISTRICTS," "NAACP."

This Supreme Court Case Could Devastate the Rule of Law

In this upcoming case, the Court will decide whether judges or agency experts are better positioned to decide crucial public policy questions.

By Rakim Brooks

October 2, 2023

Blue background with U.S. Supreme Court faded into the background and a big red explosion of the nuclear bomb with the upcoming Supreme Court case -- Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo -- written below it.

These Sheriffs Are Refusing To Enforce State Law

Allowing sheriffs to dictate the implementation of laws — like we saw in Illinois and New Mexico — subverts the democratic will of the people.

By Jessica Pishko

September 29, 2023

Red background with blue-toned image of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) next to a blue-toned sign that reads "ABSOLUTELY NO GUNS ALLOWED ON PREMISES" below an image of an X'd out gun and a red-toned image of Bernalillo County, New Mexico Sheriff John Allen next to a red-toned sheriff badge all over the state shape of New Mexico.

With Help From Dems, Ohio Has Gerrymandering Déjà Vu

After 782 days and five bipartisan court strike downs of illegal Republican gerrymanders, Ohio is closing out its 2021 mapping cycle with Democrats caving on maps.

By Katy Shanahan

September 28, 2023