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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The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause Was Made for This Moment

The Constitution has a provision to protect our democracy in exactly the situation in which we find ourselves right now. We need to use it.

By Noah Bookbinder

February 7, 2024

Dark blue background with the U.S. Constitution in the center and the words of the 14th Amendment called out and on top of the Constitution is a red toned image of Donald Trump, a red toned image of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection with people holding MAGA signs and a black and white toned image of the Civil War.

The Justices Must Choose: Trump or the Constitution

There really is no way for the Court to protect Trump and defend the U.S. Constitution — it must choose and bear the consequences.

By Rakim Brooks

February 5, 2024

White background with the nine Supreme Court justices sitting down in the middle, and the three liberal justices -- Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan -- are faded into the background. There are black and red images of Donald Trump and diferent hand gestures he's made, with a red line connecting all of the Trump images.

Disqualifying Trump Is on the Docket

While we should take solace in the fact that no prior president has acted as recklessly as Trump, that is not a reason to ignore Section 3 of the 14th Amendment now.

By Marc Elias

January 31, 2024

Red background with the U.S. Constitution faded into the background and lady liberty holding up a scale in one hand and a sword in the other looking like she is glitching.

The Supreme Court Just Admitted That Public Pressure Is Working

Honor is the Court’s currency, and it can’t function if the nation perceives it as untrustworthy.

By Rakim Brooks

December 4, 2023

Light blue background with image of Justice Clarence Thomas, the Supreme Court seal, the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and words that read "statement of the court regarding the code of conduct"

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.

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.

To Fight the Supreme Court, Build the Bench

The progressive ideal would be to ensure that every vacancy — and there are still over 80 of them — is not just filled, but filled with more movement lawyers.

By Rakim Brooks

August 8, 2023