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 Real Reason Why Texas Republicans Are Criminalizing the Vote

Over recent years, Republicans in Texas have led the charge to crackdown on alleged voter fraud while touting unfounded claims of rampant illegal voting.

By Delilah Agho-Otoghile

May 8, 2023

Red background with black and white images of police with K-9 dogs and a light red-toned image of bill text for H.B. 1243 and S.B. 2.

A Different Kind of Investment

Proper election infrastructure investment could have prevented the 2022 ballot fiasco in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

By Ashish Sinha

May 3, 2023

Red background with coin box that says "Ballot Box" on it and someone putting a coin into the box.

We Cannot Out-Organize Voter Suppression

The names of the states change, but the results are the same: voting for minorities and young voters becomes harder and elections become less free and fair.

By Marc Elias

May 2, 2023

Red background with black and white toned image of an elephant and blue-toned people climbing on the elephant and one person with a lighter red toned spotlight coming out of its mouth.

Crystal Mason’s Prosecutors Want an Election Crime Task Force

In February of this year, the newly elected top executive for Tarrant County, Texas — which includes Fort Worth — Tim O’Hare announced the creation of an “election task force.”

By Jessica Pishko

April 28, 2023

Red background with black and white toned images of old timey sheriffs on horses, the map of Fort Worth, Texas and three bubbles with one of them filled in in blue.

Republicans Continue To Attack Mail-in Voting

If Republican leaders have had a change of heart about voting by mail, no one has told their lawyers or Republican-controlled legislatures.

By Marc Elias

April 19, 2023

Red background with hands ripping apart a mail-in ballot envelope and black numbered dots outlining the image.

Abortion Rights Are at the Center of Ohio GOP’s Latest Attack on Democracy

The toolbox Ohio Republicans have at their disposal to ensure voters never get a real say in our political future is unfortunately incredibly well stocked.

By Katy Shanahan

April 18, 2023

Red background with light blue-tinted shape of Ohio with elephant kicking through the state shape and an image of people protesting and holding up signs that read "WE WON'T GO BACK"

Trump’s Indictment Adds Insult to Injury

Please stop calling Donald Trump’s indictment in New York a test of our democracy. It is just the latest insult he and his supporters have hurled at it.

By Marc Elias

April 5, 2023

Collage cut up into geometric shapes and toned in red blue and black with images of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), Donald Trump and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.) and images of the Capitol, bills being signed, drop boxes and driver's licenses.

To Protect Democracy in Red States, Look To Underutilized Tools

Many of the states that make it hardest to vote are home to the legislatures that are the least likely to make improvements.

By Shanna Singh Hughey

March 27, 2023

Dark blue background featuring three red states and the blue cities within them from left to right: the Georgia state shape toned in red with a blue sign pointing to Atlanta, a ferris wheel and a card with polling location; the Texas state shape toned in red with a blue sign pointing to Houston, a sign that reads "VOTE AQUI HERE," and two people holding their mail-in envelopes and the Tennessee state shape toned in red with a blue sign pointing to Nashville, someone holding a sign that reads "REGISTER HERE TO VOTE" and others sitting around a table outside a building.

Brad Raffensperger Is Just Another Republican Vote Suppressor

If there was any doubt where Brad Raffensperger stands on voting rights, he has put it to rest. He is in lockstep with the Republican Party.

By Marc Elias

March 7, 2023

Red background with black and white toned trash cans behind an image of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) walking in front of the trash.

How the Supreme Court Turned a Community Leader into a Criminal

In 2016, the Arizona Legislature passed a ban on ballot collection that was aimed at decreasing electoral participation by minorities, especially among the state’s large Latino community.

By Marc Elias

February 14, 2023

Red background with two people standing in front of a drop box that reads "YUMA COUNTY OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP BOX" and a sign that reads "PROBATION VISITATION COURTS" with arrows pointing in different directions, a sign that reads "Mexico" with a left-pointing arrow and "San Luis" with a right-pointing arrow and a sign that reads "DON'T VOTE HERE"

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