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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Ohio’s Democracy Pays the Price for LaRose’s Political Ambition

Just because LaRose’s path to the U.S. Senate hit a major roadblock doesn’t mean his anti-democratic actions will.

By Katy Shanahan

April 5, 2024

Red background with an image of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) running and a blue-toned image of the state of Ohio split in two with LaRose in the middle.

Redefining “Politicians” in 2024

The path to a brighter future lies in the hands of those who are ready to step up and lead.

By Sara Hadad

February 16, 2024

Democracy Was on the Docket in 2023, and It Won

As it was in previous years, one of the main story lines in 2023 is the staggering record of losses Republican lawyers had in court.

By Marc Elias

December 14, 2023

Blue background with images of Donald Trump, a mail-in ballot envelope, a map of Alabama, and snippet of the Voting Rights Act faded into the background. On the top left is a case name "LULAC OF IOWA VS PAUL PATE ET AL OTHER ORDER," to the bottom right is the case name "MOORE V. HARPER" and in the center is a large blue gavel.

In a Community Fight, Galveston County Voters Combat Discriminatory Districts

The brave citizens in Galveston recognized the injustice that was thrust upon them and spoke out because they knew the power of their voices.

By Rochelle Garza

December 1, 2023

Pink background with map of Texas and blue toned images of people protesting with Black Lives Matter signs and others that read "let the people vote", "no new jim crow", "politicians picking voters" and a call out box that reads "Galveston County, Texas."

Here’s What I’m Thankful for This Year

If Allen was the only VRA victory of the year, it would be a good year. But the impact of this landmark decision didn’t extend just to Alabama.

By Marc Elias

November 22, 2023

Pink background with black and white toned images of President Lyndon B. Johnson meeting with MLK, Whitney Young, and James Farmer in the Oval Office and another image of people protesting outside the U.S. Supreme Court surrounding a blue-toned image of hands clapping together, a copy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with Johnson's signature, and text from court opinions that read "About a year later, the Supreme Court resolved the Alabama case. We now apply the Court's reasoning to the Louisiana redistricting." and "We held, and the Supreme Court agreed, that the required remedy is the creation of a second district where Black Alabamians, like everyone else, have a fair and reasonable opportunity to elect their preferred candidates" and "But unfortunately, as to districts 9 and 15, those efforts did not go far enough to comply with Section 2."

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.

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."

The Lesson of Alabama

Republican-controlled legislatures are ignoring the law because they have decided that defiance is good politics.

By Marc Elias

October 9, 2023

Red background with blue image of the Voting Rights Act with the red flag of the state of Alabama (with a big red "X") laid over the law document.

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