Shows
American Democracy MinuteRebroadcast of "Shedding Light on Dark Money: How the Wealthy Use LLCs to Circumvent Personal Donation Limits"Brian is off today, making a money-in-politics video for New Hampshire Democracy advocacy organization, Open Democracy. We'll return next week with new reports! Meanwhile, we're rebroadcasting the third in our series on Dark Money, shining a light on the sleazy practice of using LLCs to bypass state campaign donation rules. Rebroadcast of "Shedding Light on Dark Money: How the Wealthy Use LLCs to Circumvent Personal Donation Limits" Today's Script(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re liste...
2023-06-2201 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for May 30, 2023: Study Shows Stadium Voting is a Home RunStudy Shows Stadium Voting is a Home RunWe’re taking Memorial Day weekend off, so we’re posting an ADM from July 2022 about stadium voting, which we think is a really great idea. Have a great weekend, and we’ll be back Wednesday with a new American Democracy Minute Radio Report. – Brian BeihlToday's Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) Today’s Links now below the scriptYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.It’s basebal...
2023-05-2901 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Feb. 22, 2023: Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Has Huge State & National ImplicationsWisconsin Supreme Court Election Has Huge State & National ImplicationsToday’s LinksArticles & Resources:Milwaukee Journal Seninel - It's primary election day in Wisconsin. What to know about the 2023 Supreme Court race and the expected voter turnout.Wisconsin PBS - Wisconsin's 2023 Supreme Court candidates and Brian HagedornWisconsin PBS - Wisconsin's Assembly maps are more skewed than ever — what happens in 2023?Wisconsin Public Radio - Wisconsin Supreme Court chooses maps drawn by Republicans in new redistricting decisionWKOW - GOP WEC commissioner says he won't resign after boasting about lower vote...
2023-02-2101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Nov. 8, 2022: Don't Expect Results on Election Night -- But It's Worth the WaitDon't Expect Results on Election Night -- But It's Worth the WaitToday’s LinksArticles & Resources: NBC News -- Mail-in and early in-person votes castBrookings Institution -- Help democracy—cancel election nightNational Conference of State Legislatures -- When Absentee/Mail Ballot Processing and Counting Can BeginCybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency -- Mail-In Voting SafeguardsYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.Don’t expect election results on Election night. A surge of early m...
2022-11-0701 minAmerican Democracy MinuteRegistration on Election Day Still an Option in 21 StatesRegistration on Election Day Still an Option in 21 StatesToday’s LinksArticles & Resources: The 21 States Which Have Same Day Registration: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Washington, DC, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.U.S. Election Assistance Commission - Links to Registration Information in Every StateNational Conference of State Legislatures - Same Day Voter Registration StatesBrennan Center - Study Showing No Increase in Fraud With Election Day RegistrationUniv. of Massachusetts/Demos - NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STAT...
2022-11-0601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Nov. 4, 2022: Poll Shows GOP Voters Continue to Have Low Confidence in Elections, Despite No Credible Evidence of ProblemsPoll Shows GOP Voters Continue to Have Low Confidence in Elections, Despite No Credible Evidence of ProblemsToday’s LinksArticles & Resources: Pew Research - Two Years After Election Turmoil, GOP Voters Remain Skeptical on Elections, Vote CountsU.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency - ELECTION SECURITY RUMOR VS. REALITYElection Assistance Assistance Commission - ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND VOTING SURVEY 2020COMPREHENSIVE REPORTFBI - Election Crimes and Security, Associated Press - No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP findsProceedings of the National Academy of Scien...
2022-11-0301 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for November 3, 2022: Early Voting Windows Are Closing. Check Your State's DeadlinesEarly Voting Windows Are Closing. Check Your State's DeadlinesToday’s LinksArticles & Resources National Conference of State Legislatures - State Early Voting DatesUSA.gov - Find My State or Local Election Office WebsiteVote.org - Find Early Voting Locations Near YouConnecticut Mirror - Early voting is on the ballot in CT, a key issue for Black and Latino residentsPew Trust - ‘Chaos and Confusion’: The Campaign to Stamp Out Ballot Drop BoxesGroups Taking Action - National Vote at Home Institute, Hispanic...
2022-11-0201 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for November 2, 2022: Eight States Have All-Mail-In Voting. It Works, and it's SecureEight States Have All-Mail-In Voting. It Works, and it's SecureToday’s LinksArticles: National Conference of State Legislators - All-Mail Ballot StatesThe Conversation - Mail-in voting lessons from Oregon, the state with the longest history of voting by mailBrennan Center for Justice - Records Show Massive Disenfranchisement and Racial Disparities in 2022 Texas PrimaryPew Research - Two Years After Election Turmoil, GOP Voters Remain Skeptical on Elections, Vote CountsGroups Taking Action:National Vote at Home Institute, Common Cause, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD...
2022-11-0101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteMost Voters Have Never Used an Absentee Ballot; We'll Give You the BasicsMost Voters Have Never Used an Absentee Ballot; We'll Give You the BasicsToday’s LinksArticles & Resources: Rock the Vote - Absentee Ballot Rules for Each State -- but your local election officials are your best resource!MIT Election Data Lab - Voting by mail and absentee voting National Conference of State Legislatures - Voting Outside the Polling Place: Absentee, All-Mail and other Voting at Home OptionsNational Conference of State Legislatures - Each State's "Excuses" to Vote by Absentee BallotPew Trust - Voters with Disabilities Face New Bal...
2022-10-3101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteEarly Voting is Popular Among All American Voters. Why? Because it's More ConvenientEarly Voting is Popular Among All American Voters. Why? Because it's More ConvenientToday’s LinksArticles: Georgia Votes - Stats on Georgia 2022 MidtermForbes - Most Americans Support Early Voting (A Democratic Priority) And Photo ID Laws (A Republican One), Survey FindsBallotPedia - Arguments for and against early votingUnited States Elections Project - 2022 General Election Early Voting Statistics by Michael McDonaldProfessor, University of Florida Pew Research Center - The voting experience in 2020National Conference of State Legislatures - Early In-Person VotingFiveThirtyEight - Ear...
2022-10-3001 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 28, 2022: Why People Don't Vote Week: Some of the Solutions to Getting Nonvoters to Register & VoteWhy People Don't Vote Week: Some of the Solutions to Getting Nonvoters to Register & VoteToday’s LinksArticles: Center for American Progress - Increasing Voter Participation in AmericaNational Conference of State Legislatures- Automatic Voter RegistrationNational Conference of State Legislatures- Online Voter RegistrationNational Affairs- Does High Voter Turnout Help One Party?Groups Taking Action:Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org, When We All Vote, Vote411Vote RidersYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping Y...
2022-10-2701 minAmerican Democracy MinuteWhy People Don't Vote Week: You Can't Vote if You Don't Register -- So Why Don't Nonvoters Register?Why People Don't Vote Week: You Can't Vote if You Don't Register -- So Why Don't Nonvoters Register?Today’s LinksArticles:Knight Foundation - The Hundred Million Project studyCNN/SSIS Poll - Americans’ confidence in elections has faded since January 6Brennan Center - Poll: Majority of Voters Confident Midterms Will Be Conducted Fairly, with Reliable ResultsAssociated Press - Many remain critical of state of US democracy: AP-NORC pollFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't VoteNPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here...
2022-10-2601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 26, 2022 - Why People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Cite Lack of Faith in Electoral System as Reason Not to Show UpWhy People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Cite Lack of Faith in Electoral System as Reason Not to Show Up Knight Foundation - The Hundred Million Project studyCNN/SSIS Poll - Americans’ confidence in elections has faded since January 6Brennan Center - Poll: Majority of Voters Confident Midterms Will Be Conducted Fairly, with Reliable ResultsAssociated Press - Many remain critical of state of US democracy: AP-NORC pollFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't VoteNPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's WhyCNBC - ‘I do...
2022-10-2501 minAmerican Democracy MinuteWhy People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Less Likely to Follow News, Discuss Politics with OthersWhy People Don't Vote Week: Nonvoters Less Likely to Follow News, Discuss Politics with OthersMedill School of Journalism - AMERICANS ARE LESS HOPEFUL OVERALL, BUT NONVOTERS ARE ESPECIALLY FATALISTICNew York Times - What Really Makes Us Vote? It May Be Our ParentsFiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't VoteNPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's WhyCNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020American Progress - Increasing Voter Participa...
2022-10-2401 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for October 24, 2022: Why People Don't Vote Week: Surveys Show Many Nonvoters Don't Think Their Vote MattersWhy People Don't Vote Week: Surveys Show Many Nonvoters Don't Think Their Vote MattersToday’s LinksArticles: FiveThirtyEight.com - Why Many Americans Don't VoteNPR - Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn't Vote. Here's WhyCNBC - ‘I don’t plan to vote ever again’: The psychology of why so many people don’t vote, even in 2020Groups Taking Action:Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.orgYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people...
2022-10-2301 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 22, 2022: Hand Counting Ballots Takes Longer, is Less Accurate, and Costs More. So Why is It Being Proposed Around the Country?Hand Counting Ballots Takes Longer, is Less Accurate, and Costs More. So Why is It Being Proposed Around the Country?Today’s LinksArticles: NPR - Hand-counting ballots may sound nice. It's actually less accurate and more expensiveAssociated Press - Some in GOP want ballots to be counted by hand, not machinesNevada Independent - How should Nevada hand count ballots? Nye County, state election officials disagreeMIT Election Data & Science Lab - Voting technologyMIT Election Data & Science Lab - Learning From RecountsCaltech/MIT Voting Tec...
2022-10-2001 minAmerican Democracy MinuteThe State of Florida Arrests Felons Who Voted Given Voter Registration Cards Issued to Them . . . By the State of FloridaThe State of Florida Arrests Felons Who Voted Given Voter Registration Cards Issued to Them . . . By the State of FloridaToday’s LinksArticles: Tampa Bay Times - Police cameras show confusion, anger over DeSantis’ voter fraud arrestsWGCU - Questions grow over Gov. DeSantis' voter fraud arrestsAssociated Press - DeSantis’ election police unit announces voter fraud casesGroups Taking Action:Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, ACLU Florida, League of Women Voters FLYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government...
2022-10-1901 minAmerican Democracy MinuteOhio's Scary Congressional Gerrymandering Maps Appealed to the U.S. Supreme CourtOhio's Scary Congressional Gerrymandering Maps Appealed to the U.S. Supreme CourtToday’s LinksArticles: Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Republican legislative leaders appeal congressional map to U.S. Supreme CourtAssociated Press - GOP lawmakers appeal Ohio map flap to US Supreme CourtBrennan Center - Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Third Set of Legislative Maps Over Partisan GerrymanderingGroups Taking Action:Groups Taking Action: League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts OH, Ohio Voter Rights CoalitionYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute...
2022-10-1801 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 18, 2022: Voter Registration Basics – Do it Now, Not Later!Brian is gone today. This is a rebroadcast of an important Sept. 27th ADM on registering to vote.Today’s LinksArticles: Vote.org – Voter Registration Rules for All 50 StatesUSA.gov – Find Your Local Election OfficeU.S. Election Assistance Commission – REGISTER AND VOTE IN YOUR STATEGroups Taking Action:Nonprofit Vote, League of Women Voters, Center for Voter Information, Voto Latino, Alliance for Youth ActionYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
2022-10-1701 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 17, 2022: Advocacy Groups Call Out Social Media Platforms for Not Enforcing Their Own Election Disinformation RulesAdvocacy Groups Call Out Social Media Platforms for Not Enforcing Their Own Election Disinformation RulesToday’s LinksArticles: Democracy Advocacy Groups - Letter to Social Media CompaniesReuters - Big Tech accused of failing to tackle U.S. midterm 'lies'Texas Tribune - U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Latino groups warn about rampant misinformation targeting Spanish speakers ahead of the electionsGroups Taking Action:The Leadership Conference, Common Cause, Unidos US, Asian Americans Advancing JusticeYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for...
2022-10-1601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 14, 2022: Where are Ballot Drop Boxes Used, and What States Have Limited Them?Where are Ballot Drop Boxes Used, and What States Have Limited Them?Today’s LinksArticles: U.S. Vote Foundation - Ballot Drop Boxes are Safe and Easy to Use. Here’s How to Find Out If Voting by Drop Box is Available in Your StateNational Conference of State Legislatures - Ballot Drop Box LawsAssociated Press - No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP findsTexas Tribune - How the debunked conspiracy film “2000 Mules” became Texas Republican orthodoxyNPR - A new Georgia voting law reduc...
2022-10-1301 minAmerican Democracy MinuteMillions of Americans are already voting by absentee or mail. Who can return your ballot if you need help?Millions of Americans are already voting by absentee or mail. Who can return your ballot if you need help?Today’s LinksArticles: National Conference of State Legislatures - Ballot Collection Laws by StateBallotpedia - Ballot Collection laws by stateFiveThirtyEight.com - Has Your State Made It Harder To Vote?Washington Post - After Wis. Supreme Court absentee ballot decision, disabled people sueGroups Taking Action:AARP, Disability Rights Wisonsin, Disability Rights Center NH, National Disability Rights NetworkYou’re listen...
2022-10-1201 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 12, 2022: What Constitutes Political Corruption? An Upcoming Supreme Court Case May Define it, and Not in a Good WayWhat Constitutes Political Corruption? An Upcoming Supreme Court Case May Define it, and Not in a Good WayToday’s LinksArticles: The New Republic - The Supreme Court Might Be on the Brink of Making Corruption Easier—AgainScotus Blog - Percoco v United States Washington Post - Ex-Va. governor Robert McDonnell guilty of 11 counts of corruptionPolitico - Supreme Court overturns Bob McDonnell’s corruption convictionsGroups Taking Action:Democracy 21, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Citizens for Ethics in Washington (CREW)You’re...
2022-10-1101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteA New Tactic to Sow Doubt in Our Elections: Question the Partisan Affiliations of Poll WorkersA New Tactic to Sow Doubt in Elections: Question the Partisan Affiliations of Poll WorkersToday’s LinksArticles: Washington Post - RNC seizes on political affiliations of poll workers in swing statesArizona Mirror - The RNC is suing Maricopa County for not hiring enough Republican election workersWashington Post - One charged, another sentenced for threatening election officialsThe Guardian - Republican push to recruit election deniers as poll workers causes alarmBrennan Center for Justice - Arizona Poll Workers: Rules and ConstraintsGroups Taking...
2022-10-1001 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 10, 2022: January 6th Committee Concludes Hearings with New Bannon Audio, Unheard WitnessesToday’s LinksArticles: NBC News - Jan. 6 committee announces next hearing will be next ThursdayLos Angeles Times - What’s the TV schedule for the next Jan. 6 committee hearing?Mother Jones - Leaked Audio: Before Election Day, Bannon Said Trump Planned to Falsely Claim VictoryYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.The January 6th Committee meets again on Thursday, October 13th, which the committee chairman Bennie Thompson says will likely be the last hea...
2022-10-0901 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 7, 2022: Supreme Court Majority's Questions Suggest it Will Uphold Alabama's Redistricting Map Diluting the Black VoteSupreme Court Majority's Questions Suggest it Will Uphold Alabama's Redistricting Map Diluting the Black VoteToday’s LinksArticles: SCOTUS Blog - Conservative justices seem poised to uphold Alabama’s redistricting plan in Voting Rights Act Challenge Brennan Center for Justice - Merrill v. MilliganBrennan Center for Justice - Annotated Guide to the Amicus Briefs in Merrill v. MilliganSCOTUS Blog - When are majority-Black voting districts required? In Alabama case, the justices will review that question.Groups Taking Action:Campaign Legal Center, Lawyers Committee for Civil Right...
2022-10-0601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 6, 2022: What are the Impacts if the U.S. Supreme Court Majority Embraces the Independent State Legislature Theory?Today’s LinksArticles: Brennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, ExplainedThe Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?Politico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024PBS NewsHour - How the outcome of Moore v. Harper could impact federal elections League of Women Voters US - State Legislature Seeks Unchecked Power over Elections in Moore v. HarperArizona Mirror - Brnovich joins 12 other GOP AGs in ‘independent state legislature’ caseGroups Taking Action:League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal C...
2022-10-0501 minAmerican Democracy Minute"Independent State Legislature" Case Cites Document that Scholars Say May be Fraudulent"Independent State Legislature" Case Cites Document that Scholars Say May be Fraudulent Today’s LinksArticles: Politico - Fraudulent Document Cited in Supreme Court Bid to Torch Election LawAppellate Advocacy Blog - History Rewritten to Serve Selfish Ends – and Serve an ArgumentBrennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, ExplainedAmerican Redistricting Project - Timeline and Document Submissions for Moore v. HarperPolitico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024The Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?Groups Taking Action:League...
2022-10-0401 minAmerican Democracy MinuteThe Moore vs. Harper "Independent State Legislature Theory" Case May Have Dramatic Consequences for American DemocracyThe Moore vs. Harper "Independent State Legislature Theory" Case May Have Dramatic Consequences for American DemocracyToday’s LinksArticles: Brennan Center for Justice - Moore v. Harper, ExplainedAmerican Redistricting Project - Timeline and Document Submissions for Moore v. HarperPolitico - Supreme Court to hear 2 cases with major implications for 2024The Atlantic - Is Democracy Constitutional?Groups Taking Action: League of Conservation Voters NC, Common Cause NC, Democracy Docket, Campaign Legal CenterYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR g...
2022-10-0301 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Oct. 3, 2022: Electoral Count Act Versions Moving in the U.S. Senate, Passed in the House Electoral Count Act Versions Moving in the U.S. Senate, Passed in the HouseToday’s LinksArticles: Democracy Docket - Senators Introduce Amendment to Electoral Count Act Reform BillDemocracy Docket - U.S. House Passes Bill to Reform the Electoral Count ActDemocracy Docket - Comparison table of Senate & House versions of the Elector Count Act reform bills The Hill - Trump-McConnell feud takes new turn with Electoral Count ActPolitifact - Electoral reform: What would updating the Electoral Count Act do?Groups Taking Action:Protect Democracy, Bre...
2022-09-3011 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Sept. 30, 2022: How Hard is it to Register & Vote in Your State?How Hard is it to Register & Vote in Your State? Today’s LinksArticles: New York Times - The ‘Cost’ of Voting in America: A Look at Where It’s Easiest and HardestThe Hill - These are the most difficult states to vote inMichael J. Pomante II, Ph.D. & Scot Schraufnagel, Ph.D.: Cost of Voting Index Study websiteStudy Summary: Cost of Voting Index summary in PDFHelp for Registering to Vote:USA.gov – Find Your Local Election OfficeU.S. Election Assistance Commission – REG...
2022-09-2901 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Sept. 29, 2022: Parts of Arizona "Cancel & Remove" Voter Registration Law Invalidated | Reminder to Check Your Registration StatusParts of Arizona "Cancel & Remove" Voter Registration Law Invalidated | Reminder to Check Your Registration StatusToday’s LinksArticles: Vote.Org - Voter Registration Check ToolDemocracy Docket - U.S. District Court Decision on Arizona Senate Bill 1260 Arizona Mirror - Voting groups fight to block law that can criminalize Arizona voter registrationGroups Taking Action:Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Voto Latino, Fair FightYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
2022-09-2801 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Sept. 28, 2022: Same Day Voter Registration Helps Voters Participate, But It's More Complicated Than it Used to BeSame Day Voter Registration Helps Voters Participate, But It's More Complicated Than it Used to BeToday’s LinksArticles: National Conference of State Legislatures - Same Day Voter Registration Around the U.S. Ballotpedia - Same-day voter registrationUniversity of Massachusetts - NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STATES WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HAVE HIGHER BLACK AND LATINX TURNOUTAmerican Academy of Arts & Sciences - Same-Day and Universal Voting RegistrationBrennan Center - Election Day Registration: A Study of Voter Fraud Allegations and Findings on Voter Roll SecurityGr...
2022-09-2702 minAmerican Democracy MinuteVoter Registration Basics - Do it Now, Not Later!Voter Registration Basics - Do it Now, Not Later!Today’s LinksArticles: Vote.org - Voter Registration Rules for All 50 StatesUSA.gov - Find Your Local Election OfficeU.S. Election Assistance Commission - REGISTER AND VOTE IN YOUR STATEGroups Taking Action:Nonprofit Vote, League of Women Voters, Center for Voter Information, Voto Latino, Alliance for Youth ActionYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.If you’re not registe...
2022-09-2601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteYoung Voters Motivated to Vote in Midterms, Experts & Survey sayYoung Voters Motivated to Vote in Midterms, Experts & Survey sayToday’s LinksArticles: The Fulcrum - Don't take young people for granted in NovemberAlliance for Youth Organizing Poll - YOUNG VOTERS IN BATTLEGROUND STATES ON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONSGroups Taking Action:Voter Participation Center, Alliance for Youth ActionYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.Midterms generally have a much lower youth turnout than Presidential elections. But an...
2022-09-2501 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for September 23, 2022: Reps. Liz Cheney & Zoe Lofgren Propose Additional Bill to Fix the Electoral Count SystemReps. Liz Cheney & Zoe Lofgren Propose Additional Bill to Fix the Electoral Count SystemToday’s LinksArticles: NPR - The House just passed a bill that would make it harder to overthrow an electionPolitiFact: Electoral reform: What would updating the Electoral Count Act do?PBS Newshour - House passes electoral law overhaul in response to Jan. 6Text of the Presidential Election Reform Act: H.R.8873 - Presidential Election Reform ActGroups Taking Action:Protect Democracy, Brennan Center, Business for America, ACLUYou’re...
2022-09-2201 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for September 22, 2022: The Disclose Act Would Shine a Light on Dark Money Influence in U.S. ElectionsThe Disclose Act Would Shine a Light on Dark Money Influence in U.S. ElectionsToday’s LinksArticles: Reuters - Biden pushes election 'dark money' disclosure bill doomed to fail in CongressU.S. Senate Bill S. 443 - Text of the BillWashington Post Editorial Board - A $1.6 billion donation lays bare a broken campaign finance system Groups Taking Action:Issue One, Common Cause, American Promise, Public CitizenYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the p...
2022-09-2101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteEarly Voting for the Midterm General Election Begins in Sept. for Six StatesEarly Voting for the Midterm General Election Begins in Sept. for Six StatesToday’s LinksArticles: Ballotpedia - Early voting dates, 2022KMSP TV - Early voting in Minnesota: Everything you need to know for 2022 midtermsAARP Wyoming - How to Vote in Wyoming’s 2022 ElectionsState of South Dakota - 2022 Election InformationYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.With the last of the state primaries completed September 13, the focus now turns t...
2022-09-2001 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for September 19, 2022: Delaware Court Strikes Down New No-Excuse Vote by Mail LawDelaware Court Strikes Down New No-Excuse Vote by Mail LawToday’s LinksArticles:Towns Square Live - Delaware Judge Halts Mail-In VotingDemocracy Docket - Delaware Judge Strikes Down No-Excuse Mail-in Voting, Upholds Same-Day RegistrationAssociated Press - Judge says Delaware vote-by-mail law is unconstitutionalGroups Taking Action: Delaware Voting Rights Coalition, League of Women Voters DelawareYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.We reported earlier this summer on the pas...
2022-09-1601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for Sept. 16, 2022: A New ProPublica Report Chronicles One Women's Quest to Assist Low-Literacy Voters - And the Attempts to Stop HerA New ProPublica Report Chronicles One Women's Quest to Assist Low-Literacy Voters - And the Attempts to Stop HerToday’s LinksArticles:ProPublica - The Fight Against an Age-Old Effort to Block Americans From VotingGroups Taking Action:ACLU Georgia, FairFight, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, New Georgia ProjectYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.An investigative report just released by nonprofit news organization ProPublica follows the story of one woman’s quest to provide assist...
2022-09-1501 minAmerican Democracy MinuteACTIVISTS REQUESTING 'CAST VOTE RECORD' DATA AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ONCE AGAIN TRY TO PROVE WIDESPREAD FRAUDACTIVISTS REQUESTING 'CAST VOTE RECORD' DATA AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ONCE AGAIN TRY TO PROVE WIDESPREAD FRAUD Today’s LinksArticles:Votebeat - Election activists are seeking the “cast vote record” from 2020. Here’s what it is and why they want it. Washington Post - Trump backers flood election offices with requests as 2022 vote nearsYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.Election-denier activists are trying to obtain the “Cast Vote Record” report from vote tabulating machines around the country in...
2022-09-1403 minAmerican Democracy MinuteMichigan's "Promote the Vote" Initiative Had Required Signatures, But Still Blocked by State BoardMichigan's "Promote the Vote" Initiative Had Required Signatures, But Still Blocked by State BoardToday’s LinksArticles:Detroit News - Word spacing issue keeps abortion rights amendment from ballot; court fight expectedPromote the Vote 2022 Statement - STATE BOARD DEADLOCKS ON KEY MICHIGAN VOTING RIGHTS BALLOT INITIATIVE, CAMPAIGN VOWS TO TAKE CASE TO COURTBallotPedia - Michigan Right to Voting Policies Amendment (2022)Citizens Research Council of Michigan - Michigan’s Citizen-Initiative Petition Process in 2022: A LOT of Ballot ProposalsPBS - Why an obscure Michigan board has the power to r...
2022-09-0501 minAmerican Democracy MinuteConspiracy by Stop the Steal Activists to Break Into Voting Machines Widens to GeorgiaConspiracy by Stop the Steal Activists to Break Into Voting Machines Widens to Georgia Today’s LinksArticles:Atlanta Journal Constitution - Special grand jury seeks evidence of Coffee Co. election breachWashington Post - Trump-allied lawyers pursued voting machine data in multiple states, records reveal Reuters - Michigan sheriff sought to seize multiple voting machines, records showBusiness Insider - Sidney Powell and other Trump attorneys oversaw effort to copy sensitive election data in 3 states, per reports You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and f...
2022-09-0401 minAmerican Democracy MinuteWho Dunnit? Arizona Voting Rights Initiative Dies a Suspicious DeathWho Dunnit? Arizona Voting Rights Initiative Dies a Suspicious DeathToday’s LinksArticles:The Arizona Mirror - Whiplash: Free and Fair Elections Act won’t be on the ballot after last-minute math changesBallotPedia - Arizona Election and Voting Policies Initiative (2022)Washington Examiner - Arizona initiative to overturn several election laws pulled from fall ballotFull Initiative Text - (For) I‐16‐2022 ‐ Arizonans for Free and Fair ElectionsGroups Taking Action: Arizonans for Fair Elections, Campaign Legal CenterYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute...
2022-09-0101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteRedistricting Stalemate in Ohio Continues; Questions Raised About State Supreme Court JusticeRedistricting Stalemate in Ohio Continues; Questions Raised About State Supreme Court JusticeToday’s LinksArticles:Ohio Capital Journal - Public awaits more redistricting work, but new law gives court little leeway to force itState of Ohio - Redistricting Commission MembersThe American Independent - Ohio Justice Pat DeWine won't recuse himself from gerrymandering cases involving his dadPrinceton Gerrymandering Project - Ohio's Redistricting ProcessGroups Taking Action: League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts Ohio, Equal Districts CoalitionYou’re listening to the Am...
2022-08-3101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteEntire Staff of Texas County Elections Office Resigns, Citing Threats & HarassmentEntire Staff of Texas County Elections Office Resigns, Citing Threats & HarassmentToday’s LinksArticles:Fredricksburg Standard - Radio Post - Threats, stalking lead to election office resignationVoteBeat Texas - What brought down one Texas county’s entire elections department? It was something in the water.NPR/Texas Public Radio - A Texas county's election administrators all resigned, leaving the state to step inGroups Taking Action:League of United Latin American Citizens - Poll Worker Recruitment Day 2022Election Official Legal Defense Network
2022-08-3001 minAmerican Democracy MinuteJim Crow Era Mississippi Voter Suppression Law Upheld by Federal CourtJim Crow Era Mississippi Voter Suppression Law Upheld by Federal CourtToday’s LinksArticles:Democracy Docket - 5th Circuit Upholds Felony Disenfranchisement in Mississippi ABA Journal - Mississippi scrubbed racial taint from its constitutional ban on voting by some felons, 5th Circuit rulesAssociated Press - Court: Mississippi can continue blocking felons from votingMississippi Center for Justice - Federal Court of Appeals Upholds Mississippi’s 1890 Felon Disfranchisement Law Groups Taking Action:Mississippi Center for JusticeYou’re listening to the American Democrac...
2022-08-2901 minAmerican Democracy MinuteResearchers Confirm Gerrymandering Used to Regain Power After Losses & Demographic ShiftsResearchers Confirm Gerrymandering Used to Hold Power After Losses & Demographic ShiftsToday’s LinksArticles:University of California Santa Cruz - Political parties use gerrymandering to counteract shifting voter preferences in key battleground statesMIT Press - UC Santa Cruz Study (requires sign-up) - The Targeting and Impact of Partisan Gerrymandering: Evidence from a Legislative Discontinuity FiveThirtyEight.com - What Redistricting Looks Like in Every StateGroups Taking Action:Common Cause, League of Women Voters People Powered Fair Maps, Fair VoteYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keep...
2022-08-2801 minAmerican Democracy MinuteFederal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to VotersFederal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to VotersToday’s LinksArticles:New York Times - Arkansas violated the Voting Rights Act by limiting help to voters, a judge rules.Arkansas Times - Judge strikes down restrictive Arkansas law that violates the Voting Rights ActMexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund - FEDERAL COURT RULES ARKANSAS STATUTE ON VOTERASSISTANCE VIOLATES FEDERAL VRAU.S. District Court - DecisionGroups Taking Action: MALDEF, Arkansas UnitedYou’re listening to the American Democr...
2022-08-2501 minAmerican Democracy MinuteNew Poll Show "Threats to Democracy" as Top Issue with Voters, Over the EconomyNew Poll Show "Threats to Democracy" as Top Issue with Voters, Over the Economy Today’s LinksArticles: NBC News - NBC News poll: 57% of voters say investigations into Trump should continueNBC News - Full Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies Poll ResultsNewsweek - 'Threats to Democracy' Overtake 'Cost of Living' as Voters' Top Issue: PollYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.A new NBC News poll released August 21st had a surpris...
2022-08-2401 minAmerican Democracy MinuteMath & Computer Scientists Develop Tools to Show Cheating in RedistrictingMath & Computer Scientists Develop Tools to Prove Cheating in RedistrictingToday’s LinksArticles:Washington Post - Can computer simulations help fix democracy?CNN - Redistricting in OhioKosuke Imai and Cory McCartan, Harvard University - ``Sequential Monte Carlo for Sampling Balanced and Compact Redistricting Plans"Groups Taking Action:Princeton Gerrymandering Project , Moon Duchin & the Tufts University MGGG Lab, Dave's Redistricting App, FairVote, League of Women Voters People Powered Fair Maps Project, Redistricting Data Hub's list of State Advocacy GroupsYou’re listening to the...
2022-08-2301 minAmerican Democracy MinuteNorth Carolina Supreme Court May Invalidate Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Gerrymandered LegislatureNorth Carolina Supreme Court May Invalidate Constitutional Amendment Proposed by Gerrymandered LegislatureToday’s LinksArticles:Charlotte News & Observer - NC’s highest court rules on gerrymandered legislature’s power, but the case isn’t overSouthern Environmental Law Center - North Carolina Supreme Court rules that racially gerrymandered legislature does not have unlimited authority to change NC’s Constitution Ballotpedia - Voter ID in North CarolinaGroups Taking Action:North Carolina NAACP, Southern Environmental Law Center, Forward JusticeYou’re listening to the American Demo...
2022-08-2201 minAmerican Democracy MinuteArizona Trifecta: Three Lawsuits for on its Voter Suppression Bills All in One DayArizona Trifecta: Three Lawsuits for on its Voter Suppression Bills All in One DayToday's LinksArticles:Al Dia - Voto Latino partners with allies to sue Arizona over a voter restriction lawWashington Examiner - Liberal advocates sue over Arizona law alleged to allow 'targeted voter suppression'Democracy Docket - Voting Rights Groups Sue Arizona Over New Voter Suppression LawDemocracy Docket - DNC and Arizona Democratic Party Sue Over Arizona’s Citizenship RequirementGroupsVoto Latino, Arizona Alliance for Retired AmericansYou’re listening to the Americ...
2022-08-2101 minAmerican Democracy MinuteAfter $1 Million and 14 Months, Wisc. Legislature Terminates 2020 Election Fraud Probe Empty HandedAfter $1 Million and 14 Months, Wisc. Legislature Terminates 2020 Election Fraud Probe Empty HandedToday’s LinksArticles:Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Robin Vos Fires Michael Gableman, Ending $1M Review of the 2020 ElectionMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Gableman seeks to jail two mayors if they don't sit for interviews as part of his partisan election reviewWisPolitics.com - Vos, Gableman reach verbal agreement to extend election probe contractMilwaukee Journal-Sentinel - A former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice will oversee the latest election review sought by the state's GOP leaders You’re liste...
2022-08-1801 minAmerican Democracy MinuteNative American Tribe Unrigs County Voting with Court Redistricting DecisionNative American Tribe Unrigs County Voting with Court Redistricting DecisionToday’s LinksArticles: Native American Rights Fund (NARF) - LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE VOTERS WIN CRUCIAL LEGAL VICTORY IN VOTING RIGHTS CASEAssociated Press - Judge tells Lyman County to work with tribe on election planU.S. District Court - Court Order in LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE vs. Lyman County Groups Taking Action:Native American Rights Fund, Lower Brule Sioux TribeYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for...
2022-08-1701 min
Worshipology with Kurtis ParksBrian Beihl on Why auditions matter, music with a mission, touring with Big Daddy Weave, and the perspective of a worship drummerEpisode 11 - In this podcast, KP sits down with Nashville drummer Brian Beihl (Big Daddy Weave, Lauren Daigle, WFL III) to talk about auditions, the importance of having a mission in music, and what it's like to be a musician in a band of worshipers. Connect with Brian: Instagram - @brianbeihldrums Web - www.brianbeihl.com
2022-08-0237 min
Worshipology with Kurtis ParksBrian Beihl on Why auditions matter, music with a mission, touring with Big Daddy Weave, and the perspective of a worship drummerEpisode 11 - In this podcast, KP sits down with Nashville drummer Brian Beihl (Big Daddy Weave, Lauren Daigle, WFL III) to talk about auditions, the importance of having a mission in music, and what it's like to be a musician in a band of worshipers.
Connect with Brian:
Instagram - @brianbeihldrums
Web - www.brianbeihl.com
2022-08-0237 minAmerican Democracy MinuteADM for June 27, 2022: June 28 Primaries in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and UtahJune 28 Primaries in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma and UtahToday's Links & Voter Guides:Brennan Center on the erosion of democracy's impact on overturning of Roe vs. WadeColorado - Colorado Public Radio voter guideIllinois - WBEZ Chicago voter guideNew York - NY Now voter guideOklahoma - The Oklahoman voter guideUtah - The Spectrum voter guideYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.Tuesday, June 28th, voters in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Okl...
2022-06-2601 minAmerican Democracy MinuteAmerican Democracy Minute for May 5, 2022: Freedom to Vote Updates on FL, GA & AZToday's links for more information and action:Georgia: Voting rights group All Voting is LocalFlorida: League of Women Voters FloridaArizona: ACLU ArizonaYou’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping your government by and for the people.We have freedom to vote updates from Arizona, Georgia and Florida today. First an update on Georgia voter suppression bill SB 441, which authorizes the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to pursue allegations of election misconduct, rather than election officials. Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill, d...
2022-05-0401 min
Open Democracy MinuteAmerican Democracy Minute for March 14, 2022You're listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping our government by and for the people.After months of promising an open and fair process, the NH Senate Election Law Committee voted last Monday to recommend two rigged voting districts for U.S. Congress and NH Executive Council to the full Senate. The NH Senate will vote on the gerrymandered maps on Thursday, March 17.Amendments to these maps have been rumored for months, but Republican party hardliners pressured the Election Law Committee to make no changes, despite almost universal condemnation in hearings...
2022-03-1401 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for February 28, 2022: A Light Week in the NH Legislature, but a Heavy Topic - Provisional BallotsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. It will be a light schedule in the NH Legislature this week, but we have a heavy topic to discuss: “Provisional Ballots”.Senate Bill 418 had a hearing a few weeks ago and is coming up for a committee vote on March 7. One of many “Stop the Steal” Big Lie bills this term, SB 418 aims to do away with New Hampshire’s system allowing a voter who doesn’t have all the necessary domicile documents or acceptable ID to sign a “Qualifi...
2022-02-2701 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for February 21, 2022: Gerrymandered NH House, Senate maps move forward; rigged Congressional, Exec. Council delayed until MarchYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. We billed last week’s report as a “reckoning” for NH Redistricting, which turned out to be only partially true. February 14, as expected, the majority in NH Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee did approve a modestly amended NH House redistricting map which denied 54 towns their own House districts, and a rigged NH Senate map proposal which locks in 15 to 16 majority seats – a veto-proof majority in a very purple state. Then on February 16, the full NH Sen...
2022-02-2101 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for February 14, 2022: A Week of Reckoning on NH RedistrictingYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. We expect a week of reckoning on the NH redistricting process. Public statements by Governor Chris Sununu asked for changes to the gerrymandered Congressional map, one of a suite of rigged maps for NH Senate, Executive Council and NH House. The House and Senate maps have now been approved by the Senate Election Law committee along party lines, and will be taken up by the full Senate this Wednesday. Then HB 50 and SB 240 go back to the House, which is expected to “...
2022-02-1401 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for February 7, 2022: Stop the Steal activists trying to stop the use of voting machines in NH townsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. A small but vocal group of Stop the Steal activists have been making the rounds in New Hampshire. As a voter, you have reason to be concerned.For some weeks, proponents of the Big Lie of voter fraud narrative have been organizing a “petitioned warrant article” in 20 towns around the state which use the annual “Town Meeting” format. This warrant article would remove the use of voting machines in town elections, under the misguided assertion that these optical bal...
2022-02-0701 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for February 1, 2022: A NH Senate Hearing on NH House and Congressional MapsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. A fascinating NH Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee hearing on Monday, as the House-approved Congressional & NH House voting districts had a public hearing. The House-approved HB 50 NH House district map has been updated with an amendment, giving one more rep to Manchester, changing a district in Concord, and giving Berlin its own House district. Chairwoman Barbara Griffin also indicated that there is another amendment pending, which would give two unspecified towns in Rockingham County their own House dis...
2022-02-0101 min
In Pursuit with Mike WeaverA Going Home Celebration, A Going Forward InspirationOn this special episode of the In Pursuit podcast, Mike gathers with Big Daddy Weave members Jeremy Redmon, Joe Shirk, Brian Beihl, and longtime manager Jim Scherer to remember their brother Jay Weaver. Reminiscing and telling stories, Jay’s life is remembered with joy, thanksgiving, love, and the inspiration his life left to go forward.
2022-01-3150 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for January 24, 2022: Two good democracy bills in the NH Legislature this Week - for a change!You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. Happy Granny D Day, honoring America’s campaign finance reformer Doris “Granny D” Haddock on her January 24 birthday. There are two good bills in the NH Legislature this week, after the two previous weeks of Big Lie-fueled voter suppression bills. On Monday, January 24, the NH Senate hears SB 425, a reintroduction of 2021 proposal for an online voter information portal. This would allow voters to directly upload registration documents, changes of address, or a change of party a...
2022-01-2401 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for January 17, 2022: Several Big Lie-Fueled bills before the NH LegislatureYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. It’s only January 17th, and already this year the majority in the NH House has passed gerrymandered House & Congressional maps, and introduced several bills based on fabricated accusations of voter fraud. HB 1542 and SB 418 try to bypass New Hampshire’s Qualified Voter Affidavit, which allows registering voters who are missing a piece of documentation to vote and have it count. The proposed provisional ballot system, used in other voter suppression states like Texas, could disenfran...
2022-01-1701 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for January 10, 2022: Gerrymandered maps pass in the NH House, NH SOS steps down, US Senate considers filbuster rulesYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. The NH House had its full session last week, Jan 5th, 6th & 7th and started with parliamentary trickery by moving their redistricting bills from Thursday to Wednesday. With 20 Democrats not voting, the gerrymandered Congressional districts were passed with a 22-vote margin. House district maps, which did NOT give 56 eligible towns their own districts were also passed and sent to the Senate. Monday, January 10 the NH Senate holds hearings on its proposed NH Senate and Executive Council...
2022-01-1001 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for January 3, 2022: A Big Week in Redistricting in NH with Jan 6 House Vote, and Jan. 10 Senate HearingYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. A big week in redistricting coming up in New Hampshire. The full NH House meets this Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Friday to consider overrides on gubernatorial vetoes, votes on bills retained in committee at the end of the 2021 session, and redistricting bills.We’ve been keeping you up-to-date on developments with the partisan manipulation of the NH House and Congressional districts. Thursday January 6th will be the test of whether there are enough conscientious Republican legis...
2022-01-0301 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for December 20, 2021: Gerrymandered Congressional districts come up for vote Jan. 6 or 7 in NH HouseYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. While we await the return of the U.S. Senate to Washington for further action on the filibuster rules and the Freedom to Vote Act, back here in New Hampshire, the gerrymandered Congressional and House voting district map proposals come up for a full NH House vote on January 6 or 7. An almost unanimous torrent of letters to the editor, op-eds, and editorials have called for fair maps and for the gerrymandered proposals to be thrown out...
2021-12-2701 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for December 20, 2021: Senator Maggie Hassan Comes Out Forcefully to Change the Filibuster to Pass Voting Rights billsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. After months of letters, calls and emails from constituents asking her to change or abolish the filibuster, and to support the Freedom to Vote Act, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan came out forcefully this past week on the Senate floor, and in a subsequent interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. (Recording of U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan)Advocates are hopeful that her new position will help move other senators to support a “ca...
2021-12-2001 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for December 13, 2021: President Biden's Opening Remarks at the Summit for DemocracyYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people. This past week, President Joe Biden convened the Summit for Democracy, a virtual meeting of world democracies. Democracy activists in the U.S. are hopeful that President Biden will do what it takes to protect democratic institutions by pressuring the US Senate to pass pending democracy legislation. Here are a portion of his remarks: “Democracy doesn’t happen by accident. We have to renew it with each generation. And this is an urgent matter on all our parts, in my view. Beca...
2021-12-1301 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for December 6, 2021: Constituents calling State Reps on Gerrymandered maps; NH cities working on ward linesYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Holidays or no, there is one month left before the full NH House votes on the gerrymandered Congressional maps, and NH House maps that kept 53 NH towns from getting their own Constitutionally-guaranteed districts. Activist groups around the state have commenced calling state representatives to make sure they attend the January 6th full House session, and asking for their positions on the maps. An unconfirmed report said the sessions may be held at the Doubletree Hotel in...
2021-12-0601 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for November 29, 2021: While NH Gerrymanders, the federal bill which can stop it is bogged down in the U.S. SenateYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.While New Hampshire activists gear up to fight the NH GOP-proposed gerrymandered voting districts, the bill in Washington which would end gerrymandering, the Freedom to Vote Act, has been blocked so far by a GOP filibuster in the U.S. Senate.The last attempt to debate it was November 3rd, and since then, other Biden administration priorities have taken the front seat, like infrastructure and now, another round of debt-ceiling negotiations. As...
2021-11-2901 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for November 15, 2021: Voters in Redistricting Map Hearings Condemn Congressional MapsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Hearings in the NH House Special Committee on Redistricting were held last week on proposed Democratic and Republican maps for NH House, U.S. Congress, and County Commissions. The bombshell GOP map proposal that severely gerrymandered the Congressional maps spurred outrage and almost universal condemnation. And despite a fair maps resolution in 74 towns representing 561,000 Granite Staters, and hundreds of voters testifying for a fair process, the majority on the committee seems poised to ignore the vote...
2021-11-1501 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for November 8, 2021: NH GOP Drops Gerrymandering Bomb on NH's Congressional DistrictrsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.After months of claiming there would be a fair, transparent process, the majority in the NH House Special Committee on redistricting dropped a gerrymandering bomb on the voting districts for US Congress.Earlier this year, a widely-reported comment by NH GOP chair Steve Stepanek predicted that because his party controlled redistricting, he could guarantee a Conservative in Congressional District 1, which has covered about one third of the eastern portion of the state and the larger...
2021-11-0801 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for November 1, 2021: Map-a-Thon releases NH House Maps; Upcoming Redistricting HearingsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.This past weekend, the Map-a-Thon Coaltion, a group of over 250 NH voters who have been working since May, released their NH House voting district maps for review by the public. The group had previously released maps for the NH Executive Council, NH Senate and U.S. Congress. The maps can be found at OpenDemocracyNH.org.Also in NH redistricting this week are two days of House Special Committee on Redistricting work sessions on Wednesday and Th...
2021-11-0101 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for October 25, 2021: US Senate Freedom to Vote Act vote, NH House Redistricting committee schedules 2 hearingsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.As expected, the move to debate the Freedom to Vote Act in the US Senate was stonewalled with the filibuster, adding more pressure to change or abolish the archaic Senat rule. Eager to get a win, even President Biden expressed openness to changing the filibuster rules in an interview last week. This week, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act comes up for its first vote in the US Senate. The highly polarized Senate is exp...
2021-10-2501 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for October 18, 2021: Finally, a US Senate Vote for the Freedom to Vote Act; Last NH Redistricting HearingsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.It appears that the Freedom to Vote Act will get its first of a number of votes in the U.S. Senate later this week. The first move will be to allow debate on the Freedom to Vote Act, which allow the larger public to learn more about the bill’s protection of the voting rights, stopping efforts to make voting harder, protecting absentee voting, and making election day a national holiday. Unfortunately, debate on thes...
2021-10-1801 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for October 11, 2021 - Redistricting Hearings in Keene, Claremont & North Conway this weekYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Updates again this week on the Freedom to Vote Act, and NH redistricting. Both are critical to restoring honest elections in New Hampshire, and both are under threat by anti-voter factions.The Freedom to Vote Act took a blow this week from the NH Municipal Association, which cited concerns that the early voting requirements would require smaller towns to add too many hours of staff time. But that view may be shortsighted, since the Freedom...
2021-10-1101 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for October 4, 2021 - Delays in the Freedom to Vote Act in the U.S. Senate, NH Redistricting Hearings Tuesday & ThursdayYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.First a national update. The For the People Act, now revised as a new bill called the Freedom to Vote Act has been put on the back burner while dealing with the debt ceiling, and while Democrats squabble over the size and scope of the social infrastructure bill. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomes this distraction and hopes the clock will run out on the Freedom to Vote Act, which would set minimum standards f...
2021-10-0401 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for September 27, 2021 - 7 more redistricting hearings scheduled in NH CountiesYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Two down, seven more to go. With the Merrimack & Strafford county hearings complete, there was not, unsurprisingly, a single person who testified that gerrymandering New Hampshire's voting districts was a good idea. Instead, voters talked about how their town was districted with a town with which they had nothing in common, or that they were denied their own dedicated House district in violation of the NH Constitution. If you have something to say about how your town, county or...
2021-09-2701 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for September 20, 2021 - NH Redistricting Public Hearings Begin - Strafford County this weekYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.This Wednesday is the second public “listening session” for the Special Committee on Redistricting, held at the Strafford County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Sept. 22. At last week's hearing in Merrimack County, citizens testifying asked for a fair process, citing the 74 towns which passed the NH Resolution for Fair, Nonpartisan Redistricting. They also called out the committee for 2011's Executive Council District 2, and reminded the partisan-led committee that NH can and should have an independent redistricting commission to avoid the...
2021-09-2001 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Sept. 6, 2021: Since can't count on fair maps from the sate, the Map-a-Thon Citizen Mapping Project draws its ownYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.While the state legislature's Special Committee on Redistricting has just started learning how to use its software, the Map-a-Thon citizen mapping project is already busy collecting information and drawing fair, nonpartisan maps. Its next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.Job one for the Map-a-Thon participants was to help collect data called “Communities of Interest”-- important features which bind towns together, including regional school districts, shared services and common interests. These are fact...
2021-09-0601 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Aug 30, 2021 - NH Redistricing meeting shows broken software, hearings that aren't hearings, and still no meeting scheduleYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.This week's minute was supposed to be about the citizen-drawn redistricting map project called the Map-a-Thon, which meets on Sept. 7, but that will have to wait another week. Instead, the NH House Special Committee on Redistricting met last Wednesday for the first time since the release of 2020 U.S. Census data. Activists and voters around the state hopeful for a transparent meeting, were sadly disappointed.The author of the local, h...
2021-08-3001 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Aug. 23, 2021 - NH's Special Committee on Redistricting meets Aug 25th, struggles with transparencyYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Last Friday, the NH Special Committee on Redistricting announced its third meeting, this Wednesday, Aug. 25th at 10 am, and indicated that's its agenda is a discussion of the homegrown 2011 software selected by the committee to draw new voting district maps for the state. The public can attend but will not be able to speak.The Special Committee has had only one public hearing, its first meeting, and only Open Democracy and the League of...
2021-08-2301 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Aug 16, 2021 - The For the People Act vote in the U.S. Senate delayed until SeptemberYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.After bruising negotiations to pass the infrastructure, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer put off last week's expected vote on the for the People Act until the week of September 13, and recessed for the remainder of August. Before that decision, Schumer had put forth two smaller bills for unanimous consent to bring them up for debate, one on disclosure of Dark Money donors, and one a requirement that Congressional districts be drawn without g...
2021-08-1601 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Aug 9, 2021 - Manchin Amendment for the For the People Act vote likely this weekYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.As of last Friday, Aug. 6, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has delayed the U.S. Senate's August recess to force action on the infrastructure bill. Next on the agenda before the break may be a vote on one version of the For the People Act amended by Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Manchin has indicated he may have bipartisan support for the bill, but many democracy advocates are skeptical that he has enough votes to pass the...
2021-08-0901 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for Aug 2, 2021: NH Gov. Chris Sununu signs SB 89 & HB 263, Vetoes HB 98You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Last week, we told you that NH Governor Chris Sununu had a choice to make on SB 89, a bill which had been amended to disallow any provisions of the federal For the People Act in state elections. Governor Sununu chose Friday to SIGN SB 89, saying that he “”praying” the S.1 For the People Act did not pass in the U.S. Senate. But Democracy advocates say that if the For the People Act passes, SB 89 would cause local NH ele...
2021-08-0201 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for July 12, 2021: Gov. Sununu sees SB 89 shortly, prohibiting NH from using federal "For the People Act" for state electionsYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Earlier this spring, SB 89 was heard in the NH Senate and House Election law committees. We described in May how SB 89 had been a bill with some sensible election improvements. But when it arrived in House Election law, the anti-voter faction of the committee passed an amendment block the federal, not-even-approved-yet S.1 For the People Act, from being used for state elections. Surprisingly, the Senate “concurred” with the amendment, and is sending the bill to Go...
2021-07-2501 minOpen Democracy MinuteVotes on filibuster rules & S.1 For the People Act expected by the end of JulyYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.Democracy advocates are predicting that votes on changing the filibuster rules and a subsequent vote to pass the S.1 For the People Act are expected in the United States Senate by the end of July.With President Biden's speech last week calling for passage of the landmark voting rights, money-in-politics, ethics reform & enforcement and election modernization bill, negotiations behind the scenes have ramped up to change the filibuster rules.“Carve-outs” have...
2021-07-1901 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for July 12, 2021: Celebration of the 26th Amendment in the shadow of proposed state laws trying to make youth voting more difficultYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.This past Saturday in Portsmouth, NH, Open Democracy hosted its annual Seacoast Walk & Rally, this year devoted to the 50th anniversary of the 26th amendment, giving 18-year-olds the franchise to vote and run for office. A momentus event to celebrate, for sure.But lurking in the shadows are a number of bills in the NH legislature, aimed at chipping away at this freedom to vote, particularly aimed at students. Ferocious testimony against those bills...
2021-07-1201 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for July 5, 2021: NH Special Committee on Redistricting Struggling to be TransparentYou're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.The U.S. Census Bureau will release town-level population data in its legacy format beginning in August. Last Tuesday, the NH legislature's Special Committee on Redistricting which will use that data to draw new voting maps met for the second time. The meeting resulted in one step forward for transparency and two steps back. The committee announced its plans for a website to share redistricting maps and materials, a step forward. But it also a...
2021-07-0501 min
Open Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for June 28, 2021You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.If you listened to the press last week, you may have heard that the sweeping democracy-saving voting rights & anti-corruption bill, the S.1 For the People Act is dead. As Mark Twain said, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Last week's vote made clear that the For the People Act has no Republican support, and Democratic Senator Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia has said he won't support the bill as is. But he HAS offered amendments, and negotiations have...
2021-06-2801 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for June 21, 2021You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.This Wednesday or Thursday, the U.S. Senate takes its first vote on the H.R. 1 / S.1 for the People Act, the largest democracy-saving bill in 50 years, and possibly in American history..With the over new 400 state laws now proposed to maliciously tighten voting access, the For the People Act sets minimum voting standards for elections to override these laws. S. 1 also adds ethic rules and enforcement, makes Dark Money groups disclose who's funding them, protects mail voting, requires early voting...
2021-06-2101 min
Open Democracy MinuteOpen Democracy Minute for June 14, 2021You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.A follow up from last week on some of the bills which passed in the NH House & Senate. We were awaiting the “concur” votes on bills which passed with amendments, forcing them to return to the originating body to “concur” with the changes made. Some of them, like the anti-For the People Act amendment on SB 89, were substantial changes of questionable intent. But the Senate concurred with the changes made in the House, despite the lack of a fiscal note on SB 89 an...
2021-06-2101 minOpen Democracy MinuteOpen Demcracy Minute for June 7, 2021You're listening to the Open Democracy Minute, keeping Granite State government by and for the people.We told you last week about the remaining Democracy bills before the full NH House last Thursday. There's some good news and some bad news.We're glad that SB 46 passed, a bill which allows towns to use electronic check in when you vote, after years of opposition from the technology-averse NH Secretary of State's office. This will reduce wait times and save election officials a lot labor. SB 31 passed, but not with the originally proposal of “medical co...
2021-06-0701 min2021-06-0201 min
The Worship Drummer Podcast - Putting The #HeartBeforeBeatEpisode 027 - Drumming, Daily Disciplines, and Playing Through Pain with Brian Beihl from Big Daddy Weave.This episode has been 2 years in the making. You think I'm joking, but it's true. I messaged Brian around 2 years ago, we agreed to do this, and it's taken this long for me to get it done! My fault, not his! 😬
Brian Beihl (yes, it's a German last name) plays drums for Big Daddy Weave and in this episode we chat about drums, playing through pain, and daily disciplines that help him stay grounded even when he's out on tour.
Shownotes and Transcript: worshipdrummer.com/027
2019-04-0951 min