Democracy Docket
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Leading digital news and information platform covering voting rights, elections, and the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy standpoint.
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Founded: @marcelias.bsky.social
Newsletters: https://bit.ly/4iz4QBg
Reporting: democracydocket.com
Founded: @marcelias.bsky.social
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We currently have eight openings, including a newsletter editor and a weekend reporter.
Come work with us!
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ats.rippling.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Democracy Docket is hiring!
We currently have eight openings, including a newsletter editor and a weekend reporter.
Come work with us!
We currently have eight openings, including a newsletter editor and a weekend reporter.
Come work with us!
Voting rights groups sued to block an Ohio law that could purge eligible citizens, especially naturalized ones, from the rolls before elections.
Advocates say the system the measure relies on is built on outdated and error-prone data — and allows the state to remove voters without any warning.
Advocates say the system the measure relies on is built on outdated and error-prone data — and allows the state to remove voters without any warning.
Voting rights groups sue to block Ohio law that purges voters without warning
At stake, the plaintiffs argue, is nothing less than the fundamental right to vote.
www.democracydocket.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Voting rights groups sued to block an Ohio law that could purge eligible citizens, especially naturalized ones, from the rolls before elections.
Advocates say the system the measure relies on is built on outdated and error-prone data — and allows the state to remove voters without any warning.
Advocates say the system the measure relies on is built on outdated and error-prone data — and allows the state to remove voters without any warning.
When a Missouri volunteer asked two men to sign a petition to block the state's GOP congressional gerrymander, he wasn't expecting them to say:
“Actually, no. We’re here to stop you.”
But the duo belonged to the MAGA-aligned political firm behind some of Republicans' biggest map rigging efforts.
“Actually, no. We’re here to stop you.”
But the duo belonged to the MAGA-aligned political firm behind some of Republicans' biggest map rigging efforts.
Missouri volunteers say they were harassed by paid GOP canvassers. It’s likely the same group accused of forging signatures in Utah
“They were like, ‘Actually, no. We’re here to stop you from getting signatures.’”
www.democracydocket.com
February 20, 2026 at 12:00 AM
When a Missouri volunteer asked two men to sign a petition to block the state's GOP congressional gerrymander, he wasn't expecting them to say:
“Actually, no. We’re here to stop you.”
But the duo belonged to the MAGA-aligned political firm behind some of Republicans' biggest map rigging efforts.
“Actually, no. We’re here to stop you.”
But the duo belonged to the MAGA-aligned political firm behind some of Republicans' biggest map rigging efforts.
Trump on Fulton County FBI raid:
"They found plenty of stuff. And now they have the ballots. And the Democrats are fighting like hell to not let anybody see the ballots. Why don't they want them to see the ballots? Because they cheated like dogs."
"They found plenty of stuff. And now they have the ballots. And the Democrats are fighting like hell to not let anybody see the ballots. Why don't they want them to see the ballots? Because they cheated like dogs."
February 19, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Trump on Fulton County FBI raid:
"They found plenty of stuff. And now they have the ballots. And the Democrats are fighting like hell to not let anybody see the ballots. Why don't they want them to see the ballots? Because they cheated like dogs."
"They found plenty of stuff. And now they have the ballots. And the Democrats are fighting like hell to not let anybody see the ballots. Why don't they want them to see the ballots? Because they cheated like dogs."
NEW: Trump said if Republicans in Congress pass the SAVE America Act, which would disenfranchise millions if passed, the party will not lose a race “for 50 years.”
His comment marks the latest in a string of concerning statements disparaging American election security. https://bit.ly/4atKNSk
His comment marks the latest in a string of concerning statements disparaging American election security. https://bit.ly/4atKNSk
February 19, 2026 at 10:18 PM
NEW: Trump said if Republicans in Congress pass the SAVE America Act, which would disenfranchise millions if passed, the party will not lose a race “for 50 years.”
His comment marks the latest in a string of concerning statements disparaging American election security. https://bit.ly/4atKNSk
His comment marks the latest in a string of concerning statements disparaging American election security. https://bit.ly/4atKNSk
The message from the DOJ is unmistakable: Justice is no longer the objective.
Retribution is.
Retribution is.
February 19, 2026 at 9:29 PM
The message from the DOJ is unmistakable: Justice is no longer the objective.
Retribution is.
Retribution is.
This is not normal.
By hanging this banner, the DOJ is making it explicitly clear that, above all, it now exists to carry out the petty grievances of one man.
This is not normal.
This is not normal.
February 19, 2026 at 9:20 PM
This is not normal.
NEW: The RNC asked SCOTUS to revive key parts of a suppressive Arizona voter registration law that required proof of citizenship and enabled election officials to cancel registrations if they had “reason to believe” someone was a noncitizen.
The Court will soon decide whether to take up the case.
The Court will soon decide whether to take up the case.
RNC asks Supreme Court to weigh in on Arizona voting restrictions
The appeal is part of a broader GOP push to restrict the voting access of eligible voters.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:18 PM
NEW: The RNC asked SCOTUS to revive key parts of a suppressive Arizona voter registration law that required proof of citizenship and enabled election officials to cancel registrations if they had “reason to believe” someone was a noncitizen.
The Court will soon decide whether to take up the case.
The Court will soon decide whether to take up the case.
BREAKING: In a loss for Virginia voters, a county judge blocked Virginians from deciding whether Democrats can redraw the state’s congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders nationwide.
The same judge voided Democrats’ redistricting effort, but the state Supreme Court overruled the decision.
The same judge voided Democrats’ redistricting effort, but the state Supreme Court overruled the decision.
Virginia judge blocks vote on Democrats' redistricting referendum
A Democratic redraw could give the party as many as four new congressional seats.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 8:49 PM
BREAKING: In a loss for Virginia voters, a county judge blocked Virginians from deciding whether Democrats can redraw the state’s congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders nationwide.
The same judge voided Democrats’ redistricting effort, but the state Supreme Court overruled the decision.
The same judge voided Democrats’ redistricting effort, but the state Supreme Court overruled the decision.
The search warrant affidavit that initiated the FBI’s Fulton County raid last month failed to provide evidence that a crime had been committed, argued county officials in a new legal filing.
The filing marks the county’s latest effort to reclaim the materials seized by the FBI during the raid.
The filing marks the county’s latest effort to reclaim the materials seized by the FBI during the raid.
‘Flagrant Constitutional Violation’: Fulton County blasts affidavit that backed FBI’s 2020 election raid
“The Fourth Amendment demands ‘probable cause’—not ‘possible cause.'"
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The search warrant affidavit that initiated the FBI’s Fulton County raid last month failed to provide evidence that a crime had been committed, argued county officials in a new legal filing.
The filing marks the county’s latest effort to reclaim the materials seized by the FBI during the raid.
The filing marks the county’s latest effort to reclaim the materials seized by the FBI during the raid.
(1/4) NEW: Wisconsin Republicans filed an unhinged amicus brief urging a court to force the state to hand the DOJ its complete voter rolls.
But it wasn’t a typical filing.
Instead, it was a culture war-addled screed complete with segregation-era parallels, anti-immigrant panic and attacks.
But it wasn’t a typical filing.
Instead, it was a culture war-addled screed complete with segregation-era parallels, anti-immigrant panic and attacks.
In unhinged brief, Wisconsin GOP compares not giving the Trump DOJ voters' personal data to Jim Crow
The Wisconsin GOP delivered a culture war-addled screed complete with typographical errors, segregation-era comparisons, anti-immigrant panic and ad hominem attacks.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:53 PM
(1/4) NEW: Wisconsin Republicans filed an unhinged amicus brief urging a court to force the state to hand the DOJ its complete voter rolls.
But it wasn’t a typical filing.
Instead, it was a culture war-addled screed complete with segregation-era parallels, anti-immigrant panic and attacks.
But it wasn’t a typical filing.
Instead, it was a culture war-addled screed complete with segregation-era parallels, anti-immigrant panic and attacks.
NEW: To counter an onslaught of anti-voting laws, Georgia Democratic lawmakers unveiled a state-level voting rights act aimed at making the civic process easier for voters of color.
The measure seeks to ban vote dilution, allow citizens to bring voter discrimination claims in state court and more.
The measure seeks to ban vote dilution, allow citizens to bring voter discrimination claims in state court and more.
Georgia lawmakers fight GOP voter suppression efforts with new state voting rights act
The Georgia VRA faces an uphill battle in the General Assembly, where Republicans have a commanding control of both the House and Senate.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:50 PM
NEW: To counter an onslaught of anti-voting laws, Georgia Democratic lawmakers unveiled a state-level voting rights act aimed at making the civic process easier for voters of color.
The measure seeks to ban vote dilution, allow citizens to bring voter discrimination claims in state court and more.
The measure seeks to ban vote dilution, allow citizens to bring voter discrimination claims in state court and more.
(1/2) BREAKING: The RNC asks SCOTUS to hear a case over two Arizona laws that create strict citizenship requirements for voters.
The request comes after the court allowed the laws to be enforced as litigation continued.
So what happens if the Court decides to take their case?
The request comes after the court allowed the laws to be enforced as litigation continued.
So what happens if the Court decides to take their case?
🚨 Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes
Learn more.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
(1/2) BREAKING: The RNC asks SCOTUS to hear a case over two Arizona laws that create strict citizenship requirements for voters.
The request comes after the court allowed the laws to be enforced as litigation continued.
So what happens if the Court decides to take their case?
The request comes after the court allowed the laws to be enforced as litigation continued.
So what happens if the Court decides to take their case?
The unexpected white knights in the fight for voting rights in North Carolina? Students.
After Republicans shut down three campus voting sites in the state, students are leading the charge, and they say “there’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop [them] from voting.”
After Republicans shut down three campus voting sites in the state, students are leading the charge, and they say “there’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop [them] from voting.”
Amid new GOP-led restrictions, North Carolina students lead a fight to vote during the midterm primary
“There’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop me from voting,” one student said.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The unexpected white knights in the fight for voting rights in North Carolina? Students.
After Republicans shut down three campus voting sites in the state, students are leading the charge, and they say “there’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop [them] from voting.”
After Republicans shut down three campus voting sites in the state, students are leading the charge, and they say “there’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop [them] from voting.”
NEW: Sen. Susan Collins became the 50th senator to support the voter suppressive SAVE America Act.
The Mainer's alignment with Trump’s agenda exposes her willingness to turn her back on democracy.
But this November, voters will get the chance to return the favor, Marc Elias writes.
The Mainer's alignment with Trump’s agenda exposes her willingness to turn her back on democracy.
But this November, voters will get the chance to return the favor, Marc Elias writes.
Susan Collins hands Trump the 50th vote against free and fair elections
When it comes to free and fair elections, Collins is as conservative and anti-voting rights as they come.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 4:54 PM
NEW: Sen. Susan Collins became the 50th senator to support the voter suppressive SAVE America Act.
The Mainer's alignment with Trump’s agenda exposes her willingness to turn her back on democracy.
But this November, voters will get the chance to return the favor, Marc Elias writes.
The Mainer's alignment with Trump’s agenda exposes her willingness to turn her back on democracy.
But this November, voters will get the chance to return the favor, Marc Elias writes.
BREAKING: In a win for Black and Latino voters, a New York appellate court rules the state’s independent redistricting commission can move forward in drawing a new congressional map.
As a result, the state will get a new map that would likely hand Democrats one more seat in Congress.
As a result, the state will get a new map that would likely hand Democrats one more seat in Congress.
New York Appellate Court Allows Redraw of Congressional Map to Move Forward
But there’s still one wildcard that could affect the map used in the 2026 midterm elections: the U.S. Supreme Court.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 3:11 PM
BREAKING: In a win for Black and Latino voters, a New York appellate court rules the state’s independent redistricting commission can move forward in drawing a new congressional map.
As a result, the state will get a new map that would likely hand Democrats one more seat in Congress.
As a result, the state will get a new map that would likely hand Democrats one more seat in Congress.
Trump isn’t known for his restraint. But recently, the mask has slipped off:
“They rigged the second election.”
“If the elections are honest.”
“These people were brought to our country to vote.”
The firehose of misinformation shows he does not view elections as the foundation of democracy.
“They rigged the second election.”
“If the elections are honest.”
“These people were brought to our country to vote.”
The firehose of misinformation shows he does not view elections as the foundation of democracy.
‘We want to take over’: All the (recent) times Trump has talked about controlling elections
Trump's allies are starting to translate his anti-democratic statements into actions.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Trump isn’t known for his restraint. But recently, the mask has slipped off:
“They rigged the second election.”
“If the elections are honest.”
“These people were brought to our country to vote.”
The firehose of misinformation shows he does not view elections as the foundation of democracy.
“They rigged the second election.”
“If the elections are honest.”
“These people were brought to our country to vote.”
The firehose of misinformation shows he does not view elections as the foundation of democracy.
A lawyer who played a key role in Trump’s failed effort to overturn Wisconsin’s 2020 election results is now helping the DOJ seek access to the state’s full voter registration list.
His absence in any previous DOJ voting case suggests he’s been newly hired into the department’s voting section.
His absence in any previous DOJ voting case suggests he’s been newly hired into the department’s voting section.
Wisconsin election denier joins DOJ’s case seeking state’s voter rolls
The DOJ’s voting section has been fundamentally reshaped by a series of hires tied to post-2020 election denial.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:00 AM
A lawyer who played a key role in Trump’s failed effort to overturn Wisconsin’s 2020 election results is now helping the DOJ seek access to the state’s full voter registration list.
His absence in any previous DOJ voting case suggests he’s been newly hired into the department’s voting section.
His absence in any previous DOJ voting case suggests he’s been newly hired into the department’s voting section.
Americans living abroad are committed to taking part in democracy despite the complexity of casting a ballot.
But that commitment is being threatened by the GOP-backed SAVE America Act, which if implemented, would cause those living abroad to lose their right to vote, Martha McDevitt-Pugh writes.
But that commitment is being threatened by the GOP-backed SAVE America Act, which if implemented, would cause those living abroad to lose their right to vote, Martha McDevitt-Pugh writes.
The SAVE America Act would disenfranchise Americans living abroad
The “SAVE America Act” is a rebranded version of the anti-voter SAVE Act, and its new name should not fool anyone.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Americans living abroad are committed to taking part in democracy despite the complexity of casting a ballot.
But that commitment is being threatened by the GOP-backed SAVE America Act, which if implemented, would cause those living abroad to lose their right to vote, Martha McDevitt-Pugh writes.
But that commitment is being threatened by the GOP-backed SAVE America Act, which if implemented, would cause those living abroad to lose their right to vote, Martha McDevitt-Pugh writes.
📽️ NEW: @repgreglandsman.bsky.social breaks down how the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions — especially married women, college students, seniors and low-income voters.
He also dives into the battle for control of Congress in 2026 and what’s at stake for American democracy👇
He also dives into the battle for control of Congress in 2026 and what’s at stake for American democracy👇
Republicans PLOTTING to Make It Impossible to Vote | Rep. Greg Landsman
YouTube video by Democracy Docket
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM
📽️ NEW: @repgreglandsman.bsky.social breaks down how the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions — especially married women, college students, seniors and low-income voters.
He also dives into the battle for control of Congress in 2026 and what’s at stake for American democracy👇
He also dives into the battle for control of Congress in 2026 and what’s at stake for American democracy👇
With only nine months before the midterms, Trump is plotting to prevent Democrats from taking control of Congress.
But contrary to many doomsayers, it isn’t too late to protect the elections.
Marc Elias shares three voting laws every blue state should enact to do so👇
But contrary to many doomsayers, it isn’t too late to protect the elections.
Marc Elias shares three voting laws every blue state should enact to do so👇
It’s not too late for states and Congress to stop Trump from subverting the midterms
With only nine months before the midterm elections, Trump is plotting to prevent Democrats from taking control of Congress.
www.democracydocket.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM
With only nine months before the midterms, Trump is plotting to prevent Democrats from taking control of Congress.
But contrary to many doomsayers, it isn’t too late to protect the elections.
Marc Elias shares three voting laws every blue state should enact to do so👇
But contrary to many doomsayers, it isn’t too late to protect the elections.
Marc Elias shares three voting laws every blue state should enact to do so👇
BREAKING: The RNC sued to stop Virginians from voting on Democratic lawmakers’ initiative to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade to counter GOP gerrymanders.
Republicans are seeking to pause the election before early voting begins in early March.
Republicans are seeking to pause the election before early voting begins in early March.
RNC moves to block Virginia vote aimed at countering Trump gerrymanders
Democrats see the lawsuit as an attempt to take the decision out of voters' hands.
www.democracydocket.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:35 PM
BREAKING: The RNC sued to stop Virginians from voting on Democratic lawmakers’ initiative to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade to counter GOP gerrymanders.
Republicans are seeking to pause the election before early voting begins in early March.
Republicans are seeking to pause the election before early voting begins in early March.
NEW: A MAGA-aligned campaign firm is making millions from Trump’s redistricting war.
It secured a $4.3 million contract with the Utah GOP to collect signatures to override the state’s partisan gerrymandering ban.
And it may have crossed a line in the ongoing battle in Missouri.
It secured a $4.3 million contract with the Utah GOP to collect signatures to override the state’s partisan gerrymandering ban.
And it may have crossed a line in the ongoing battle in Missouri.
Missouri volunteers say they were harassed by paid GOP canvassers. It’s likely the same group accused of forging signatures in Utah
“They were like, ‘Actually, no. We’re here to stop you from getting signatures.’”
www.democracydocket.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:34 PM
NEW: A MAGA-aligned campaign firm is making millions from Trump’s redistricting war.
It secured a $4.3 million contract with the Utah GOP to collect signatures to override the state’s partisan gerrymandering ban.
And it may have crossed a line in the ongoing battle in Missouri.
It secured a $4.3 million contract with the Utah GOP to collect signatures to override the state’s partisan gerrymandering ban.
And it may have crossed a line in the ongoing battle in Missouri.
NEW: In 2024, North Carolina student Olu Rouse researched which candidate to pick for the presidential primary election, and cast his ballot for the first time on campus.
But today, the site he voted at is gone — all because state Republicans refuse to make voting more accessible to students.
But today, the site he voted at is gone — all because state Republicans refuse to make voting more accessible to students.
Amid new GOP-led restrictions, North Carolina students lead a fight to vote during the midterm primary
“There’s nothing that the board of elections is going to do to stop me from voting,” one student said.
www.democracydocket.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:12 PM
NEW: In 2024, North Carolina student Olu Rouse researched which candidate to pick for the presidential primary election, and cast his ballot for the first time on campus.
But today, the site he voted at is gone — all because state Republicans refuse to make voting more accessible to students.
But today, the site he voted at is gone — all because state Republicans refuse to make voting more accessible to students.
Utah Republicans submitted 200k of the necessary 140k petition signatures to put a pro-gerrymandering measure on the ballot.
The GOP has been hellbent on repealing the state’s gerrymandering ban after a judge cleared the way for Democrats to potentially pick up a congressional seat in 2026.
The GOP has been hellbent on repealing the state’s gerrymandering ban after a judge cleared the way for Democrats to potentially pick up a congressional seat in 2026.
Utah GOP says they have enough signatures for pro-gerrymander ballot measure
It remains to be seen whether their latest submissions will clear the verification process, which is set to be completed by March 9.
www.democracydocket.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Utah Republicans submitted 200k of the necessary 140k petition signatures to put a pro-gerrymandering measure on the ballot.
The GOP has been hellbent on repealing the state’s gerrymandering ban after a judge cleared the way for Democrats to potentially pick up a congressional seat in 2026.
The GOP has been hellbent on repealing the state’s gerrymandering ban after a judge cleared the way for Democrats to potentially pick up a congressional seat in 2026.
