Tom Stewart
@tomstewart.bsky.social
Policy Director @ Secure Democracy USA. Recovering Capitol Hill & campaign staffer. Fan of democracy, the People’s House, Baltimore, and Iowa Hawkeyes. Here for all things re: voting laws & election admin, politics, policy, procedure, and the Oxford Comma.
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Important from @justinlevitt.bsky.social on the problems and consequences of the DOJ and feds seeking to acquire vast amounts of sensitive data on voters. As he notes "there are legal repercussions not only for the [feds], but for any other entity sending them data."
electionlawblog.org?p=151010
electionlawblog.org?p=151010
The recent rash of DOJ voter file “requests” #ELB
Recent reports have disclosed that DOJ has now “asked” at least nine states for copies of their voter rolls, and I know that there are at least a handful of counties that have separately also received...
electionlawblog.org
July 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Important from @justinlevitt.bsky.social on the problems and consequences of the DOJ and feds seeking to acquire vast amounts of sensitive data on voters. As he notes "there are legal repercussions not only for the [feds], but for any other entity sending them data."
electionlawblog.org?p=151010
electionlawblog.org?p=151010
Reposted by Tom Stewart
A federal judge has blocked President Trump's springtime executive order on elections. “The Constitution does not grant the president any specific powers over elections,” wrote Judge Denise Casper. www.theguardian.com/...
Second judge blocks Trump order to require proof of citizenship to vote
Judge blocked president’s executive order on elections, saying suit against it had reasonable likelihood of success
www.theguardian.com
June 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
A federal judge has blocked President Trump's springtime executive order on elections. “The Constitution does not grant the president any specific powers over elections,” wrote Judge Denise Casper. www.theguardian.com/...
Reposted by Tom Stewart
JUST IN: A federal judge has blocked federal election officials from enforcing Trump’s executive order forcing states to apply citizenship requirements, saying it imposes significant burdens and would harm eligible voters. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
June 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
JUST IN: A federal judge has blocked federal election officials from enforcing Trump’s executive order forcing states to apply citizenship requirements, saying it imposes significant burdens and would harm eligible voters. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Tom Stewart
The main thing to know about the Trump Executive Order on Elections is that it is a massive overreach and will certainly end up in court before much of it can be executed. But on substance, a couple of points...
Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and
www.whitehouse.gov
March 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The main thing to know about the Trump Executive Order on Elections is that it is a massive overreach and will certainly end up in court before much of it can be executed. But on substance, a couple of points...
Reposted by Tom Stewart
I have nothing but love for Fran McCaffery.
He saved the Iowa Basketball program.
He. Saved. It.
He brought an incredibly fun style of basketball to Iowa City. He reminded a lot of us tenured fans what Iowa Basketball USED to be like.
I don't argue w the change, but I am very grateful to him.
He saved the Iowa Basketball program.
He. Saved. It.
He brought an incredibly fun style of basketball to Iowa City. He reminded a lot of us tenured fans what Iowa Basketball USED to be like.
I don't argue w the change, but I am very grateful to him.
March 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I have nothing but love for Fran McCaffery.
He saved the Iowa Basketball program.
He. Saved. It.
He brought an incredibly fun style of basketball to Iowa City. He reminded a lot of us tenured fans what Iowa Basketball USED to be like.
I don't argue w the change, but I am very grateful to him.
He saved the Iowa Basketball program.
He. Saved. It.
He brought an incredibly fun style of basketball to Iowa City. He reminded a lot of us tenured fans what Iowa Basketball USED to be like.
I don't argue w the change, but I am very grateful to him.
Oh boy, this isn’t good
States lose a critical source of federal support on election security
An information clearinghouse on security threats “no longer supports Department priorities,” a federal official wrote in an email to state officials, as the new administration ends its funding.
www.votebeat.org
March 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Oh boy, this isn’t good
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Michigan is short of clerks to oversee elections, but harassment and workload turn people away
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/03/10/local-election-clerks-turnover-berrien-county-threats/
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/03/10/local-election-clerks-turnover-berrien-county-threats/
In communities across Michigan, it’s hard to find people to run elections
In Michigan, 90% of local clerks run unopposed. Some communities don’t even have a candidate for clerk on the ballot.
www.votebeat.org
March 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Michigan is short of clerks to oversee elections, but harassment and workload turn people away
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/03/10/local-election-clerks-turnover-berrien-county-threats/
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/03/10/local-election-clerks-turnover-berrien-county-threats/
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Pennsylvania Election Code needs fixes, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt says
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/03/07/secretary-commonwealth-al-schmidt-interview-election-code-keep-our-republic/
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/03/07/secretary-commonwealth-al-schmidt-interview-election-code-keep-our-republic/
Q&A: Pennsylvania’s top election official says legislature needs to clear up Election Code issue
“At the end of the day,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, “it really comes down to the legislature really confronting many of these challenges that are evident to everyone.”
www.votebeat.org
March 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Pennsylvania Election Code needs fixes, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt says
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/03/07/secretary-commonwealth-al-schmidt-interview-election-code-keep-our-republic/
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/03/07/secretary-commonwealth-al-schmidt-interview-election-code-keep-our-republic/
Reposted by Tom Stewart
How Wisconsin’s inconsistent voting instructions raise the risk of disenfranchisement
https://www.votebeat.org/2025/02/24/wisconsin-elections-commission-uniform-instructions-mail-absentee-ballot-voting/
https://www.votebeat.org/2025/02/24/wisconsin-elections-commission-uniform-instructions-mail-absentee-ballot-voting/
How Wisconsin’s inconsistent ballot instructions could undermine voters’ rights
Wisconsin has written uniform guidelines for casting absentee ballots, but local clerks are free to alter them, creating new rules that aren’t backed by state law.
www.votebeat.org
February 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
How Wisconsin’s inconsistent voting instructions raise the risk of disenfranchisement
https://www.votebeat.org/2025/02/24/wisconsin-elections-commission-uniform-instructions-mail-absentee-ballot-voting/
https://www.votebeat.org/2025/02/24/wisconsin-elections-commission-uniform-instructions-mail-absentee-ballot-voting/
Reposted by Tom Stewart
The level of officiating in college basketball is bad.
The level of officiating in women's college basketball is borderline corrupt.
The level of officiating in women's college basketball is borderline corrupt.
February 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The level of officiating in college basketball is bad.
The level of officiating in women's college basketball is borderline corrupt.
The level of officiating in women's college basketball is borderline corrupt.
Good grief that call was so. bad. Lucy was tripped, and then got called for the foul after she fell down into the ball handler. The reffing in WCBB is just. so. bad.
She was tripped. Good God.
February 23, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Good grief that call was so. bad. Lucy was tripped, and then got called for the foul after she fell down into the ball handler. The reffing in WCBB is just. so. bad.
👀😬
Acting CISA Director Bridget Bean wants employees to respond to OPM's "what did you do last week?" email.
"I want to make sure that everyone is clear that this is a legitimate request from OPM," she wrote to staff last night. "I will share more information as it becomes available."
"I want to make sure that everyone is clear that this is a legitimate request from OPM," she wrote to staff last night. "I will share more information as it becomes available."
February 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
👀😬
Reposted by Tom Stewart
"Despite the group’s deep-pocketed backers and lucrative bounty offers, it never revealed any evidence of voter fraud. Instead, its effort reaffirmed what numerous studies, court rulings and bipartisan investigations have concluded: voter fraud is extremely rare."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Musk-linked group offered $5m for proof of voter fraud – and came up with nothing
Fair Election Fund has yet to reveal evidence of voter fraud despite deep-pocketed backers – and has now gone silent
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"Despite the group’s deep-pocketed backers and lucrative bounty offers, it never revealed any evidence of voter fraud. Instead, its effort reaffirmed what numerous studies, court rulings and bipartisan investigations have concluded: voter fraud is extremely rare."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
February 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Head of Michigan’s House elections committee believes the 2020 election was stolen
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/02/04/rachelle-smit-election-integrity-committee-2020-election-trump/
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/02/04/rachelle-smit-election-integrity-committee-2020-election-trump/
Michigan’s elections committee to be led by former clerk who believes 2020 was stolen
Rachelle Smit said her priorities include passing a constitutional amendment requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship.
www.votebeat.org
February 4, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Head of Michigan’s House elections committee believes the 2020 election was stolen
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/02/04/rachelle-smit-election-integrity-committee-2020-election-trump/
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/02/04/rachelle-smit-election-integrity-committee-2020-election-trump/
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Pennsylvania’s varied ‘curing’ policies affect voters’ chances of getting their ballot counted
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/02/04/curing-policies-lower-mail-ballot-rejection-rate/
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/02/04/curing-policies-lower-mail-ballot-rejection-rate/
Effect of ‘curing’ policies highlights the disparities that Pennsylvania mail voters face
Pennsylvania law doesn’t have specific language on whether counties must allow voters a chance to fix errors on their ballots. Counties have interpreted that in different ways.
www.votebeat.org
February 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Pennsylvania’s varied ‘curing’ policies affect voters’ chances of getting their ballot counted
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/02/04/curing-policies-lower-mail-ballot-rejection-rate/
https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/02/04/curing-policies-lower-mail-ballot-rejection-rate/
🎯👉🏻 “In addition to the administrative headaches such requirements can cause, they also risk preventing eligible citizens from registering to vote.”
Michigan House GOP proposes proof-of-citizenship requirement for all voters
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/01/29/proof-of-citizenship-proposal-bryan-posthumus/
https://www.votebeat.org/michigan/2025/01/29/proof-of-citizenship-proposal-bryan-posthumus/
Michigan voters would have to prove their citizenship under new proposal
Similar rules in other states have created disenfranchised thousands of voters.
www.votebeat.org
January 29, 2025 at 11:47 PM
🎯👉🏻 “In addition to the administrative headaches such requirements can cause, they also risk preventing eligible citizens from registering to vote.”
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Solution: A special order providing for consideration in the 🐄 of a resolution electing the speaker.
Plaskett rises to recognize all the Americans who are not represented in Congress, including the Virgin Islands and DC. Republicans try to boo her down.
January 3, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Solution: A special order providing for consideration in the 🐄 of a resolution electing the speaker.
Arthur Christmas is an underrated Christmas movie. It’s been a clutch recent addition to the holiday movie playlist.
December 24, 2024 at 5:50 PM
Arthur Christmas is an underrated Christmas movie. It’s been a clutch recent addition to the holiday movie playlist.
Reposted by Tom Stewart
South Korea now enters a prolonged period of uncertainty. The constitutional court must decide whether to uphold the impeachment. But either way, it's a historic night. Yoon immediately hands over power to the prime minister, who becomes caretaker president.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
December 14, 2024 at 9:14 AM
South Korea now enters a prolonged period of uncertainty. The constitutional court must decide whether to uphold the impeachment. But either way, it's a historic night. Yoon immediately hands over power to the prime minister, who becomes caretaker president.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
This reminds me of my daughter playing peekaboo
Possibly the most frightening talent of the brown bear is an uncanny ability to blend seamlessly into the environment in an almost chameleon-like manner, allowing them to easily surprise their unsuspecting prey.
December 14, 2024 at 1:36 AM
This reminds me of my daughter playing peekaboo
🚨Hijacking a hurricane relief package to inject more partisan control over elections 👎
“It’s really one of the more blatant partisan power grabs for authority over elections that we’ve seen in recent years,” said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy for the nonprofit Voting Rights Lab.
“It’s really one of the more blatant partisan power grabs for authority over elections that we’ve seen in recent years,” said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy for the nonprofit Voting Rights Lab.
Republicans in North Carolina push sweeping changes to consolidate power
The last-minute inclusionsl would strip the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general of significant authority before the GOP loses its supermajority.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2024 at 8:25 PM
🚨Hijacking a hurricane relief package to inject more partisan control over elections 👎
“It’s really one of the more blatant partisan power grabs for authority over elections that we’ve seen in recent years,” said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy for the nonprofit Voting Rights Lab.
“It’s really one of the more blatant partisan power grabs for authority over elections that we’ve seen in recent years,” said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy for the nonprofit Voting Rights Lab.
Reposted by Tom Stewart
Map du jour: If “eligible to vote but didn’t vote” were a candidate.
November 20, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Map du jour: If “eligible to vote but didn’t vote” were a candidate.