Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Democracy Docket
  • 4.9 (686)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Every week, election lawyer Marc Elias interviews lawmakers, policy leaders and changemakers about the problems facing our democracy and how we fix them.

  1. 3D AGO

    The Supreme Court Just Declared War on Voting Rights. Here's How We Fight Back | Expert Panel

    The Supreme Court just gutted the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais, delivering what Marc Elias calls the worst voting rights ruling in modern memory. The fight isn't over — but no new law can undo what the court just did. So what comes next, and how do we actually push back?In this Democracy Docket panel, Marc Elias is joined by Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Leah Litman, University of Michigan law professor and co-host of Strict Scrutiny; and Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.Together they break down the Callais ruling, the Supreme Court's pattern of dismantling voting rights, the threat to Black and Latino representation in Congress, and the real reforms that could turn this around.

    35 min

  2. MAY 2

    Louisiana Suspends Election as Redistricting Crisis Enters Dangerous New Phase

    In the fallout of the Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act, Republican states across the country are rushing to redraw their congressional maps. Governor Jeff Landry has even called a state of emergency to suspend Louisiana's ongoing primary elections. Marc Elias breaks down what this means for voters, what Republicans will try next, and why we need to stay hopeful in the face of this existential threat. Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/42wcKUC Louisiana governor suspends active election to allow for gerrymander https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/louisiana-governor-suspends-active-election-to-allow-for-gerrymander/ 0:00 The Supreme Court Guts the Voting Rights Act 3:01 History of Attacks on the Voting Rights Act 7:04 Louisiana Governor Suspends Elections 11:44 Republicans Dismiss the Crisis 18:36 What You Can Do to Fight Back 22:43 Why 2027 and 2028 Redistricting Battles Matter 25:36 Democracy Has Always Been Under Attack ---- Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint. Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else. Catch up on our latest reporting:  https://www.democracydocket.com/ Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow us: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com X: https://x.com/DemocracyDocket Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocket Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocket TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket

    28 min

  3. MAY 1

    Trump's DOJ Has Stopped Making Sense | Legal AF

    Michael Popok (LegalAF) joins Marc Elias to break down the recent indictment of James Comey, the Department of Justice losing credibility with federal judges, and the latest updates in the Epstein Files saga.Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/3OK7w4A00:00 Today's Guest: Michael Popok01:47 DOJ Has Lost the Court's Confidence06:43 Trump Gets Away With Everything10:11 Did Trump Dictate this Court Filing?17:31 The Comey Seashell Indictment25:10 Trump Can't Escape the Epstein Files32:10 Republicans' Redistricting Gamble May Backfire37:37 Florida Redistricting Updates39:54 How Michael Popok Built Legal AF on YouTube----Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint. Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else.Catch up on our latest reporting: https://www.democracydocket.com/Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtubeFollow us:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.comX: https://x.com/DemocracyDocketFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocketInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocketTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket

    48 min

  4. APR 29

    BREAKING: Supreme Court GUTS the Voting Rights Act

    BREAKING: The U.S. Supreme Court just kneecapped the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a landmark civil rights law that restricted racial gerrymandering and racial discrimination in voting. Marc Elias is joined by Legal Content Editor Ashley Cleaves to break down the implications of this ruling and the impact it will have on voter representation. Subscribe to our free newsletters or upgrade to support our work: https://bit.ly/42wcKUC----Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform covering voting rights and elections in the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy and independent standpoint. Covering election and voting litigation is central to our mission. But today’s battles over democracy — access to voting, gerrymandering, executive overreach, the rule of law and more — also play out in Congress, in the Trump administration and in states around the country. As Trump and his GOP allies work to dismantle our democracy, we’re committed to exposing the threats through in-depth reporting and expert analysis you won't find anywhere else.Catch up on our latest reporting: https://www.democracydocket.com/Sign up for our free newsletters: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtubeFollow us:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.comX: https://x.com/DemocracyDocketFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/democracydocketInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/democracydocket/Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/DemocracyDocketTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@democracydocket

    22 min

  5. APR 28

    Florida GOP Reveals Latest Gerrymander Scheme

    Republicans across the country are attempting to gerrymander their way to electoral victory, and Florida is the latest state to join this movement. Marc Elias is joined by Legal Content Editor Ashley Cleaves to break down all of the battlefronts in the redistricting war and predict who will come out on top when the dust settles. Support Democracy Docket's mission: https://bit.ly/42wcKUC 00:00 The Redistricting War 01:02 Trump Started in Texas 04:58 Desantis Pushes Forward New Florida Gerrymander 06:59 The Legal Ramifications of Florida Maps 10:37 Why This Map Could Actually Backfire for Republicans

    13 min

  6. APR 25

    Trump's Dangerous Propaganda Playbook REVEALED

    Donald Trump's nonstop lying about elections isn't accidental; it's a strategy. In this video, Marc Elias breaks down Trump's propaganda tactics, and how we can all stay vigilant in the face of this threat. Support Democracy Docket's mission: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/anchor-youtube-friday 00:00 How Propaganda Threatens Free and Fair Elections 01:12 Trump Blurs Truth and Reality 03:49 Election Lies and Social Media Disinformation 15:55 How 2020 Election Lies Were Built 19:51 The Real Goal Behind “Proof of Citizenship” Laws 28:24 New 2026 Strategy Attacking Voter Rolls 34:00 Redefining Citizenship and Controlling Who Votes 39:48 Ballot Seizures and Weaponizing the Justice System 42:50 Why Truth Itself Is the Ultimate Target

    47 min

  7. APR 23

    Don't Let the Media Gaslight You on Democrats' Redistricting Win in Virginia

    Democrats just pulled off a huge win in Virginia to combat Donald Trump’s gerrymandering power grab. But that’s not the story the Washington Post told. Marc Elias is joined by Ashley Cleaves to break down why this win in Virginia is so consequential; how election deniers have already responded; and the other battleground states where democracy is on the line. Support Democracy Docket's mission: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/anchor-youtube-thursday 00:00 Big Win for Democrats In Virginia 01:13 Why This Win is Personal for Marc 05:35 Washington Post Hypocrisy 09:19 What Happens Next in Court 13:27 Election Law Implications 17:10 Marc's Redistricting Predictions 23:04 Missouri Redistricting Fight 26:32 Louisiana v. Callais Threatens Voting Rights Act 29:50 Trump Reaction & Final Takeaways

    36 min

  8. APR 21

    The New Rules for the Post-Trump Era | Brian Tyler Cohen

    Brian Tyler Cohen joins Marc Elias to discuss why an eagerness to fight should be the Democratic Party’s North Star. In this interview, they break down Donald Trump's increasing desperation, the importance of a Democratic media-ecosystem, and Brian's new book, "The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World." Brian Tyler Cohen — The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/thedayafter Support Democracy Docket's mission: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/anchor-youtube-tuesday 00:00 Today’s Guest: Brian Tyler Cohen 00:51 Trump’s Desperation & What Happens Before the Midterms 03:19 Why Republicans Stay Loyal to Trump 07:09 Why Democrats Are Overperforming Right Now 09:28 The Day After: Brian Tyler Cohen’s New Book Explained 13:14 Why Democrats Fail to Use Power Effectively 17:14 The Rise of Progressive Media & Digital Influence 23:34 Why Collaboration Matters in Political Media 27:13 Redistricting Battles & The Fight for the House 38:38 Obama Interview, Viral Moments & Final Takeaways

    48 min
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4.9
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Every week, election lawyer Marc Elias interviews lawmakers, policy leaders and changemakers about the problems facing our democracy and how we fix them.

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