A massive new voter suppression effort in Georgia 🚨

 

As Republicans prepare to cancel nearly half a million Georgians’ voter registrations, Fair Fight is racing to help as many people as possible stay on the rolls — but they need our support before tonight’s grassroots fundraising deadline. I founded Fair Fight with a basic goal: to defend our freedom to vote. And when our elected officials try to restrict that freedom, Fair Fight is on the frontlines working tirelessly to protect it.  We are now in exactly one of those moments. Voter purges — like the one underway in Georgia — are a tool of suppression and voter intimidation, with a long history dating back to Reconstruction and carrying on even beyond the shameful era of Jim Crow. Voter purges silence thousands of eligible voters — from military service members to college students, to those who did not vote in previous elections. They also disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised communities. We have to fight back — the time has never been more critical to power our pro-voter movement, and Fair Fight is connecting Georgia voters with the information they need to stay registered. Before midnight, please chip in to Fair Fight and help prepare for more attacks on voting from Georgia Republicans and their MAGA cronies. If you've saved payment info with ActBlue Express, your donation will process automatically. Chip in $5 Chip in $25 Chip in $50 Chip in $100 Chip in $250 Chip in Other Our democracy depends on ensuring every voice is heard, and every vote counts. When we have the freedom to take our seat at the table and our place at the ballot box, we can elect leaders who govern in our interests, ensure every voice is heard, and make the promise of democracy real for us all.  And that is why these Republicans want to restrict access to the ballot: they’re afraid of what will happen when we tap into our voting power and move our state, and our nation, toward a truly inclusive and representative democracy.  But Fair Fight pushes back wherever and whenever attempts at voter suppression take place, in Georgia and beyond.  If you believe that real patriotism in action is expanding the freedom to vote — not restricting it — will you make a donation to Fair Fight today to power their work to combat voter suppression during this critical time for voters in Georgia? Yes, I'll Donate Thank you, Stacey Abrams P.S. MAGA Republicans wouldn’t be trying so hard to shut us up if they didn’t know our power. They’re terrified that voters could hold them accountable in free and fair elections for failing to deliver for the American people. If we want to be able to defend our values, we can’t let them silence our voices. DONATE

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DOGE is still blocked from accessing sensitive Social Security data

 

Friday, April 18

DOGE is still blocked from sensitive Social Security data A federal judge continued to block DOGE from accessing Americans’ personal data from the Social Security Administration, stating that such access likely violates federal law. “The DOGE Team seeks access to the [personally identifiable information] that millions of Americans entrusted to SSA, and the SSA Defendants have agreed to provide it,” District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander wrote in her order. “For some 90 years, SSA has been guided by the foundational principle of an expectation of privacy with respect to its records. This case exposes a wide fissure in the foundation.” A judge halted the Trump administration’s dismantling of the agency tasked with protecting people from financial fraud A judge blocked President Donald Trump from firing 90% of the employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the nation’s independent financial fraud protection agency. During Friday’s hearing, District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she's “deeply concerned” that the layoffs violated her earlier order halting attempts to dismantle the bureau. Congressional Democrats demand answers on election security measures from the nation’s cybersecurity agency In their third letter to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) demanded answers from senior Trump officials about the status of the agency’s election-related work. Since Trump’s return to the White House, his administration has gutted CISA and laid off much of its staff — including  the agency’s crucial election security staff. “These staff and funding cuts raise grave concerns about the security and integrity of upcoming elections, where states and localities with limited budgets must protect their systems against foreign nation-states,” the congressmen wrote in their most recent letter. Voting rights organization continues to challenge provisions of Georgia’s voter suppression law The voting rights organization Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) appealed a recent court ruling that dismissed a challenge to several provisions of Georgia’s voter suppression law, Senate Bill 202. The provisions of SB 202 that CGG is challenging include the State Election Board takeover provision, gag rule, photography ban and absentee voting provisions. Last month, a federal judge found that the plaintiffs lacked standing in their challenge.

DOGE blocked from accessing data in Labor and Treasury departments

 

Thursday, February 6 THE OPPOSITION Holding Trump Accountable Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer halted Just hours before federal workers had to decide on President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Fork in the Road” buyout offer, a Massachusetts federal judge temporarily halted the program until at least next Monday to hold another hearing. DOGE blocked from accessing data in Labor and Treasury departments In a lawsuit challenging DOGE’s legal authority, the DOJ agreed today to restrict Elon Musk from accessing sensitive personal and financial Treasury data amid ongoing litigation. Two DOGE affiliates maintain “read-only” access to payment records. Also, the Department of Labor (DOL) agreed today to not share any records with DOGE before a hearing for a long-term block on DOGE's access takes place tomorrow. As of now, Musk’s faux agency has not been able to access DOL data. Senate Democrats hold floor in all-night protest of Trump’s OMB nominee Democratic senators took to the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday evening — through the night and well into Thursday morning — to vehemently voice their opposition to Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Hearings coming up tomorrow A hearing held today in a federal Washington, D.C. court  — involving two cases filed by FBI agents seeking to block the DOJ from compiling a list of staff who worked on Trump's Jan. 6 and classified documents cases — will continue tomorrow at 11. a.m. A Massachusetts court will hear a lawsuit challenging Trump's birthright citizenship executive order. Democratic officials in 18 states argue that the order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We're tracking 24 lawsuits holding Trump accountable — with new developments happening quickly. Upgrade to our premium membership for $120/year or $10/month to get crucial updates and analysis sent straight to your inbox. Raffensperger asks federal government for help suppressing voters Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) urged new Attorney General Pam Bondi to drop the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against the state’s voter suppression law, Senate Bill 202, which limits mail-in voting, shortens election timelines and prohibits line warming. House Democrats condemn pardons of those who assaulted Capitol police officers Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and over 100 other House Democrats introduced a resolution yesterday condemning Trump’s pardons of individuals found guilty of assaulting U.S. Capitol police officers Jan. 6, 2021. “I would challenge any single Republican in that chamber right now that’s not going to support the resolution to tell why they’re not going to support it,” former Capital Police Officer Harry Dunn said at a press conference. “The only reason they’re not doing it is because they’re scared of Donald Trump. Period.” Hearing tomorrow in North Carolina Supreme Court race lawsuit A North Carolina court will hold a hearing in GOP state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin's election challenge where he is seeking to toss over 60,000 ballots.

While we wait for the big decision, here’s your weekend reading list

 

Free sample of my member-only emails As June comes to an end, the U.S. Supreme Court has still not ruled on Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity. We begin July where we began May and June — waiting for an answer to what should have been a quick and easy question. The result: Trump’s federal criminal trial remains on hold. Meanwhile, towards the end of Thursday night’s presidential debate, Trump once again refused to commit to accepting the outcome, saying only that he would accept it “if it’s a fair and legal and good election.” Trump’s election denialism remains as dangerous as ever. On the big questions about the future of democracy, we are stuck in a familiar rut. Little ground is being gained or lost. Yet, in the trenches, the fight for free and fair elections continues around the country. And those fights will have a big impact on the outcome this fall. Each week, I send our members a reading list with the stories that stood out to me and a note at the top, like this, on my general takeaways from the week. If you want the inside scoop on what I’m reading as well as additional exclusive content from me, consider becoming a member for $120/year. Democracy Docket relies on readers like you for support and our premium membership ensures that the team of 15 will have the resources to keep you informed ahead of the election. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY Not ready to commit? Start a free trial of our premium membership and get exclusive content for the next two weeks. Trump allies test a new strategy for blocking election results Washington Post While the presidential debate is now dominating the news coverage, don’t overlook this chilling description of how Republicans are planning to subvert the election results by attacking the certification process. It’s long, but worth the time to read and consider every word. How Stephen Miller Is Using America First Legal To Assail Voting Rights Democracy Docket When Stephen Miller started a conservative legal outfit, it seemed aimed at progressive policies and the Biden administration. More recently, it has turned its attention to litigating in favor of voter suppression. New Pro-Trump Super PAC Quietly Spends Millions on G.O.P. Ground Game New York Times The Republican National Committee has sent mixed signals about its posture on absentee voting — simultaneously suing to limit it while issuing public statements in favor of it. Now, there is a new well-funded effort that seems to be embracing it. Sadly, I don’t expect this will halt the attacks in court, however. Upgrade to unlock story #4 Upgrade to unlock story #5 That’s all for this week. Bode is also tired of waiting for the immunity decision. If you want to continue receiving my weekly reading lists — plus two monthly newsletters from me, exclusive Q&As and more — upgrade to our premium membership and support Democracy Docket’s work in keeping you informed on the latest news about voting and elections in the courts.