Episode 1059: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down? Michigan Senate Advances State Voting Rights Act, But It Faces A Challenge in the GOP-Led House

Episode 1059: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down? Michigan Senate Advances State Voting Rights Act, But It Faces A Challenge in the GOP-Led House

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 22, 2026 Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down? Michigan Senate Advances State Voting Rights Act, But It Faces A Challenge in the GOP-Led House The Michigan Senate advanced the four bills comprising the Michigan Voting Rights Act June 16th, the second time in three years the bill has been before the legislature.  But, it may face a difficult road in the GOP-led House. Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: Michigan Legislature - Text of Michigan Voting Rights Act - SB 961 [https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billengrossed/Senate/htm/2026-SEBS-0961.htm] Michigan Legislature - Text of Michigan Voting Rights Act - SB 962 [https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billengrossed/Senate/htm/2026-SEBS-0962.htm] Michigan Legislature - Text of Michigan Voting Rights Act - SB 963 [https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billengrossed/Senate/htm/2026-SEBS-0963.htm] Michigan Legislature - Text of Michigan Voting Rights Act - SB 964 [https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billengrossed/Senate/htm/2026-SEBS-0964.htm] The Michigan Advance - Michigan Senate passes state Voting Rights Act as federal act loses teeth [https://michiganadvance.com/2026/06/16/michigan-senate-passes-state-voting-rights-act-as-federal-act-loses-teeth/] Michigan Sec. of State - Secretary Benson issues statement on Senate passage of Michigan Voting Rights Act [https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/news/2026/06/16/secretary-benson-issues-statement-on-senate-passage-of-michigan-voting-rights-act] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - (2024) The SCOTUS Majority is Bent on Dismantling the Voting Rights Act.  Lacking Federal Protection, Pro-Democracy States are Enacting State VRAs [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/06/26/the-scotus-majority-is-bent-on-dismantling-the-voting-rights-act-lacking-federal-protection-pro-democracy-states-are-enacting-state-vras/] Groups Taking Action: ACLU MI [https://www.aclumich.org/press-releases/michigan-senate-passes-crucial-state-voting-rights-act-to-prevent-racial-discrimination-in-voting/], Legal Defense Fund [https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/michigan-senate-passes-crucial-state-voting-rights-act-to-prevent-racial-discrimination-in-voting/], League of Women Voters MI [https://my.lwv.org/michigan/dearborn-dearborn-heights/article/michigan-needs-its-own-voting-rights-act] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state] Please follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/americandemocracyminute/] and Bluesky Social [https://bsky.app/profile/democracyminute.bsky.social], and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here! [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/stay-informed/] #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #MichiganVRA #VRA #VotingRightsAct #Michigan

Episode 1058: Trying to Resurrect the SAVE America Act, President Donald Trump Demands Attaching it to Bipartisan FISA and Housing Bills

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 19, 2026 Trying to Resurrect the SAVE America Act, President Donald Trump Demands Attaching it to Bipartisan FISA and Housing Bills President Donald Trump attempted to resurrect the SAVE America Act, stalled in the U.S. Senate, by tying it to the passage of the national security FISA Act, and bills on housing.  It’s still not likely to have enough votes to pass. Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: Politico - Trump pushes to attach his SAVE act to must-pass bipartisan bills [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/16/trump-save-act-fisa-housing-bills-00925332] C-SPAN - President Trump Says He Won't Sign FISA Unless SAVE Act Is Passed [https://www.c-span.org/clip/white-house-event/president-trump-says-he-wont-sign-fisa-unless-save-act-is-passed/5201612] The Hill - Trump: FISA extension must include SAVE America Act [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5924168-trump-fisa-extension-must-include-save-america-act/] Brennan Center for Justice - New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/new-save-act-bills-would-still-block-millions-americans-voting] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - The GOP’s Restrictive SAVE America Act is Stalled, and Slipping It into a Budget Reconciliation Bill was Blocked.  Is it Dead? [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/04/26/the-gops-restrictive-save-america-act-is-stalled-and-slipping-it-into-a-budget-reconciliation-bill-was-blocked-is-it-dead/] American Democracy Minute - President Trump Ties Ending the Partial Government Shutdown to Passage of the SAVE America Act. The Draconian Voting Bill Still Doesn’t Have the Votes. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/03/25/president-trump-ties-ending-the-partial-government-shutdown-to-passage-of-the-save-america-act-the-draconian-voting-bill-still-doesnt-have-the-votes/]  Groups Taking Action: League of Women Voters US [https://www.lwv.org/blog/safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-save-act-trick], Common Cause [https://www.commoncause.org/work/the-save-act/], Legal Defense Fund [https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/save-act-saves-no-one-voter-suppression-bill-explained/] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state]  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #SAVEAmericaAct #VoterSuppression #SAVEAct #MailInVoting

Episode 1057: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warned Judges Last Year, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 18, 2026 Brian is away today, so we've posted a still-timely report from May 2025.  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warned Judges Last Year, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’ At a Puerto Rico conference in May 2025, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned judges that recent threats from the White house are “attacks on our democracy.”  We have a portion of her speech. Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: U.S. Supreme Court –  “Preserving Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law” Remarks by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson First Circuit Judicial Conference, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico May 1, 2025 | 8:00 PM [https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/speeches/1st%20Cir.%20Judicial%20Conference%20in%20Puerto%20Rico%20Remarks%20AS%20DELIVERED.pdf] Politico – Ketanji Brown Jackson sharply condemns Trump’s attacks on judges [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/01/ketanji-brown-jackson-sharply-condemns-trumps-attacks-on-judges-00323010] The Hill – Trump slams judges after ruling bars admin from using Alien Enemies Act to deport gangs [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5280834-donald-trump-judge-alien-enemies-act-ruling/] President Donald Trump – Post of Truth Social After Judge Halts Deportations Under the Alien Enemies Act [https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114442321106427795] Politico – Trump calls for impeachment of judge who tried to halt deportations [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/18/trump-impeachment-judge-deportations-00235173] White House Advisor Stephen Miller – Multiple Attacks on Judges via X [https://x.com/stephenm?lang=en] (scan down the page)  CNN – Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says ‘state of our democracy’ keeps her up at night [https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/10/politics/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court-democracy-justice] Groups Taking Action: American Bar Association [https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/03/aba-rejects-efforts-to-undermine-courts-and-legal-profession/], Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law [https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/lawyers-committee-files-court-brief-to-defend-legal-profession-and-judicial-branch/],  Stand Up America Coalition [https://standupamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Coalition-Sign-On-Letter-Responding-to-Trumps-Assault-on-Judiciary-Rule-of-Law.pdf] Please follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/americandemocracyminute/] and Bluesky Social [https://bsky.app/profile/democracyminute.bsky.social], and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here! [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/stay-informed/] #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #AttacksonJudges #KetanjiBrownJackson #SCOTUS #USSupremeCourt #RuleofLaw

Episode 1056: Trump Campaign Attorneys Who Allegedly Organized the Fake Elector Scheme Finally Face Arraignment in Wisconsin

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 17, 2026 Trump Campaign Attorneys Who Allegedly Organized the Fake Elector Scheme Finally Face Arraignment in Wisconsin Two Trump campaign attorneys and a campaign aide who allegedly organized the 2020 fake elector scheme in Wisconsin and other swing states, finally face arraignment June 16th.  It’s the only remaining criminal investigation of the plot to overturn the 2020 election. Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: Law Forward - The 2020 Fake Electors Scheme:  How What Started in Wisconsin Spread Nationally [https://www.lawforward.org/holding-election-deniers-accountable/fake-elector-plot-started-in-wisconsin/] Wisconsin Examiner - (2023) Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020 [https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/12/06/wisconsins-fake-electors-settle-lawsuit-acknowledge-biden-won-in-2020/] Wisconsin Watch/Votebeat Wisconsin - Alleged Wisconsin fake elector accomplices to be arraigned as Trump seeks to rewrite 2020 election [https://wisconsinwatch.org/2026/06/wisconsin-fake-elector-accomplices-arraigned-trump-2020-election-troupis-chesebro-roman/] Wisconsin Public Radio - Jim Troupis argues he can’t get a fair trial in Madison over false electors criminal charges [https://www.wpr.org/news/troupis-false-electors-madison-wisconsin-fair-trial-dane-county]  Wisconsin Examiner - Ex-Trump attorney Troupis seeks $3.2 million from ‘anti-weaponization’ fund [https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/27/ex-trump-attorney-troupis-seeks-3-2-million-from-trump-slush-fund/] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - (2023) Wisconsin AG Files Forgery Charges Against Three Trump Alleged Fake Elector Organizers; No Charges Yet Against Signers [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/06/05/wisconsin-ag-files-forgery-charges-against-three-trump-alleged-fake-elector-organizers-no-charges-yet-against-signers/] American Democracy Minute - (2023) Developments in GOP Fake Presidential Elector Plots in Nevada & Wisconsin; Investigations Continue in Arizona, New Mexico & Georgia [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2023/12/09/developments-in-gop-fake-presidential-elector-plots-in-nevada-investigations-continue-in-arizona-new-mexico-georgia/] Groups Taking Action: Law Forward, [https://www.lawforward.org/about-us/] Protect Democracy [https://protectdemocracy.org/election-subversion-guide/] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state]  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #Wisconsin #FakeElectors #DonaldTrump #ElectionSubversion #2020Election

Episode 1055: ‘Vote for the best. Rank the rest. Don’t rank candidates you detest’ - Washington, DC Uses Ranked Choice Voting for the First Time

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 16, 2026 ‘Vote for the best. Rank the rest. Don’t rank candidates you detest’ - Washington, DC Uses Ranked Choice Voting for the First Time District of Columbia voters use ranked choice voting for the first time June 16 in DC’s Democratic primary.  A group which helped pass the election reform reminds voters to “‘Vote for the best. Rank the rest. Don’t rank candidates you detest.” Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: Rank the District - How to rank your ballot [https://rankthedistrict.org/how-to-rank-your-ballot] The 51st - The 51st’s D.C. voter guide [https://51st.news/washington-dc-2026-primary-election-june-16-mayor-council/#what-you-need-to-know-about-ranked-choice-voting] WAMU - Ranked choice voting is coming to D.C. elections. How does it work? [https://wamu.org/story/26/06/09/ranked-choice-voting-is-coming-to-dc-elections-how-does-it-work/] FairVote - How ranked choice voting is impacting the Washington, DC primary [https://fairvote.org/how-ranked-choice-voting-is-impacting-the-washington-dc-primary/] Opportunity DC - RCV 101 [https://www.rcvresources.org/what-is-rcv] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - (2025) In NYC’s June 24th Primary, 11 Dems Seek Nomination for Mayor.  Ranked Choice Voting & Matching Funds Helped Give Voters More Choice. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/06/23/in-nycs-june-24th-primary-11-dems-seek-nomination-for-mayor-ranked-choice-voting-matching-funds-helped-give-voters-more-choice/] Groups Taking Action: Grow Democracy DC [https://www.growdemocracydc.org/] , Campaign Legal Center [https://campaignlegal.org/press-releases/victory-dc-voters-ranked-choice-voting-semi-open-primaries-upheld-district], FairVote [https://fairvote.org/], Opportunity DC [https://opportunitydc.org/rank-your-vote-dc/] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state]  Please follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/americandemocracyminute/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americandemocracyminute/], and Bluesky Social [https://bsky.app/profile/democracyminute.bsky.social], and SHARE!  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport [https://audioport.org/index.php?op=series&series=American+Democracy+Minute&] and PRX [https://exchange.prx.org/series/42434-american-democracy-minute] #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #RankedChoiceVoting #DC #DemocracyReform #RCV