Democracy Docket
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Covering voting rights, elections, and the courts — from an unapologetically pro-democracy standpoint.
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Founded: @marcelias.bsky.social
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4iz4QBg
Read our reporting: democracydocket.com
Founded: @marcelias.bsky.social
📽️NEW: Marc Elias breaks down Trump’s alarming recent statements: regret over not seizing ballot boxes in 2020, his suggestion that we “shouldn’t even have elections” and a public vow to prosecute political opponents.
These are not jokes. They are warnings. Watch below👇
https://bit.ly/49O8CCM
These are not jokes. They are warnings. Watch below👇
https://bit.ly/49O8CCM
www.youtube.com
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:46 PM
📽️NEW: Marc Elias breaks down Trump’s alarming recent statements: regret over not seizing ballot boxes in 2020, his suggestion that we “shouldn’t even have elections” and a public vow to prosecute political opponents.
These are not jokes. They are warnings. Watch below👇
https://bit.ly/49O8CCM
These are not jokes. They are warnings. Watch below👇
https://bit.ly/49O8CCM
The White House appears to be reversing course on its plan to create a new assistant attorney general position reporting to JD Vance and Trump. According to a letter, the role will now lead a new anti-fraud division, which experts say could undermine fraud prosecutions.
DOJ congressional notice contradicts Vance on new anti-fraud division reporting directly to White House
Vance claimed having a DOJ official report directly to him was “actually constitutionally legitimate."
www.democracydocket.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:45 PM
The White House appears to be reversing course on its plan to create a new assistant attorney general position reporting to JD Vance and Trump. According to a letter, the role will now lead a new anti-fraud division, which experts say could undermine fraud prosecutions.
Democratic lawmakers proposed amendments that would reduce Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano’s salary to $1 unless records related to the data-sharing scheme between DOGE and an unnamed “political advocacy group” are turned over to Congress.
Democrats, advocates probe DOGE coordination with election deniers as outrage grows
House Democrats launched legislative efforts and outside watchdogs filed public records requests aimed at uncovering the full scope of DOGE’s activities.
www.democracydocket.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Democratic lawmakers proposed amendments that would reduce Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano’s salary to $1 unless records related to the data-sharing scheme between DOGE and an unnamed “political advocacy group” are turned over to Congress.
NEW: What’s predicted to be the biggest challenge facing American voters?
📬Mail voting. Local election officials across the country are already warning voters about the new USPS rule change that could put them at risk of going uncounted. https://bit.ly/45wm9h8
📬Mail voting. Local election officials across the country are already warning voters about the new USPS rule change that could put them at risk of going uncounted. https://bit.ly/45wm9h8
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM
NEW: What’s predicted to be the biggest challenge facing American voters?
📬Mail voting. Local election officials across the country are already warning voters about the new USPS rule change that could put them at risk of going uncounted. https://bit.ly/45wm9h8
📬Mail voting. Local election officials across the country are already warning voters about the new USPS rule change that could put them at risk of going uncounted. https://bit.ly/45wm9h8
WIN: A federal court rules Virginia’s voting ban on people with certain felony convictions violates a postwar law that was designed to protect the political power of newly freed Black Americans. As a result, the state cannot bar people from voting for most modern felony convictions.
Judge rules Virginia unlawfully denied voting rights to hundreds of thousands
The landmark decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of Virginians, especially Black residents.
www.democracydocket.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:00 AM
WIN: A federal court rules Virginia’s voting ban on people with certain felony convictions violates a postwar law that was designed to protect the political power of newly freed Black Americans. As a result, the state cannot bar people from voting for most modern felony convictions.
📽️NEW: Former FBI agent @asharangappa.bsky.social joins Marc Elias to examine how Trump-era policies reshaped federal law enforcement, national security and democratic norms.
They explain how contempt for legal constraints makes America less safe and what this moment means for the rule of law👇
They explain how contempt for legal constraints makes America less safe and what this moment means for the rule of law👇
URGENT: ICE Is Breaking the Law | Asha Rangappa
YouTube video by Democracy Docket
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:15 AM
📽️NEW: Former FBI agent @asharangappa.bsky.social joins Marc Elias to examine how Trump-era policies reshaped federal law enforcement, national security and democratic norms.
They explain how contempt for legal constraints makes America less safe and what this moment means for the rule of law👇
They explain how contempt for legal constraints makes America less safe and what this moment means for the rule of law👇
NEW: Utah Republicans are battling the state Supreme Court over a gerrymandering ban, and their solution is to pack the courts with conservatives who’ll back them. While it’s an age-old strategy used by the right, Democrats should follow suit if they want to put up a fight, Billy Corriher writes
Republican legislators plan to pack yet another court that stands in their way
Republicans in the Utah Legislature are at war with the state Supreme Court over a constitutional ban on gerrymandering.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:45 PM
NEW: Utah Republicans are battling the state Supreme Court over a gerrymandering ban, and their solution is to pack the courts with conservatives who’ll back them. While it’s an age-old strategy used by the right, Democrats should follow suit if they want to put up a fight, Billy Corriher writes
NEW: Maryland Democrats are moving swiftly toward redrawing the state’s congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders.
The latest? House representatives just introduced a measure outlining a plan for new maps, and a committee is slated to hear the redistricting bill next Monday.
The latest? House representatives just introduced a measure outlining a plan for new maps, and a committee is slated to hear the redistricting bill next Monday.
Maryland Democrats introduce redistricting legislation to counter Trump gerrymanders
Not all Democrats are on board with the plan to redraw Maryland's congressional map.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:54 PM
NEW: Maryland Democrats are moving swiftly toward redrawing the state’s congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders.
The latest? House representatives just introduced a measure outlining a plan for new maps, and a committee is slated to hear the redistricting bill next Monday.
The latest? House representatives just introduced a measure outlining a plan for new maps, and a committee is slated to hear the redistricting bill next Monday.
DOGE staff signed an agreement with an “advocacy group” to discuss using federal data to challenge election results.
While the group remains unnamed, it might not be unknown. A top election denial organization contacted DOGE during the period in question — and its motives were strikingly aligned.
While the group remains unnamed, it might not be unknown. A top election denial organization contacted DOGE during the period in question — and its motives were strikingly aligned.
Did DOGE sign a ‘voter data agreement’ with election deniers True the Vote?
True the Vote mounted a coordinated campaign, pleading with DOGE to use federal databases, including the Social Security Administration, to probe voter rolls.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:14 PM
DOGE staff signed an agreement with an “advocacy group” to discuss using federal data to challenge election results.
While the group remains unnamed, it might not be unknown. A top election denial organization contacted DOGE during the period in question — and its motives were strikingly aligned.
While the group remains unnamed, it might not be unknown. A top election denial organization contacted DOGE during the period in question — and its motives were strikingly aligned.
NEW: In a revelation that undercuts the GOP narrative of widespread noncitizen voting in elections, a Utah audit of over 2 million voter registrations found only one apparent noncitizen on the rolls — and they never even voted.
Utah reviewed its voter rolls for noncitizens. It found one. Who never voted
The results sharply undercut the narrative of widespread noncitizen voting Republicans are using to promote new nationwide restrictions on voting.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 PM
NEW: In a revelation that undercuts the GOP narrative of widespread noncitizen voting in elections, a Utah audit of over 2 million voter registrations found only one apparent noncitizen on the rolls — and they never even voted.
NEW: Houstonians are facing a confusing situation: voting to fill a vacant congressional seat, only to return to the polls two weeks later to re-fill the same seat.
And thanks to the GOP's new congressional gerrymander, districts will also have new (different) voters.
And thanks to the GOP's new congressional gerrymander, districts will also have new (different) voters.
After Trump’s gerrymander and Abbott’s scheming, Houston voters face most confusing election of 2026
"It’s hard to keep up. It really is," one voter said.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:40 PM
NEW: Houstonians are facing a confusing situation: voting to fill a vacant congressional seat, only to return to the polls two weeks later to re-fill the same seat.
And thanks to the GOP's new congressional gerrymander, districts will also have new (different) voters.
And thanks to the GOP's new congressional gerrymander, districts will also have new (different) voters.
NEW: A federal court dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit over access to Georgia’s unredacted voter registration data, because it filed the suit in the wrong district.
The ruling marks the department's third straight loss in its unprecedented legal fight to obtain states’ voter rolls. https://bit.ly/3NzvqyN
The ruling marks the department's third straight loss in its unprecedented legal fight to obtain states’ voter rolls. https://bit.ly/3NzvqyN
January 23, 2026 at 7:31 PM
NEW: A federal court dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit over access to Georgia’s unredacted voter registration data, because it filed the suit in the wrong district.
The ruling marks the department's third straight loss in its unprecedented legal fight to obtain states’ voter rolls. https://bit.ly/3NzvqyN
The ruling marks the department's third straight loss in its unprecedented legal fight to obtain states’ voter rolls. https://bit.ly/3NzvqyN
🚨 BREAKING: A federal court dismisses the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s unredacted voter registration list. Full story to come. https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/georgia-doj-voter-data-access-challenge/
January 23, 2026 at 6:18 PM
🚨 BREAKING: A federal court dismisses the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s unredacted voter registration list. Full story to come. https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/georgia-doj-voter-data-access-challenge/
During his first public testimony on Trump’s 2020 election subversion efforts, former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigation and warned the president’s retaliatory attacks on civil servants threaten the rule of law.
Trump’s attacks on civil servants threaten rule of law, ex-special counsel Jack Smith warns
“The rule of law is not self-executing,” Smith warned Thursday.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:16 PM
During his first public testimony on Trump’s 2020 election subversion efforts, former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigation and warned the president’s retaliatory attacks on civil servants threaten the rule of law.
Imagine a country’s leader declared intentions to prosecute their enemies for defeating them in an election. The largest news outlet in any country would report it as authoritarianism.
As Trump took to an international stage to do just that, our legacy media stayed silent, Marc Elias writes.
As Trump took to an international stage to do just that, our legacy media stayed silent, Marc Elias writes.
Donald Trump just announced breaking news. The legacy media ignored it.
Not only is Trump repeating a lie about the conduct of the 2020 election, but he is also announcing — at an international conference — that his administration will soon prosecute his political opponen...
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Imagine a country’s leader declared intentions to prosecute their enemies for defeating them in an election. The largest news outlet in any country would report it as authoritarianism.
As Trump took to an international stage to do just that, our legacy media stayed silent, Marc Elias writes.
As Trump took to an international stage to do just that, our legacy media stayed silent, Marc Elias writes.
Trump said prosecutions related to his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him were imminent.
Though it’s unclear whether the president’s threats will be actualized, his statements mark the latest in his escalating rhetoric around election denialism.
Though it’s unclear whether the president’s threats will be actualized, his statements mark the latest in his escalating rhetoric around election denialism.
Trump: ‘People will soon be prosecuted for’ 2020 election
"People will soon be prosecuted for what they did," Trump said. "That's probably breaking news.”
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Trump said prosecutions related to his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him were imminent.
Though it’s unclear whether the president’s threats will be actualized, his statements mark the latest in his escalating rhetoric around election denialism.
Though it’s unclear whether the president’s threats will be actualized, his statements mark the latest in his escalating rhetoric around election denialism.
Lindsey Halligan, the loyalist Trump handpicked to prosecute his political enemies, formally stepped down as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia following mounting pressure from federal judges criticizing her continued, illegitimate claim to the position.
Federal judges demolish U.S. attorney pretender Lindsey Halligan
A judge declined to refer her for disciplinary action because she lacks prosecutorial experience.
www.democracydocket.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Lindsey Halligan, the loyalist Trump handpicked to prosecute his political enemies, formally stepped down as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia following mounting pressure from federal judges criticizing her continued, illegitimate claim to the position.
NEW: Democrats and watchdogs are demanding answers after filings revealed DOGE worked with a group seeking to overturn election results.
The group most loudly urging DOGE to use federal data on voter rolls — True the Vote — still won’t deny involvement.
The group most loudly urging DOGE to use federal data on voter rolls — True the Vote — still won’t deny involvement.
Democrats, advocates probe DOGE coordination with election deniers as outrage grows
House Democrats launched legislative efforts and outside watchdogs filed public records requests aimed at uncovering the full scope of DOGE’s activities.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:14 PM
NEW: Democrats and watchdogs are demanding answers after filings revealed DOGE worked with a group seeking to overturn election results.
The group most loudly urging DOGE to use federal data on voter rolls — True the Vote — still won’t deny involvement.
The group most loudly urging DOGE to use federal data on voter rolls — True the Vote — still won’t deny involvement.
NEW: A Republican House member asked ten states to explain how their voter registration systems “verify eligibility, including citizenship, when registering voters.” The demand comes amid a renewed GOP push to send a new, more aggressive version of the SAVE Act to the Senate.
House Republican demands voter roll info from states amid GOP push for suppression law
While the SAVE Act passed the House in April, it's been stalled in the Senate, where it would need the support of Democrats to clear a filibuster.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:21 PM
NEW: A Republican House member asked ten states to explain how their voter registration systems “verify eligibility, including citizenship, when registering voters.” The demand comes amid a renewed GOP push to send a new, more aggressive version of the SAVE Act to the Senate.
The House is allegedly pushing to pass a new version of the SAVE Act, coined “the SAVE Act Plus,” to the Senate — a move that ramps up pressure on Senate Republicans to enact the Trump-backed measure requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Trump, Musk, House Republicans push for super-charged SAVE Act
“Pass the SAVE Act,” trended on X Tuesday afternoon.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The House is allegedly pushing to pass a new version of the SAVE Act, coined “the SAVE Act Plus,” to the Senate — a move that ramps up pressure on Senate Republicans to enact the Trump-backed measure requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration.
HAPPENING NOW: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced a Democracy Docket article into the congressional record during Jack Smith's public testimony.
Check out our earlier coverage on Trump's demand to “look into” the former special counsel for investigating the president’s role in the Jan. 6 attack👇
Check out our earlier coverage on Trump's demand to “look into” the former special counsel for investigating the president’s role in the Jan. 6 attack👇
With AG Bondi Next To Him, Trump Says ‘Deranged’ Jack Smith Must be Investigated
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:11 PM
HAPPENING NOW: Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced a Democracy Docket article into the congressional record during Jack Smith's public testimony.
Check out our earlier coverage on Trump's demand to “look into” the former special counsel for investigating the president’s role in the Jan. 6 attack👇
Check out our earlier coverage on Trump's demand to “look into” the former special counsel for investigating the president’s role in the Jan. 6 attack👇
BREAKING: A federal court rules Virginia's lifetime voting ban for people with certain prior felony convictions unlawfully strips voting rights beyond what Congress allows.
The decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of voters, especially Black voters long targeted by the ban.
The decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of voters, especially Black voters long targeted by the ban.
Judge rules Virginia unlawfully denied voting rights to hundreds of thousands
The landmark decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of Virginians, especially Black residents.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:43 PM
BREAKING: A federal court rules Virginia's lifetime voting ban for people with certain prior felony convictions unlawfully strips voting rights beyond what Congress allows.
The decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of voters, especially Black voters long targeted by the ban.
The decision could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of voters, especially Black voters long targeted by the ban.
In addition to delaying the release of the Epstein Files, the DOJ is slow-walking the release of Ghislaine Maxwell’s motion to dismiss her conviction. Why?
Marc Elias suggests their stalling may signal the department’s motive to prioritize Trump’s interests yet again.
Marc Elias suggests their stalling may signal the department’s motive to prioritize Trump’s interests yet again.
The DOJ offers only excuses as the Epstein Files remain secret
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:20 PM
In addition to delaying the release of the Epstein Files, the DOJ is slow-walking the release of Ghislaine Maxwell’s motion to dismiss her conviction. Why?
Marc Elias suggests their stalling may signal the department’s motive to prioritize Trump’s interests yet again.
Marc Elias suggests their stalling may signal the department’s motive to prioritize Trump’s interests yet again.
NEW: In his first public testimony, former special counsel Jack Smith warned Trump’s targeted attacks against civil servants in the DOJ pose a grave threat to the rule of law — a standard he affirmed “is not self-executing.”
Trump’s attacks on civil servants threaten rule of law, ex-special counsel Jack Smith warns
“The rule of law is not self-executing,” Smith warned Thursday.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:08 PM
NEW: In his first public testimony, former special counsel Jack Smith warned Trump’s targeted attacks against civil servants in the DOJ pose a grave threat to the rule of law — a standard he affirmed “is not self-executing.”
⚖️TODAY’S DOCKET
A federal court will hear a Latino-focused pro-voting group’s request to block Texas from revoking its corporate charter — a move sought after by Attorney General Ken Paxton to end its voter registration work. More below👇
www.democracydocket.com/cases/texas-...
A federal court will hear a Latino-focused pro-voting group’s request to block Texas from revoking its corporate charter — a move sought after by Attorney General Ken Paxton to end its voter registration work. More below👇
www.democracydocket.com/cases/texas-...
🚨 Jolt Initiative Inc. v. Paxton
Learn more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:01 PM
⚖️TODAY’S DOCKET
A federal court will hear a Latino-focused pro-voting group’s request to block Texas from revoking its corporate charter — a move sought after by Attorney General Ken Paxton to end its voter registration work. More below👇
www.democracydocket.com/cases/texas-...
A federal court will hear a Latino-focused pro-voting group’s request to block Texas from revoking its corporate charter — a move sought after by Attorney General Ken Paxton to end its voter registration work. More below👇
www.democracydocket.com/cases/texas-...