Democracy Docket

democracydocket.com🚨 Common Cause v. Department of Homeland SecurityLearn more here.

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UPDATE: On Friday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m., a court will hear pro-voters' request to expand the scope of a current court order to further block campaign ads created using tax-payer dollars from being disseminated by MAGA inc. The current block is in effect until Nov. 20. https://demdock.com/4BtZqQW

demdock.comElection worker threats must ‘cease immediately,’ judge tells DOJ ahead of crucial California voter ruling“This court believes that it would be wise that any threats to state and county election employees cease immediately," a federal judge told the Trump administration.

NEW: During a Tuesday hearing over the DOJ's request to disenfranchise 20k Californians it alleges are noncitizens, a federal judge issued a pointed warning for the department: “It would be wise that any threats to state and county election employees cease immediately." demdock.com/4imzYUJ

NEW: The Trump administration is asking an appeals court to pause a ruling blocking its election-related field operations in nine states, including interrogating likely U.S. citizens at their homes about their eligibility to vote. The administration wants a ruling by tomorrow.

democracydocket.comTrump prosecutor leading California voting lawsuit disqualified from post, but order stayedThe federal prosecutor leading the Trump administration’s effort to force California to block people on a list of alleged noncitizens from voting was disqualified from his post by a judge Tuesday.

NEW: The federal prosecutor leading the Trump admin’s effort to force California to block people on a list of alleged noncitizens from voting was disqualified from his post by a judge. Judge Matthew Seabright found the prosecutor is “unlawfully serving as a ‘de facto’ United States Attorney.”

In the last few years, Ken Paxton has: 🔺 Tried to throw out ballots. 🔺 Pushed to expand his power over elections. Now he wants to be a U.S. Senator. "I don't think the people of Texas are gonna stand for it," Marc Elias says. They're counting on you tuning out. Follow us to stay tuned in.

🚨 North Carolina faces a nearly 6% rejection rate for mail ballots in the 2026 midterms. This includes ballots that are curable or have been fixed by the voter. But a majority have been spoiled: demdock.com/4jFzQSN

northcarolina.ballottrax.netBallotTraxBallotTrax is a service that enables voters in participating states and counties to receive notifications by email, SMS, or voice about the status of their mail ballots.

With Election Day less than a week away, time is running out to turn in mail ballots. Voters can track the status of their mail ballot with the state’s BallotTrax site ⬇️

democracydocket.comArkansas asks Supreme Court to revive restrictive voter registration ruleArkansas is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to revive a restrictive rule that would require a handwritten “wet signature” when registering to vote.

✍️ Arkansas wants SCOTUS to revive a restrictive rule that would require a handwritten signature when registering to vote. Voting rights groups say the reason is simple: Digital registration was working, especially for young and minority voters.

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🏞️ What’s going on in Alaska? Put simply, Trump personally ordered his DOJ to block election certification in the state. “We are watching, in real time, a full-blown constitutional assault,” Marc Elias says. This is just the start. Follow us for the latest updates as they happen.

democracydocket.comNearly 3,000 voters in key Georgia county haven’t received mail ballots yet, dangerously close to Election Day deadlineCobb County voters want a judge to order their election board to overnight absentee ballots to them to make the Nov. 3 deadline.

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BREAKING: Nearly 3000 voters in one Georgia county haven't received their absentee ballots yet, putting them at risk of missing the Election Day deadline to vote by mail. They're asking a judge to order the county to overnight their ballots to avoid being disenfranchised.

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The Trump administration has attempted to interfere in the midterms by: ⚠️ Attacking states’ constitutional authority in California and Washington. ⚠️ Suing to block a Democrat from winning in Alaska. Democrats say a restraining order is necessary to stop them: https://demdock.com/4ssfv5u

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💸 If you’re hoping to get $1M from Trump for reporting voting fraud, you might be disappointed. Not even the multiple election deniers Trump hired to find evidence of fraud came up with anything. That’s because voter fraud is actually incredibly rare: https://demdock.com/4eBUeAJ

16h

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democracydocket.comJudge questions DOJ on emergency bid to block California ballot counting: 'Go out and indict'A federal judge demanded to know the precedent for sequestering ballots as he heard arguments from the DOJ and California officials on the Trump administration’s emergency bid to force the state to se...

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NEW: A federal judge seemed disinclined to grant the Trump administration’s request for a temporary restraining order. The DOJ wants to immediately stop California from processing and counting ballots from 20,000 people it alleges are “likely” noncitizens until citizenship status is confirmed.

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🗳️ Trump’s DOJ claimed — without evidence — that more than 400 noncitizens voted in Washington, ordering the state to set aside their ballots. But the state’s top election official noted there have been only 15 documented cases of illegal voting there since 1982: https://demdock.com/4stP13B

democracydocket.comTrump DOJ’s bid to stop California ballot counting returns to federal judge after 9th Circuit dismissalWhether Carter will actually reach DOJ’s request Tuesday could depend on another court’s action.

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⚖️HAPPENING NOW: A judge is hearing Trump's bid to set aside thousands of mail ballots in California. DOJ will try to prove: ✔️ Its list of targeted voters is reliable. ✔️ Federal law allows it to compel the state to alter election procedures amid early voting. Background: https://demdock.com/3Uq23CO

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The Trump administration is working to subvert the election results. The DOJ is accusing states of knowingly having noncitizens on their voter rolls, trying to prevent Senate race results from being certified over a name, and casting doubt on election-day procedures. Follow us to stay up to date.

UPDATE: In addition to hearing Democrats' request for expedited discovery in this case, the court will also consider their request for a temporary block of the Trump administration's actions at Thursday's 2 p.m. hearing.

Democracy Docket@democracydocket.com

UPDATE: Democrats asked a federal court to block the Trump administration from: 🔺Pressuring election officials to purge voters from the rolls before the midterms using a faulty DHS database. 🔺Withholding ballots from people who appear as active voters on the rolls. 🔺Setting aside such ballots.

democracydocket.comNorth Carolina ballot rejection rate up to 6% with time to fix errors running outWith Nov. 3 less than a week away, time is running out. Voters can track the status of their mail ballot with the state’s BallotTrax site, but it’s also up to election officials and the U.S. Postal Se...

NEW: Mail ballot rejection rates in North Carolina now sit at nearly 6% following Republicans' decision to implement a new envelope sealing rule before the midterms. One advocate noted that the steadily-growing rate "could make the difference in many key races.” https://demdock.com/4srJjPG

Democracy Docket reposted

Jen Rice

@jenrice.bsky.social

Well this is it, folks. My final mail ballot reminder: if you're planning to send your ballot in the mail, send it today so it will arrive in time to be counted 🫡

democracydocket.comElection official involved in ballot seizure scheme backs Trump DOJ’s California lawsuitShasta Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis defended the department’s unverified sources for identifying alleged noncitizens.

NEW: A California official in a GOP stronghold is supporting the DOJ's bid to toss 20k ballots from his state that Trump alleges belong to noncitizens. Clint Curtis, a conspiracy theorist, was also involved in a county sheriff's bid to seize 650k ballots this year. https://demdock.com/4io1n95

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UPDATE: Republicans are supporting the "reasonableness" of the DOJ's legal effort to force California to set aside mail ballots from 20k voters it alleges are noncitizens. The filing comes hours before a judge will hear arguments on the DOJ's request to force the state to set aside the ballots.

UPDATE: Seeking to continue Trump's campaign to pressure states to hunt for alleged noncitizens on their voter rolls, the DOJ says pro-voters don't have standing to bring their lawsuit. The court will hear pro-voters' request to block the campaign on Friday.

democracydocket.comAppeals court lays out a roadmap to kill DOJ bid to block California ballotsTwo federal appellate judges suggested paths for a lower court to shut down the Trump administration's attempt to force California to set aside 20,000 ballots from people DOJ alleges may be noncitizen...

NEW: The 9th Circuit blocked Trump's attempt to bypass a lower court to disenfranchise 20k Californians it alleges are noncitizens. But in its ruling, two of the panel judges suggested paths for the court to shut down the administration's bid to meddle in the midterms. https://demdock.com/4zWSsCy

democracydocket.comJudge fast-tracks Democrats' bid to dismiss Trump’s Alaska lawsuitThe judge appeared deeply skeptical of the timing of the DOJ’s lawsuit.

NEW: A federal judge fast-tracked a possible ruling in Democrats' legal effort to block the DOJ's attempt to preemptively challenge Alaska's Senate election results. The judge appeared skeptical of the lawsuit timing, which comes as voting in the state is underway. https://demdock.com/4yJz0Is

democracydocket.comDemocrats ask for immediate block on Trump’s election interference schemesThe Trump administration continues “to unconstitutionally impose themselves upon election administration procedures” that belong to states, the Democrats said.

UPDATE: Trump’s DOJ is fighting to send armed agents back to the homes of naturalized citizens to ask about their voter eligibility. This comes after a lower court blocked the armed visits in 9 states.

Trump has escalated his attacks on states' election administration by demanding California and Washington remove alleged noncitizens from the rolls after voting has already begun. A hearing is set in the lawsuit for Thursday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. ET. Read the full story:

youtube.comU.S. Court Of Appeals 7th CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is one of twelve regional appellate courts within the federal judicial system. The court sits in Chicago, Illinois at the Everett McKinley Di...

⚖️ HAPPENING NOW: The 7th Circuit is hearing a pro-voting lawsuit challenging Indiana's new law banning student IDs for voting. Students have used student IDs for voting in the state since 2005. Over 30k students at one state university used them to vote in 2024. 📺: https://demdock.com/3UlaGOR

🏛️ TODAY AT 4 P.M. ET: A judge will hear Trump's extraordinary request to stop California from counting 20k mail ballots — one day after the 9th Circuit rejected the DOJ's attempt to bypass him. Stay tuned as a ruling is expected shortly after the hearing. Background: https://demdock.com/4srTlR6

🚨 For the final week before Election Day, all of Democracy Docket is free. Marc Elias’ analysis and our premium reporting, in full in your inbox. Read it, share it and stay ahead of the legal fights. Subscribe now: https://demdock.com/4iieZnz

In 2020, Ken Paxton’s office spent more than 22,000 hours on voter fraud cases. The result was 16 prosecutions. “That’s 16 cases in a state of 17 million registered voters,” Marc Elias says. The rules for voting keep changing. Follow us so nothing catches you off guard.

At least 18 early voting centers in rural Alaska have not opened as of Friday, state Sen. Bill Wielechowski says. The commonality? All the affected areas have at least a 60% Alaska Native population — with nearly a dozen having Alaska Native populations upwards of 90%: https://demdock.com/4yTW5Ze

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Trump has influenced not just what the Republican Party does but what they actually believe is acceptable. “We need to understand how far they have shifted their thinking,” Marc Elias says, “and we need to adjust our tactics accordingly.” New rules, new fights. Follow us to keep up.

Coverage like this doesn't happen without support from our readers. Subscribe for free or become a member to back our work directly: https://demdock.com/4sKzNaV

🤔 Could you tell which party you’re voting for on the sample ballot below? According to the DOJ’s new lawsuit, having Daniel J. Sullivan on Alaska's ballot could confuse voters who want to vote for the incumbent, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R). 🔗: https://demdock.com/4zVexBh

The Trump admin made its case for why California must stop counting the ballots of more than 20,000 people they allege are “likely” noncitizens. But the DOJ has struggled to explain to even a federal court the administration’s methodology for flagging the individuals: https://demdock.com/4i8JLit

🚨BREAKING: The Trump administration asked Washington to set aside ballots from around 400 registered voters it claims may be noncitizens. The alarming request comes amid the DOJ's legal effort to compel California to do the same to 20k voters.

Coverage like this doesn't happen without support from our readers. Subscribe for free or become a member to back our work directly: https://demdock.com/48fBcwp

🚨BREAKING: In a blow to the DOJ, the 9th Circuit rejected its request to bypass a lower court to bar California from counting around 20k ballots from people it alleges are "likely" noncitizens. The ruling comes the night before the parties are scheduled to have a hearing before a lower court.

Coverage like this doesn't happen without support from our readers. Subscribe for free or become a member to back our work directly: https://demdock.com/4zimwc4

democracydocket.comTrump DOJ charges James Comey for a third time as political retaliation claims mountComey has denied wrongdoing in the cases against him and said Monday, “I’m still innocent.”

NEW: The DOJ charged James Comey for a third time, accusing the former FBI director of unlawfully transmitting national defense information to the press in 2016. The move marks an escalation in Trump's ongoing retaliation campaign to prosecute his political foes. https://demdock.com/4ihEUdE

Read the full story: demdock.com/4Brwmd1

demdock.comDOJ can’t leapfrog lower court in bid to block 20,000 California voters, appeals court rulesTwo federal judges said the DOJ would also lose its case on the merits.

Washington's top election official Steve Hobbs rejected the DOJ's claims in an interview. Hobbs said that there have been only 15 documented instances of illegal voting in the state since 1982. Read the full story: demdock.com/3UdGVj7

democracydocket.comDOJ demands Washington set aside ballots from alleged noncitizens on state rollThe new demands mirror those Trump administration sent California before it sued the state to block tens of thousands of potential ballots.

democracydocket.comIt’s happening: From Alaska to California, the Trump administration is working to subvert the midtermsRead more here.

In the last few weeks, the Trump admin has: 🔺 Tried to stop California from counting 20k ballots 🔺 Preemptively sued Alaska from certifying results of a key race — if the Republican loses 🔺 Inserted itself into Michigan's election That’s not all. Here's how it's already meddling in the midterms 👇

democracydocket.com‘We don’t think it’s that complicated’: DOJ says it’s simple for California to block 20,000 voters“Your Honor, we don’t think it’s that complicated,” the DOJ's attorney told the court. “We’re asking for an administrative, simple remedy of just segregating the ballots that we have identified as hig...

NEW: The DOJ argued a legal doctrine that courts should avoid last-minute changes to election rules isn't relevant to its bid to disenfranchise 20k Californians it alleges are noncitizens. Why? Because doing so weeks away from the midterms should be "simple." https://demdock.com/47MUk4P