Can Trump steal the midterms?
Summary
Host Estet Herndon interviews Eliza Swearener, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights Program, to assess election security ahead of the midterms. They discuss how courts have blocked the Trump administration’s attempts to meddle with voter rolls and mail-in ballots, debunking claims of widespread non-citizen voting. The conversation also covers the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent gerrymandering decisions and the failed SAVE Act, concluding with advice for voters to participate confidently despite ongoing efforts to sow distrust.
Topics discussed
Intro: Election security concerns and guest introduction
Context: Voter anxiety and the need for expert fact-checking
Assessment: Risk levels and the 'winning streak' of voting rights advocates
Legal battles: Executive orders and DOJ lawsuits against states
Decentralization: Why local control protects election integrity
Threats to officials: Intimidation tactics and lack of federal authority
Fact-checking: Claims of non-citizens on voter rolls
Case study: New Jersey DMV software error and voter list maintenance
Policy debate: Improving voter list maintenance without suppressing voters
The SAVE Act: Why 'show your papers' policies block millions of citizens
Legislative failures: Impact of not passing the Freedom to Vote Act
Supreme Court rulings: Gerrymandering and the erosion of the Voting Rights Act
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Election Day logistics: Why results take time and how to handle delays
Voter guide: Practical tips for casting a ballot and joining the community
Mail-in voting: Addressing fears about pandemic-era rule changes
Post-election risks: Concerns about seating elected officials
Lasting impact: How to counter the administration's erosion of trust
Reform proposals: Congressional actions to restore confidence in democracy
Conclusion: Final thoughts on resilience and democratic participation
Credits and show information
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