The recent settlement in the defamation lawsuit brought by a voting machine company against Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, has certainly sparked a lot of conversation and, frankly, some pretty wild speculation. It’s a story that’s been unfolding, and the final act, at least for now, involves a $1 billion claim being resolved without a massive public payout from Lindell himself.
What’s particularly striking about this settlement is the timing and the subsequent news that the voting machine company in question has been sold. Reports indicate that the company was acquired in October by a group led by Scott Leiendecker, whose professional background includes serving as an election director for the city of St.… Continue reading
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a significant legislative push to make the act of seizing California’s ballots before they are officially certified a felony. This bold move, set to be detailed in an upcoming speech, aims to bolster election security and deter attempts to interfere with the democratic process, particularly in light of investigations into election offices in states that President Trump lost in 2020.
The proposed bill directly addresses concerns about individuals or groups attempting to undermine election integrity by interfering with the ballot collection and certification process. Newsom’s office has indicated that the legislation is a direct response to efforts by federal officials to investigate local election offices, signaling a proactive stance against potential future attempts at election subversion.… Continue reading
It’s been suggested that the Republican party might be staring down the barrel of a significant electoral defeat in the upcoming midterm elections. This isn’t just wishful thinking; there are observations and concerns being voiced that point towards a potentially rough road ahead for the GOP. One perspective is that if the midterms were to happen right now, the outcome could be quite unfavorable for them. However, it’s also acknowledged that a lot can still shift between now and election day.
The current political climate, characterized by a focus on Republican misconduct, perceived corruption, economic missteps, and alleged human rights violations, is seen as a significant factor.… Continue reading
The SAVE America Act, a legislative proposal that aimed to introduce new voting rules, is effectively defunct as the window for its implementation has closed. This assessment, coming from Senator Tom Tillis, suggests that the practicalities of enacting such significant changes have simply run out of time, particularly in the lead-up to elections. The idea that it might be “too late” to alter election rules is a sentiment that resonates with many, though a deep-seated mistrust of certain political actors fuels skepticism.
The notion that election rule changes are impossible at this juncture is met with considerable doubt, given past instances where voting processes have been altered, sometimes in response to court rulings or even to accommodate redistricting efforts.… Continue reading
In a ruling concerning New Hampshire’s voter registration data, U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante determined that the administration’s request violated the Civil Rights Act and lacked sufficient grounds under the Help America Vote Act to justify accessing the state’s voter rolls. This marks the tenth instance where the Department of Justice has been unsuccessful in obtaining voter information from state governments, with previous defeats occurring in multiple states. Furthermore, federal judges have blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to alter the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, an action that plaintiffs argued could be used to target organizations with differing political viewpoints.
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On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered significant setbacks to Donald Trump by rejecting his appeal in the E. Jean Carroll case, blocking his attempt to fire a Federal Reserve official, and crucially, upholding the counting of late-arriving mail ballots. This last ruling thwarts a key strategy of the Trump-GOP to invalidate votes and potentially rig elections. Despite these losses, Trump secured a victory, gaining the power to dismiss independent regulators. Discussions with former Senate Judiciary Committee counsel Lisa Graves delve into the implications of these rulings, particularly how they impact election integrity and empower the court and Trump at Congress’s expense, while also exploring potential countermeasures for a future Democratic Congress.
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It’s truly something to witness the sheer, unadulterated panic erupting from certain corners of the right after a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning mail-in ballots. The reaction is so extreme, so over-the-top, that phrases like “This is how our country dies” have become the rallying cry for a segment of the population that seems determined to view any expansion of voting access as an existential threat. It’s almost baffling to see such a strong, negative response to a ruling that, at its core, seems to affirm that people can vote and that those votes should be counted.
The notion that allowing people to vote via mail, especially when those ballots are postmarked by Election Day but might arrive a few days late, is the harbinger of the nation’s demise is a peculiar one.… Continue reading
In a strong dissent, Justice Sotomayor argued that the Court’s decision grants the President unprecedented power, exceeding even that of the English monarch the Founders rebelled against. The Constitution, its history, and established practices all indicate that Congress can indeed limit the President’s ability to remove heads of commissions. This ruling effectively allows the President to act in defiance of laws they are sworn to execute, transforming their duty into an unchecked authority.
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The experience of a New York poll worker, Paigelynne Gonyea, being confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at her polling site has sparked significant concern, leading her to express deep worries about the upcoming November elections. Gonyea, who was working during New York’s primary election, found herself the subject of a visit from two ICE agents who were inquiring about a social media post she had made approximately six months prior. This incident, occurring as federal agents approached her workplace on election day, has understandably left her feeling vulnerable and apprehensive about the safety and integrity of future voting processes.… Continue reading
Representative Thomas Massie has questioned the Republican party’s continued emphasis on widespread election fraud, noting the irony of such a focus while the party holds unified control of Washington. He criticized the strategy as a wasted opportunity that could lead to significant electoral consequences in November. This internal debate intensified when President Trump canceled a housing bill signing to prioritize the SAVE America Act, a bill focused on election security. While some Republicans defend the push for election integrity as a vital long-term priority, Massie and others warn that sidelining broader policy goals in favor of partisan election legislation is politically risky.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker
Poll Worker Fears Escalated Intimidation After ICE Confrontation
The experience of a New York poll worker, Paigelynne Gonyea, being confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at her polling site has sparked significant concern, leading her to express deep worries about the upcoming November elections. Gonyea, who was working during New York’s primary election, found herself the subject of a visit from two ICE agents who were inquiring about a social media post she had made approximately six months prior. This incident, occurring as federal agents approached her workplace on election day, has understandably left her feeling vulnerable and apprehensive about the safety and integrity of future voting processes.… Continue reading