As Trump targets elections, states fight back in court

What this episode covers

Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, elections have been a priority for his administration.  The FBI raid of an election warehouse in Fulton County, Georgia, seizing 2020 ballots. The Department of Justice demanding voter registration lists and other information from all states. Mail-in ballots at risk of not being postmarked. Trump’s threat of a federal takeover of state elections. Trump has continued to push false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The DOJ sued 21 states plus the District of Columbia in an attempt to gain access to state voter rolls. But in Georgia and across the states, election officials and lawyers are trying to prevent the Trump administration from succeeding. In Episode 16, you’ll hear from Fulton County Commissioner Rob Pitts. He sued the DOJ to get the county’s election records back and to find out why they were taken.  You’ll hear from Elisabeth Frost, the Litigation Chair at Elias Law Group, who has been leading the effort to push back against lawsuits filed by the DOJ to access states’ sensitive voter data. And Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman, who covers democracy, will fill us in on potential problems with mail-in voting and how those ballots will be counted. Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.  Click here for the full transcript:  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  Lawmakers praise, rebuke affidavit used to justify Fulton County election raid (Georgia Recorder) NM House passes law shielding elections from federal interference (Source NM) Federal judge dismisses Trump administration attempt to access Michigan voter rolls (Michigan Advance) Bipartisan group of New Hampshire residents challenge Trump voter file request (New Hampshire Bulletin) Voting by mail faces uncertain moment ahead of midterm elections (Stateline) Photo: Fulton County Police officers stand by outside county election headquarters while FBI agents seize documents related to the 2020 election. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)