EPISODE · Mar 29, 2021 · 41 MIN

Laboratories of restricting democracy

from Democracy Works · host Candis Watts Smith, Michael Berkman, Jenna Spinelle, Chris Fitzsimon

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, legislators in 43 states have introduced more than 250 bills aimed at restricting access to voting in person, by mail, or both. Chris Fizsimon, director and publisher of States Newsroom, returns to the show to give us a birds-eye view of what's happening on the ground in state legislatures. We discuss how Republican legislators are pushing things like shortened mail-in voting windows, expanded voter ID requirements, and other cumbersome administrative changes under the guise of protecting or restoring election integrity after the 2020 election. After the interview, Michael and Candis reflect on the broader question of voting as a partisan issue and what that means for the future of American democracy.States Newsroom is a nonprofit news organization with newsrooms across the country specifically focused on state politics. Fitzsimon joined us last spring to discuss COVID-19 protests at state capitols. Additional InformationStates NewsroomBrennan Center State Voting Bills TrackerChris Fitzsimon on TwitterLeadership Now: How Businesses Can Support DemocracyRelated EpisodesGive me liberty or give me COVID-19? - Fitzsimon's first appearance on the showThis Week's Democracy Group podcast network featured show: Our Body Politic  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.