Marc Elias
National election litigator; Founder of Democracy Docket. Active commentary on litigation strategy, courts, and legal operations of large‑scale impact cases.
Florida Voters Sue Over Unconstitutional 2026 Congressional Gerrymander
Today, Elias Law Group attorneys, in partnership with the National Redistricting Foundation, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Equal Ground Education Fund and 18 Florida voters to challenge the State’s newly enacted 2026 congressional map. https://elias.law/press-release/florida-voters-challenge-desantiss-unconstitutional-partisan-gerrymander/
Supreme Court Undermines Voting Rights—Choose Media Reflecting Your Values
Both Democracy Docket and the New York Times did long analysis pieces on the Supreme Court's decision gutting the Voting Rights Act. The media you consume is a statement of your values. Support Democracy Docket by subscribing today. https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
Supreme Court Dismantles Voting Rights Act; Join Fight
This week, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in a devastating 6-3 decision. If you're as furious as I am, I hope you will consider joining our team. We are hiring experienced attorneys to help our clients fight...
New Jersey Eyes New Maps After Supreme Court Vote‑Rights Rollback
New Jersey could join the crop of blue states currently considering new congressional maps in light of the US Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively vanquishes protections for racial minority districts. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/new-jersey-governor-is-down-to-join-redistricting-wars-following-supreme-court-gutting-of-voting-rights-act/
DOJ Discloses Details of Fulton County Election Record Seizure
Following a federal court order earlier this week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Friday turned over key details about its seizure of 2020 election records in Fulton County, Georgia. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/justice-department-fulton-county-criminal-investigation-timeline/
Subscribe to Free Democracy Docket Newsletter Today
If you aren't subscribed to Democracy Docket, you missed tonight's nightly newsletter. With everything going on right now, make sure you are signed-up. It's free, helps me spread the word, but is not available on the website. https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
Legal Experts Demand Supreme Court Reform After VRA Overhaul
Following the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) Wednesday, legal scholars and advocates across the country demanded reforms to the Supreme Court to preserve free and fair elections and voting rights in the U.S. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/supreme-court-reform-callais-voting-rights-act/
NYT's Split Narrative Reveals Biased Coverage of VRA
The New York Times front page VRA story has the sub-headline: "The court’s conservative majority said they had upheld the landmark law, as liberal justices accused them of gutting it." You deserve better than both sides coverage. Subscribe to Democracy Docket....
Pa. Supreme Court Orders 2020 Records for DHS Conspiracy Theorist
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that election officials in Lycoming County must hand over 2020 voting records to Heather Honey — an election conspiracy theorist currently serving in a leadership role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/court-gives-dhs-conspiracy-theorist-access-to-2020-election-data/
Supreme Court Bypasses Merits, Greenlights Texas Gerrymander
This is a new low in the use of the shadow docket. The Court blocked a lower court ruling on the so called "interim docket" (as conservatives call it). Then, quietly issued a final judgement without allowing us to even...
Republicans Turn to Courts to Nullify Voter Choice
My latest. I hope you read and share. Despite the will of the voters, Republicans have turned to the courts to overturn the election and discard the results. https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/in-virginia-republicans-attack-the-map-and-the-right-to-vote/
Virginia Republicans Target Voting Maps, Legal Fight Ongoing
I wasn't at the Substack party last night and I certainly wasn't at the WHCA. I was at home reviewing pending cases and writing for Democracy Docket about the how in Virginia, Republicans are attacking the map and the right...
GOP Lawsuit Threatens Fundamental Voting Rights, Not Just Map
I just finished my essay for tomorrow about how the GOP legal challenge to Virginia's redistricting special election is not just an attack on a particular congressional map but to the fundamental right to vote. Subscribe to Democracy Docket now to...
Start My Saturday Essay, Support Unbending Pro-Democracy Media
Here is how I began my Saturday essay today. If you agree and want to support pro-democracy media that will never bend a knee or obey, join Democracy Docket today. https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/Anchor-methreads
Judge Rules Moore Lacks Actual Malice for Defamation
Trump-appointed Judge Elizabeth L. Branch wrote in the 45-page opinion that Moore failed to meet the demanding constitutional "actual malice" standard required for defamation claims. https://www.rawstory.com/gop-2676811117/
Former Prosecutor Calls U.S. Grand Jury Process Fraudulent
“The only fraud here seems to be on the part of the U.S. on the grand jury and public,” former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said on social media. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-justice-department-southern-poverty-law-center-paid-informants-fraud-charges/
DOJ Demands Records, Trump Targets Voting in Key Swing Counties
With the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) last week demanding 2024 election records from Wayne County, Michigan, the Trump administration is now aggressively targeting the voting process in perhaps the country’s three most pivotal voting jurisdictions. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/ahead-of-midterms-trumps-doj-is-targeting-voting-in-three-of-the-most-pivotal-swing-state-counties/
Good News Fuels a Busy Day Defending Democracy
My Friday began with some really good news. I wrote about the busy day that followed. https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/one-day-in-the-fight-for-democracy/
Elias Law Group Fights 87 Election Cases Nationwide
Elias Law Group is currently litigating 87 voting and election cases in 44 states and the District of Columbia. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of free and fair elections and democracy is on the docket.
Court Battles Over Election Integrity Tracked Live
The fight for free and fair elections is happening right now — in courts across the country. Democracy Docket is tracking every case to keep you informed. Support their work by subscribing now: https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
Get Unbiased Pro-Democracy News: Subscribe to Democracy Docket
If you want pro-democracy news, information and analysis without the both-sides nonsense, I strongly recommend you subscribe to Democracy Docket. https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
DOJ Seeks Court Reset on Flawed Voter Roll Demands
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking courts in 13 voter roll data lawsuits for a mulligan on its original demands for states’ voter roll data. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/doj-wants-do-over-for-legally-deficient-demand-for-state-voter-rolls/
Independent, Pro‑Democracy Newsletter Rejects Corporate Funding
I started Democracy Docket with a simple idea: Be fiercely independent and unapologetically pro-democracy, period. No corporate investors, no compromises, no both sides. You can support by subscribing today. https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
GOP Lawmaker Threatens Lawsuit Over NY Voter Rolls
An election-denying Republican member of Congress is targeting New York’s voter registration process — demanding records and threatening legal action over familiar, unproven narratives about voter fraud. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/election-denying-gop-lawmaker-anti-voting-group-target-new-yorks-voter-registration-system/
DOJ 0-4, My Firm 4-0 on Voter File Cases
Just a reminder that for all their big talk, DOJ is 0-4 in lawsuits to obtain state voter files. My law firm is 4-0.😎https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-now-0-for-5-on-voter-roll-cases-as-court-rejects-massachusetts-lawsuit/
Trump’s Illegal Iran War, DOJ Politics, SAVE Voting Threats
NEW EPISODE: Sen. Chris Van Hollen and I discuss Donald Trump's unauthorized war with Iran, the politicization of the Department of Justice, and Republican efforts to restrict voting access through the SAVE Act. https://youtu.be/0l71fKjBZMk?si=54jowE_Tj7n40gcn
Kamala Harris Warns Supreme Court Will Gut VRA Section 2
The U.S. Supreme Court is going to “kill” Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), said former Vice President Kamala Harris today at the National Action Network (NAN) convention in New York. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/harris-warns-scotus-likely-to-gut-vra-calls-save-america-act-a-poll-tax/
Nearly 400 Voting-Related Court Cases Nationwide
Democracy by the numbers: Active Voting Rights Cases: 157 Active Redistricting Cases: 50 Active Anti-Voting Cases: 83 Active Pro-Voting Cases: 71 Active DOJ Lawsuits: 31 Stay informed about everything happening to voting and elections in court by subscribing to Democracy Docket now. https://bit.ly/4meZPiV
Built a Better Media Platform When Legacy Failed
When legacy media failed democracy, I didn't sit and complain — I built something better. Democracy Docket serves its 425,000 subscribers not some corporate owner. Help it grow by signing up now bit.ly/4qmEiFz
Court Rejects Massachusetts Voter Roll Lawsuit, Trump DOJ Loses All
Reposting this because I am certain it is causing enormous problems with DOJ and the White House. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-now-0-for-5-on-voter-roll-cases-as-court-rejects-massachusetts-lawsuit/
California Ballot Seizure Mirrors Fulton County Election Raid
Newly unsealed search warrants in the California ballot seizure case paint a chilling picture of how the types of anti-voting conspiracy theories weaponized by the White House to investigate the 2020 presidential election can be used to target elections on...
States Quietly Enact Proof‑Citizenship Voting Laws Amid Senate Stalemate
While the bill introduced March 17 remains stalled in the Senate, some state leaders have posted about, proposed and even enacted statewide proof of citizenship laws to vote. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/as-save-america-act-stalls-gop-states-are-quietly-enacting-their-own-proof-of-citizenship-laws/
Join Premium to Fund Independent Pro‑Democracy Media
Premium members enable Democracy Docket to do its critical work. They also receive exclusive content and events. If you value independent pro-democracy media and can afford it, consider joining today. https://bit.ly/3PP4FHP
We Remember Paul Weiss's Democratic Betr
If you are at Paul Weiss and are wondering if we have forgotten your firm's betrayal of democracy, we haven't. If you are wondering if we are judging you for remaining there, we are. https://www.wsj.com/business/c-suite/the-wall-street-dealmaker-charged-with-solving-paul-weisss-identity-crisis-c298e432?st=tN1yzW&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Legacy Media Undermines Democracy by Mischaracterizing Dhillon
To understand the deep institutional failure of legacy media in protecting democracy, please read this. Then share it. https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/legacy-media-paints-harmeet-dhillon-as-plucky-underdog-fighting-woke-ideology/
GOP Officials Say Trump's Mail‑in Voting Order Doomed
President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to dial back mail-in voting likely doesn’t stand a chance in court according to Republican officials Al Schmidt, the current Pennsylvania Secretary of State, and Stephen Richer, the former Maricopa County Recorder. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/gop-officials-trumps-anti-voting-order-will-probably-be-enjoined-very-quickly/
Harmeet Dhillon Poised for DOJ Associate Attorney General Promotion
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon may be promoted to Associate Attorney General, according to a report from the conservative Daily Wire news outlet. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/reports-doj-civil-rights-chief-harmeet-dhillon-to-be-promoted-amid-department-shakeup/
Fifth Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Nationwide Mail‑in Voting Restrictions
NEW: A group of voting rights organizations has filed the fifth lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive order seeking to control mail-in voting procedures. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/voting-rights-groups-file-fifth-lawsuit-against-trumps-sweeping-anti-voting-order/
Trump Ousts Bondi, New Appointee Threatens Voting Rights
NEW EPISODE: Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi and her replacement could be someone even more hostile to voting rights. Ashley Cleaves and I analyze Bondi's legacy and discuss the implications of this move for the 2026 elections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6ghJsRUxo
Democratic Lawyer Calls McIver Prosecution Political Abuse
Marc Elias, the powerful Democratic lawyer who has taken a personal interest in Ms. McIver’s case, has called the prosecution “an absolute travesty” and “a misuse of the law enforcement system to target their political enemies.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/us/politics/lamonica-mciver-immigration-congress-trump.html
Republicans' All-Out Assault on Voting Sparks Nationwide Litigation
There is no aspect of voting or the 2026 elections that Republicans are not attacking. This is an all out assault on democracy. My law firm and I are litigating in nearly 90 places to stop it with more to...
Democrats Sue Trump over Unconstitutional Mail‑voting Order
Democrats sued to block President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting mail-in voting Wednesday, calling it “unconstitutional” and designed to rig elections ahead of the 2026 midterms. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/democrats-sue-trump-unlawful-order-mail-voting/
DOJ Sues Idaho Over Refusal to Share Voter Data
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Idaho Wednesday after the state refused to hand over sensitive voter registration data — the latest example of resistance to the Trump administration’s voter roll crusade extending into strongly Republican states. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-sues-idaho/
Pro‑voting Groups Sue to Block Florida's Citizenship‑proof Law
Shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Florida’s version of the SAVE America Act into law, pro-voting groups moved swiftly to challenge the severe new voting restrictions, asking a federal court to block the state from requiring voters to prove...
Subscribe to Democracy Docket for Trump's Voting Attacks Updates
I have a long night in front of me. But for those asking how to stay informed about Trump's latest attack on voting and the legal cases that will follow, my advice is to subscribe to Democracy Docket. I started...
DOJ Missteps on Social Media Prompt Civil Rights Outcry
The Trump Justice Department may have put its foot in it on social media — again. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/civil-rights-chiefs-social-media-post-fulton-county-ballot-seizure/
Legacy Media Fails Democracy; Democracy Docket Grows
Legacy media is failing democracy. Rather than complain, I did something about it. Six years ago, I started Democracy Docket from scratch. Now, it has more than 425,000 subscribers. The work has never mattered more. Help it grow by subscribing...
Sheriff's Ballot Seizure Recount Paused Amid Legal Battles
With two legal challenges moving through California courts, a sheriff and Republican candidate for governor who seized 650,000 ballots cast in last year’s redistricting referendum has conceded that his mission to recount the votes is temporarily on pause. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/california-sheriff-who-seized-ballots-says-his-recount-plan-is-on-hold-but-has-grabbed-even-more-election-records/
Trump's Tactic: Grinding Down, Not Flooding the Zone
My latest: It is often said that Trump’s strategy is to overwhelm us by flooding the zone. I think it is more accurate to say his strategy is to grind it out and wear us down. https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/trump-isnt-flooding-the-zone-hes-trying-to-wear-us-down/
Over 400 Voting-Related Cases Currently Active Nationwide
As we start another week, here is what Democracy Docket is tracking: Active Voting Rights Cases: 162 Active Redistricting Cases: 51 Active Anti-Voting Cases: 90 Active Pro-Voting Cases: 68 Active DOJ Lawsuits: 31 Sign up to stay informed: https://bit.ly/4r9A45t