DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, host Colleen Macdonald interviews Dr. Michael Lautner, a senior fellow with the Union of Concerned Scientists, to discuss the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections in the United States. They discuss how the elections went relatively smoothly, despite concerns about voter intimidation, baseless fraud claims, and potential violence. Lautner rates the election process a 4 out of 5 in terms of integrity and praises efforts to increase transparency in the electoral process.
One of the main topics covered is the Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper, which could have significant implications for state legislatures' power over federal elections. Lautner expresses concern about the potential impact if the Court endorses the "independent state legislature theory", which could undermine judicial oversight and enable increased gerrymandering. He stresses the importance of Congress passing the revised Electoral Count Act to establish national election standards before the 2024 presidential election.
Lautner also highlights the need for broader efforts to strengthen democracy beyond procedural changes. He emphasizes the importance of increasing voter participation, enhancing political competition, and improving representation for communities often left behind in the electoral process. Overall, Lautner expresses cautious optimism about the state of American democracy while acknowledging the significant work still required to address ongoing threats and challenges.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The 2022 midterm elections in the United States largely maintained electoral integrity, with efforts to increase transparency contributing to a relatively smooth process.
- The Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper could have significant implications for the power of state legislatures over federal elections, potentially enabling increased gerrymandering and undermining judicial oversight.
- Passing the revised Electoral Count Act before the 2024 presidential election is crucial to establishing national election standards and safeguards against potential challenges or disruptions.
- Addressing procedural voting issues is essential, but strengthening American democracy also requires broader efforts to increase voter participation, enhance political competition, and improve representation for underserved communities.
- Grassroots organizing and empowering citizens to be more involved in the political process is key to addressing systemic issues and improving the state of American democracy.
- While the 2022 midterms were a positive sign, ongoing vigilance and efforts are needed to protect the integrity of future elections and address threats to American democracy.
- There is cautious optimism about the state of American democracy, tempered by acknowledgment of the significant challenges and work still required to address ongoing issues and strengthen the democratic process.
- Bipartisan cooperation and action from Congress, particularly in passing the revised Electoral Count Act, is crucial for preserving and improving the integrity of American elections.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We've got to do more, not just to make it easier to vote and to ensure that every vote is counted. That is certainly an essential part of the process, but to increase the supply of candidates and increase the level of political competition to give people a reason to turn out so that they know that their vote is actually effective and making a difference.“ by Michael Lautner
- “Ultimately, the reclaiming our democracy and improving our democracy, which hasn't been so great to begin with, there are a lot of anti democratic elements in the US Constitution, and ultimately, the only way that we change those is through organizing and by empowering people to be part of the process.“ by Michael Lautner
- “If the Supreme Court were to look favorably upon this theory, and we already know there are several justices, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, to name a few, who have indicated in previous writings and oral arguments that they might be open to this line of reasoning, it would place our elections in grave danger and that it would really prohibit restraints on state legislatures from maximizing their partisan advantage in both republican and democratic states.“ by Michael Lautner
- “The one bill, the one piece of legislation that is absolutely necessary to put into place prior to the 2024 election is a revision of the Electoral Count act and the Electoral Count act. The revised version, which there are versions of in both chambers now, would provide national election standards.“ by Michael Lautner
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12/13/22