Voter Suppression

The fight for civil rights wasn’t just waged in the streets, it was built in classrooms led by unsung heroes. In this episode Rick speaks with author Elaine Weiss about her new book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the little-known history of citizenship schools—grassroots educational programs in the 1950s and 60s that empowered Black Americans to pass literacy tests, register to vote, and fight systemic oppression. Weiss sheds light on the broader civil rights movement, the institutional barriers activists faced, and the enduring importance of civic education in today’s political landscape. Elaine's book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement, available now.

Andra Watkins writes that under Project 2025, "If the President’s agenda is to decree that anyone who votes for candidates other than himself and his party are committing voter fraud, that is what the DOJ will criminalize and prosecute."

Rick Wilson speaks with Lauren Kunis, the Executive Director of VoteRiders, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to voting rights. VoteRiders focuses on voter ID assistance, offering free direct help to eligible voters and running voter education programs across the country. With 38 states now enforcing voter ID laws, these regulations disproportionately impact underrepresented groups, including young people, Black and Hispanic voters, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. VoteRiders aims to ensure that voter ID laws do not disenfranchise eligible voters and that everyone has access to the ballot box.

"Find Me The Votes" authors and journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman join Rick to discuss the Georgia investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election led by Fani Willis. They get into the incredible breadth and complexity of the case, from pressure campaigns on state officials and intimidation tactics against election workers to the strategic use of RICO charges. The episode also details the challenges facing Willis, Trump's reactions, and the case's implications for future elections and American democracy.

Systematically skipping outreach to infrequent voters ultimately rewards the intense voter suppression and purging that has removed many of those voters from the rolls to begin with.

Just how lawless is the GOP attack on the Ohio Constitution? "Brace yourself," says David Pepper

Rick speaks with author David Pepper. In his new book, Saving Democracy, Pepper outlines what Americans can do to help save democracy. Rick and David discuss how the Republicans are systematically dismantling democracy. They also talk about what we, the American people, can do to combat the takeover. And some shady fundraising tactics land this week's entry on The Enemies List.

Mila Atmos is the host of Future Hindsight, a podcast about civic engagement, providing action items to better participate in our democracy. In this episode, Mila discusses voter engagement and persuasion.

Former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan talks with Ken about the quality of American life, divisions within both parties and how American culture has made a turn for the worse over the last few decades.

Republican-blessed new voter ID rules go into effect this week in Ohio and the results are devastating. They hope you won't notice.

Every day, we see examples around the country of why teaching and studying Black History in our schools is essential and efforts to prevent that from happening. Teri Kanefield shares some of what she learned while researching the biography of Thurgood Marshall, reminding all of us that our need to learn and better understand doesn't end.

The GOP is kicking off Black History Month by trying to repeat a shameful, undemocratic, racist part of that American history. Small wonder they don't want Black History taught in our schools.

When governments enter the business of banning books and censoring history, alarm bells should ring loudly about the state of democracy in the present.

I consider myself an expert at converting rage into positive action, but this election cycle was different. There was too much of it.

Fresh off his Iowa trip, Joe reports back on a few days of canvassing the state - what has Iowa Democrats really energized? Joe and Alex catch up on all the good news for Democrats this week - economic numbers, encouraging polling, and more. And what's Joe's unvarnished take on the Pennsylvania debate? Did it even matter? Plus, 107,000 "found" voter registrations in Virginia... wait, what?