Brennan Center for Justice

Federal judges have repeatedly rejected the Justice Department's attempts to obtain sensitive voter information, including cases in Colorado, California, and Rhode Island. The DOJ has sued 30 states and D.C. to access voter records under the Civil Rights Act of 1960, but judges have ruled the department lacks authority for such demands. Over 20 cases have dismissed the DOJ's claims, with some judges calling the requests 'unprecedented and illegal.'

Maine officials are appealing a court decision that struck down a 2024 voter-approved law capping contributions to state super PACs at $5,000 annually. The state argues the limit prevents the appearance of corruption, while opponents claim it violates the First Amendment. The appeal involves legal arguments about campaign finance precedents and support from various organizations and individuals.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. These challenges, often linked to efforts to undermine election integrity, could create voter confusion and risks of suppressing eligible voters, particularly people of color. The report highlights concerns about the Trump administration's push for stricter voter roll reviews and federal involvement in election security.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report highlights concerns about voter suppression, particularly affecting people of color, and notes that challenges can remove eligible voters from rolls. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are linked to promoting 'election integrity' efforts, which experts argue may undermine democratic processes.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, with over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report highlights concerns about voter suppression, particularly affecting people of color, and links the trend to efforts framed around 'election integrity' by figures like Donald Trump. The report also notes risks of eligible voters being removed from rolls without timely notification.

The Brennan Center for Justice warned that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report highlights concerns that such challenges, often linked to efforts labeled as 'election integrity,' may suppress voter participation and undermine trust in the electoral process.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report links these challenges to efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to promote 'election integrity,' raising concerns about voter suppression and undermining democratic processes.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges in 2024. The report criticizes efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to use 'election integrity' as a pretext for voter suppression, with concerns about eligible voters being removed from rolls.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report highlights concerns that such challenges could undermine democratic processes and disproportionately affect vulnerable voters, with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party accused of promoting 'election integrity' as a pretext for voter suppression.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially undermining the democratic process. The report notes over 185,000 voter eligibility challenges were filed in 2024, with concerns about voter confusion and suppression, particularly affecting people of color. The report links these challenges to efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to emphasize 'election integrity' as part of a broader strategy.

The Brennan Center for Justice warned that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024 and concerns about undermining democratic processes. The report links these challenges to efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to promote 'election integrity,' which experts say risks creating voter doubts and suppressing participation, particularly among people of color.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially undermining the democratic process. Over 185,000 challenges to voter eligibility were filed in 2024, with concerns these efforts may suppress votes, particularly for people of color. The report highlights risks of eligible voters being removed from rolls and facing barriers to re-registering.

Election officials warn that President Donald Trump's claims about unsafe voting machines are more dangerous than the documented vulnerabilities, as there is no evidence of successful exploitation in elections. Experts emphasize that while flaws exist, public trust in the system is critical, and unfounded rhetoric could undermine confidence in election outcomes.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision removed spending limits for political parties, increasing their influence in key midterm elections. The ruling may strengthen party roles in campaigns, particularly in Senate races, though it may not significantly boost overall donations from large donors.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision removed limits on political parties' coordinated spending with candidates, potentially enhancing their influence in midterm elections. The ruling, which followed a 6-3 vote, could affect Senate races in states like Maine, Ohio, and Texas, though experts question if it will significantly increase overall campaign spending.

A record $1.9 billion was spent by dark money groups in the 2024 federal elections, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Vermonters are advocating for a constitutional amendment to limit money's influence on elections, joining 22 other states, as the Supreme Court's decisions have enabled unchecked spending by individuals, corporations, and foreign interests.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security purchased two private immigration detention centers in California from CoreCivic for a combined $1.5 billion. The facilities, in California City and San Diego, will remain operational under CoreCivic's management to counter potential state restrictions on for-profit jails. CoreCivic reported a $1.1 billion profit from the sale.

The Supreme Court struck down a law limiting coordinated spending by political parties in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, a decision criticized by Democrats and left-leaning groups as favoring donors and special interests. The author argues the ruling could strengthen political parties, reduce reliance on super PACs, and improve transparency in campaign finance.

Legislation imposing sweeping voting restrictions nationwide, the SAVE America Act, has stalled in Congress despite President Donald Trump's advocacy ahead of midterms. The bill requires voter ID, citizenship proof for registration, and limits mail-in voting, facing opposition from Democrats who argue it disenfranchises voters. The Supreme Court recently ruled states may count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day.

A federal judge denied the Justice Department's request for New Hampshire's detailed voter data, ruling the request violated the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The decision aligns with similar dismissals in nine other states, as the DOJ sought unredacted voter rolls to assess compliance with federal election laws, though critics argued the demand violated privacy protections.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to manage digital data from body cameras, surveillance, and case files, but civil liberties advocates warn the technology risks amplifying surveillance, introducing biases, and complicating legal challenges. Experts highlight concerns about AI's expanding role in policing and its potential to grant governments greater unchecked power.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools like ReportAI to analyze evidence, manage digital data, and draft reports, but civil liberties advocates and experts warn of risks including amplified surveillance, hidden biases, and challenges to legal accountability. The technology's rapid advancement outpaces regulatory and judicial frameworks, raising concerns about its future role in policing.

Police departments increasingly use artificial intelligence to analyze digital data from body cameras, surveillance systems, and case files. Civil liberties advocates and experts warn that AI could amplify surveillance, introduce biases, and complicate legal challenges, as regulations struggle to keep pace with technological advancements.

Police departments are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools like Mark43's ReportAI to manage digital evidence and analyze data from body cameras, surveillance, and protests. Experts warn that AI in policing could amplify surveillance, introduce biases, and complicate legal challenges, as regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological advancements.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, rejecting the Trump administration's request for details like birth dates and Social Security numbers. The court found the Justice Department's cited law did not support the request, upholding a lower court's decision. The administration claims the information is needed to ensure compliance with federal election law, while Michigan argues it could lead to misuse, such as creating a national voter file or sharing with Homeland Security.

A federal appeals court ruled that Michigan can restrict access to personal voter information, including birth dates and driver's license numbers, rejecting the Trump administration's request. The decision aligns with similar rulings in multiple states, as the administration seeks voter data to address election law compliance concerns. At least 13 states have provided or pledged to provide voter registration lists to the government.

A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking detailed voter data from Maryland, joining other courts in rejecting similar requests. The DOJ has lost in nine states, citing federal civil rights law, while some states have provided the data. The ruling emphasized privacy laws and the lack of necessity for federal oversight in voter registration compliance.

FBI agents searched the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voting rights group, during a statewide sweep. The group, which focuses on communities of color and low-income individuals, faces accusations of politically motivated targeting by the Trump administration. Federal law enforcement has not publicly explained the searches or provided legal justifications.

An unknown explosive device detonated near a polling place in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, during primary elections, causing partial destruction to a vehicle but no injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred in the 7th Congressional District, where a competitive Democratic primary is underway against Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie.

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a GOP-supported congressional map, rejecting claims it violated the state constitution. Legal challenges to gerrymandering are shifting to state courts following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana vs. Callais, which weakened protections against racial gerrymandering. State courts in multiple jurisdictions may now determine the validity of new redistricting maps.

President Donald Trump's 2020 election challenges were thwarted by institutional safeguards, but a ProPublica investigation reveals that 75 career election integrity officials have been replaced by Trump appointees, many linked to 2020 election fraud claims, raising concerns about election integrity in upcoming midterms.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act removes key protections against discriminatory election practices, empowering local and state governments to redraw maps and alter voting rules with reduced oversight. This ruling makes it harder for minority voters to challenge gerrymandering and at-large elections, potentially diminishing representation for Black, Hispanic, and other minority communities.

Congress is reauthorizing the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), which renews Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance of foreign targets and enabling U.S. officials to search communications linked to Americans overseas. Critics argue the law’s benefits are unclear and raise privacy concerns, while supporters claim it includes significant reforms to address past abuses. The law’s extension remains contentious, with debates over its effectiveness and potential for expanded surveillance.

Minnesota prosecutors have initiated a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration and federal agencies to hold ICE agents accountable for shootings involving Renee Good, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, and Alex Pretti. The case highlights a legal battle over states' rights versus federal immunity, with the administration refusing to release agent names or cooperate with investigations.