Democracy Decoded

Democracy Decoded, Season 6: The Rule of Law Under Threat

Our system of government is rooted in the Constitution and designed to ensure that power is shared, not concentrated in any one branch. But what happens when the institut

Special Announcement: We've been nominated for a Webby!

We are beyond thrilled to announce Democracy Decoded once again has been nominated for a Webby Award in the category of Public Service & Activism podcasts!  Please vote

How New Voting Barriers Threaten Elections

New voting restrictions across the country are threatening to make it harder for millions of Americans to participate in elections. In some states, these barriers have th

The Latest: How the Erosion of Federalism Endangers Elections

Under our Constitution, the federal government and the states have distinct powers — especially when it comes to elections. But the Trump administration has repeatedly tr

A Quick Update from Democracy Decoded

Host Simone Leeper shares a quick Election Day 2025 update — Campaign Legal Center staff worked to safeguard elections; millions of Americans exercised their freedom to v

How Gerrymandering Undermines Fair Representation

Gerrymandering—the manipulation of voting maps for partisan gain—has been part of American politics since its founding, but today, the problem is reaching a breaking poin

How Democracy Is Impacted by the Expansion of Presidential Power

Presidential power has expanded far beyond what the framers of the Constitution envisioned. From Lincoln and Roosevelt to Nixon and Trump, presidents have pushed the limi

How Corruption and Abuses of Power Threaten Democracy

Corruption defines both the perception and reality of government, eroding trust and even threatening national security. Today, the safeguards meant to keep our government

The Latest: How to Address Threats to the Rule of Law

The foundation of our democracy is the Constitution, a system of checks and balances and the rule of law. But today, those cornerstones are being blatantly disrespected b

How Big Money Is Dominating American Politics

Record-breaking sums of money are pouring into American politics — from billionaires spending hundreds of millions to dark money groups hiding their donors. These sums ha

How the U.S. Supreme Court Is Drastically Reshaping American Democracy

The U.S. Supreme Court has vastly reshaped American democracy — rolling back voting rights, enabling secret money in politics and expanding presidential power. These deci

Democracy Decoded, Season 5: How to Repair the Cracks in American Democracy

How did American democracy reach such a precarious moment — and what can we do to fix things? Host Simone Leeper examines the fundamental threats to our democracy today,

The Latest: What Trump's First 100 Days Mean for American Democracy

Donald Trump took office as president on January 20, 2025, having already served one term. Immediately, however, he made clear his second term would be even more unpredic

The Latest: A Postelection Fight for Democracy

In the end, the worst of everyone’s election fears — political violence, overt foreign interference or a razor-thin margin between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump leading

Today’s the Day — Go Vote!

This week’s episode is short, sweet, and to the point: It’s Election Day, and if you haven’t yet cast your vote, let us be your friendly reminder. Like many of her CLC co

The Latest: The 2024 Election, in a Nutshell

An incumbent president drops out, mid-race. A former president becomes a party’s nominee for the first time in more than a century. There are multiple occurrences of poli

Know Your Rights as a Voter

Imagine you’re at home when you hear a knock. At your door are people who want you to share, in detail, who you voted for in the last election, months ago. When you ask t

Navigating Election Facts in the AI Era

When New Hampshire voters picked up the phone earlier this year and heard what sounded like the voice of President Joe Biden asking them not to vote in that state’s prima

The Latest: The Fights Over Election Certification

Election certification has traditionally been a mostly symbolic process in the United States. You vote, your vote gets counted, your precinct and others get tallied toget

Safeguarding America’s Electoral Process

The peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of American democracy that sets the United States apart — the so-called north star of our electoral system. Yet the attack on