🚨 Status Update: Escalating In the latest update to our Authoritarian Action Watch, we discuss the closure of Alligator Alcatraz against the backdrop of continued immigration raids across the country. Read about this update and more here: ⬇️ protdem.org/4tyv3ok

One element of the Trump administration’s election disruption playbook is getting less coverage than it should – the use of investigative, prosecutorial, and regulatory power to silence and sideline the administration’s perceived opponents: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/the-payback-squad

Our parents and grandparents marched and sacrificed for the right to vote. That right is under threat again, and the next generation is showing up. Join us for the National Day of Action for Voting Rights on May 16: blackpowerwarroom.com/dayofaction

WATCH: Brandi Geurkink, Executive Director of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, explains the impact of a Trump administration immigration policy that targets noncitizen researchers and fact-checkers, subjecting them to visa denials, revocations, detention, and deportation

🚨 ATTN: Student organizers & young leaders 90% of young Americans value free & fair elections, but only 30% trust the outcomes. The Gen Z Election Defense Toolkit helps close this gap with nonpartisan tools to protect your vote and lead your community. Explore here:

A thriving democracy depends on every citizen’s ability to participate without fear or interference. We are supporting the National Day of Action for Voting Rights on May 16 because local mobilization is a primary defense against authoritarian tactics. Get involved: blackpowerwarroom.com/dayofaction

Building a broad coalition is key to pushing back against autocracy in America, but how do you build those connections safely? Protect Democracy has released an updated guide detailing best practices for coalitional safety and security. Check it out: https://protdem.org/4txbR9q

Building a resilient democracy requires collective power. We’re joining the National Day of Action for Voting Rights on May 16 to support community-led efforts to protect our elections. Get involved: blackpowerwarroom.com/dayofaction

From weaponizing the DOJ to seizing state voter rolls, the Trump admin's goal is to create a fog of deception before the midterms. How to hold the line: ❌ Debunk without amplifying 🔎 Watch for manufactured "proof" 👥 Support local officials against fed interference 🔗 https://protdem.org/4wjb3b5

Pete Hegseth’s efforts to silence US Sen @captmarkkelly.bsky.social are an assault on the constitutional rights of those “who have put their lives on the line for America,” writes former USAF Secretary Frank Kendall: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/opinion/hegseth-kelly-military-free-speech.html

As the 2026 midterms approach, election officials are facing new questions about the risk of interference by federal actors. We’re working with @brennancenter.org to provide them with the information they need to prepare for free and fair elections this November. https://protdem.org/4nnqX01

NEW: We developed a practical guide with @justiceconnection.bsky.social to help DOJ and other federal employees understand how to speak with reporters while protecting themselves. Check it out and share it widely:

When traditional whistleblower channels fail under this administration, speaking out in the media can be the clearest path to accountability. @protectdemocracy.org developed a practical guide with Justice Connection’s input to help federal workers engage with reporters to expose wrongdoing:

The flood of news coming from the WH and ensuing chaos can make it hard for all of us to distinguish signal from noise. Our new tool tracks and analyzes threats to our democracy in real-time so we can all stay informed and focused. Explore the latest: protectdemocracy.org/threat-tracker/

NEW: Our latest action highlights the Gen Z Election Defense Toolkit, a by-Gen Z, for-Gen Z resource designed to help young people better understand the election process, current election threats, and how to navigate voting with confidence. Explore the toolkit here:

People of all faiths are mobilizing ahead of the midterms because they know the public's right to speak up and gather peacefully are vital to free and fair elections. Learn more and join in. #LoveNotICE https://lovenotice.org/

Good news for accountability: Connecticut passed a law ensuring no fed, state, or local officer is above the law. More than ever, we depend on state leaders to hold all officers accountable if they violate the Constitution. See where else this law is gaining momentum: 🔗 https://protdem.org/4tYqvrq

Are you a business owner who wants to learn more about how you can protect free, fair, and secure midterms in your community? If so, join an election protection training on May 7 @ 2pm ET Hosted by @integrity-mttrs.bsky.social, Secure Democracy USA, and Protect Democracy. Register below:

The Trump admin’s attempts to sow doubt in our elections are working. If people lose faith in our elections, Trump and his allies are betting they can easily call foul on races that didn’t go their way. There is still time to protect your vote, here's how: https://protdem.org/4tmigV5

🚨 Status Update: Rapidly Escalating In the latest update to our Authoritarian Action Watch, we cover the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais — escalating an unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering battle. Get the full picture here ⬇️ https://protdem.org/4ckIB0A

NEW: Former civil rights prosecutor, @kristyparker.bsky.social gives some reasons for cautious optimism that Trump’s attempts to weaponize the DOJ for his retribution campaign are failing. Read her briefing here: https://protdem.org/4dgunhu

🚨 Status Update: Rapidly Escalating In the latest update to our Authoritarian Action Watch, we cover the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais — escalating an unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering battle. Get the full picture here ⬇️ https://protdem.org/4ckIB0A

Today’s lies and conspiracies about fraud in our elections are coming from the White House and all across the federal government. We rounded up the 3 lies to look out for and how we can defeat the deception. Everyone needs to see this. Read and share: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/nearly-half

FCC Chair Carr said the FCC “shouldn’t be in the business of being the speech police” while using the news distortion policy to do exactly that. We’re representing former FCC officials & broadcast journos on a petition asking a federal court to make him answer for it. 🔗 https://protdem.org/4pbTyFg

🗳️ 38% of independent voters believe there's widespread election fraud, according to a new Reuters poll. Creeping doubt is part of the Trump admin's strategy to overturn midterm results. The strategy: manufacture doubt > call foul if preferred candidates lose > try to override results. Learn more:

ABC news making you worried about the FCC and free speech? Chairman Carr is using the FCC’s news distortion policy to chill the press. We filed a petition on behalf of former FCC leaders to repeal that harmful policy and asked the court to compel the FCC to respond. Read about it here:

✅ JUST ADDED: 70+ new records documenting recent policy changes at DHS, State, SSA, and SBA are now live in the Civil Service Archive. See how quiet internal shifts are driving big changes at these agencies: civilservicearchive.org

NEW: Former civil rights prosecutor, @kristyparker.bsky.social gives some reasons for cautious optimism that Trump’s attempts to weaponize the DOJ for his retribution campaign are failing. Read her briefing here: https://protdem.org/4dgunhu

Our fight is far from over. We will continue using every tool we have to ensure that every voice counts at the ballot box.

The impacts of the court’s ruling in this case will be felt across the country. Redistricting remains ongoing in many states, and the severe weakening of Section 2 may affect future challenges to congressional, legislative, and local maps that dilute the voting strength of communities of color.

The court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais follows cases that have narrowed federal voter protections, like Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee. Together, these cases have made it harder for voters of color to challenge discriminatory voting laws and practices.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana map that fairly represents Black voters, gutting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This devastating attack from the Court majority destroys protections for voters of color across the country.

With its decision in Louisiana v. Callais, SCOTUS turned a blind eye to our history of racial discrimination. It held that considering race *to fix* racially discriminatory maps is itself discrimination—destroying the voting rights the 14+15th amendments were created to protect. What this means 🧵⬇️

Proud of the team @protectdemocracy.org and the whole crew for this work. This is not Orban's Hungary. @gbsohn.bsky.social @berinszoka.bsky.social @rtdna.bsky.social

On behalf of a bipartisan group of former FCC leaders & @rtdna.bsky.social we’re asking the court to force the FCC to respond to a petition requesting the news distortion policy be repealed. Chairman Carr has repeatedly used the policy to chill free speech in the press, and must answer for it ⬇️

The administration’s dangerous and illegal effort to gain access to states’ confidential voter rolls under the guise of voter fraud is a case study in how the government can be weaponized to subvert elections. @jessmarsden.bsky.social explains: https://protdem.org/4tCuMAE

“Disruption can be mitigated if you are prepared,” @alexandrachandler.bsky.social refocuses the narrative from “What if” to “What we can do right now” as our country grapples with an administration openly turning the government against our elections. We call it the “Executive Override” strategy.

Act Locally: Earth Day is a chance to reflect on the places we live and share, and how decisions about them are made. Community participation helps *directly* shape those outcomes. See how you can get involved: https://protdem.org/4cvZkxZ

EVENT: Frustration alone won't drive Gen Z to participate in our democracy. Join us for a discussion Thurs, 4/30 about a generation demanding that democracy deliver on its promises and what civic groups can do to meet young Americans where they are. Register here: https://protdem.org/genzbriefing

🚨 Status Update: Improving In the latest update to our Authoritarian Action Watch, we cover the implications of DOJ announcing it's dropping its investigation into Fed Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Read about this update and more here: ⬇️ https://protdem.org/4tyv3ok

Helping people register to vote is one of the most direct ways to strengthen participation in our democracy. @thecivicscenter.bsky.social offers a guide on how to run a voter registration drive designed for students, teachers, and community members. Check it out:

NEW: This week’s featured action connects Earth Day to civic participation. Earth Day is more than a moment — it’s a reminder that communities help shape the places they live through public decisions. 🌎 Explore simple ways to take part this week and beyond.

NEW: Trump is trying to sow doubt in our elections again, this time he has the power of the gov turned against our right to vote. Even as the threat is more dangerous, many can and *are* already doing something about it. We explain: https://www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/2026-is-nothing-like-2020

Today, on behalf of three leading historians of civil rights, we filed an amicus brief explaining how Trump's DOJ has tried to twist civil rights era statutes beyond the breaking point to access sensitive voter information. Here's what the historians had to say:

People of all faiths are mobilizing ahead of the midterms because they know the public's right to speak up and gather peacefully are vital to free and fair elections. #LoveNotICE Learn more and join in: https://lovenotice.org/

@reason.com recently covered the amicus brief we filed on behalf of 73 former service secretaries, retired admirals and generals explaining the critical First Amendment stakes for all veterans when the administration tries to punish critics.

The administration is ramping up its attempts to seize election materials and voter data from states. Protect Democracy's @alexandrachandler.bsky.social has 3 concrete steps for state election officials to take now to protect the midterms. Read it here and share:

Even though Gen Z reports the lowest voting intent of any recent generation, they still believe in democracy — just not the one they’re getting. Join us on Thurs. 4/30 to discuss how we can repair trust in our democratic process among young Americans. Register 🔗 https://protdem.org/genzbriefing

Right now, Coloradans can’t sue federal officials who violate their constitutional rights, only state and local officials. SB-176 is urgently needed legislation that would remedy this dangerous loophole. Read more about these kinds of bills for states:

The president claiming election fraud in Virginia recently is exactly the kind of pretext to undermine public confidence in our elections that we've been tracking. We know it's part of an effort to justify denying midterm results Trump and his allies don't like. Reject the narrative, get the facts: