Exclusive: Democrats unveil a plan to protect elections from AI and Trump

• A new bill introduced today by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) would prohibit using AI-generated content to intimidate election officials or knowingly spread falsehoods aimed at keeping voters from casting ballots – such as incorrect election deadlines or fake polling place locations.
  
  
• It also takes aim at Trump’s attempts to create national citizenship and voter registration lists by blocking the administration from comparing federal data with state or local data for determining voter eligibility.
  
  
• Read our exclusive report on the new bill >>>

In a hopeful sign for mail-in voting, federal court fast-tracks a bid to block Trump order

• As the administration pushes ahead with plans that could upend how mail ballots are cast for the 2026 midterms, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by Democratic plaintiffs to speed up their appeal of a lower court ruling that left Trump’s anti-voting order in place last month.
  
  
• What are the new deadlines in the Democrats’ appeal? >>>

Why Republicans hate Marc

• “Republicans hate me because I fight, and they fear me because I win,” Marc said in a recent video. “And the fight that is going to be hotter and more intense than any other in 2027 and 2028 is not about the presidential election. It is going to be the continuation of the fights that have started over redistricting.”
  
  
• Watch Marc’s video >>>

Prosecutor who echoed California election lies tapped by Trump to be intel chief

• The president’s move comes just days after Jay Clayton — who does not have an intelligence background — endorsed false conspiracy theories about California’s still-ongoing primary vote count.
  
  
• More on Clayton’s nomination >>>

Trump claims military is gunning for extreme anti-voting SAVE America Act

• Trump said the Pentagon wants congressional Republicans to include anti-voting restrictions from the SAVE America Act in a multibillion-dollar defense bill, which would be historically out of character for the Department of Defense.
  
  
• What else did Trump say? >>>

Panel of judges to hear request to block Tennessee gerrymander

• A three-judge panel will hear pro-voters’ request to block Tennessee’s new GOP gerrymander dismantling the state’s lone majority-Black district.
  
  
• The same Trump-appointed judge who previously denied the request will be on the panel.
  
  
• Latest on the case >>>

ICYMI: Missouri court lets GOP run out clock on redistricting fight

• A Missouri state judge handed Republicans yet another delay in a months-long battle challenging a partisan gerrymander that the GOP passed last year.
  
  
• The postponement in this case increases the likelihood that the GOP will defeat opponents of the new map by simply running out the clock.
  
  
• What you missed in Missouri >>>

Coming up tomorrow

• Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Registrar Art Tinoco will file responses as to why the ballots they seized during California’s overwhelmingly approved redistricting referendum last year don't have to be returned.
  
  
• More on the case >>>

Here we share noteworthy briefs on all things voting rights and democracy. Have a footnote for us? Send it to newsletters@democracydocket.com

• Remember yesterday when I said Trump’s “I love the inflation” remarks would be in an ad? Well, it happened way quicker than I expected.
  
  
• Authorities are reportedly investigating how a large outline of “8647” has mysteriously appeared on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Are they crop circles or just someone with extra time on their hands?
  
  
• The Ohio House of Representatives approved a resolution that would amend the state’s constitution to solidify existing photo ID requirements for in-person voting. It will be on the ballot for voter approval in November.
  
  
• Did you know Steve Hilton (R) advanced in California’s gubernatorial primary because Trump applied some “heat” recently as he’s pushed false “rigged” election claims? That’s obviously not true, but it’s what he believes, apparently.
  
  
• Following the Knicks' thrilling comeback win Wednesday night, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) thanked New Yorkers who “blessed” Madison Square Garden – perhaps referring to fans who burned sage outside of it – to get out the “stank vibes” after Trump attended the NBA Finals earlier this week. The Knicks lost the game he was at, ending a very long winning streak.
  
  
• What goes well with protecting mail voting? Eating beans and rating them. Here’s a video of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) doing exactly that.