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Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Democracy Docket
Voting Rights
Donald Trump
Republican Party
January 6th Insurrection
14th Amendment
Voting Rights Act
Supreme Court
Gerrymandering
2024 Elections
Republican National Committee
Voter Suppression
Abortion Rights
Democracy
North Carolina
Democratic Party
Arizona
Mail-In Voting
Afl-Cio
Redistricting
Texas Voting Rights

Every week, election lawyer Marc Elias interviews lawmakers, policy leaders and changemakers about the problems facing our democracy and how we fix them.

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Artwork for Defending Democracy

Latest Episodes

Republicans are trying to make it harder for your mail-in ballot to count. Marc Elias breaks down Watson v. RNC, the Supreme Court case that could wipe out hundreds of thousands of votes in 2026, and reveals the bombshell hiding in the 2000 election ... more

George Conway — former Republican lawyer, Trump critic, and congressional candidate in NY-12 — sits down with Marc Elias to discuss the state of American democracy, Trump's authoritarian tactics, and what we can do to stop him.

Conway argues that ev... more

YouTube

The SAVE America Act isn't about securing free and fair elections — it's actually the opposite. It’s about stealing the 2026 midterms. Marc Elias breaks down exactly how this voter suppression bill works, and why millions of Americans could lose thei... more

YouTube

The DOJ is sitting on half of the Epstein Files — and Congressman Robert Garcia says that's no accident. It's a cover-up, and Trump is leading it.

Rep. Garcia joins Marc Elias to break down where the Epstein investigation stands: who's been subpoena... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Tim Miller
Former Republican operative, host of The Bulwark podcast
The Bulwark
Episode: Republicans Know Trump Will Destroy Democracy — And Don't Care | Tim Miller
Roy Cooper
Governor of North Carolina and former attorney general, running for U.S. Senate
North Carolina Government
Episode: Senate Showdown: Democrats' Best Shot vs. GOP's Biggest Election Denier | Gov. Roy Cooper
Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator from Oregon and advocate for democracy.
U.S. Senate
Episode: Inside The Plan To Weaponize The Military Against Us | Sen. Jeff Merkley
Nicholas Stephanopoulos
Professor at Harvard Law School and expert on election law, particularly redistricting and gerrymandering.
Harvard Law School
Episode: SCOTUS Poised To Greenlight GOP Maps | Nick Stephanopoulos
Dahlia Lithwick
Senior editor at Slate and host of the award-winning podcast, Amicus.
Slate
Episode: The Shadow Docket: Democracy's Silent Killer | Dahlia Lithwick
Mary McCord
Professor at Georgetown Law School and former Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
Georgetown Law School
Episode: Exposing the DOJ's Dangerous Corruption | Mary McCord
Cory Booker
U.S. Senator from New Jersey, known for his advocacy on civil rights and social justice, and delivered the longest floor speech in Senate history.
United States Senate
Episode: The Silent Threat To Democracy (And How We Stop It) | Sen. Cory Booker
Steven Levitsky
Harvard professor and leading expert on democratic collapse
Harvard University
Episode: Harvard Professor Explains Death of American Democracy | Steven Levitsky
Ruben Gallego
A Marine veteran and Arizona's newest US Senator, influential voice in the Democratic Party.
Episode: Republicans Are Afraid of Trump | Sen. Ruben Gallego

Host

Marc Elias
Host and election lawyer, discussing issues related to democracy and electoral processes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 757 ratings
  • Best episode yet

    The episode on the SAVE act is one of Marc's finest yet. It's mind boggling how the Republicans think they can get away with what they are planning to do. This should remind everyone of the poll taxes that were imposed to disenfranchise poor (black) communities from participating in democracy. Now it's (married) women, students, and those too busy or not affluent enough to put up with whatever rule-of-the-day they see supposed to follow. Voting is a right, my fellow citizens. The government, unl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kid Rock C
    United Statesa month ago
  • You’re America’s gem!

    Thank you for all the work you do to help our democracy. Because of ppl like you, I think America is starting to wake you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MMDeLong
    United Statesa month ago
  • Exposing DOJ

    Marc, you are right about everything you said. You are a brave hero for all of us. And don’t forget to mention news wise on YouTube “To the Contrary” with Charlie Sykes. Great independent news there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GaMtnGrl
    United States2 months ago
  • Yes, we need DemDoc

    Absolutely love the show. We need this, and I hope you go as hard as you can on this path. Thank you for your work. We have jumped the shark, like the post civil war period all over….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    No son of Adam
    United States2 months ago
  • Marc!

    Champion guy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cpatel05
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many highlight Marc Elias's expertise and articulate presentation style, making legal issues more accessible to the general public.
The show is often described as essential listening for those who value democratic rights and seek to stay informed about electoral challenges and reforms.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth explanations of complex legal topics related to voting and democracy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump's Epstein Cover-Up Is Falling Apart | Rep. Robert Garcia
Q: What is the current status of the Epstein files and the DOJ's role?
Garcia explains that roughly half of the Epstein files have been released by the DOJ, with the other half reportedly in DOJ possession and not yet released, and he criticizes the lack of full transparency and interagency communication.
Senate Showdown: Democrats' Best Shot vs. GOP's Biggest Election Denier | Gov. Roy Cooper
Q: What is your assessment of your opponent and the influence of outside money in this race?
He portrays the opponent as a vocal election denier and a vehicle for dark money, contrasting that with his own record of defending democracy and urging supporters to fund and promote the campaign to counter mis/disinformation.
Senate Showdown: Democrats' Best Shot vs. GOP's Biggest Election Denier | Gov. Roy Cooper
Q: How do you plan to translate state-level lessons on checks and balances into a role in the U.S. Senate?
He argues for restoring congressional authority over budget, war powers, and trade decisions, warning against executive overreach and stressing the need for a Senate that actively reasserts its constitutional powers to safeguard democracy.
Senate Showdown: Democrats' Best Shot vs. GOP's Biggest Election Denier | Gov. Roy Cooper
Q: Tell us about the three critical experiences you highlighted as essential to understanding the fight for democracy in North Carolina.
The guest cites his tenure as attorney general, his battles against the partisan legislature, and his efforts while governor against the voter suppression and power grabs, arguing these experiences show a consistent commitment to voting rights and separation of powers.
Republicans PLOTTING to Make It Impossible to Vote | Rep. Greg Landsman
Q: Were you surprised that no Republican voted against the Save America Act?
I was very surprised because they've convinced themselves that it's a necessary measure.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Defending Democracy

What is Defending Democracy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the challenges and solutions related to democracy, this podcast engages listeners with expert interviews featuring lawmakers, policy leaders, and influential figures. Topics of discussion often include voter suppression, election integrity, and the implications of legislative measures, particularly those emerging from the current political landscape. Marc Elias, an experienced election lawyer, provides informed commentary and analysis, enriching the dialogue with his legal expertise. The podcast uniquely combines legal inquiry with current events, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and defending democratic principles in the United States.

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Which podcasts are similar to Defending Democracy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Defending Democracy:

1. Main Justice
2. The Bulwark Podcast
3. Stay Tuned with Preet
4. The Best People with Nicolle Wallace
5. The Rachel Maddow Show

How many episodes of Defending Democracy are there?

Defending Democracy launched 3 years ago and published 205 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Defending Democracy?

Recent guests on Defending Democracy include:

1. Tim Miller
2. Roy Cooper
3. Jeff Merkley
4. Nicholas Stephanopoulos
5. Dahlia Lithwick
6. Mary McCord
7. Cory Booker
8. Steven Levitsky

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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