The fight over voting rights

This week, Senate Republicans blocked a major voting rights bill. We'll talk about the bill, what options remain for Democrats, and how to protect the right to vote.

Listen 49:00
Early voters line up to cast their ballots at the South Regional Library polling location in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Early voters line up to cast their ballots at the South Regional Library polling location in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

This week, a major voting rights bill was blocked by Senate Republicans for a third time this year. All 50 Republican senators voted against even debating the measure, arguing it was federal overreach. The legislation, which was a compromise led by Senator Joe Manchin, included expanding early voting, making election day a national holiday, banning partisan gerrymandering, strengthening election security, and requiring voter I.D.. In this hour, how to protect voting at a time when more states are imposing restrictive voting laws. And what options are left for Democrats trying to protect the vote – kill the filibuster? Mother Jones reporter ARI BERMAN and the Brennan Center’s WENDY WEISER joins us.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal