The Electorette Podcast

As The Electorette returns with a new season, there was only one place to start: the front lines of civil liberties. In this episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner is joined by Deirdre Schifeling, Chief Political & Advocacy Officer at the American Civil Liberties Union, for a wide-ranging and urgent conversation about what Trump’s second term really represents—not chaos, but a calculated “shock and awe” strategy designed to overwhelm the law, the courts, and the public. They discuss the ACLU’s unprecedented legal response, the escalating attacks on immigrant communities, and why the Supreme Court’s upcoming birthright citizenship case could fundamentally redefine what it means to be American. Deirdre also explains how coordinated legal and civic pressure can slow executive overreach, why public engagement still matters in moments like this, and what people can do right now to meaningfully defend civil liberties and the rule of law. Mentioned in this episode: Firewall For Freedom: States Must Safeguard Our Rights Stop ICE's Attack On Our Communities Episode Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 — Season Return & Why the ACLU Now Jen kicks off the new season of The Electorette and explains why beginning with the ACLU is both urgent and necessary. 02:00 — “Shock and Awe” as a Governing Strategy Deirdre Schifeling explains why the current moment isn’t chaos, but a deliberate strategy designed to overwhelm the law and civil society. 06:30 — The Scale of the ACLU’s Legal Response How the ACLU mobilized immediately—and what it means to file hundreds of legal actions in a single year. 09:30 — Immigration Enforcement, Due Process, and Escalation A look at aggressive immigration tactics, racial profiling, and why conditions may intensify as new funding takes effect. 14:30 — Public Backlash and the Limits of Fear Politics Why demonizing immigrant communities has consequences—and where public resistance is already visible. 18:30 — Are the Courts Holding Up? An assessment of how the judicial system is responding, where it’s working, and where the risks remain. 22:30 — Birthright Citizenship and the Supreme Court Test Why the birthright citizenship case is so consequential—and what’s at stake for the Constitution if it fails. 28:30 — What Birthright Citizenship Really Means Historical context on why birthright citizenship exists and how it defines American equality. 33:30 — Executive Power and the Role of the Courts How recent court decisions have expanded executive authority—and where guardrails are most needed. 38:30 — What Comes Next for Civil Liberties Looking ahead: where pressure points are likely to emerge and how rights are most vulnerable. 42:30 — Civic Engagement Beyond the Courts How public participation, organizing, and legal advocacy intersect outside electoral politics. 46:30 — The ACLU’s “Firewall for Freedom” Strategy How state and local governments can act as safeguards—and what that looks like in practice. 51:30 — What Individuals Can Do Right Now Concrete ways people can support civil liberties, engage locally, and stay involved. 55:30 — Final Thoughts & The Work Ahead Closing reflections on this moment, the long view, and why sustained engagement matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Washington stalls, governors are governing. How Democratic governors became the nation’s problem-solvers—and why this year’s races could redefine Democratic momentum heading into 2026. In this episode, Ofirah Yheskel of the Democratic Governors Association joins Jen Taylor-Skinner to break down the critical gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey—where Democratic women candidates could flip key seats and make history. They discuss why governors have become the front line in protecting healthcare, reproductive rights, and democracy itself, and how this election could set the tone for Democrats heading into 2026. Episode Chapters (00:00) Democratic Governors and the 2021 Election Democratic governors are stepping up to protect reproductive rights, accessible healthcare, and counteract Trump's policies in critical races. (08:41) Democratic Governors Democratic governors' impact on key issues, contrast with Republican counterparts, upcoming elections, and call to action for involvement with Democratic Governors Association. #GovernorsRace #VirginiaElection #NewJerseyElection #AbortionAccess #EconomicJustice #LeadershipMatters #TheElectorette #ElectorettePodcast #WomenInPolitics #DemocraticGovernors #OfirahYheskel #DGA #JenTaylorSkinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 Test Run: Inside the state races that will signal where power—and reproductive rights—are headed next. The next election cycle is not business as usual. With reproductive rights hanging in the balance and pro-choice women candidates facing historic headwinds, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Jessica Mackler, president of EMILYs List, about the crucial upcoming contests—from deeply vulnerable states in the South to a pivotal race in New Jersey. Together, they explore how these elections shape the future of power, policy, and progress for women, families, and democracy itself. Episode Chapters (00:00) The Electorate Virginia's upcoming elections hold critical stakes for reproductive rights, with a focus on the gubernatorial race and EMILY's List-endorsed candidates. (09:18) Women Candidates Addressing Economic Hardship Protecting rights in elections, women candidates' leadership, economic concerns for women voters, and Emily's List's support. (19:34) Reproductive Rights and Virginia Elections Reproductive rights, cost of living, and electing pro-choice women are crucial in upcoming elections for restoring power to the people. (25:34) Virginia Campaigning and Election Strategies Campaign contributions and voter participation are crucial in the Virginia state Senate race, supporting Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi. #AbigailSpanberger #MikieSherrill #WinsomeEarlSears #VirginiaElections #NewJerseyElections #VAElection2025 #NJElection2025 #VirginiaVotes #NewJerseyVotes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women have been shaping American politics since its beginning — organizing movements, expanding rights, and redefining leadership at every turn. But over the past decade, that long struggle has collided with a new wave of visibility and backlash. ⁠Emerge is now recruiting the class of 2026⁠ From the raw sexism of 2016, to the record-breaking “pink wave” of 2018, to the post-2024 debate over whether women are even electable, the story of women in politics reveals how deeply gender still defines power in America. In this episode, A’shanti Gholar, President and CEO of Emerge, traces that arc — and explains why women aren’t stepping back. She calls it the Kamala Effect: the surge of women still running, organizing, and leading despite unprecedented hostility. We talk about what that resilience looks like — from local campaigns and judicial races to the national fight for representation — and what it means to “lock in” as we head into the next wave of elections. Emerge came directly out of Kamala Harris' first run for office in the early 2000s. Watch ⁠here⁠. If you’ve ever wondered whether women can still change the direction of American democracy, this episode is both a roadmap and a signal to lock in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s really keeping Americans from the ballot box? In this urgent conversation, Rebekah Caruthers, President and CEO of the Fair Elections Center, breaks down the invisible “friction” that pushes voters out of the process—confusing and state-by-state registration rules, ID and signature hurdles (especially for Gen Z without DMV records), voter roll purges, and a rising climate of fear fed by mis- and disinformation. We go inside states like Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Tennessee to see how policy choices—and lawsuits—shape who gets to participate. Caruthers reframes “voter apathy,” argues that democracy requires both contestation and participation, and offers clear, immediate steps: check your registration often, learn your state’s rules, and show up in every election—not just the big ones. If you’ve ever wondered whether we can still have free and fair elections, this episode is a master class in how to protect them. Conversation takeaways Why registration is harder than it looks (AVR/online systems still hinge on DMV signatures). How roll purges and mid-decade redistricting depress participation. The role of fear, misinformation, and new criminal penalties around helping voters. Why local races (school boards, utilities, county commissions) impact daily life the most. Practical steps to safeguard your vote—and your community’s. Chapters (00:00) Barriers to Voting Registration and Turnout Voter suppression, civic participation, and innovative approaches to voter registration discussed in relation to fair elections. (11:37) Defending and Facilitating Voting Rights Participating in every election strengthens democracy, but challenges like voter purges and misconceptions persist. (21:22) Importance of Voting in Local Elections Understanding voter apathy, the power of local elections, and the urgency of political engagement in shaping democracy. (27:45) Challenges in Voting Rights Legislation Voting rights in the US, civic education, state laws, barriers for returning citizens, and the need for action. (43:41) Importance of Physical Document Ownership Having a physical copy of the Constitution allows for direct engagement with primary sources and avoids potential misinformation from digital versions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices