Throughline The Swing State Power Brokers
Oct 24, 2024
Explore how a future Supreme Court justice helped instigate voter intimidation in Arizona during the 1960s, setting the stage for today's election conspiracies. Discover the powerful political movement sparked by a labor strike of Arab Americans in Michigan, highlighting their rising influence ahead of the 2024 elections. Delve into electoral changes, grassroots activism, and the historical interactions between voter suppression tactics and the fight for civil rights in pivotal swing states.
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Rehnquist's Voter Challenge Allegations
- During William Rehnquist's 1986 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, witnesses testified about his involvement in challenging voters' eligibility in 1960s Phoenix.
- They alleged he questioned voters, sometimes asking them to read from the Constitution, potentially as a form of intimidation.
Legacy of Rehnquist's Election Day Program
- Rehnquist's "election day program" in Arizona evolved into a national strategy.
- This strategy's legacy continues to impact the fight over voting rights and access.
Rehnquist's Early Conservatism
- As a young law clerk, Rehnquist wrote a memo arguing against the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
- He believed integration was a matter of personal choice, not something to be enforced by the federal government.