Trevor Potter
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Articles by Trevor Potter
The Supreme Court’s Striking Regression on Partisan Gerrymandering
2 hours ago He built an empire. It did not last. When Anthony Fauci arrives on Capitol Hill tomorrow to testify before Congress, he will be trailed by a security detail he’s paying for himself. Fauci has been testifying before the nation’s elected officials for roughly four decades now, since his days at the …
What the Latest SCOTUS Rulings Mean for Our Democracy and the Rule of Law
In its 2025-2026 term, the U.S. Supreme Court issued several decisions of critical importance to voters and our elections. Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed legal briefs in connection with each case, urging the justices to uphold the rule of law, the Constitution’s separation of powers, and a more inclusive, transparent and accountable democracy. The results, in the end, are decidedly mixed. The Court deserves little praise for the meager number of pro-democracy rulings it issued.
Democracy at a Crossroads: What America's 250th Anniversary Reveals About Our Future
The 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the great distance our republic and our democracy have traveled, while charting a course for a new era of progress, particularly given the immense strains on our democracy in this moment. This journey began with a decision by a handful of British colonial subjects to declare independence from that empire and the king who ruled it.
SCOTUS Upholds Texas Map, Escalates Gerrymandering Crisis
In the closing weeks of 2025, a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court moved our democracy in the wrong direction by clearing the way for a gerrymandered congressional map in Texas to be in place for the 2026 midterm elections in its Abbott v. LULAC decision. Aside from the fact that the new Texas map illegally discriminates to weaken the voting power of the state’s Black and Latino voters, the Supreme Court’s ruling is deeply problematic on a number of other levels.
The FEC Can’t Do Anything. Congress Should Leave It That Way
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is vital to America’s political process. As theonly federal agency dedicated solely to enforcing election laws, the FEC plays a critical role in protecting voters and maintaining a level playing field for political campaigns. But at this moment, America faces an unfortunate choice: We can have an FEC that does nothing or an FEC that President Trump wields as a partisan weapon against his political opponents.
On the 50th Anniversary of the FEC-Not Much to Celebrate
Fifty years ago, on April 14, 1975, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) opened its doors. Congress passed the law creating the FEC, along with other important reforms,in response to public outrage over campaign finance corruption exposed by the Watergate scandal. Those discoveries included$850,000 in illegal, secret contributions by some of the most prominent corporations in the country to the reelection campaign of President Richard Nixon.
The FEC has opened the floodgates for big money to flood elections. Here’s how we can fix it.
Elections are getting bigger. 2024 was a blockbuster year in campaign spending, shattering the previous record—set just four years prior—as donors across the nation and the economic spectrum swooped in to pull control of every branch of government their way. And they have a newly-powerful tool at their disposal: joint fundraising committees. Joint fundraising committees, or JFCs, are a type of committee that allows for multiple campaigns or groups to work together to raise funds.
On the Question of Crisis
This article was originally published as an edition in CLC President and Founder Trevor Potter’s must-read newsletter, “From the Desk of Trevor Potter.” For more in-depth insights and expert analysis like this delivered right to your inbox, sign up for the newsletter here or on LinkedIn. The Trump administration’s effort to carry out its vision of an all-powerful presidency has started a widespread debate about whether the country is in a constitutional crisis.
Trump’s Corrupt Plan to Fire Federal Workers, Hire Loyalists and Build His Own ‘Deep State’
In his first two weeks in office, President Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to the foundations of our democratic system, tearing apart our apolitical and merit-based career civil service. The new administration has broken every norm, skirting and violating the law to root out non-political federal employees so he can replace them with political loyalists. I have never seen anything like it in my three decades dedicated to promoting an ethical and effective government.
It’s almost Inauguration Day. Will there be any checks on Trump’s power? Original
The president is not a dictator, not on “day one” (as Donald Trump has proclaimed) or on any other day. And voters did not elect Trump to be a dictator. He does not have a mandate to change the Constitution and override the other branches of government to pursue his agenda. In the coming months and years, there is no doubt our government’s system of checks and balances will be tested. But the system can withstand, so long as those who have the duty to check presidential overreach do their jobs.
The Indispensable Role of the JAG Corps in Modern Warfare
In an era defined by artificial intelligence, cyberwarfare, and precision-guided munitions, the U.S. military faces increasingly complex challenges on the battlefield. These challenges are not solely tactical but also legal, ethical, and strategic. Recent comments by Pete Hegseth during his confirmation hearing—referring dismissively to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) as “JAG-offs”—risk undermining public understanding of the critical role military lawyers play in today’s armed forces.
Trump DOGE Picks Musk and Ramaswamy Need to Cut Government, Not Just Waste
President-elect Donald Trump has garnered headlines for proposing a Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, to be run by tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. His proposal to slim down government has already garnered some surprising support across the political spectrum. Trump has said that he wants DOGE to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies. Independent Sen.
Trump Wants to Gut the ‘Deep State.’ But Civil Servants Defend Us All.
One of President-elect Donald Trump’s most alarming threats to democratic norms in his second term – and potentially the most consequential – has gotten almost no attention: his plans to replace civil servants with political loyalists. As a Republican former chairman of the Federal Election Commission who served under Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, I have firsthand experience with how federal agencies respond and adapt to a change in leadership at the White House.
Congress Must Oppose Legislation Threatening to Punish Nonprofits That Disagree With President-Elect Trump
The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on H.R. 9495, dangerous legislation that would give President-elect Donald Trump and his secretary of the Treasury unmitigated power to weaponize the IRS and shut down any tax-exempt organization the administration falsely accuses of wrongdoing.
CLC’s Plan to Fight for Democracy in a Second Trump Era
The 2024 election is over and the country looks to a second term with Donald Trump as president. Voters made their choice in electing Trump. But a vote for Trump is not necessarily a vote against democracy. Though Trump has cited anti-democratic ideals as part of his agenda, his election does not mean voters support him attempting to dismantle democracy.
Every American Has the Same Freedom to Vote, No Matter Where You're Born
Roald Hazelhoff is a father, a grandfather, a U.S. citizen and one of the many qualified voters swept up in Alabama’s illegal voter purge. Just weeks before voters were set to head to the polls, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen implemented an illegal purge program that unfairly and wrongly targeted naturalized U.S. citizens. This purge targeted over 3,200 voters — and even the state of Alabama admitted that more than 2,000 voters should have never been targeted by the program to begin with.
Certification Laws in Red, Blue and Purple States Keep Elections Secure
States across the country — from Kansas to California to Michigan — have updated their election laws to conform with a bipartisan federal law passed by Congress that includes new legal deadlines for casting and counting Electoral College votes. These new state laws add to the many safeguards that help ensure that states conduct their mandatory duty to certify elections on time. Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA), in 2022 with strong bipartisan support.
Easing Anxiety as Election Day Approaches
This article was originally published as an edition CLC President and Founder Trevor Potter’s must-read newsletter, “From the Desk of Trevor Potter.” For more in-depth insights and expert analysis like this delivered right to your inbox this election season and beyond, sign up for the newsletter here or on LinkedIn. On November 5, I will be one of millions of Americans staying up way too late watching news about the results of the 2024 election trickle in.
Voters and democracy would be better off with ranked choice voting Original
Exploring critical issues facing our democracy and searching for solutions. Americans have ample reason to be concerned about democracy these days, and worries about misinformation, voter access and more are common as the November election approaches. Even so, it’s also an exciting time for democracy. Efforts to make our elections more responsive to voters are gaining momentum, offering hope for a political system that better serves everyone.
We Voted, Now What? How the President Is Elected
Every four years in November, Americans head to the polls to elect a president and vice president of the United States. But what happens between the time everyone’s votes are cast and when the next president takes the oath of office on Jan. 20? A federal law, the Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA), lays out the procedures for finalizing the election during this period.
Democracy Decoded Launches Season 4 Packed With Election Information
With the 2024 election right around the corner, all eyes are on the systems in place that ensure our elections are safe, secure and accurate. Season 4 of Campaign Legal Center’s award-winning Democracy Decoded will do a deep dive into the tried and tested systems and the checks and balances that make our elections run smoothly. Democracy Decoded thoughtfully examines our government and discusses innovative ideas that could lead to a stronger, more transparent, accountable and inclusive democracy.
Protecting Alabamians from Illegal Voter Purges
Our democracy works best when every voter can participate. Even though every American regardless of where they are born has the freedom to vote, recent voter purges — including in Alabama — are threatening American citizens’ freedom to vote and targeting naturalized citizens.
A Forecast for the 2024 Election Season
This article was originally published as an edition CLC President and Founder Trevor Potter’s must-read newsletter, “From the Desk of Trevor Potter.” For more in-depth insights and expert analysis like this delivered right to your inbox this election season and beyond, sign up for the newsletter here or on LinkedIn. The last few months have taught us all how difficult it might be to forecast what will happen between now and Election Day.
Insider Perspective: Getting to Know Your Local Election Officials
Election officials are our neighbors and friends who dedicate long hours before, during and after Election Day to ensure our elections are safe, secure and accurate. Campaign Legal Center (CLC) spoke with Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and Kent County, Michigan Clerk Lisa Lyons about the important role of election officials and poll workers. They spoke about the many checks and balances in our system that make sure our elections are fair and accurate.
Can Georgia's Election Board Refuse to Certify Results? The Law Says No
While the legality of the new regulations adopted by Georgia’s State Election Board is yet to be determined, one thing is clear: Georgia officials are required by law to certify the election results, regardless of who the winner is. The state board faced scrutiny over recently passed rules that allow county election boards to conduct a "reasonable inquiry," before certifying the election results. This ill-defined rule could cause confusion and potentially create delays in the election process.
What Does the U.S. Supreme Court’s Recent Arizona Decision Mean for Voters?
Surprise! The U.S. Supreme Court issued an eleventh-hour ruling on Arizona’s election practices and it has already created confusion for voters and election officials alike. On the bright side, the Supreme Court’s ruling means over 40,000 already-registered Arizona voters can vote in all federal elections — including for president and by mail. This is a crucial victory and cannot be understated as over 40,000 voters will retain their freedom to vote in this year’s crucial elections.
Who Are Election Officials, and What Do They Do?
Election officials are the everyday Americans who administer our elections, keeping our democracy safe and secure. They undergo extensive training to make sure the necessary rules and laws are followed as they impartially conduct elections. Election officials regularly test voting machines and election equipment, often in view of the public, to ensure that the final results will be accurate.
Alabama’s New, Backward Law Would Silence Voters with Felony Convictions
Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is representing two Alabama voters with past felony convictions in a lawsuit challenging a new law that could deprive many Alabamians of their freedom to vote in the 2024 election. The bill, H.B. 100, states that it will go into effect on October 1, 2024, just over a month before the election. The law effectively adds over 120 felonies to Alabama’s so-called list of “crimes of moral turpitude,” which take away a person’s right to vote.
False Claims of Noncitizen Voting Harm Our Democracy
Our democracy flourishes when all Americans can exercise their fundamental freedom to vote. Yet false claims of mass noncitizen voting — dangerous fabrications which have been increasing in frequency — are often used to justify attempts to roll back Americans’ freedom to vote, to divide us, and to sow distrust in our elections. According to multiple analyses from sources across the political spectrum, instances of noncitizens attempting to vote are exceedingly rare.
Our Strict Laws Ensure Only U.S. Citizens Vote In Federal Elections
Our democracy flourishes when all Americans can exercise their freedom to vote, no matter where they were born. Our elections are run locally, by members of our own communities, who work hard to make sure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. As a result of these efforts, voters can trust that our elections are safe, secure and accurate. There are already strict laws in place that ensure only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections.
The Anti-‘Rock the Vote’ Movement
YOUNG VOTERS ARE AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT political force—when they vote. Hardly a week goes by without another headline highlighting their influence, and the data bear it out: The 2022 election cycle saw record-high youth turnout in some states, and more Gen Z candidates are running for office and winning. Even former President Donald Trump recognizes this. Just a couple of weeks ago, he published a Newsweekop-ed courting young voters.
The Supreme Court’s new ‘code’ does nothing to enhance ethics
On Nov. 13, the Supreme Court of the United States adopted a “Code of Conduct” for the first time in its history. This long overdue move is a clear reaction to growing public outrage stemming from a series of ethics scandals involving the justices, including failures to disclose lavish gifts and travel, special access for wealthy interest groups and potential misuse of judicial resources for personal gain.
How to safeguard democracy from AI disinformation — in 2024 and beyond
The 2024 presidential election is officially one year away, which means voters will soon face a familiar flood of campaign ads seeking to influence their choices at the ballot box — that is, if they’re not seeing them already. This is a well-established routine in American politics, and voters are used to parsing through these messages while deciding how to vote.
Saurav Ghosh and Aaron McKean: How candidates and special interests sneak around the law
Philadelphia, where our democracy was forged, recently took a pioneering step to safeguard the integrity of city elections. It could become a model for limiting the influence of special interests in our politics. This September, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics adopted a measure to end "redboxing," a tactic that candidates and super PACs increasingly use to coordinate their spending while evading campaign finance rules crafted to prevent corruption in our elections.
Count Every Vote, So Every Vote Counts
On Election Day, millions of Americans fulfill their civic duty to vote. Millions more will have already cast their ballot, either early or by mail, before Election Day. It may take a while – from a few days to a few weeks – to count all those ballots, but we need to be patient for our democracy to work for all of us. A hallmark of our democracy is that every vote counts, and that means we must count every vote.
Frivolous Mass Challenges to Voter Eligibility Damaging to Democracy
Election officials across the country are extraordinarily busy in the weeks leading up to the general election, with many administrative and logistical tasks to complete to ensure that elections in their communities run smoothly and securely.
The Supreme Court Needs to Start Standing Up for Democracy
The United States Supreme Court depends uniquely on maintaining its perceived legitimacy among the American people as an institution acting based on law, not political preferences. But as the Court embarks on another term in October, its perceived legitimacy has taken a major hit. One cause of this loss of respect is widespread disagreement with key decisions reached last term – particularly overruling Roe v. Wade.
The urgent need to update the Electoral Count Act
“I was slipping in people’s blood.” That was the testimony of Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who defended the U.S. Capitol against a harrowing attack on our country on Jan. 6, 2021. In what she described as a “war scene,” Edwards sustained multiple injuries after being tear gassed, pepper sprayed and knocked unconscious. She endured this in defense of our democracy, on the day that Congress gathered to finalize the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Why the U.S. Needs Equitable Access to In-Person Voting
Voters deserve to have an equal opportunity to cast their ballots safely and effectively. In-person voting is the most popular method for voting in U.S. elections, and in some states, the only method of voting for the majority of voters. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, over half of voters — 54% — voted in person during the 2020 general election.
If the FEC won’t protect voters, the courts should - but it might be up to Congress Original
I was a Republican commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from 1991 to 1995. During that time, for the most part, at least, the FEC functioned as designed: the commission of three Democrats and three Republicans worked collaboratively to ensure agency operation and even-handed enforcement of campaign laws. My bipartisan team led what was then, and still is, the only government agency whose sole responsibility is overseeing the integrity of political campaigns.
This Arizona bill could keep you from voting early, by mail or for president
For years I was a Republican election lawyer. I served as the chair of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) under George H. W. Bush after working as the deputy general counsel of his presidential campaign. I was also Sen. John McCain’s lawyer for both of his presidential campaigns.
Court Orders FEC to Act on CLC’s Allegations Against Heritage Action
A district court declared that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has illegally failed to act for more than three years on Campaign Legal Center’s (CLC) “supported” and “credible” allegations that secret money group Heritage Action violated campaign finance laws. As the court explained, CLC’s “allegations outline a legitimate threat to the health of our electoral processes.” Under the order, the FEC must act on those allegations within 30 days.
Trevor Potter: Future of self-government depends on campaign finance amendment
The candidates in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, and their super PACs, are raising huge money: up to $50 million so far, with that total projected to increase to record levels as we approach the November election. Those millions of dollars mean Pennsylvanians are in for a very loud and contentious election season, with outside money working to influence the vote. For instance, one California mega-donor has already spent $1 million supporting Democratic candidate Josh Shapiro.
Cracks in the System on Apple Podcasts
18 min Joined by Trevor Potter, president of Campaign Legal Center and a Republican Former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, host Simone Leeper breaks down the basics of America’s campaign finance system. At the root of their discussion is an examination of how illegal coordinated campaign spending occurs, and why it has not been properly addressed.
CLC and ACLU Kansas Sue State Over Gerrymandered Congressional Map
Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas, in partnership with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, filed suit on Feb. 14, 2022 challenging the Kansas congressional redistricting plan as a partisan and racial gerrymander. Contrary to the Kansas Constitution’s robust equality and speech protections, the Kansas legislature passed a partisan and racially gerrymandered map through a rushed and opaque process.
Should We Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stocks?
The undeniable truth is that sunlight alone will not disinfect the congressional stock trading problem. The first 10 years of the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act proved that stock trading disclosure laws without stock trading restrictions make the problem worse, which means reform is inevitable. Comparing the repercussions from compliance and noncompliance with the STOCK Act demonstrates the fatal flaw of relying on a disclosure-only law to combat insider trading.
Senate Vote on Voting Rights Failed, But the Fight Cannot Be Over
The night of Jan. 19, 2022 was a disappointing night for all who have been fighting for the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (H.R. 5746) — a critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening our democracy that failed in a U.S. Senate vote. Indeed, this month and this past year have been rough for everyone who cares about the freedom to vote.
Partisan Actors’ Plans in Wisconsin Pose a Direct Threat To Our Elections
Moves by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-W.I.) and others in his state to undermine a bipartisan elections agency and threaten its members with legal action are part of a concerning and ongoing trend that, if left unchecked, stands to sabotage the American electoral process. In recent months, partisan attempts to undermine legitimate and fair American elections have found shocking amounts of support and gained a concerning amount of traction.
Our Democracy Wins When We Have Accessible Voting and High Turnout
There has been lots of analysis of last week’s election results in the Virginia governor’s race, but one takeaway from the Virginia results is hugely important and deserves more attention — with potentially groundbreaking ramifications for democracy. Virginia Republicans won in an environment with historically large voter turnout and new pro-voter Virginia voting laws.
The parts of Manchin's voting act you haven't heard about
In September, a group of key Senate Democrats led by Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSchumer frustrates GOP, Manchin with fiery debt ceiling speech Senate approves short-term debt ceiling increase Overnight Energy & Environment — Biden set to restore national monuments rolled back by Trump MORE (D-W.Va.), introduced a serious commonsense piece of legislation aimed at making our electoral system work better in targeted ways that deserve bipartisan support.
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