The DSR Network Words Matter: Our Chances for Restoring Our Democracy are Hanging by a Thread
Feb 26, 2026
Norm Ornstein, political scholar known for his long study of Congress and democratic institutions. He warns about the SAVE Act and threats to mail voting. They debate uses of foreign interference claims and pressure to end the filibuster. They also flag looming Supreme Court shifts and urgent steps states may need to protect ballots.
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Foreign Interference Used As Pretext To Control Elections
- The White House is exploring using alleged foreign interference as a pretext to seize control of elections.
- Norm Ornstein warns a circulated memo proposes banning mail-in ballots and federal takeover after claiming Chinese meddling in 2020, which the intelligence community did not find.
SAVE Act Effects Would Be Massive Voter Purges
- The SAVE Act is framed as voter integrity but functions as large-scale voter suppression.
- Norm details requirements like passport-level ID, embossed birth certificates, forced re-registration, and DHS-controlled flawed software with ~14% error rates that would purge millions.
Filibuster Change Is A High Stakes Tradeoff
- The filibuster debate is strategic, not merely procedural, and changing it carries long-term risks.
- Norm prefers shifting burden to the minority (41 to continue debate) but warns removing it now could enable permanent anti-democratic laws like the SAVE Act.