Digital Democracy

Digital Democracy is a weekly column that explains the legislation that is captivating the internet. It runs on Tuesdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. If you want to read this column before everyone else, sign up for the newsletter here.

Baltimore Baby Bonus Fund

Baltimore’s Baby Bonus ballot measure is in turmoil

Baltimore’s mayor filed a lawsuit against the fund, sparking a ton of criticism online.

On Jul 24, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Arkansas’ abortion ballot amendment fiasco

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) drew a ton of criticism for her statement about the situation.

On Jul 17, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

California water budget

‘Dystopian nightmare’: Water budget deemed ‘woke’ by the far-right

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has garnered right-wing backlash over the past year.

On Jul 10, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Chicago Mayor gets backlash for Black Reparations Task Force executive order

Chicago Mayor gets backlash for Black Reparations Task Force executive order

The task force is getting criticism from all sides.

On Jun 26, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

A person voting next to President Joe Biden.

A 2021 Biden executive order is being accused of election fraud—there’s just one problem

Receiving voter registration materials doesn’t make someone eligible to vote.

On Jun 19, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Florida’s Board of Ed decided to keep curriculum about benefits of slavery

‘Disgraceful’: Florida’s Board of Ed decided to keep curriculum about benefits of slavery

‘Sounds about white.’

On Jun 5, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

lab-grown meat

‘So much for free market capitalism huh?’: Is Alabama’s lab-grown meat ban a harbinger of ‘big government?’ Some think so

Bans like the Alabama law feel like a government overstep to some, and one that interferes too much with free market capitalism.

On May 22, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Missouri child marriage ban

‘Hypocrisy’: Missouri Republicans criticized for supporting child marriage but not abortion

One X user called child marriage ‘an odd f**king hill to die on.’

On May 15, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

George Floyd settlement

Historic settlement in George Floyd murder attracts backlash

Despite the gravity of police brutality, people online still don’t take Floyd’s death seriously.

On May 8, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

black mans hand in a power fist gesture with splash of red green and yellow color on a black background for Juneteenth

Alabama bill proposes workers choose between celebrating Juneteenth or Confederate president

‘Alabama allows state workers to reveal that they’re racist through choice of holidays.’

On May 1, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Tennessee senate anti-trans bill

‘Absolutely horrifying’: Tennessee bill punishing adults who give minors gender-affirming care faces backlash

LGBTQ advocates worry that the bill—if made into law—would criminalize providing youth with information about gender-affirming services in addition to the actual care itself.

On Apr 24, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Nebraska state Senator John Fredrickson

A Nebraska State Senator convinced his colleagues to vote against an anti-trans bill

State Senator John Fredrickson, Nebraska’s first out gay representative, gave a speech about the bill in opposition to it.

On Apr 17, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Alabama vote provokes Trump video

Alabama IVF vote provokes Trump video addressing abortion

Trump’s tepid position angered Congressional Republicans, too.

On Apr 10, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

TN leg vacates board of HBCU

‘Draconian’: The GOP-led Tennessee House slashed the board of the state’s only public HBCU

Tennessee House member Justin J. Pearson said board vacation was an ‘authoritarian and draconian [effort].’

On Apr 3, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins

Cattle ear tagging

Who knew a provision about cattle identification was so controversial?

The panic surrounding cattle identification was reignited by a a right-wing X account with over 300,000 followers.

On Mar 27, 2024 by Tricia Crimmins