Each week, MS NOW legal analyst Andrew Weissmann, co-host of our “Main Justice” podcast, answers legal questions from our audience in our MS NOW Membership exclusive series, “Answers with Andrew Weissmann.”

In light of the volume of audience questions about the midterm elections, including about voting and election procedures, this week Weissmann invited former Maricopa County recorder Stephen Richer to join him on the show for an election-focused conversation. Richer, a Republican, oversaw voter registration and other aspects of elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, from January 2021 to January 2025.

In the video above, Weissmann and Richer discuss options for people preparing to vote — plan in advance and go early, they advise — and what to do if voters are concerned they have witnessed harassment or that their ballot isn’t being recorded properly.

Eight tips for people preparing to vote:

• Stay in line if the polls close; you are entitled to cast your vote if you are in line before the closing time.

• Every state is different — know your state’s voting laws (even things like rules on handing out water to people in line).

• Some states require photo ID and some do not.

• If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.

• If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.

• If you run into problems at the polls, report it to a poll worker or call 866-OUR-VOTE.

• Sending armed federal agents, including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to election sites is illegal. Federal law and many states’ laws prohibit not only armed federal agents at polling sites but also interference in elections or voter intimidation by any officials or private citizens.

• You are not required to know how to speak, read or write English to vote. The Voting Rights Act guarantees you the right to bring an assister or translator of your choice when voting as long as they are not your employer or a labor union representative.

Become an MS NOW Member to watch all of Weissmann’s answers, get the chance to submit your own questions and explore full episodes of all the MS NOW Membership exclusive series.

The post Stressing about heading to the polls? Here are tips for preparing to vote. appeared first on MS NOW.

Each week, MS NOW legal analyst Andrew Weissmann, co-host of our “Main Justice” podcast, answers legal questions from our audience in our MS NOW Membership exclusive series, “Answers with Andrew Weissmann.”

In the video above, Weissmann addresses a question from MS NOW Member Linda S. from Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida: “Can Congress stop Trump from purchasing diesel from Russia?” Watch for Weissmann’s insights on the statute Congress passed to address this issue — and his view of which branch of government isn’t functioning.

Other reader questions Weissmann addressed this week:

• Although Trump has immunity, I thought that it only pertains to his official duties as president; not personal wealth or personal crimes not associated with the duties of his position. Is that correct? — Barbara W. from West Jordan, Utah
• Since the SCOTUS6 ruled that the president has immunity for anything he does in his position as president, how can he be impeached? Do we the people have any recourse? — Chaiah J.
• The president has wide pardon powers. If he pardons someone for financial crimes, can the funds be reclaimed by the government (assuming a different party takes back the White House)? — Thomas L. from Tennessee

• U.S. attorneys’ offices are divided between a criminal and civil division. Do the president’s pardons eliminate the DOJ Civil Division’s ability to go after individuals once Trump leaves office? — Mike S. from Basking Ridge, New Jersey

• I’m asking about the DOJ’s longstanding, unspoken practices — for example, avoiding prosecutorial action before an election. Clearly, these practices ought to be turned into policies or law. So what is required in order for that to take place? Should it be Congress, the DOJ or someone else? — Peggy C.

• When President Trump publicly contradicts his own administration’s arguments in court, as we’ve seen with the D.C. golf courses, do government attorneys have an obligation to correct the record, even if doing so undermines their case? And is Trump’s own behavior ultimately undermining the broader conservative legal effort to expand presidential power? — MS NOW Member

Become an MS NOW Member to watch all of Weissmann’s answers, get the chance to submit your own questions and explore full episodes of all the MS NOW Membership exclusive series.

The post Can Congress stop Trump from buying Russian diesel fuel? appeared first on MS NOW.