As the legal frameworks governing civil rights and democratic institutions face ongoing challenges, understanding how these systems operate within the courts is critical for active civic engagement.
For the latest episode of The Legal Lens podcast, I had the privilege of welcoming Attorney Skye Perryman to the show. Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, policy, and research.
We recorded this episode while both attending the American Association for Justice Conference in Chicago, where Perryman was honored with the Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award. I also had the honor of attending the Public Justice 44th Annual Pillars of Justice Dinner, where I had a chance to meet in person past Legal Lens guest Lauren Barnes, the newly appointed President & CEO of Public Justice.
Together, Perryman and I explore Perryman’s background, the founding and mission of Democracy Forward, the organization’s current federal litigation docket, and her perspectives on the state of voting rights ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Listen to the full conversation with Skye Perryman below:
Navigating the Episode: Time Stamps
- 03:32: Skye’s Personal “Why”: The Power of Ordinary People
- 07:40: The Founding and Mission of Democracy Forward
- 14:16: Defining Democracy vs. a Democratic Republic
- 20:25: The Roots of Democratic Backsliding and Polarization
- 26:51: Democracy Forward’s Active Litigation Docket
- 30:44: The State of Voting Rights and Louisiana v. Callais
- 32:25: The 100 Days of Action Campaign and Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times
Meet Skye Perryman
Skye Perryman is a highly decorated litigator and executive leader who has built a career balancing robust corporate practice with extensive public interest work.
A graduate of Baylor University and the Georgetown University Law Center, Perryman was a founding member of the legal team for Democracy Forward. Prior to returning as its CEO, she served as the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), leading significant legal efforts in the healthcare field. She was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine in 2025.
The Power of Ordinary People
Our conversation began by exploring the motivations that drive Perryman’s career. Growing up in Waco, Texas, she observed early on that individual community members are often the primary force for societal change. While she expresses a deep love for litigation and the court system, Perryman emphasizes that lasting progress relies on the collective efforts of everyday people.
“I’ve always tried to be one of those people that just uses the tools that I have… Using the tools that I have in order to try to make the future better than the past and the future better than the present.”
— Skye Perryman
The Founding and Mission of Democracy Forward
Perryman explained that Democracy Forward was founded as an “emergency project” in 2017 in response to what organizers viewed as unprecedented threats to democratic systems and marginalized communities. Today, the organization boasts a team of 200 full-time staff members and has filed hundreds of cases against the current administration.
While the organization frequently litigates against the Trump-Vance administration, Perryman stresses that Democracy Forward is strictly nonpartisan. She asserts that their legal actions are motivated by a commitment to the U.S. Constitution, noting that they would pursue litigation against any administration — regardless of political affiliation — that they believe is abusing executive power.
According to Perryman, relying on the courts is essential because the Constitution does not defend itself; it requires individuals and legal advocates willing to take action to enforce it.
What We Really Mean When We Say America Is a Democracy
When examining civic participation and constitutional law, Perryman emphasizes the importance of clearly defining what “democracy” actually means in the American framework. She explains that at its core, democracy signifies “people power” — a system of government that derives its authority directly from the consent of the governed.
However, Perryman clarifies that the United States is specifically structured as a democratic republic. While popular consensus drives governance, the “republic” framework — codified within the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights — establishes a sacred sphere of personal liberty and individual dignity that no government or majority vote can legally override.
“That balance of power of the government of the people, by the people, for the people, that is a consent of the governed, but it means that we’re also respecting individual liberties. That’s what democracy is in the United States.”
— Skye Perryman
Furthermore, Perryman stresses that democracy should not be viewed as an abstract concept confined to Washington, D.C. Instead, she frames it as an essential “kitchen table issue.” From fair workforce wages and job protections to economic stability and healthcare access, Perryman notes that every aspect of daily life relies on a functioning system where the government remains strictly accountable to the people it serves.
Litigation on the Front Lines
During the interview, Perryman detailed several high-profile cases currently on Democracy Forward’s docket.
She highlighted their successful effort to secure a court order blocking a $1.776 billion federal slush fund, which she claims was intended to benefit individuals who pled guilty to crimes related to the January 6th Capitol attack.
Additionally, she discussed their ongoing work challenging the administration’s use of the modified SAVE database at the Department of Homeland Security, which Perryman asserts was an attempt to remove eligible voters from the rolls.
The organization is also actively fighting funding cuts to essential community programs, including the Department of Education, Head Start, and Meals on Wheels.
The State of Voting Rights and Louisiana v. Callais
A significant portion of our discussion focused on the current state of federal election laws. Perryman describes voting rights in America as severely weakened, pointing to the Supreme Court’s recent Louisiana v. Callais decision as a major blow to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. She argues that these judicial rollbacks have allowed certain states to enact maps that dilute the voices of minority voters.
Despite these setbacks, Perryman notes that widespread public opposition to these tactics exists across the political spectrum.
She also emphasizes a critical legal distinction ahead of the midterms: while the Supreme Court has issued restrictive rulings on voter access, no court has endorsed the idea that the President has direct authority over the administration of state and local elections.
“You have to trust that the lawyers will be in court if the President tries to claim more power than he should be claiming. That will get fought out through the courts.”
— Skye Perryman
100 Days of Action & A Radical Note of Hope
To help citizens navigate this complex climate, Democracy Forward has launched a “100 Days of Action” hub on its website, providing daily, accessible civic tasks for individuals leading up to the election.
Perryman is also releasing a new book on August 25th titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy, A Guide for All of Us. The book serves as a practical manual for civic engagement, offering strategies for information sobriety, community protection, and transforming fear into action.
Perryman concluded our conversation by reframing the current political crisis as a generational opportunity. She argues that deep systemic crises are often required to catalyze meaningful change, inviting everyday citizens to step forward as the architects of a reimagined future.
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I have devoted my career to assisting individuals in resolving their legal disputes through mediation and dispute resolution processes. Additionally, I focus on analyzing the legal issues that influence public discourse and workplace dynamics, both as a radio and podcast show host and as a legal analyst in the news.
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You can find Skye Perryman online at ordinarypeopleaction.com and learn more about her organization’s litigation and civic resources at democracyforward.org.
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.