American Democracy Minute A 90 second radio news report & podcast on U.S. democracy issues %

Utah Supreme Court Rejects GOP Appeal; Fairer Map Stands. In VA, Same Judge, Different Objection to Ballot Measure to Authorize Redistricting

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026

The Utah Supreme Court dismissed a GOP appeal of a lower-court’s congressional district map, and a Virginia county judge who ruled against a redistricting ballot measure but overruled by the Virginia Supreme Court, has struck again.

Does Alabama’s U.S. Senator and Gubernatorial Candidate Tommy Tuberville Actually Live in Alabama? It’s Not a Ridiculous Question.

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Does Alabama’s senior U.S. Senator and candidate for governor Tommy Tuberville actually live in Alabama? The question is not as far-fetched as it seems. One of Tuberville’s Republican rivals in the state gubernatorial race alleges Tuberville lives most of his time at his multi-million dollar home in Santa Rosa Beach …. Florida.

With U.S. Supreme Court Support for the Voting Rights Act Disappearing, the Maryland Assembly Considers the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

The conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court has steadily gutted Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters in recent decades. With few protections left, and a pending decision likely to make it worse, nine states have passed state VRAs. The Maryland Senate just advanced a portion of the Maryland Voting Rights Act of 2026.

Democrats in Virginia & Maryland Race to Match GOP-Gerrymandered Congressional Seats, But It’s Far From a Done Deal.

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

An effort in Virginia and Maryland to match GOP-gerrymandered congressional seats in Texas and other states continues. A state supreme court decision in Virginia will allow a ballot measure to go to the voters, but Maryland’s efforts have met opposition in the state senate.

Another Big Week in the Utah Legislature’s Attempt to Overturn Proposition 4 and Court-Ordered Fair Congressional District Maps

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

It’s a big week in the ongoing attempt by the Utah legislature to do an end run around the voter-approved Proposition 4 fair redistricting amendment. Signatures required for putting a repeal of the amendment before voters were due Feb. 15th, and a GOP appeal reaches federal district court Feb. 18th.