May 2024 | American Democracy Minute

Galveston County, TX Racial Gerrymandering Case Could Weaken Voting Rights Act Protections for Mixed Minority Communities

May 30, 2024May 31, 2024

The U.S. Federal Court’s Fifth Circuit, known for its conservative and sometimes fringe rulings, recently reheard a case from Galveston County, Texas over whether a community of African Americans and Latinx Americans qualifies for protections under the Voting Rights Act. The court’s opinion could further weaken the VRA.

Gallup Poll Finds Americans Think a Major Third Party is Needed

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024

A poll by Gallup finds majority support for a major third party option among almost every segment of voters, ticking up to 63% last fall. This includes increases among Republicans and independents.

U.S. Supreme Court Finds South Carolina Gerrymandering Case ‘Bleaching’ Congressional District Not Racially Motivated

May 28, 2024May 28, 2024

Back in October 2023, U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments to determine whether redistricting by the South Carolina legislature was prohibited racial gerrymandering, or political gerrymandering, allowed by the 2019 Rucho decision. The new opinion could have a dramatic effect on the 2030 redistricting cycle.

Rebroadcast: Survey Finds Strong Support from Americans for Early Voting & Election Day Holiday Reforms, but Also Restrictive Government-Issued ID Requirements

May 27, 2024May 28, 2024

We're taking the Memorial Day weekend off, so are posting a rebroadcast from February 13, 2024: A new study by Pew Research finds Americans broadly support such democracy reforms as making election day a holiday and two weeks of in person early voting, but also think voters must use government issued ID, and voting machines should have paper backup.

For Memorial Day, Words from Legendary Campaign Finance Reformer, Doris “Granny D” Haddock

May 26, 2024May 26, 2024

On Memorial Day, an abridged portion of a speech at the U.S. Capitol by legendary campaign finance reformer Doris “Granny D” Haddock, the 90-year-old grandmother who walked across the U.S. to bring attention to campaign finance corruption.