The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 17, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We recently explained the Supreme Court’s Purcell principle and its impact. May 15th, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a shocking Fifth Circuit decision to throw out fairer Congressional districts for Louisiana. The Purcell principle apparently played a role.
The 2006 Purcell principle instructed courts not to hand down decisions which would disrupt election administration too close to the election, confusing voters.
Louisiana’s 2021 racially-gerrymandered Congressional districts were finally changed in 2024 to include two majority-Black districts in compliance with the Voting Rights Act. April 30th, the Fifth Circuit threw those districts out – six months before the election. Democracy groups appealed, and May 15th, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Fifth Circuit ruling, pending a full appeal. It’s likely the case won’t be heard until next year, so fairer maps remain in place for the 2024 election. That’s good news, sort of.
Although the order itself doesn’t mention Purcell, dissents from Justices Jackson and Kagan do. Jackson writes, “In my view, Purcell has no role to play here. There is little risk of voter confusion from a new map being imposed this far out from the November election. In fact, we have often denied stays of redistricting orders issued as close or closer to an election.”
Justices need to figure out how close is too close, and soon. No less than the freedom to vote hangs in the balance. Find out more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Louisiana Legislature Hashes Out New Court-Ordered Congressional Maps with Two Majority Black Districts
American Democracy Minute – The Federal 5th Circuit Backtracks on Louisiana Congressional Maps, Throwing Out New Map Which Gave Black Voters & Candidates a Chance
U.S. Supreme Court via Democracy Docket – PRESS ROBINSON, ET AL. v. PHILLIP CALLAIS, ET AL.
ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
SCOTUS Blog – Court allows Louisiana to move forward with two majority-Black districts
Louisiana Illuminator – Supreme Court orders Louisiana to use congressional map with two majority-Black districts
American Democracy Minute – The Purcell Principle: A SCOTUS Decision Intended to Avoid Voter Confusion May Now Be a Stealth Voter Suppression Tactic
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Louisiana, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
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