The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 17, 2023

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.

While we’ve been reading indictments, there have been three developments in the last week which may impact gerrymandered Congressional maps in Alabama, Florida and Wisconsin.  

August 14th, the State of Alabama was back in federal court, defending its new Congressional district maps in apparent defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s order to create two majority minority districts. The map includes one district which is a BARELY a Black majority at 50.65%, and another at only 40%.  The Associated Press reports that the three federal circuit court justices seemed skeptical of the state’s claims. The court could appoint a special master to draw the maps as directed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In Florida, a pre-trial agreement may result in the return of a majority-Black district in north Florida eliminated by Governor Ron DeSantis.  DeSantis vetoed a legislature-drawn map and inserted his own, claiming there was no longer a need for majority-minority districts in Florida.  His districts diluted Black voting power, according to Democracy and civil rights groups.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, on the job since only August 1st, is already being threatened with being impeached. Protasiewicz voiced concern over Wisconsin’s badly gerrymandered voting districts during her campaign.  Assembly Speaker Robin Voss threatens to impeach her unless she recuses herself from redistricting cases.  Two cases challenging the constitutionality of the state’s voting maps were filed earlier this month.

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NPR – Alabama lost a voting rights case at the Supreme Court. It’s still trying to win
Associated Press – Federal judges question Alabama’s new congressional map, lack of 2nd majority-Black district
Democracy Docket – New Agreement Renews Potential for Black-Performing Florida Congressional District
WCJB – North Florida congressional district challenge to be expedited to Supreme Court
Insider – A North Florida congressional district that was held by a Black Democrat before it was dismantled by Ron DeSantis could be restored in 2024 under a new agreement
Wisconsin State Journal – Liberal Janet Protasiewicz vows fairness as Wisconsin Supreme Court term begins
Wisconsin Examiner – Lawsuit against legislative maps filed at Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Examiner – Vos says Republicans may consider impeaching Protasiewicz over redistricting comments

Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Campaign Legal Center, Black Voters Matter, Equal Ground, Florida Rising,  League of Women Voters of Florida, Fair Maps Wisconsin Coalition, Common Cause WI, League of Women Voters WI

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #WisconsinPolitics #AllenvMilligan #FloridaPolitics

The post Developments in the Fight for Fair Voting District Maps in Alabama, Florida and Wisconsin appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 18, 2023

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

Today’s Links now below the script

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Thursday, a New York state appeals court ordered a redrawing of the state’s Congressional districts.  The next day, the U.S. Supreme Court set a date for a South Carolina case which could greenlight MORE gerrymandering. 

In 2022, New York’s independent redistricting commission couldn’t reach an agreement on new maps, and a Democratic legislature gerrymandered maps favoring Democrats.  Republicans appealed and the Democratic maps were thrown out in March 2023, replaced by maps drawn by a county judge which ended up favoring Republicans in the midterm election.  

Democracy Docket reports that a five judge panel found the independent redistricting commission had submitted only one of the two proposals mandated before the lower court judge preempted its work.   While the appeals court ruled the independent commission should submit new maps, the decision is expected to be challenged again in New York’s highest court before the 2024 election.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced a date of October 11th, 2023 for Alexander v. the South Carolina NAACP.  This closely-watched case has elements of both racial gerrymandering, which the court ruled against in the Milligan decision, and partisan gerrymandering, to which the U.S. Supreme Court has turned a blind eye since 2019.   It could provide legal cover for future manipulation of voting district maps.

We have more on each of the cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NPR – (2022) New York’s top court rejects congressional maps drawn by Democrats
Democracy Docket – New York Court Orders Redraw of Congressional Map. How Did We Get Here?
Politico – Mid-level court hands Democrats victory in New York redistricting case

State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division – Decision in HOFFMANN v. NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION

Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause NY, Campaign Legal Center

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Get ADM Radio Report email!  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #NYPolitics

The post New York Court Sends Congressional Redistricting Map Back to Independent Commission; SCOTUS Sets Date to Consider South Carolina Congressional Map appeared first on American Democracy Minute.