The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 18, 2025

While corrosive democracy news from Washington continued this week, state news ranged from good in Delaware and Mississippi, mixed in North Carolina & Pennsylvania, to downright ugly in New Hampshire.

Voting Rights Lab reports the Delaware Senate advanced SB 2 and SB 3, constitutional amendments allowing 10 days of early voting and no-excuse absentee voting.  Legislative versions of both bills passed last year, but the Delaware Supreme Court found that the state constitution didn’t enable them.  The General Assembly must pass them again next year for them to be adopted.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Mississippi to redraw state senate districts for DeSoto County, which it found still violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by diluting a majority Black section of the county, according to Mississippi Today.

State officials in North Carolina found fewer issues among the 5,000 military and overseas voters than state supreme court candidate Jefferson Griffin claimed, but the highly questionable post-election review of voter eligibility continues.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday appealed a federal court ruling directing county election officials to count otherwise eligible mail-in ballots without a date. 

The New Hampshire Senate advanced SB 213, which would require voters applying by mail for an absentee ballot to enclose a copy of their birth certificate, U.S. passport or naturalization papers, almost certainly disenfranchising otherwise eligible voters. 

We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Delaware Assembly – SB 2  Constitutional Amendment instituting 10 days of early voting
Delaware Assembly – SB 3  Constitutional Amendment allowing no-excuse absentee votingMississippi Today – Court again orders Mississippi to redraw DeSoto County legislative districts with special elections looming

U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) – MOTION TO INTERVENE BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
WCNC – Undecided NC Supreme Court race hinges on only 1,675 ballots. Here’s who must act to have their vote count.
NH General Court – SB 213, a bill which requires the presentation of proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile when applying for an absentee ballot.

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause DE,  NAACP MS, ACLU PA, Democracy NC, Open Democracy Action

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NHNews  #NorthCarolina #Delaware #Pennsylvania #Mississippi

The post The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:  Democracy Headlines from Delaware, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 29, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

There are 141 majority-minority congressional voting districts in the U.S., out of 435.  A new conservative legal tactic has emerged, arguing such districts harm  White Americans, and citingthe Equal Protection Clause, originally passed to end state discrimination against Black Americans.

The 1965 Voting Rights Act Section 2 and subsequent court rulings allow narrow exceptions to connect communities and create majority-minority voting districts.  Such districts allow Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian communities to elect the representatives of their choice, without having their vote diluted by a White majority.  And that White majority historically has too often attempted to suppress minority voting power through restrictive voting rules and racial gerrymandering.

Since the 2023 Allen v. Milligan racial gerrymandering decision, a conservative legal strategy has emerged, challenging majority-minority voting districts by flipping the original intent of the Equal Protection Clause.  In a U.S. Supreme Court case to be heard in February, a group of Louisiana QUOTE “non-African-American individuals” claim THEIR rights have been harmed by the provision.  Their argument was supported by 12 other red states, including five former preclearance states, citing the Equal Protection Clause.  

In past opinions, Justices Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch appear ready to pounce on the case, and try to eliminate such opportunity districts for Louisiana’s 33% Black voters, but also for minority voters around the country.    

Find more at  AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Ballotpedia – Majority-Minority Congressional Districts
U.S. Supreme Court  – Allen v. Milligan Decision
U.S. Justice Department – States and Counties Formerly Required for Section 5 Preclearance Because of Consistent Racial Voting Discrimination
Brennan Center for Justice – Black Louisianians Fight in Court to Preserve Fair Voting Map
U.S. Supreme Court – BRIEF OF ALABAMA AND 12 OTHER STATES 

American University Law Review  – (2024) The Twists and Turns of A Map that Captured National Attention – Robinson v. Callais
SCOTUS Blog – Louisiana v. Callais (formerly Robinson v. Callais)

Groups Taking Action:

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice,  ACLU of Louisiana

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EqualProtectionsClause #14thAmendment #VoterSuppression #RacialGerrymandering  #MajorityMinority

The post Majority-Minority Voting Districts Give Minority Voters a Fair Chance to Elect Proper Representation. The Equal Protection Clause is Now Being Used to Try to End Them appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 27, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

The Biden administration’s solicitor general submitted a Supreme Court brief in 2024, supporting fair Congressional voting maps in Louisiana under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  January 24th, a Trump DOJ official rescinded that brief, saying it no longer represented the U.S. Government.

Oral arguments begin in February for Robinson v. Callais.  After the state was forced to draw two minority-majority congressional districts, Republicans appealed, employing an argument tailored for the conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court.  The appellants argue the VRA Section 2 minority-majority district violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause because it was drawn on the basis of race.  Louisiana’s population is almost 33% Black, yet only one of six Congressional districts was a minority-majority district where voters could reasonably elect the candidate of their choice. 

Biden’s solicitor general told the court, QUOTE, “In particular, the United States has an interest in ensuring that States have latitude to adopt districts that comply with both Section 2 and the Equal Protection Clause.”  

But in a letter to the Supreme Court just four days after inaugeration, Trump’s acting solicitor general Sarah Harris revoked it, saying, QUOTE, “. . .the previously filed brief no longer represents the position of the United States.”  

If you’re a Black, Hispanic, Native American, or other minority voter who wants to elect a candidate of your choice, that’s bad news.   

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

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Biden Administration U.S. Supreme Court Brief – Robinson v. Callais / Louisiana v. Callais
U.S. Supreme Court –  All Briefs for Robinson v. Callais / Louisiana v. Callais

American Democracy Minute – What’s Ahead for 2025:  VRA Majority Minority Voting Districts at Risk in Louisiana Redistricting Case at the U.S. Supreme Court
Louisiana Illuminator –  (Separate case – Nairne v. Ardoin) Republican AGs seek to use Louisiana redistricting case to weaken Voting Rights Act

The Guardian – Fears grow for voting rights as Trump plots to reshape US justice department
U.S. Justice Department – Letter from Acting Solicitor General Revoking Previous Briefs in Robinson v. Callais

Groups Taking Action:

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice,  ACLU of Louisiana

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Louisiana #VotingRightsAct #VRA #FairMaps

The post Trump’s DOJ Reverses Position on Pending Voting Rights Act Case, Signaling Further Attacks on Fair Voting Districts for Minority Voters appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 7, 2025

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.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 Section 2 provides opportunity for communities of minority voters to elect the Congressional candidate of their choice by creating a majority minority voting district.   In 2025, Alabama – for the first time in history – has two Black members of Congress. It wasn’t easy.

Alabama’s population is almost 27% Black, yet the state had only one majority-minority Congressional district out of seven after the 2020 redistricting cycle.  Voters sued under the voting rights act, and in 2022, after a protracted litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court in Allen v. Milligan determined the legislature had intentionally diluted Black voting power.  Alabama’s Federal District Court ordered new maps, which the legislature and governor defied, refusing to create a second majority-minority district. Finally, in October 2023, the court chose a map drawn by a court-appointed expert which included a second Black district. 

Black Alabamian Shomari Figures, son of civil rights activists, won the 2nd Congressional District, 55% to 45%.  He joins Rep. Terri Sewell, who won the 7th District, 64% to 36%. 

The Milligan decision was long-awaited justice for Black Alabamians, but a Supreme Court decision in a South Carolina gerrymandering case, and another pending in Louisiana, may narrow already weakened Voting Rights Act protections. 

We have more on the Milligan decision and its consequences at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl. 

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Alabama Reflector – U.S. Supreme Court rules Alabama’s congressional maps violate Voting Rights Act
Brennan Center for Justice – Supreme Court Upholds Section 2 of Voting Rights Act in Allen v. Milligan; Brennan Center Reacts
American Democracy Minute – A Victory for Black Voters as Court Approves Special Master’s Maps in Alabama

American Democracy Minute – Alabama Redistricting Committee Defies SCOTUS Milligan Decision, Again Proposing Only One Majority Black Congressional District

Alabama Relector – For 1st time in history, Alabama will have two Black U.S. House members serving together

Groups Taking Action:

National Redistricting Foundation, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Alabama

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VRA #VotingRightsAct #AllenvMilligan #Alabama

The post For the First Time in American History, Alabama Has 2 Black Members Congress, Thanks to the Protections of the VRA.  It Wasn’t Easy. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 30, 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.

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear a Louisiana redistricting case with repercussions for minority voters around the country. It could further dismantle the 1965 Voting Rights Act Section 2.

Louisiana’s legislature drew its six Congressional districts, including only one as a majority-minority Black district. It ignored the fact that Louisiana’s population is almost 33% Black.

A federal district court found that the legislature intentionally drew the districts to dilute Black voting power, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new map.  The legislature, under pressure from the courts and the Governor, created a map in January 2024, adding a second long and narrow majority-minority district. Last summer, a group of mostly white voters sued, claiming that using “race predominance” cannot be the main factor when drawing a district.

After initially refusing the case, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in early 2025.  Justice Alito consistently signals that the Voting Rights Act should be race-neutral, while Justice Jackson points out that the VRA was intended to provide a level playing field for minority voters.  Until the Roberts court’s 2019 Shelby County decision, Louisiana was required by the U.S. Justice Department to pre-clear all election laws due to its history of voting rights discrimination.

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

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Justice Department – Brief for LOUISIANA v.  CALLAIS
American Democracy Minute –  (May 2024) U.S. Supreme Court Stays 5th Circuit, Allowing Louisiana’s Fairer Congressional Maps – Apparently Invoking the Purcell Principle
American Democracy Minute – (May 2024)  The Federal 5th Circuit Backtracks on Louisiana Congressional Maps, Throwing Out New Map Which Gave Black Voters & Candidates a Chance
American Democracy Minute – (Jan. 2024) Louisiana Legislature Hashes Out New Court-Ordered Congressional Maps with Two Majority Black Districts
American Democracy Minute – (Nov. 2023) Appeals Court (Finally) Finds Louisiana Congressional Map was Discriminatory; Orders New Maps to Be Drawn by January 15
American Democracy Minute – (June 2022) Federal Appeals Court Forces New Congressional Map in Louisiana 

Groups Taking Action:

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice,  ACLU of Louisiana

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #VRA #VotingRightsAct #RacialGerrymandering

The post What’s Ahead for 2025:  VRA Majority Minority Voting Districts at Risk in Louisiana Redistricting Case at the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on American Democracy Minute.