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

California Sheriff Obtains Warrant from Judge He Endorsed, Then Seizes More than 650,000 Ballots for ‘Recount’ of 2025 Redistricting Referendum

March 29, 2026March 29, 2026

A California county sheriff running for governor obtained a warrant from an elected judge he endorsed, then seized over 1,000 boxes of ballots from last November’s Proposition 50 redistricting referendum. After a warning from the state attorney general, he seized 426 more.

MO Supreme Court Upholds Legislature’s Mid-Decade Redistricting Authority, But a Pending Ballot Measure May Yet Invalidate its Map

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled March 24th that the state legislature did have the authority to redistrict mid-decade, and not just after the release of the decennial U.S. Census. The legislature’s HB 1 gerrymandered Congressional map diluted majority-Black Kansas City to gain one GOP-leaning seat.

President Trump Ties Ending the Partial Government Shutdown to Passage of the SAVE America Act. The Draconian Voting Bill Still Doesn’t Have the Votes.

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

March 22nd, President Donald Trump tied ending the partial government shutdown to passage of the GOP’s draconian voting bill, the Save America Act. It still doesn’t have the votes.

The Supreme Court’s Conservatives Appear Likely to End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods, Affecting Dozens of State Laws and Millions of Voters

March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

During oral arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee on March 23rd, the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority appeared ready to end grace periods for mail-in ballots. A decision could come in the early summer, four months before the midterm.

A North Carolina State Primary Race Separated by 23 Votes is Likely to End Up in Court After a Second Recount

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

A North Carolina state senate primary race separated by only 23 votes and marred by accusations of dirty tricks and dark money, will face a partial second recount. Like last year’s state supreme court race, this one is likely headed to court.