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

Gerrymandering Arms Race Update: FL Gov. Ron DeSantis Unveils Congressional Redistricting Plan, Gerrymandering 4 Additional GOP Seats

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis finally unveiled his mid-decade congressional redistricting plan on April 27th, saying “this has been a long-standing issue that we’ve had.” The map attempts to gerrymander four additional GOP seats, but experts suggest his plan may make other red-leaning districts vulnerable.

California Voter ID Ballot Question Now Qualified for the Nov. 3 Ballot, Narrowing ID Options and Requiring Citizenship Verification

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

A California ballot question requiring government-issued ID for voting, qualified for the November 3rd ballot April 24th. It would narrow voter ID options, and require election officials to verify citizenship for both new and previously registered voters.

The GOP’s Restrictive SAVE America Act is Stalled, and Slipping It into a Budget Reconciliation Bill was Blocked. Is it Dead?

April 26, 2026April 27, 2026

For now, the GOP’s restrictive SAVE America Act has stalled in the U.S. Senate, blocked by the filibuster. An attempt to attach it to a budget reconciliation bill, needing only 50 votes to pass, also failed. Is it dead?

Virginia Becomes the Latest State to Sign on to the National Popular Vote Compact. Committed States Now Represent 222 of the 270 Electoral Votes Needed.

April 23, 2026April 24, 2026

Virginia became the 18th state to join the National Popular Vote Compact April 13th, bringing the electoral votes of committed states and DC to 222 of the 270 needed for the Compact to go into effect. It would render the presidential electoral college moot, and ensure the candidate with the most popular votes wins.

Gerrymandering Arms Race Update: VA Voters Narrowly Approve Mid-Decade Redistricting; FL’s Delayed Special Session Starts April 28th

April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

By a narrow 51.6 to 48.4 percent margin, Virginia voters authorized their General Assembly April 21st to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts. Now it’s the Florida legislature’s turn, after Governor Ron DeSantis had delayed a special session.