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

Redistricting Firefight: SC Gov. Signals Special Session to Bypass Senate Vote; GA Gov. Calls Special Session for 2028 Maps; MD Senate May Reconsider

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Like a stubborn, arson-ignited wildfire, partisan gerrymandering keeps flaring up. South Carolina will apparently redistrict after all, after its governor signaled he would call a special session. A special session has been called in Georgia, and legislation stalled in Maryland may rekindle as well.

SC Senate Derails Redistricting of Congressional Map; MO Supreme Court Finds Map Eliminating Majority Black Kansas City District Constitutional

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

In yet more redistricting news, the South Carolina Senate failed to reach a two-thirds vote to extend their session to redistrict the state’s congressional map. Missouri’s supreme court upheld a new congressional map designed to gain another GOP seat by diluting Black voting power in Kansas City.

U.S. Supreme Court Stays Lower Court Order Which Created Another Alabama Majority-Black Voting District – An Order It Previously Upheld

May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

It took two trips to the U.S. Supreme Court to finally compel a second majority-Black congressional district in 2025, after a defiant Alabama legislature would not. May 11th, the U.S. Supreme Court majority reversed course, granting the State of Alabama’s emergency request to draw new maps after the Callais decision.

Callais Decision Fallout as Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama & South Carolina Scramble to Eliminate Black Congressional Districts

May 11, 2026May 12, 2026

We’re tracking the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision, sending GOP-dominated Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama & South Carolina scrambling to eliminate their Black-majority congressional districts.

VA Supreme Court Invalidates Redistricting Referendum for Not Following the Rules for Amendments. It Could Tilt Control of Congress.

May 10, 2026May 10, 2026

In a stunning decision May 8th, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated the April redistricting referendum authorizing new congressional district maps. The court pointed to the state constitution’s requirement that amendments be approved twice over two terms of the legislature, not one, then by the voters.