September 2023 | American Democracy Minute

With a Partisan State Supreme Court and Veto-Proof Majority, North Carolina Legislature Poised to Take Control of the State Election Board

September 28, 2023December 29, 2023

In August, we reported on the North Carolina legislature’s SB 749, stripping the power of the governor to appoint members of the State Board of Elections and giving it to the legislature. Last week, the bill passed the state senate. It’s likely to be vetoed, but will be overridden by a legislature flexing its new veto-proof majority.

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses Stay for Alabama’s Defiant Redistricting Map, Despite Alleged Plan to Allow Justice Cavanaugh to Change His Mind

September 27, 2023December 29, 2023

“The application for stay presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied.” So read the entire ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the State of Alabama’s Hail Mary to save its defiant Congressional District map.

Federal Appeals Court Sides With Florida Legislature, Upholding Restrictions on Voter Assistance and Mail-In Voting

September 26, 2023December 29, 2023

September 21st, a federal appeals court refused to rehear a challenge to Florida’s restrictive voting law SB 90, letting an April 2023 appeals decision stand. Florida voters who use mail-in voting should be paying attention.

Pennsylvania Citizens Obtaining A Driver’s License or ID at the DMV Are Now Automatically Registered to Vote

September 25, 2023December 29, 2023

Eligible citizens in Pennsylvania will now be automatically registered to vote when obtaining a new driver’s license or state ID, unless they opt out of the system. Such “Automatic Voter Registration” or AVR, systems have registered millions of voters in the 23 states where it’s been implemented.

Kentucky’s Constitution Mandates “Free & Equal” Elections. Are the Commonwealth’s Manipulated Voting District Maps Legal?

September 24, 2023December 29, 2023

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments September 19th on whether the “free and equal elections” provision in the Commonwealth’s constitution prohibits partisan gerrymandering of its voting districts.