The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 7, 2025
Two U.S. Supreme Court cases this term may allow the conservative majority to strike down Voting Rights Act protections of minority voters, and one of the few remaining limits to big money campaign spending in federal elections.
Louisiana vs. Callais, a racial gerrymandering case, returns to the high court October 15th for additional arguments, after initial oral arguments March 24th. Louisiana’s Black voters won a second majority-minority Congressional district under the Voting Rights Act, but a group of QUOTE “non-African American individuals” appealed the new map, claiming it was discriminatory to THEM under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Justices Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas have railed against such minority protections in voting rights, education and workplaces.
Another case, National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, attempts to strike down campaign spending limits by party-affiliated groups as a violation of free speech. While national political parties can make unlimited donations to a federal candidate, they are limited in what’s called “coordinated spending” with the candidate, which can include renting venues, sending mail or most importantly, advertising. It could open another floodgate of money in our elections.
The cases have far-reaching implications for equity in our elections process, and we’ll be following both carefully in the coming months.
We have more on the cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
PBS – Supreme Court term begins with cases on voting rights, tariffs and conversion therapy
All About Redistricting – Louisiana v. Callais (also Callais v. Landry, Robinson v. Callais)
Brennan Center for Justice – Voting Rights Act Returns to the Supreme Court
American Democracy Minute – In Puzzling Move, U.S. Supreme Court Orders More Arguments in Louisiana Redistricting Case Pitting VRA Against Equal Protections Clause
Federal Election Commission – National Republican Senatorial Committee et al v. Federal Election Commission et al (22-639 / 24-3051 / 24-621)
SCOTUS Blog – Court takes up potentially important case on campaign-finance regulations
American Democracy Minute – U.S. Supreme Court Takes Case Challenging Limits on Political Party Spending. It Could Open Up Another Flood of Money into Campaigns.
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU, Legal Defense Fund, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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