October 2025 | Page 4 of 5 | American Democracy Minute

The Plot Thickens in Maine After 250 Missing Unmarked Mail Ballots Show Up on a Doorstep

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

We reported recently on a Maine ballot initiative pushing restrictions on voter ID and mail-in voting. Then mysteriously on September 30th, 250 unmarked absentee ballots from Elsworth, Maine showed up in an Amazon package 40 miles away. The plot thickens.

Utah Legislature Passes a Gerrymandered Congressional Map – Again. But a Judge Will Have the Final Say Nov. 10

October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

August 25th, a Utah judge ordered a new Congressional redistricting map drawn after finding the legislature had violated the state constitution. October 6th, the legislature defiantly passed a new gerrymandered map.

U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Equal Protection Clause vs. the Voting Rights Act, and Revisits Big Money Campaign Funding Limits for Political Parties

October 6, 2025October 6, 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.

First Challenge to Trump-Requested Gerrymandering of Texas Congressional Maps Reaches a Federal Courtroom

October 5, 2025October 5, 2025

The first challenge to gerrymandered Texas congressional maps reached a federal courtroom October 1st, as a three-judge panel heard testimony about the 2025 maps in a previously filed 2021 racial gerrymandering case.

Six More States Sued by Trump DOJ for Not Turning Over Voter’s Personal Information. It Could Be a Good Thing.

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

September 16th, Maine and Oregon were the first to be sued by the Trump Department of Justice for refusing to provide voter data and election process information to be shared within federal agencies. Six more states have been sued, and it could be a good thing.