The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 17, 2025
We have updates on the congressional midterm gerrymandering arms race from Indiana, Missouri, Kansas,and California. Florida, which has been on the sidelines, may enter the fray soon.
First to Indiana, where an effort by GOP lawmakers to manipulate one more Republican seat by splitting Indianapolis appears to have stalled. The state Senate defied Governor Mike Braun and refused to convene in December to approve the maps.
In Missouri, one lawsuit hopes to prove that mid-decade redistricting is not allowed under the state constitution. Another aims to invalidate the signatures to stop a citizen ballot initiative overturning the maps. The Missouri Independent reports that Citizens Not Politicians needs 106,000 signatures in six of eight congressional districts by Dec. 11. The group said it had over 200,000 on November 6th.
Enough Kansas GOP legislators opposed that state’s proposal to gerrymander that the state senate wouldn’t be able to override the veto of its Democratic governor. Seven committee chairs and vice chairs lost their posts as a result.
November 13th, the Trump Department of Justice joined the California state GOP in a lawsuit claiming Democrats racially gerrymandered its maps to counter Texas.
Although a Florida congressional redistricting committee has been formed, it has not yet met. Governor Ron DeSantis said in a post November 13th, “Stay tuned.”
We’ve linked the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Indiana Capital Chronicle – Indiana Republican senators reject Trump’s redistricting push; won’t convene in December
Missouri Independent – Judge hears arguments over legality of gerrymandered Missouri congressional map
Missouri Independent – National Republicans gear up to fight referendum on Missouri congressional map
NPR – In Kansas and elsewhere, some state lawmakers are skeptical of the redistricting rush
Kansas Reflector – Kansas Republicans’ effort to redraw state maps isn’t over, just delayed, leadership says
U.S. Justice Department – Justice Department Sues Governor Gavin Newsom for California’s Race-Based Redistricting Plan
Florida Politics – ‘Stay tuned’: Ron DeSantis still expects Congressional redistricting
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, FairVote, League of Women Voters
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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