The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 5, 2026
We have updates on two important U.S. Supreme Court cases we’ve been following. Submitted briefs are complete in the GOP emergency challenge to California’s midterm congressional redistricting; and a March date has been set for oral arguments in Mississippi’s mail ballot deadline case.
The California state GOP made an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to block mid-decade redistricting maps drawn as a response to GOP gerrymandering of five congressional seats in Texas. While a lower court found the Texas maps to be obvious racial gerrymanders, the U.S. Supreme Court found them to be partisan gerrymandered, and allowed them to stand. In California, a district court found the Proposition 50 map to be a partisan, NOT racial gerrymander. But it’s unclear whether the high court’s majority will allow it to stand, or play politics and block it. A decision is expected shortly.
In Mississippi, an appeal in Watson v. Republican National Committee, hopes to overturn a 5th Circuit panel’s opinion striking down the state’s five-day grace period for mail-in ballots and requiring they be received by election day. The U.S. Supreme Court has now scheduled oral arguments for March 23rd.
Fifteen states have grace periods due to delivery delays. Countless voters could be disenfranchised, including overseas Americans, seniors, and the disabled.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) – California Republican Party Plaintiff’s Lower Court Complaint
U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) – DOJ Civil Rights Division Intervening Complaint
American Democracy Minute – (2025) Federal Panel Allows California’s Gerrymandered Counterpunch to Five More GOP Congressional Seats in Texas. Will a Politicized SCOTUS Block It?
U.S. Supreme Court – California Republican Party Emergency Appeal
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Fringe Federal Court Ruling Invalidating the Counting of Mail-In Ballots in Mississippi After Election Day is Challenged by Pro-Voter Groups
American Democracy Minute – (2025) Ohio Joins Kansas in Eliminating Grace Periods for Mail-In Ballots; A 2026 Mississippi SCOTUS Case Could Eliminate Them Nationwide
Groups Taking Action:
Vet Voice Foundation, Mississippi Alliance for Retired Americans
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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