The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 18, 2026
An effort in Virginia and Maryland to match GOP-gerrymandered congressional seats in Texas and other states continues. A state supreme court decision in Virginia will allow a ballot measure to go to the voters, but Maryland’s efforts have met opposition in the state senate.
First to Virginia, where the commonwealth’s supreme court allowed the legislature’s ballot measure seeking voter approval for mid-decade redistricting to proceed, pending a later trial in the case. IF voters approve the measure, the legislature would implement a new congressional map which could gerrymander 3 – 5 more Democratic seats. The redistricting special election is April 21st.
The Virginia Mercury reports that leading Democrats cast the measure as a response to President Donald Trump’s GOP gerrymandering surge in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri to maintain control of the U.S. House. California Democrats gerrymandered up to five seats, and a court-ordered map with one Democratic seat in Utah is under both state supreme court and federal court appeal.
In Maryland, with only one GOP seat to flip, pressure by Governor Wes Moore, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressman Jamie Raskin so far has not convinced State Senate President Bill Ferguson to bring the redistricting measure to a vote. Ferguson says he does not have the votes to pass it.
We’ve linked local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Virginia Mercury – (Jan. 27) Virginia court strikes down redistricting amendment headed for April ballotVirginia Mercury – Supreme Court of Virginia greenlights redistricting referendum
Virginia Supreme Court – Order in Scott v. McDougal
Rep. Jamie Raskin – Rep. Jamie Raskin’s Letter to the Maryland General Assembly on the New Congressional Map
Politico – How Maryland Democrats are thwarting Wes Moore’s political ambitions
WBAL – Hakeem Jeffries to Bill Ferguson: ‘Allow democracy to prevail’ on redistricting in Maryland
Maryland Matters – Moore to set aside redistricting, focus on core goals in State of the State
Past ADM Reports on this Topic:
American Democracy Minute – (Jan 21) Redistricting Updates: CA GOP Appeals Prop 50 Maps to SCOTUS, VA Dems Push Constitutional Amendment, NH’s Bill Doomed, MD Stalemated
American Democracy Minute – (Jan 29) Virginia Court Decisions Block Democrat Mid-Decade Redistricting Amendment, and Restore Rights to Some Citizens Convicted of Felonies
American Democracy Minute – (Feb. 6) Without Comment, the U.S. Supreme Court Allows California Prop 50 Maps. What’s the Next Battle in the Gerrymandering Wars?
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #MidDecadeRedistricting #TrumpGerrymandering #PartisanGerrymandering #Virginia #Maryland #WesMoore #BallotMeasure