The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for March 4, 2026
March 2nd, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency temporary stay, blocking a New York appeals court opinion upholding a remedial map for a New York City congressional district. Voters had argued the original map diluted minority voting power under the New York Constitution.
Black and Hispanic voters challenged the drawing of the Republican-leaning 11th Congressional District, serving Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, as having diluted their voting power. New York Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman agreed, ordering New York’s independent redistricting commission to draw a new map which would give those voters a realistic chance of electing the candidate of their choice. The GOP appealed, lost in a New York appeals court, then asked for an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Justices Kagan, Jackson and Sotomayor dissented, saying the U.S. Supreme Court ignored its recent position NOT to “meddle” in election law matters in state courts.
In a hint of what is likely to come in the more consequential Louisiana v. Callais case, Justice Alito wrote that restoring Black and Hispanic voters to the district was, QUOTE, “. . . unadorned racial discrimination, an inherently ‘odious’ activity that violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause except in the ‘most extraordinary cases.’” UNQUOTE.
The original red-leaning district will likely stand for the 2026 midterms, pending the outcome of the state, not federal, appeals process.
We’ve linked to the high court’s opinion and more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court – NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS, ET AL. v. MICHAEL WILLIAMS, ET AL. ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
SCOTUS Blog – Supreme Court grants Republicans’ request to pause order to redraw New York congressional map
City & State New York – SCOTUS sides with Malliotakis on redistricting case, in blow to NY Dems
Gothamist – Supreme Court halts redistricting fight over Staten Island’s NY-11 seat
NY Supreme Court for New York County – Decision & Order on Motion
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – With Candidates Ready to File, SCOTUS Temporarily Blocks Ruling on Texas Racial Gerrymandering, Louisiana Gerrymandering Decision Still Pending
American Democracy Minute – (2025) What is the Equal Protections Clause and How Have Interpretations of It Changed?
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters NYC, NY NAACP
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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