The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 23, 2026
By a narrow 51.6 to 48.4 percent margin, Virginia voters authorized their General Assembly April 21st to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts. Now it’s the Florida legislature’s turn, after Governor Ron DeSantis had delayed a special session.
The Virginia measure returns redistricting to the state redistricting commission in 2031. In the meantime, the state assembly is expected to gerrymander as many as four additional liberal-leaning congressional seats in response to manipulation of GOP seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, requested by President Donald Trump. Democrats counterpunched in California, and gained a court-ordered map in Utah.
Florida’s response is more complicated. Florida Politics reports that a reluctant legislature is expecting Governor Ron DeSantis to propose the map, who rejected the legislature’s maps in 2022. A recent analysis by Civic Data & Research Institute suggests gerrymandering more GOP seats might backfire in Florida and make other GOP districts more competitive for Democrats. Further clouding Florida’s path is the imminent Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision, likely to neutralize racial gerrymandering protections under the Voting Rights Act. The special session is now scheduled for April 28 and May 1.
We’ve linked to local reporting on both Virginia and Florida redistricting, and more on the national gerrymandering arms race at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Virginia Mercury – Virginia voters back redistricting amendment after months of legal and political battles
Virginia Public Media – Yes: Virginia votes to redraw congressional maps, favoring Democrats
Virginia Dept. of Elections – 2026 April 21 Special Election Results
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Virginia’s Special Election is April 21, a Limited Constitutional Amendment Allowing Mid-Decade Congressional Redistricting; Polling Shows It’s Close
American Democracy Minute – (January) FL Governor Ron DeSantis Calls April Special Session to Gerrymander More GOP Congressional Districts, Escalating Redistricting Fight
American Democracy Minute – (Aug, 2025) Texas Senate Republicans Approve Gerrymandered Congressional Map; California Democrats Pass Bill to Put Retaliatory Maps on the Ballot
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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