The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 4, 2026
The April 29th U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais has unleashed a torrent of last minute gerrymandering, and escalated the redistricting arms race in both red and blue states. The decision could result in seven or more GOP U.S. House seats, not counting the four seats just gerrymandered in Florida.
President Donald Trump initiated the redistricting war in Texas last year, hoping to lock in safe Republican seats in the face of expected losses in the 2026 midterm.
With primary early voting beginning May 2nd, Louisiana immediately suspended only Congressional voting, but has yet to announce a special session to redistrict after the court struck down its majority-minority districts – the state’s only Democratic congressional seats.
May 1st, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called a special session which will likely eliminate its two majority-minority districts, also the only Democratic seats. A special session in Tennessee is likely to eliminate its one blue district in Memphis, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signaled that the state is likely to redistrict, flipping one Democratic seat. Mississippi’s legislature is also preparing to eliminate its one blue congressional seat.
In response, liberal-leaning states which had considered redistricting but took no action may rekindle those fires. More on that in an upcoming report. We’ve linked to local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Louisiana Illuminator – Louisiana governor postpones U.S. House primary elections after Supreme Court ruling
Alabama Reflector – Gov. Kay Ivey calls special legislative session as Alabama seeks legal permission to redistrict
WIS 10 – McMaster chimes in on SC redistricting, SCOTUS Voting Rights Act decision
Mississippi Today – Trump pushes Mississippi to redraw congressional districts after Supreme Court ruling. But legal and political hurdles loom
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Gerrymandering Arms Race Update: FL Gov. Ron DeSantis Unveils Congressional Redistricting Plan, Gerrymandering 4 Additional GOP Seats
American Democracy Minute – U.S. Supreme Court Neutralizes Remaining VRA Section 2 Protections for Minority Voters and Imperils Majority-Minority Voting Districts Nationwide
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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