The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 5, 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court’s seismic April 29th decision that the Equal Protection Clause prohibits using race in redistricting decisions didn’t just affect African American communities in the South. It also eroded the chance for Hispanic, Native, Asian and other majority-minority communities to elect the candidate of their choice, too.
In 2025, The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara nations, also known as the MHA Nation, negotiated with the State of North Dakota, rather than litigating under under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Section 2, to protect Native voting power from being diluted, an ongoing issue. After an agreement, State GOP officials later shamefully reversed positions in 2022, using the same Equal Protection Clause argument.
In Washington State, federal courts struck down state legislative maps in 2024 which diluted Hispanic voting power, and mandated a map allowing Hispanics in Franklin County a chance to elect a House candidate of their choice. In 2021, after the Texas legislature diluted the voting power of Fort Bend County’s Asian Americans, the highest concentration in Texas, voters used Section 2 to try to secure proper representation.
The high court’s decision puts minority communities of all persuasions at risk of losing their voices in local, state and federal elections.
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Native News Online – North Dakota’s 180-Degree Turn in Redistricting Case Sparks Outcry from MHA Nation
Tri-City Herald (WA) – Will landmark Voting Rights ruling erase Latino gains in WA?
NPR – Asian American groups file a legal challenge to Texas’ redistricting plans
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Federal Court Releases Redistricting New WA Maps After Striking Down Districts Diluting Latino Voting Power
American Democracy Minute – ND Native American Nation Prevails in Protecting Majority-Minority Voting Districts. A Victory for Minority Voters, But GOP Efforts to Neutralize the VRA Continue
Groups Taking Action:
Native American Rights Fund, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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