The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 11, 2026
In a stunning decision May 8th, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated the April redistricting referendum authorizing new congressional district maps. The court pointed to the state constitution’s requirement that amendments be approved twice over two terms of the legislature, not one, then by the voters.
The 4-3 decision throws a wrench into Democratic efforts to counter gerrymandering of additional GOP congressional seats requested by President Donald Trump in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Florida. Paired with the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 29th Callais decision ending protection of majority-minority voting districts, it could artificially throw control of Congress to the Republicans in the midterm elections.
In his opinion, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote, “The General Assembly must
twice vote in favor of a proposed amendment at two separate legislative sessions with an intervening election of the House of Delegates. This gives voters two opportunities — one indirect, the other direct — to voice their views on the proposed amendment,” UNQUOTE. Thus, the referendum’s 52-48% referendum approval and the votes of 3.1 million voters were nullified.
May 7th, Tennessee GOP legislators eliminated a majority-minority district encompassing Memphis.
May 8th, Alabama legislators advanced a plan for a new primary election if courts allow the state to also redistrict. More on those developments in our next report.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Virginia Supreme Court – Decision Invalidating April’s Redistricting Amendment Referendum
NBC News – Virginia Supreme Court blocks Democratic congressional map, boosting GOP midterm hopes
PBS NewsHour/ AP – Alabama lawmakers pass plan for new U.S. House primary if courts allow different districts
CNN – Tennessee Republicans approve map carving up majority-Black US House district
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Gerrymandering Arms Race Update: VA Voters Narrowly Approve Mid-Decade Redistricting; FL’s Delayed Special Session Starts April 28th
American Democracy Minute – The U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Louisiana Sends States Back to the Gerrymandering Drawing Board to Rig Districts Before the Midterms
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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