The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 18, 2026
JEFFERSON CITY, MO –A Missouri district court will hear a case September 8th challenging the state’s invalidation of a citizen ballot initiative rolling back a racially gerrymandered Kansas City congressional district. And the U.S. Justice Department lost two more cases demanding state voter data in Nevada and Michigan.
We reported August 6th on Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ invalidation of a citizen ballot initiative with over 300,000 qualifying signatures. Hoskins slow-walked a decision for months, then just before statutory deadline, claimed the Missouri constitution doesn’t allow ballot initiatives to change voting districts. People Not Politicians Missouri immediately challenged the decision.
The Missouri Independent reports that a Cole County circuit court judge will hear the case September 8th to allow time for the appeals process. Should the courts approve the measure, it would be added to November ballots, along with another measure derailed by Hoskins.
The U.S. Department of Justice lost another case trying to obtain unredacted voter and personal data, this time from the state of Nevada, making DOJ 0-for- 22 for these cases. Nine cases remain nationwide. It also was denied a request to rehear its Michigan loss before the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
We’ve linked to the local reporting and the Nevada and Michigan decisions at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Missouri Independent – Judge sets trial date for Missouri redistricting referendum, initiative petition amendment
Nevada Independent – Judge tosses Trump administration suit to get Nevada voters’ personal info
U.S. District Court for Nevada – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. FRANCISCO V. AGUILAR,
U.S. Sixth Circuite Court of Appeals (Via Democracy Docket) – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellant, v. JOCELYN BENSON, in her official capacity as Secretary
of the State of Michigan; STATE OF MICHIGAN
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Let’s Just Say the Trump Administration’s Quest to Obtain State Voter Data Has Not Gone Well. DOJ is now 0 for 21, With 9 More Cases Pending.
American Democracy Minute – Federal Circuit Courts Block Trump DOJ from Obtaining California and Oregon Voter Data
U.S. Department of Justice – Justice Department Sues Six Additional States for Failure to Provide Voter Registration Rolls
Groups Taking Action:
Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, League of Women Voters NH, ACLU KY
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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