The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Dec. 22, 2025
A decision from a skeptical three-judge panel is expected December 22nd on Republican claims that California’s Proposition 50 racially gerrymandered Congressional districts. In Mississippi, a federal judge ordered a new map and special elections to remedy a racially gerrymandered state supreme court map.
We reported last week on the GOP challenge to California’s Proposition 50, passed by voters in November. The measure suspends the state’s citizen-run independent redistricting commission and gerrymanders five more Democratic congressional seats. It’s a response to five seats gerrymandered by Texas at the request of President Donald Trump.
Courthouse News Service reports the judges appeared to question arguments by the California Republican Party and individual voters that the measure violated the state constitution, and 14th and 15th amendments by gerrymandering majority-minority Hispanic districts. A decision is expected as soon as Monday, December 22nd.
Earlier this year, a federal district court judge found that the existing three Mississippi supreme court districts had prevented the state’s 37% population of Black voters from electing the candidate of their choice. Of nine current justices, only one is Black, and there have only ever been four Black justices.
December 19th, the judge ordered the legislature to create new Voting Rights Act-compliant maps by the end in 2026, after which a special election would be held. The decision is likely to be appealed. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Challenge to California Gerrymandering Reaches Federal Courtroom, but the SCOTUS Decision in Texas Could Undercut GOP Arguments
ABC 10 Sacramento – Judges Signal Possible Ruling in Favor of California’s Proposition 50 Redistricting Maps
Courthouse News Service – California Republicans’ racial gerrymandering case runs into skeptical court
American Democracy Minute – (August) Federal 5th District Court Rules Mississippi Must Redraw State Supreme Court Districts to Allow Black Voters to Elect a Candidate of Their Choice
U.S. District Court (via Democracy Docket) – Original Complaint in DYAMONE WHITE v. STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
NPR/AP – Special elections ordered for Mississippi Supreme Court after voting rights violation
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU MS, Southern Poverty Law Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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