The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 16, 2026
January 14th, a 9th Circuit federal court panel rejected a GOP claim that California’s new congressional districts were racially gerrymandered. The court said the Proposition 50 maps, created as a counterpunch to gerrymandering in Texas, were manipulated for partisan, not racial reasons.
Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a suspension of California’s independent redistricting rules, with 65% of voters later concurring, passing Proposition 50 last November. The legislature, using an outside consultant, manipulated the map to flip as many as five congressional districts to Democrats.
Republicans argued racial data was unconstitutionally used to create the maps.
In the 2 to 1 decision, the majority wrote: “Because we find that the evidence of any racial motivation driving redistricting is exceptionally weak, while the evidence of partisan motivations is overwhelming, challengers are not entitled to preliminary relief on any of their claims.” UNQUOTE
In Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court also decided it was partisan, not racial gerrymandering, allowing the manipulated map to stand. But it also invoked the Purcell principle, suggesting it was too close to the Texas primary anyway, and blocking the map would create confusion. It’s likely the Proposition 50 case will also be appealed, and a politicized U.S. Supreme Court majority could use Purcell to block California’s five Democratic seats.
We’ve linked the decision at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (Dec. 2025) U.S. Supreme Court Majority Embraces Texas Redistricting, Ignores District Court Panel Racial Gerrymandering Findings
CalMatters – Proposition 50 passed in California. Here’s what you missed
U.S. DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA (Via Democracy Docket) – Order in DAVID TANGIPA, et al., Plaintiffs, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Intervenor, v. GAVIN NEWSOM, in his official capacity
as the Governor of California, et al.,
American Democracy Minute – (Nov. 2025) The Purcell Principle, Often Used in the SCOTUS Shadow Docket, Will Be Argued in the Texas Gerrymandering Decision. What is it?
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, FairVote, League of Women Voters
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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