The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 21, 2026
We have mid-decade congressional redistricting updates today from California, Virginia, New Hampshire and Maryland. The GOP appealed California’s case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
January 14th, a federal district panel allowed California’s voter-authorized Proposition 50 maps to be used. Two days later, the California GOP appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court cited the Purcell principle as a factor in its Texas decision, saying changing maps would create confusion in the March 3rd midterm primary election. California’s primary is June 2nd. The high court has yet to accept the case.
In Virginia, Democrats in the General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment ballot question authorizing the legislature to conduct mid-decade congressional redistricting. The Virginia Mercury reports that a referendum election date has not yet been set, but is expected this spring. Democrats currently hold 6 of 11 congressional seats in the commonwealth.
HB 1300, a New Hampshire bill to redistrict the state’s two congressional districts, was effectively killed with the addition of an unrelated amendment. Governor Kelly Ayotte has expressed opposition to midterm redistricting.
Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore recently told the Associated Press he supports mid-decade redistricting, but Senate President Bill Ferguson vocally opposes it.
We’ve linked to local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
National Conference of State Legislatures – Changing the Maps: Tracking Mid-Decade Redistricting
U.S. DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA (via Election Law Blog) – PLAINTIFFS’ EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR AN INJUNCTION PENDING APPEAL
Virginia Mercury – Virginia Senate Democrats advance mid-decade redistricting amendment
AFT NH – HB 1300 was originally slated to be a mid-decade congressional redistricting bill but . . .
Associated Press – Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore pushes the case for redrawing the state’s congressional map
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause US, League of Women Voters US, Bipartisan Policy Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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