Supreme Court Archives

Alabama Must Keep 2nd Majority-Minority District But Skates on VRA Pre-Clearance, Says Federal Appeals Court

August 11, 2025August 11, 2025

After being directed to create two majority-minority Black districts by federal courts, then obstructing that order, Alabama’s congressional map was instead drawn by an independent expert in 2023. Still defiant, the state appealed, but August 7th, a three judge panel upheld the maps, in a win for Black Alabamians.

Can Individuals or Advocacy Groups Sue in Voting Rights Cases? The Magic 8th Circuit Ball Says ‘No’.

July 30, 2025July 31, 2025

The federal 8th Circuit Court appears intent to block redistricting and voting rights cases by individuals and advocacy groups. July 29th, the 8th Circuit issued another finding that individuals and groups can’t sue using the Voting Rights Act.

Federal 1st Circuit Deems Maine Ballot Initiative Limiting Foreign Spending in State Elections is Likely Unconstitutional

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

The voices of 86% of Maine voters were silenced July 14th as a federal appeals court found a 2023 ballot initiative limiting political spending by foreign-owned corporations likely violates the Constitution’s right to free speech.

Eighth Circuit ‘Private Right of Action’ Ruling Temporarily Halted by Justice Kavanaugh in Case by North Dakota Tribal Nations

July 22, 2025July 23, 2025

In May, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that individuals, in this case Native Americans, do not have a “private right of action” in voting rights cases. An emergency stay was granted July 22nd, and it’s likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Judges, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’

July 13, 2025July 13, 2025

At a Puerto Rico conference May 1st, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned judges that recent threats from the White house are “attacks on our democracy.” Jackson remarked at another conference July 10th that the ‘state of our democracy’ keeps her up at night.

American Democracy Minute

Category: Supreme Court

Alabama Must Keep 2nd Majority-Minority District But Skates on VRA Pre-Clearance, Says Federal Appeals Court

Can Individuals or Advocacy Groups Sue in Voting Rights Cases? The Magic 8th Circuit Ball Says ‘No’.

Federal 1st Circuit Deems Maine Ballot Initiative Limiting Foreign Spending in State Elections is Likely Unconstitutional

Eighth Circuit ‘Private Right of Action’ Ruling Temporarily Halted by Justice Kavanaugh in Case by North Dakota Tribal Nations

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Judges, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’