American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Mixed News for North Carolina Voters, as Federal Courts Temporarily Block Voter Suppression Bill but Uphold Racially Gerrymandered Maps

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024

Opinions in two North Carolina cases offer both good democracy news and bad. A sweeping voter suppression bill was temporarily blocked, but a gerrymandered state senate map diluting Black voting power was upheld.

Two Florida Anti-Voter Redistricting and Voting Rights Laws Headed Back to Court

January 25, 2024January 25, 2024

We have updates on two Florida anti-voter court cases, a racial gerrymandering case which will finally be heard by the Florida Supreme Court, and another, restricting third-party voter registration organizations, is headed to a federal appeals court.

By the 14th Anniversary of Citizens United, SuperPACs and Candidates Spent Over $300 Million in IA, NH & SC

January 24, 2024January 24, 2024

January 21st was the 14th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates of money in political campaigns. In Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, over $300 Million dollars has already been spent in just three early races.

SCOTUS Declines Stay Request from Michigan’s Independent Redistricting Commission; 19 State House & Senate Districts to be Redrawn

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024

We reported January 16th on a federal court finding that maps drawn by Michigan’s Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission diluted Black voting power and must be redrawn. An appeal to keep the existing maps was declined Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Voter ID Clarity Needed in North Carolina, and Better Pay Requested for Poll Workers in South Carolina

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024

We’re in the Carolinas today, where South Carolina’s election director appealed for higher pay to replace poll workers driven off by threats and low wages, and North Carolina democracy groups want clarity of new restrictive voter ID rules.