American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

ADM for August 30, 2022: Jim Crow Era Mississippi Voter Suppression Law Upheld by Federal Court

August 29, 2022August 29, 2022

We’re headed to Mississippi today, where last week an 1890 Jim Crow voter suppression constitutional provision was shockingly upheld by the Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

ADM for August 29, 2022: Researchers Confirm Gerrymandering Used to Hold Power After Losses & Demographic Shifts

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

We reported recently on the use of advanced mathematical models for proving gerrymandering to the courts. Now, researchers are confirming what democracy advocates have long suspected: Gerrymandering is being used as a tool keep political power in the face of a changing tide of demographics.

ADM for August 26, 2022: Federal Court Strikes Down Arkansas Law Limiting Assistance to Voters

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022

We’re in Arkansas today, where August 20th, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that a 2009 state law barring a person from assisting more than six voters was contrary to federal law.

ADM for August 25, 2022: New Poll Show “Threats to Democracy” as Top Issue with Voters, Over the Economy

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

A new NBC News poll released August 21st had a surprising finding: The most concerning issue in America among voters polled was “Threats to Democracy,” over the “Cost of Living” and “Jobs and the Economy.”

ADM for August 24, 2022: Math & Computer Scientists Develop Tools to Prove Cheating in Redistricting

August 23, 2022August 23, 2022

As a listener to ADM, you know that redistricting voting districts happens every 10 years after a new census. That redistricting can be fairly done, or can be manipulated for partisan gain, called gerrymandering. But mathematicians and computer scientists now have tools to show to courts just how gerrymandered the districts actually are.