American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

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.

Texas Legislature Blocked From Enacting Manipulated Congressional Redistricting Maps as 50 Democrats Flee the State and Possible Arrest

August 10, 2025August 10, 2025

In protest of Congressional redistricting maps blatantly manipulated by the Texas Assembly to gerrymander five more GOP seats, more than 50 Democratic legislators fled the state to prevent a quorum and block the new maps. Arrest warrants have now been issued for the Texas House Democrats who fled.

Redistricting Week: A Gerrymandering War is Breaking Out Before the 2026 Midterms with Both Sides Threatening to Cheat on Their Maps

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025

With sinking approval ratings and the 2026 midterms looming, President Donald Trump asked Texas legislators to further gerrymander Congressional maps and preserve a GOP advantage in the U.S. House. Sinking to the challenge, Democratic states are threatening to cheat in their states, too.

Redistricting Week: Who Does the Redistricting, and How Can We Encourage Fair Maps and Curb Gerrymandering?

August 6, 2025August 6, 2025

We’ve been explaining the basics of fair redistricting and unfair gerrymandering this week. Who does the redistricting, and how can that encourage fair maps and curb partisan and racial gerrymandering?

Redistricting Week: 60 Years After The Voting Rights Act, Racial Gerrymandering Persists, Driven by State Legislatures Trying to Retain Power

August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

You may think racial gerrymandering happened long ago and just in southern states with legacies of suppressing of African Americans. Think again. Anti-voter legislatures around the country still employ racial gerrymandering to retain political power.