American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Voters Identifying as ‘Independent’ Reaches Record High Led by Younger Americans, Says New Gallup Poll

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

The number of Americans identifying as independents reached a new high, at the expense of both major parties. An updated Gallup tracking poll found 45% of respondents called themselves political independents, led by younger Americans.

Trump’s Executive Order on Elections Handed Another Defeat, as Federal Court Upholds a State’s Right to Set Ballot Deadlines, Choose Methods

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections took yet another hit January 9th, as a federal judge blocked portions of the order trying to dictate election and ballot deadlines, what voting systems can be used, and blocking federal funding for non-compliant states.

Missouri Secretary of State Tactics Attempt to Derail Citizen Repeal of Gerrymandered Congressional Map

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026

January 6th, the Missouri Secretary of State disqualified one third of the qualifying signatures for a ballot initiative repealing a gerrymandered mid-decade congressional map. January 9th, his lawyer admitted in court that the state’s language for the ballot initiative was “likely to create prejudice.” It’s all part of an all-out effort to derail the pro-voter ballot measure.

FL Governor Ron DeSantis Calls April Special Session to Gerrymander More GOP Congressional Districts, Escalating Redistricting Fight

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called an April special session of the legislature with the intent of redrawing the state’s congressional districts, further escalating the gerrymandering wars started last summer by President Donald Trump. An estimated three to five additional GOP seats are expected.

Motor-Voter Laws Have Helped Register Millions to Vote, But Accidentally Signed Up a Relative Small Number of Noncitizens. It’s Still a Big Success.

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

As a solution to declining voter registration rates, 24 states and the District of Columbia implemented automatic voter registration, also known as AVR or “motor-voter.” Mistakes including the registration of noncitizens have occurred, but it’s also resulted in helping millions more Americans register to vote.