American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast

Restrictions for Mail-In Voting and Voter ID on the Ballot in Maine Nov. 4th Even Though Voter Fraud in Maine is Almost Nonexistent

September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

Maine voters decide November 4th whether adding more ID and mail-in voting restrictions for most voters justifies preventing almost nonexistent voter fraud. Question 1 tightens voter ID requirements, and adds hurdles for mail-in voters, including the elderly and disabled, despite only two voter fraud convictions since 1982.

Appeals Court Affirms North Carolina’s Jim Crow-Era Returning Felon Voting Law is Unconstitutional, and Questions Why It Wasn’t Repealed

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

The striking down of an 1877 Jim Crow-era law making it a crime for citizens convicted of a felony to vote when their rights had not yet been restored was affirmed by a federal appeals court Sept. 12th. Judges asked why the North Carolina legislature had not already repealed the law.

Legal Action by States Can Move Forward Against Trump’s Restrictive Executive Order on Elections, Says Federal District Judge

September 23, 2025September 23, 2025

President Donald Trump’s March 25th executive order on elections, attempting to override the U.S. Constitution’s grant of election authority to states and Congress, has so far been blocked by four of five lawsuits filed against it. A ruling in one of those cases on September 17th allows a challenge from 19 states to move forward.

New Federal Policy Bans League of Women Voters and Other Pro-Voter Groups from Registering New Americans at Naturalization Ceremonies

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

The League of Women Voters reports that for decades, over 100 local League affiliates assisted new citizens with registering to vote immediately following their naturalization ceremony. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services just prohibited the League and other pro-voter groups from providing this service to new Americans.

South Carolina Supreme Court Decides ‘All elections shall be free and open’ Doesn’t Mean Partisan Gerrymandering is Unconstitutional

September 21, 2025September 21, 2025

In June, we told you about a South Carolina state supreme court case challenging the state constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering. The court ruled September 17th that manipulating voting districts for partisan power does NOT violate the state’s constitution.