California Archives | American Democracy Minute

Redistricting Updates: CA GOP Appeals Prop 50 Maps to SCOTUS, VA Dems Push Constitutional Amendment, NH’s Bill Doomed, MD Stalemated

January 20, 2026January 21, 2026

We have mid-decade congressional redistricting updates today from California, Virginia, New Hampshire and Maryland. The GOP appealed California’s case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Circuit Courts Block Trump DOJ from Obtaining California and Oregon Voter Data

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

We have an update on the Trump Department of Justice efforts to force states to turn over voter and personal information for inclusion in its SAVE database. Federal district judges in California and Oregon blocked DOJ’s actions, finding neither federal nor state law compelled the states to do so.

Federal Panel Allows California’s Gerrymandered Counterpunch to Five More GOP Congressional Seats in Texas. Will a Politicized SCOTUS Block It?

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

January 14th, a 9th Circuit federal court panel rejected a GOP claim that California’s new congressional districts were racially gerrymandered. The court said the Proposition 50 maps, created as a counterpunch to gerrymandering in Texas, were manipulated for partisan, not racial reasons.

Federal Judges Appear Skeptical of GOP Claims of Racial Gerrymandering in California; Judge Orders New Judicial Districts in Mississippi

December 21, 2025December 21, 2025

A decision from a skeptical three-judge panel is expected December 22nd on Republican claims that California’s Proposition 50 racially gerrymandered Congressional districts. In Mississippi, a federal judge ordered a new map and special elections to remedy a racially gerrymandered state supreme court map.

Challenge to California Gerrymandering Reaches Federal Courtroom, but the SCOTUS Decision in Texas Could Undercut GOP Arguments

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

Testimony began December 15th in a Republican challenge to California’s new gerrymandered congressional map. Plaintiffs and the Trump Justice Department claim the legislature racially gerrymandered the maps, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s Texas decision may undercut that claim.