Federal Court Archives | American Democracy Minute

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.

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.

U.S. DOJ Sues MA, CO, HI and NV to Turn Over Voter Registration Files, but Even Red States are Pushing Back

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

The U.S. Justice Department filed suits December 12th to compel Massachusetts, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada to turn over voter registration records, including citizenship records and personal data. Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington were sued December 2nd, bringing the total to 18.

Federal Court in DC Issues Permanent Injunction on Part of Trump Executive Order on Elections; No to Changing Federal Registration Form

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

A federal court in DC issued a permanent injunction Oct. 31st, barring a portion of President Trump’s executive order on elections. The injunction underscores that states and Congress, not the President, are constitutionally responsible for elections.

First Challenge to Trump-Requested Gerrymandering of Texas Congressional Maps Reaches a Federal Courtroom

October 5, 2025October 5, 2025

The first challenge to gerrymandered Texas congressional maps reached a federal courtroom October 1st, as a three-judge panel heard testimony about the 2025 maps in a previously filed 2021 racial gerrymandering case.