Federal Court Archives | Page 2 of 6 | American Democracy Minute

Once Again, the North Carolina Legislature Finds Itself in Court for Racial Gerrymandering

June 18, 2025June 18, 2025

The North Carolina legislature once again finds itself in federal court for two racial gerrymandering cases in a trial beginning June 16th. Voters and three pro-voter groups accuse GOP leaders of violating the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Second Federal Court Invalidates More of Trump’s Executive Order on Elections as Unconstitutional, Burdensome, and Likely to Disenfranchise

June 14, 2025June 15, 2025

In April, a DC federal district court ruled President Donald Trump does not have constitutional authority to require proof of citizenship for federal elections. June 13th, another federal court found Trump’s March 25th executive order would burden the states with implementing new systems, and would likely disenfranchise voters.

Federal Judge Blocks Proof of Citizenship Provisions in Trump Executive Order on Elections

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025

A partial victory for pro-voter groups April 24th, as a federal judge blocked the proof of citizenship portion of President Donald Trump’s executive order changing federal elections. The judge did not address other sections, which she suggested were best challenged by states, rather than voters.

State of Ohio Embroiled in Another Fight Over Manipulating Citizen Ballot Initiatives It Doesn’t Like. Now the U.S. Supreme Court is Involved.

April 16, 2025April 16, 2025

In 2024, a ballot measure to throw out Ohio’s dysfunctional politician-led redistricting process with an independent citizen-led process had its description rewritten by state officials to sink it. Now, Ohio officials are trying to sink two more measures they don’t like, and the U.S. Supreme Court is now involved.

Good Democracy News for a Change: Federal Court Directs Pennsylvania to Count Undated Mail-in Ballots in Ongoing Partisan Dispute

April 5, 2025April 6, 2025

Some good news during some very dark days for American democracy. A federal judge ruled Pennsylvania mail-in ballots without a date can be counted, protecting the vote of as many as 10,000 citizens who made a simple mistake.