The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Jan. 5, 2026

We have state updates today, both with significant implications for voters.  Ohio replaced its independent election commission with an “election integrity” commission under the control of the Secretary of State.  A Utah judge will allow the legislature to appeal the state’s court-mandated congressional district map, which replaced the legislature’s unconstitutional map last year. 

The Ohio Capital Journal reports that a new commission overseeing elections took control January 1st from the Ohio Elections Commission, after legislators complained it was slow and ineffective.  It was historically bipartisan and independent from the executive branch.  But new may not mean better for voters.   

The just-formed Ohio Election Integrity Commission now reports to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who in 2024 orchestrated a deceptive rewriting of a ballot initiative to ensure its defeat.   While the previous commission was chosen by a bipartisan panel, the new commission will be chosen by House and Senate leadership, and the chair appointed by the Secretary of State. 

The Utah News Dispatch reports that the state judge who struck down the legislature’s attempts to sidestep constitutional fair redistricting rules has allowed the legislature to appeal replacement fair maps to the Utah Supreme Court.  The state’s high court previously struck down attempts to neutralize the state’s independent redistricting commission.  The case will likely be expedited.

We’ve linked the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:

Ohio Capital Journal – New Ohio Election Integrity Commission begins to take shape
Ohio Legislative Service Commission – Ohio Election Integrity Commission

American Democracy Minute – (2024) Polling Shows Ohio Voters Lean Toward Passing Citizen-Led Redistricting Commission Ballot Measure, Despite Disinformation from State Officials
American Democracy Minute – Utah Judge Rejects Legislature’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map, Choosing a Map Which Follows the State Constitution Instead
Utah News Dispatch – Utah redistricting: Judge allows Legislature to appeal one of her rulings to Utah Supreme Court 

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause OH,  League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #Ohio #Utah #FrankLaRose #FairMaps #Gerrymandering #OHSecretaryofState

The post Ohio Election Oversight Becomes More Partisan on Jan. 1; Utah Judge Allows Legislature to Appeal Replacement Fair Congressional Map appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 19, 2025

The Utah judge who struck down the state legislature’s proposed congressional map as “an extreme gerrymander” has faced threats of impeachment – and violence.  Florida’s legislature scheduled its initial congressional redistricting committee meeting for Dec. 4th.

Last week, Judge Dianna Gibson struck down the GOP-majority legislature’s proposed map as violating the Utah constitution’s criteria for fair redistricting. Her decision was met with a call for her impeachment by Republican Representative Matt MacPherson, and unspecified threats of violence from others.   

In a rare public statement, the Utah Judiciary called for civility, respect and constructive dialog.  QUOTE, “Threats of violence against judges or court personnel are unacceptable, dangerous, and may violate state or federal law. Any conduct aimed at causing fear for a ruling or undermining the safe operation of the justice system strikes at the heart of the rule of law. Such actions endanger not only the individuals targeted but the functioning of the justice system itself.”

In other midterm gerrymandering news, the Florida House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting scheduled its first session for December 4th.  Florida’s announcement follows abandoned efforts to gerrymander more seats in Indiana and Kansas.  Voters passed Florida Congressional District Boundaries Amendment 6 in 2010 to ensure fair districts, but the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis have largely ignored the constitution’s criteria. 

We have more on both stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – Utah Judge Rejects Legislature’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map, Choosing a Map Which Follows the State Constitution Instead

Utah News Dispatch – Utah judge faces impeachment threats after ordering congressional map with 1 Democratic seat

Utah News Dispatch – Utah judiciary issues rare statement addressing threats against judge in redistricting case

Utah Bar Association – Utah State Bar Statement on Call to Impeach Judge Gibson

Utah Judiciary – UTAH JUDICIARY RESPONDS TO THREATS IN REDISTRICTING CASE

Florida Politics – Florida House moves forward with meeting on redrawing Florida’s congressional lines

WJHG – Redistricting committee expected to meet in December

BallotPedia – Florida Fair Districts Now Amendments 5 & 6

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause FL,

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #Florida #Utah #BetterBoundaries #Proposition 4 #TrumpGerrymandering

The post Utah Judge Who Struck Down ‘Extreme Gerrymander’ Threatened with Impeachment and Violence; Florida Redistricting Starts Dec. 4 appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 13, 2025

In October, the Utah legislature proposed yet another gerrymandered Congressional map which violated state constitutional rules for redistricting.   Nov. 10th, the judge overseeing the case rejected the legislature’s map, choosing a constitutionally-compliant one instead.

Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson gave the legislature an opportunity to create a compliant map in September.  In October, the legislature and the Utah GOP proposed their Option C, which failed to follow criteria set out in Better Boundaries Proposition 4, a 2018 constitutional amendment approved by Utah voters.  

Proposition 4 established a citizen-led independent redistricting commission and set fair redistricting criteria.  After the citizen-led commission passed fair maps, the legislature passed legislation to neutralize the independent commission and passed its own gerrymandered maps, which the Utah Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in 2024, sending it back to district court to remediate. 

Nov. 10th, Judge Gibson rejected Option C as not constitutionally compliant.  She also rejected the legislature’s SB 1011 attempting to override the Proposition 4 rules, writing that it, “violates the people’s fundamental right to alter or reform their government under the Utah Constitution.”  Gibson chose a congressional map drawn using the Proposition 4 criteria, submitted by the League of Women Voters Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government.  Barring further challenges, it will be in place for the 2026 midterm.
We have the decision linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (2024) Utah Voters Fought Back After Their Fair Voting Districts Constitutional Amendment was Gutted by an Anti-Voter Legislature.  They Won.
American Democracy Minute – After Losing in Court and at the Polls, Utah Legislature Approves Nov. Ballot Measure to Veto or Alter Citizen Ballot Measures to Protect Its Power
American Democracy Minute – Judge Orders Utah to Immediately Draw New Congressional Map, After the Legislature Circumvented the Voters – and the State Constitution
Utah News Dispatch – Redistricting ruling: Utah judge picks plaintiffs’ congressional map, blocks Legislature’s  

Groups Taking Action: 

League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Utah #BetterBoundariesUT #Proposition4 #Utah #LWVUT  #FairMaps

The post Utah Judge Rejects Legislature’s Gerrymandered Congressional Map, Choosing a Map Which Follows the State Constitution Instead appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 8, 2025

August 25th, a Utah judge ordered a new Congressional redistricting map drawn after finding the legislature had violated the state constitution.  October 6th, the legislature defiantly passed a new gerrymandered map. 

The legislature had previously passed legislation to neutralize Better Boundaries Proposition 4, a voter-approved independent redistricting commission passed in 2018.  It ignored the commission’s maps, and created its own gerrymandered maps benefitting the Republican Party.  Both acts were ruled unconstitutional.  

As we reported in September, Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson set November 10th as the deadline for choosing a new map.  October 6th, the legislature and the Utah GOP selected Option C as their choice. The map, while slightly more competitive, appears to still lock in U.S. House seats for Republicans, according to Utah News Dispatch reporting.  It also passed a bill changing Proposition 4’s language and requirements.

The legislature is not the only stakeholder proposing maps.  Plaintiffs Mormon Women for Ethical Government and the League of Women Voters also submitted two options on October 6th, both of which comply with Proposition 4’s original criteria. 

Republicans argue only the legislature can approve the final map, not a judge, and hinted at impeachment if she doesn’t approve the legislature’s map.

We’ve linked to the local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (Sept 8th) Judge Orders Utah to Immediately Draw New Congressional Map, After the Legislature Circumvented the Voters – and the State Constitution
Utah Legislature – Proposed Map Options A – E
Utah News Dispatch – Utah Legislature picks congressional map supported by Republican party
Campaign Legal Center – Plaintiffs’ Map Submission
Better Boundaries Utah – Guide to Evaluating Maps

Groups Taking Action:

Better Boundaries Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, League of Women Voters UT

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Gerrymandering #FairMaps #FairRedistricting #Utah #MWEG #LWV

The post Utah Legislature Passes a Gerrymandered Congressional Map – Again.  But a Judge Will Have the Final Say Nov. 10 appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 18, 2025

We reported September 9th that a Utah state district court ordered a new Congressional district map be drawn by September 25th.  Shortly after, the GOP-dominated Utah legislature asked for an emergency stay, which was denied by the Utah Supreme Court on September 15th.  The new fair map should be in place for the 2026 midterm.

In 2018, Utah voters approved Better Boundaries Proposition 4, establishing a commission independent from the legislature charged with creating fair, communities of interest-based maps for Congress, state legislature, and school districts.  Fair maps were drawn, but the legislature passed SB 200 to neutralize the commission and the legislature drew new gerrymandered maps, actions later ruled unconstitutional. 

In asking for the stay, the state legislature argued 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibson had abused the court’s discretion in striking down the 2021 Congressional map for not complying with Proposition 4, but then ordering a new map which only partially met Prop 4’s guidelines.   The Utah Supreme Court, however, found Judge Gibson has not abused her authority due to the timeline, and denied the stay.  

For now, the timeline for fair Utah Congressional maps will likely remain in place for the 2026 midterm election.  A full appeal by the legislature to the state supreme court will likely be heard in the coming months. 

We have the opinion and more at AmericanDemocracyminute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – Judge Orders Utah to Immediately Draw New Congressional Map, After the Legislature Circumvented the Voters – and the State Constitution
Utah News Dispatch – Anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs cite ‘irony’ in Utah lawmakers’ appeal to Utah Supreme Court
Utah Legislature – Emergency Petition for Extraordinary Relief in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature
Utah Supreme Court – Emergency Stay Ruling in League of Women Voters v. Utah State Legislature
Utah News Dispatch – Utah Supreme Court denies Legislature’s petition to block ruling tossing out congressional map 

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center, Better Boundaries UT 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Utah #FairMaps #LeagueofWomenVoters #UtahSupremeCourt

The post Effort by UT Legislature to Stop Court-Ordered Fair Congressional Map Before the 2026 Midterm Fails, as State Supreme Court Denies Stay appeared first on American Democracy Minute.