VRA Archives | American Democracy Minute

What is the ‘Gingles Test’ and How Does it Impact Minority Voting Rights?

May 7, 2024May 7, 2024

Today, we’re looking at a principle called the “Gingles Test” that federal courts use when determining whether a gerrymandered redistricting map is a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. How that test is interpreted can determine whether minority voters can elect the candidate of their choice, or their vote is diluted by an anti-voter state legislature.

U.S. Justice Department Revamps Site for Voting Rights Information, Violation Reporting

April 24, 2024April 24, 2024

The U.S. Justice Department announced changes to its voting rights information and violation reporting page on April 17th, including a new guide on voting-related language assistance, and a video explaining protections against voter intimidation.

Federal Appeals Court Denies Rehearing of Radical Arkansas Voting Rights Act Ruling Shutting Out Voters & Democracy Groups from Bringing Cases

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

In Nov. 2023, an 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s radical ruling that Arkansas voters did not have the right to sue under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Despite being widely panned as a fringe ruling, the 8th Circuit refused to re-hear the case January 30th.

Federal Judge Approves Map with Additional Majority-Minority District in Georgia, But Also Hands Georgia Legislature a Gerrymandering Victory

January 2, 2024January 3, 2024

A Georgia racial gerrymandering case was finalized December 28th, approving a new map which included another majority-minority Congressional district. The map puts Georgia in compliance with the Voting Rights Act Section 2. But the Georgia legislature further gerrymandered other districts, including the district of a current Black congresswoman.

Encouraging New Decisions for North Dakota and Louisiana Push Back on the U.S. Eighth Circuit’s “No Right of Private Action” Voting Rights Act Ruling

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023

Last week we reported on the aftershocks of an Arkansas racial gerrymandering case, where the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided voters and groups had “No private right of action” under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Two rulings issued Friday, December 15th pushed back on that radical decision.