The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 14, 2026

District Court Block of Executive Order for USPS Citizenship Verification Now Nationwide; DOJ Asks SCOTUS to Quickly Overturn the Ruling
In late June, a federal district court issued a temporary injunction preventing the U.S. Postal Service from implementing President Trump’s plan to have the USPS verify citizenship for mail-in voters.  The injunction applied only to the 23 states which challenged Trump’s order, but August 11th, that injunction was expanded nationwide.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The White House – ENSURING CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION AND INTEGRITY IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS
U.S. District Court for Massachusetts (via Court Listener) – Ruling in California v. Trump
United States Court of Appeals For the First Circuit – Order in California v. Trump
U.S. Supreme Court – APPLICATION FOR A STAY OF THE INJUNCTION ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS AND REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAY
U.S. Supreme Court - Supplemental brief by Trump Administration Asking for Quick Action 

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - Making Sense of Latest Conflicting Appeals Court Rulings on Trump’s March Executive Order on Elections. Has Harm Been Done–Yet?

American Democracy Minute - Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration from Implementing Key Parts of Executive Order on Elections as Unconstitutional Overreach

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters, ACLU

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #TrumpExecutiveOrder #USPS #USPostalService #MailInVoting #Proof ofCitizenship #VoterSuppression

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 13, 2026

Alabama Holds 2nd Primary Election With Legislature’s Discriminatory Congressional Districts, Restored After SCOTUS Callais Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court majority’s April 29th Callais decision invalidated use of race for redistricting, and sent some GOP-led states running to redraw congressional maps to dilute Black voting power. August 11th, Alabama ran a second state primary with its restored, discriminatory maps.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Alabama Reflector - Alabama special primary round-up: Low turnout, few surprises in congressional races
PBS Newhour/AP - All About Redistricting
WSFA - How much will the special primary election cost Alabama?
BallotPedia - Redistricting in Alabama ahead of the 2026 elections

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - Callais Decision Fallout as Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama & South Carolina Scramble to Eliminate Black Congressional Districts
American Democracy Minute - Federal Court Panel Rejects Alabama Congressional Map -Again- as Intentional Discrimination.  State Officials Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

American Democracy Minute - U.S. Supreme Court Stays Lower Court Order Which Created Another Alabama Majority-Black Voting District – An Order It Previously Upheld

Groups Taking Action:

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #USSupremeCourt #Milligan #Callais  #RacialGerrymandering #Alabama #VotingRightsAct

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 12, 2026

Let’s Just Say the Trump Administration’s Quest to Obtain State Voter Data Has Not Gone Well.  DOJ is now 0 for 22, With 9 More Cases Pending.
We’ve been reporting since last spring on attempts by the Trump administration to obtain state voter and personal data for the expanded SAVE Database. That effort included lawsuits against 30 states and DC for refusing. DOJ is 0-22 in those cases.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Department of Justice - Justice Department Sues Six Additional States for Failure to Provide Voter Registration Rolls
Brennan Center for Justice - Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information   
Votebeat - Appeals court rules against Trump administration in Michigan voter roll dispute
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALSFOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT - Opinion in U.S. v. Benson
Newsweek - Donald Trump Suffers 19th Straight Defeat in Voter Roll Campaign

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - Class Action Suit by Voters Claims Personal Data Shared to the Trump Administration’s SAVE Database Violates the Privacy Act of 1974

American Democracy Minute - Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Suit Demanding RI’s Personal Voter Data. The Administration is 0-5 Against States Refusing to Comply.

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #SAVEDatabase #TrumpDOJ #NoncitizenVoting #VoterSuppression

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 11, 2026

The U.S. Senate Will Leave for Summer Recess Without Passing the SAVE America Act, But the Restrictive Voting Bill Will Be Back in the Fall
At 4:36 AM August 8th, before legislators were released for the summer recess, the U.S. Senate voted on a subset of the SAVE America Act. This version required narrow types of photo ID but no proof of citizenship.  It still failed.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The Hill - Thune, Trump, Senate conservatives reach deal to set aside budget, SAVE America Act impasse
The Daily Signal - Late-Night Senate Session Ends With SAVE America Defeat​
U.S. Senate - Roll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session - S 5271
U.S. Congress - Text of S 5271
Bipartisan Policy Center - Six Things to Know About the SAVE America Act 

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - U.S. House Passes the SAVE America Act and Will Combine It With a Defense Appropriations Bill to Make it Harder to Vote Down in the Senate

American Democracy Minute - President Trump Ties Ending the Partial Government Shutdown to Passage of the SAVE America Act. The Draconian Voting Bill Still Doesn’t Have the Votes.

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, League of Women Voters

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #SAVEAct #SAVEAmericaAct #VoterSuppression  #USSenate

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 10, 2026

Delaware Enacts State Voting Rights Act; Virginia Strengthens Its VRA, Laying Groundwork for Automatic Voter Registration
On the 61st anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Delaware enacted a state VRA prohibiting voter discrimination, suppression and vote dilution.  Virginia’s governor signed legislation to expand its VRA and lay the groundwork for automatic voter registration in the commonwealth

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Conference of State Legislatures - State Voting Rights Acts
Governor of Delaware - Governor Meyer Signs John Lewis Voting Rights Act, Strengthening Voting Rights Protections in Delaware
Delaware General Assembly - HB 444 DELAWARE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
Governor of Virginia - Governor Spanberger Celebrates Anniversary of Voting Rights Act in Norfolk (includes links to 10 bills signed by the Governor)  

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - (2024) With the SCOTUS Majority Intent on Dismantling the Voting Rights Act, Pro-Democracy States are Enacting State VRAs

American Democracy Minute - Callais Decision Fallout as Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama & South Carolina Scramble to Eliminate Black Congressional Districts

Groups Taking Action:

Legal Defense Fund & ACLU DE

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #StateVRA #Delaware #VotingRights #VotingRightsAct #Virginia #MotorVoter

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 7, 2026

North Carolina Governor Signals Veto of Bill Shortening Early Voting, and Lengthening the Window for Ballot Challenges
We’re in North Carolina today, where Governor Josh Stein signalled he would veto a bill shortening early voting for primaries, lengthening the time for activists to challenge a voter’s eligibility, and purge voters flagged in the federal SAVE database.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

North Carolina General Assembly - House Bill 958
NC Newsline - NC House approves election changes, budget additions over critics’ objections
Carolina Public Press - NC lawmakers send two big election bills to governor
NC Newsline - Veto coming on the GOP’s big elections bill, NC Gov. Stein says
Gov. Josh Stein - Post on X Signaling Veto of HB 958
Charlotte News & Observer - (2025) NC Republicans will try to override Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. How it could play out

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - Federal Court Settles North Carolina Supreme Court Race, Heading Off a Dangerous Precedent of Retroactively Questioning Election Rules

Groups Taking Action:
Democracy North Carolina, ACLU NC, League of Women Voters NC

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCarolina #GovJoshStein #HB958 #VoterSuppression

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 6, 2026

Missouri Voters Block GOP’s Attempt to Change Ballot Measure Rules;  State SOS Blocks Nov. Measure Trying to Overturn Legislature’s Racially-Gerrymandered Congressional Map
A ballot measure by the GOP-majority legislature to raise the bar for passing citizen ballot initiatives was overwhelmingly defeated in Missouri’s state primary Aug. 4th.  The same day, a ballot measure for November’s ballot repealing the state’s partisan and racially-gerrymandered congressional maps was proclaimed unconstitutional by the Missouri secretary of state. 

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Missouri Independent - Missouri voters reject income tax phaseout, initiative petition changes
BallotPedia - Missouri Amendment 4, Require Congressional District Approval for Initiated Constitutional Amendments, Prohibit Foreign Contributions, and Penalize Petition Fraud Amendment (August 2026)
Missouri Independent - Missouri redistricting referendum blocked by secretary of state, drawing lawsuit
Gov. Mike Kehoe - Statement on Defeat of Missouri Amendment 4 

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - (2025) Missouri Legislature Passes New Gerrymandered Congressional Map with One More GOP Seat and Moves to Quash Future Citizen Ballot Initiatives
American Democracy Minute - (May) Missouri SOS Still Apparently Scheming to Derail November Ballot Initiative to Overturn New Gerrymandered Congressional Map Splitting Kansas City
American Democracy Minute - (January) Missouri Secretary of State Tactics Attempt to Derail Citizen Repeal of Gerrymandered Congressional Map

Groups Taking Action:

People Not Politicians MO

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Missouri #PeopleNotPoliticiansMO #Amendment4  #DennyHoskins

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

The Supreme Court’s Callais Decision Likely to Take Down Another Majority-Minority District, This Time Impacting Native Americans
Back in April we reported on the seizure of over 600,000 Riverside County, California ballots by County Sheriff Chad Bianco.  The state attorney general and a group of voters asked the state supreme court to intervene.  Oral arguments in those cases will be heard in a special session August 24th.  

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT - Judgement in Turtle Mountain Band v. Howe
U.S. Supreme Court - (2025)  EMERGENCY APPLICATION TO STAY THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT’S
MANDATE PENDING PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Courthouse News Service - (2025) North Dakota tribes bring fight for voting rights to Supreme Court

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - Eighth Circuit ‘Private Right of Action’ Ruling Temporarily Halted by Justice Kavanaugh in Case by North Dakota Tribal Nations

American Democracy Minute - Radical Decision by Appeals Court in Arkansas Case Greenlights North Dakota Appeal to Restore Maps Designed to Suppress Native American Voting Power

Groups Taking Action:

Native American Rights Fund, North Dakota Native Vote, Tribal Supreme Court Project

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthDakota #NativeVoters #VotingRightsAct #Callais #VoterSuppression

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 4, 2026

California Supreme Court Schedules Special Session to Hear Cases Against Riverside County Sheriff Who Seized 600,000 Ballots
Back in April we reported on the seizure of over 600,000 Riverside County, California ballots by County Sheriff Chad Bianco.  The state attorney general and a group of voters asked the state supreme court to intervene.  Oral arguments in those cases will be heard in a special session August 24th.  

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

California Supreme Court - SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA ORAL ARGUMENT CALENDAR SPECIAL SESSION – SAN FRANCISCO AUGUST 24, 2026
California Supreme Court (via UCLA Voting Rights Project) - PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE AND/OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF AND REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW
California Supreme Court - Case Summary - ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. BIANCO
CalMatters - These emails show what drove Chad Bianco’s ballot seizure

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - CA Supreme Court Halts Sheriff’s Prop. 50 Ballot Investigation; Unsealed Warrant Affidavits Show Election Denier Group Provided the ‘Evidence’

American Democracy Minute -  California Sheriff Obtains Warrant from Judge He Endorsed, Then Seizes More than 650,000 Ballots for ‘Recount’ of 2025 Redistricting Referendum

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #California #ChadBianco #BallotSeizure #CASupremeCourt

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 3, 2026

Virginia’s Governor Has Restored Rights to Over 66,000 Formerly Incarcerated Citizens. November’s Question 3 Would Make it Automatic.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced July 31st that she has restored the voting and civil rights to over 66,000 formerly incarcerated citizens since she took office in January.   Virginia is only one of three states where withholding those rights remains in the state constitution.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Office of the Governor - Governor Spanberger Restores Voting Rights for More Than 66,000 Virginians
Virginia Mercury - Spanberger restores voting rights to more than 60,000 Virginians
NAACP Virginia State Conference - NAACP Virginia State Conference Commends Governor Spanberger for Restoring Voting Rights to More Than 66,000 Virginians
BallotPedia - Virginia Question 3, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Upon Release Amendment (2026)
Brennan Center for Justice - Can People Convicted of a Felony Vote? 
Commonwealth of Virginia - Restoration of Rights Process

Related ADM Reports:

American Democracy Minute - (2023) Virginia’s Governor Ended Automatic Voting Rights Restoration for 12,000 Returning Felons this Year.  A State Error Almost Disenfranchised 3,400 More.

Groups Taking Action:

 The Advancement Project, Restoration of Rights Project, Fair Elections Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

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

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Subscribe for FREE at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms.

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #RightsRestoration #Virginia #GovSpanberger #ReturningCitizens