The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 4, 2023

New Hampshire Supreme Court Won’t Hear Future Gerrymandering Cases, Abandoning Fair Representation for State’s Voters
Saying the state constitution doesn’t specifically prohibit partisan gerrymandering, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled November 29th that state courts have no jurisdiction and would not hear future gerrymandering cases.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
InDepthNH - State Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Gerrymandering Suit
Democracy Docket - New Hampshire Supreme Court Shuts The Door On Partisan Gerrymandering Claims
NHPR - In split ruling, NH Supreme Court says it can't review partisan gerrymandering claims
NH Union Leader/Yahoo News - High court upholds redistricting plans

Groups Taking Action:
Open Democracy, ACLU NH, League of Women Voters NH

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #EndGerrymandering #NHPolitics

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec 1, 2023

Michigan a Democracy Bright Spot as it Implements Proposition 2 Constitutional Amendment Protecting and Expanding Voting Rights
In November 2022, Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment enshrining voting protections and expanding ballot access. Throughout 2023, the legislature codified those mandates, and passed additional reforms, making Michigan one of the year’s democracy bright spots.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Michigan Proposal 2, Voting Policies in Constitution Amendment (2022)
Michigan Live - Michiganders pass Proposal 2, amending the state constitution to expand voting rights
Office of the Governor of Michigan - Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Legislation Expanding Voting Rights
League of Women Voters MI - List of Bills Implementing Proposition 2 - Update July 17, 2023

Michigan Advance - Lawmakers close out year with election reforms like 16 and 17 year old voting pre-registration
Bolts Magazine - Michigan Democrats Sprint Through ‘Pro-Voter’ Agenda to Close Out 2023

Groups Taking Action:
Voters Not Politicians, Secure Democracy USA, Michigan State Conference of the NAACP, League of Women Voters MI

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FreedomtoVote #ProtectPollWorkers #LetUsVote

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 30, 2023

Former New Hampshire GOP State Representative Who Consistently Voted for Tighter “Election Integrity” Laws is Charged with Voting Illegally

A former New Hampshire GOP State Representative who repeatedly voted for so-called “election integrity” laws, has been arrested for a Class B felony of Wrongful Voting, among other fraud charges.  

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
New Hampshire Public Radio - AG investigation finds NH lawmaker lived outside of his district for more than a year
New Hampshire Attorney General - Former State Representative Troy E. Merner Arrested for Wrongful Voting and Other Charges
WMUR - Former New Hampshire state rep accused of wrongful voting; other charges filed
NH Legislature - Final Text of SB 3 Voting Domicile Bill (Later struck down by NH Supreme Court)
NH Municipal Association - Voter Registration Law Changes: Senate Voting Domicile Bill 3  (Later struck down by NH Supreme Court)
NH Legislature - SB3 Roll Call Vote 

BallotPedia - NH Coos County House District 1 Map and Recent Elections

Groups Taking Action:

Open Democracy Action, League of Women Voters NH, NH Youth Movement

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NHPolitics #ElectionIntegrity #VoterFraud

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 28, 2023

State Supreme Courts in New Mexico and Ohio Uphold Redistricting Maps. 
One of these is not Like the Other.
The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling on Nov. 27th, allowing the state’s Congressional districts to stand.  The same day, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld gerrymandered state legislature maps which had been previously struck down by the same court.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support
Ohio Capital Journal - Ohio Supreme Court dismisses redistricting challenge, leaving Statehouse maps in place
Ohio Supreme Court - LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OHIO ET AL. v. OHIO REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION ET AL.
Ohio Capital Journal - (Commentary) Misrepresentative lawmaking will continue in Ohio until voters have fair maps
NM Political Report - State supreme court upholds congressional map
KRQE 13 - New Mexico Supreme Court agrees with lower court: no ‘egregious’ gerrymandering
New Mexico Citizen Redistricting Committee - CRC’s Final Report on Adopted Maps and Evaluations

Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters OH, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Citizens Not Politicians, Fair Districts Ohio,
Represent.Us New Mexico

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 28, 2023

Radical Decision by Appeals Court in Arkansas Case Greenlights North Dakota Appeal to Restore Maps Designed to Suppress Native American Voting Power
A radical decision last week in an Arkansas racial gerrymandering case stopped voters and democracy groups from suing under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The State of North Dakota took advantage of the decision to appeal to have their racially discriminating gerrymandered maps restored, struck down after a lower court found they suppressed Native American voting power.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - North Dakota Legislative Redistricting Challenge (Turtle Mountain Band)
Native American Rights Fund -  COURT BLOCKS NORTH DAKOTA VOTING MAP THAT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST NATIVE VOTERS
CBS News Minnesota - In wake of Voting Rights Act ruling, North Dakota to appeal decision that protected tribes' rights
Brennan Center for Justice - The Newest Attack on the Voting Rights Act

Groups Taking Action:
Native American Rights Fund, North Dakota Native Vote

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EndGerrymandering #FairMaps #NativeAmericanVote

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 23, 2023

Court Challenges to Trump’s Ballot Eligibility are Pending in 17 States.   Losses in Colorado & Michigan are Being Appealed.
A Colorado circuit court judge ruled that President Donald Trump DID “engage in insurrection,” but that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t specifically disqualify U.S. Presidents from holding office under the “insurrection clause.”   

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - How the 14th Amendment Could Disqualify Trump and His Allies
Congress.Gov - Text of the Fourteenth Amendment Section 3 
PBS NewsHour/AP  - State courts to consider blocking Trump from 2024 ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause
Associated Press - Colorado judge finds Trump engaged in insurrection, but rejects constitutional ballot challenge
Democracy Docket/Denver, CO Circuit Court -  Final Order
Colorado Newsline - Colorado Supreme Court schedules hearing in Trump 14th Amendment case
Minnesota Reformer - Minnesota Supreme Court dismisses petition to remove Trump from 2024 primary ballot
Michigan Advance - Group appeals ruling by Michigan judge keeping Trump on the 2024 ballot
ABC News - 14th Amendment challenges to Trump's candidacy are likely Supreme Court bound
Groups Taking Action:
Free Speech for People, Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW)

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #14thAmendment #InsurrectionClause #January6thInsurrection

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 24, 2023

Brian is out today, and while this is a repeat of Aug. 15, 2023, two weeks ago, the language for Independent Redistricting Commission ballot initiative was greenlighted by the Ohio Ballot Board.

Ohio’s Politician-Led Redistricting Commission Failed.  Citizens Are Proposing a Citizen-Led Commission Instead.

With 70% of the vote in 2018, Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment prohibiting partisan gerrymandering.  The state’s redistricting commission and legislature ignored it, and gerrymandered the voting district maps anyway.  Citizens are now trying to fix what the politicians won’t.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Ohio Capital Journal - (2022) Public awaits more redistricting work, but new law gives court little leeway to force it
Ohio Capital Journal - (2022)  Discussions underway to propose new redistricting reform to Ohio voters
WOSU - Groups gathering signatures to get citizen-led statewide redistricting commission on the 2024 ballot
Ohio Redistricting Commission - What the Commission Does
Ohio Redistricting Commission - Public Comments
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission - FAQ Page
California Independent Redistricting Commission - FAQ Page
BallotPedia - States with Redistricting Commissions

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause Ohio, League of Women Voters OH, Fair Districts Ohio, Indivisible Central Ohio
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!
#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #OhioPolitics

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 23, 2023

Oral Arguments Heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Constitutionality of the the State’s Extreme Gerrymandered Maps
After months of campaigning, intrigue, impeachment threats, and partisan hard ball, oral arguments were finally heard November 21st on the constitutionality of extreme gerrymanders in Wisconsin’s state assembly and senate maps.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Wisconsin Examiner - Wisconsin Supreme Court hears oral arguments in case over political maps
The Guardian -  Wisconsin supreme court appears poised to strike down legislative maps and end Republican dominance
Democracy Docket - What Happened in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Redistricting Oral Argument
The Hill - Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing over redistricting case turns testy
Marquette Law - The balance of power in Wisconsin’s Assembly under alternative maps
ProPublica - Wisconsin’s Legislative Maps Are Bizarre, but Are They Illegal?
Princeton Gerrymandering Project - Wisconsin Assembly, Senate and Congressional Districts 

Groups Taking Action:
Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, Common Cause Wisconsin,  Represent.Us WI, Fair Elections Project 

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #WisconsinPolitics #EndGerrymandering

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 22, 2023

Radical Federal Court of Appeals Ruling Deals Another Blow to Voters, Democracy Groups and the Voting Rights Act 
A Nov. 20th federal appeals court decision ruled that only the U.S. Attorney General can bring a voting rights lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act. The decision, a radical departure from settled law, erects barriers to minority voters seeking fairness in federal court.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
All About Redistricting -  Background on Arkansas State Conf. NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment
Democracy Docket - 8th Circuit Rules Private Plaintiffs Cannot Sue Under Section 2 of Voting Rights Act
United States Court of Appeals For the Eighth Circuit  - Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment
Democracy Docket - Who Can and Cannot Sue To Protect Voters? It Depends on This Legal Concept
Politico -  Federal appeals court ruling threatens enforcement of the Voting Rights Act

Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Arkansas State Conference, NAACP Legal Defense Fund,  ACLU Arkansas, Arkansas Public Policy Panel,  ACLU

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EndGerrymandering #VotingRightsAct  #SCOTUS #ArkansasPolitics

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 21, 2023

Why was California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission Successful, While New York’s Commission Resulted in Gerrymandering & Court Cases?
While New York’s bipartisan redistricting commission struggled, the successful California Citizen Redistricting Commission maps were passed unanimously in 2021 with no litigation.  New York’s commission deadlocked, and was overruled by a Democratic-dominated legislature which drew its own gerrymandered maps. Those were later thrown out by the court, and the Congressional map is STILL being contested.

Our podcasting host recently made changes which stops us from including our entire script as part of the podcast content.  To view the whole script, please go to our website and find today's report.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
New York Independent Redistricting Commission - Background on the Commission
Brennan Center for Justice - What Went Wrong with New York’s Redistricting
California Secretary of State - California Redistricting
California Citizen Redistricting Commission - What is the Commission?
California Citizen Redistricting Commission -  REPORT ON FINAL MAPS
CalMatters - No legal battles for California’s new election maps. But what lessons can be learned?
Princeton Gerrymandering Project - California

Groups Taking Action:
ACLU or Northern California, Common Cause, League of Women Voters CA, #CaliforniaPolitics

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FairMaps #EndGerrymandering #CitizenRedistricting