Episode 1036: Could SCOTUS Have the ‘Private Right of Action’ In Their Sights? The Court Returns Two Cases to Lower Courts for ‘Further Consideration’

Episode 1049: California Primary Mail-In Ballot Count Methodically Continues Amidst Trumped Up Fraud Accusations and U.S. DOJ Investigations

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 8, 2026 California Primary Mail-In Ballot Count Methodically Continues Amidst Trumped Up Fraud Accusations and U.S. DOJ Investigations It’s been a week since the California state primary, and election workers continue the methodical counting of mail-in ballots.  In a now familiar pattern, after President Donald Trump complained of “big cheating” in the election count, the U.S. Department of Justice announced election fraud investigations on June 5th. 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 [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: CalMatters - Live California election results [https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2026/06/california-primary-election-results-june-2026/] California Secretary of State - California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Californians What to Expect During the Vote Count Process [https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2026-news-releases-and-advisories/california-secretary-state-shirley-n-weber-phd-reminds-californians-what-expect-during-vote-count-process]  California Secretary of State - Vote by Mail (Absentee) Ballot Use 1962-2024 [https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/historical-absentee] Truth Social - June 4 Post by President Donald Trump Accusing Democrats of Voter Fraud [https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116690027934241490] The Guardian - Trump claims without proof Democrats are ‘trying to steal’ California primaries [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/04/trump-california-democrats-primaries] The New Republic - DOJ Investigates California for “Voter Fraud” in Middle of Election [https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/doj-investigates-california-voter-fraud-201251377.html] GV Wire - Letter from Gov. Gavin Newsom to Election Officials [https://gvwire.com/2026/05/06/newsom-urges-county-clerks-to-count-ballots-quickly-to-prevent-election-lies/] BBC - Here's why counting votes in California is taking so long [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2020jrpxz3o]  Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - In State of the Union Speech, Trump Pushes ‘SAVE America Act’, Voter ID, Proof of Citizenship and Ending Mail-In Ballots; Repeats Debunked Noncitizen Voting Claims [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/02/25/in-state-of-the-union-speech-trump-pushes-save-america-act-voter-id-proof-of-citizenship-and-ending-mail-in-ballots-repeats-debunked-noncitizen-voting-claims/] American Democracy Minute - Trump DOJ Says It Will Monitor Elections Nov. 4th in Five California Counties. Many Fear It’s a Voter Intimidation Tactic. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/10/27/trump-doj-says-it-will-monitor-elections-nov-4th-in-five-california-counties-many-fear-its-a-voter-intimidation-tactic/] Groups Taking Action: Common Cause CA [https://www.commoncause.org/california/press/election-night-is-not-results-night-2/] Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #California #GavinNewsom #DonaldTrump #PrimaryElection #ElectionResults

Episode 1048: Unsigned SCOTUS Alabama Order May Make Intentional Discrimination Even Harder to Prove and Allow States to Ignore the Purcell Principle

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 5, 2026 Unsigned SCOTUS Alabama Order May Make Intentional Discrimination Even Harder to Prove and Allow States to Ignore the Purcell Principle We recently reported that the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority greenlighted Alabama’s return to its 2003 congressional district map, twice struck down by a lower court as intentionally discriminatory.  One election law expert calls it a “significant and very bad” decision. 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 [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: U.S. Supreme Court - Order Allowing Alabama to use its discriminatory 2003 Map, overturning lower court [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a1314_7m58.pdf] U.S. District Court (via ACLU) -  Decision affirming Alabama's 2003 congressional map was intentionally discriminatory [https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/11/537-Order-granting-PI.pdf] Election Law Blog - Professor Rick Hasen, UCLA Law School  - Breaking: The Supreme Court, Over the Dissent of the 3 Liberal Justices, Allows Alabama to Use Maps that a Lower Court Found to Be Intentionally Discriminating Against Black Voters (Now Updated with Analysis–This is a Significant and Very Bad Ruling) [https://electionlawblog.org/?p=156541] Election Law Blog - Professor Travis Crum, Washington University School of Law - The Supreme Court Rewards Alabama’s Defiance [https://electionlawblog.org/?p=156546] Brennan Center for Justice - What the Supreme Court Gets Wrong About Democracy in the South [https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/what-supreme-court-gets-wrong-about-democracy-south] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute -  The Purcell Principle, Often Used in the SCOTUS Shadow Docket, Will Be Argued in the Texas Gerrymandering Decision.  What is it? [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/11/25/the-purcell-principle-often-used-in-the-scotus-shadow-docket-will-be-argued-in-the-texas-gerrymandering-decision-what-is-it/] American Democracy Minute - U.S. Supreme Court Majority Greenlights Alabama’s 2023 Congressional Map, After a Lower Court Panel Said -Again- It Intentionally Discriminated [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/06/03/u-s-supreme-court-majority-greenlights-alabamas-2023-congressional-map-after-a-lower-court-panel-said-again-it-intentionally-discriminated/] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state]  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #Alabama #USSupremeCourt #Milligan #RacialDiscrimination #ShadowDocket #VotingRightsAct

Episode 1047: U.S. Supreme Court Majority Greenlights Alabama’s 2023 Congressional Map, After a Lower Court Panel Said - Again - It Intentionally Discriminated

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 4, 2026 U.S. Supreme Court Majority Greenlights Alabama’s 2023 Congressional Map, After a Lower Court Panel Said - Again - It Intentionally Discriminated May 26th, a federal district court ruled for the second time that the State of Alabama’s 2023 congressional district map was intentionally discriminatory. It said “Our re-examination in light of Callais yields the same conclusion.” June 2nd, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that decision. 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 [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: U.S. Supreme Court - Order Staying Lower Court's Order and Allowing Alabama to Use the 2023 Map [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25a1314_7m58.pdf] U.S. District Court (via ACLU) – Order Temporarily Barring Alabama from Using 2003 Congressional Map [https://www.aclu.org/cases/thomas-v-allen-and-milligan-v-merrill?document=Order-granting-Plaintiffs-Motions-for-Preliminary-Injunctive-Relief#legal-documents] SCOTUSBlog - Supreme Court permits Alabama to use congressional map struck by lower court as racially discriminatory [https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/supreme-court-permits-alabama-to-use-congressional-map-struck-by-lower-court-as-racially-discrim/]Alabama Reflector - Supreme Court allows Alabama to use 2023 congressional map in August special primary [https://alabamareflector.com/2026/06/02/supreme-court-allows-alabama-to-use-2023-congressional-map-in-august-special-primary/] https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/supreme-court-permits-alabama-to-use-congressional-map-struck-by-lower-court-as-racially-discrim/ Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - Federal Court Panel Rejects Alabama Congressional Map -Again- as Intentional Discrimination.  State Officials Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/05/28/federal-court-panel-rejects-alabama-congressional-map-again-as-intentional-discrimination-state-officials-appeal-to-the-u-s-supreme-court/] American Democracy Minute - (2025) Fallout Continues from 2023 SCOTUS ‘Milligan’ Decision, as the Alabama Legislature Faces Possible Return of Preclearance Requirements [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/05/11/fallout-continues-from-2023-scotus-milligan-decision-as-the-alabama-legislature-faces-possible-return-of-preclearance-requirements/] American Democracy Minute - (2025) For the First Time in American History, Alabama Has 2 Black Members Congress, Thanks to the Protections of the VRA.  It Wasn’t Easy. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/01/06/for-the-first-time-in-american-history-alabama-has-2-black-members-congress-thanks-to-the-protections-of-the-vra-it-wasnt-easy/] Groups Taking Action: Legal Defense Fund [https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/supreme-court-reinstates-racially-discriminatory-map-for-alabamas-2026-congressional-elections/], ACLU [https://www.facebook.com/aclu/posts/this-ruling-puts-on-hold-the-district-courts-ruling-which-stopped-the-state-from/1471466948349754/] Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #Alabama #USSupremeCourt #SCOTUS #RacialDiscrimination #Milligan #RacialGerrymandering

Episode 1046: Louisiana Legislature Eliminates One of Two Majority Black Congressional Districts, Flipping One to the GOP, After SCOTUS Callais Decision

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 3, 2026 Louisiana Legislature Eliminates One of Two Majority Black Congressional Districts, Flipping One to the GOP, After SCOTUS Callais Decision Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a new congressional district map May 29th, eliminating one of two Black majority districts by adding nearby conservative White majority voters.  It’s the latest Black majority district to fall after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision. 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 [https://americandemocracyminute.org]  Today’s Links Articles & Resources: Louisana Illuminator - Louisiana congressional map boosting Republicans nears final passage [https://lailluminator.com/2026/05/28/louisiana-congressional-map-boosting-republicans-nears-final-passage/] Louisiana Illuminator - Litigation looms as Louisiana Legislature approves new congressional map [https://lailluminator.com/2026/05/29/litigation-looms-as-louisiana-legislature-approves-new-congressional-map/] SCOTUSBlog - Louisiana v. Callais (Voting Rights Act) [https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/louisiana-v-callais-2/] U.S. Supreme Court - Opinion in Rucho v. Common Cause [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-422_9ol1.pdf] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - Louisiana’s Racial Gerrymandering Defense to SCOTUS Switches from ‘It was for Partisan Reasons’ to ‘The VRA is Unconstitutional’ [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2025/09/04/louisianas-racial-gerrymandering-defense-to-scotus-switches-from-it-was-for-partisan-reasons-to-the-vra-is-unconstitutional/] American Democracy Minute - U.S. Supreme Court Neutralizes Remaining VRA Section 2 Protections for Minority Voters and Imperils Majority-Minority Voting Districts Nationwide [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/04/30/u-s-supreme-court-neutralizes-remaining-vra-section-2-protections-for-minority-voters-and-imperils-majority-minority-voting-districts-nationwide/] Groups Taking Action: League of Women Voters [https://www.lwv.org/blog/scotuss-final-blow-dismantling-voting-rights-act], Legal Defense Fund [https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/louisiana-legislature-passes-map-gutting-fair-representation-and-packing-black-voters-into-sole-congressional-district/], ACLU LA [https://www.laaclu.org/] Register or Check Your Voter Registration: U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State [https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state]  Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/] Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #Louisiana #RacialGerrymandering #Callais #MajorityMinority #Redistricting  #RacialDiscrimination

Episode 1045: New Hampshire’s Proof of Citizenship Law Violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment as Undue Burden, Rules Federal District Judge

American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 2, 2026 New Hampshire’s Proof of Citizenship Law Violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments as Undue Burden, Rules Federal District Judge  A federal judge ruled May 29th that New Hampshire’s 2024 proof of citizenship law intended to stop a microscopic noncitizen voting and voter fraud threat created a significant burden to eligible voters and violated the U.S. Constitution.  It’s the first such law to be tested. 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 [https://americandemocracyminute.org] Today’s Links Articles & Resources: U.S. District Court for NH (via New Hampshire Bulletin - Decision in Coalition for Open Democracy v. Scanlan, NH Youth Movement v. Scanlan [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/05.28.26-Decision.pdf] New Hampshire Bulletin - Ahead of midterms, federal court strikes down NH proof-of-citizenship voter registration law [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/05/29/ahead-of-midterms-federal-court-strikes-down-nh-proof-of-citizenship-voter-registration-law/] New Hampshire Public Radio - Judge strikes down NH’s ‘proof of citizenship’ voting law [https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-05-29/nh-newhampshire-voting-elections-citizenship-proof] NH Secretary of State -  Secretary of State David Scanlan Issues Statement Following District Court’s Ruling on HB 1569 [https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/sos/docs/5-29-26-secretary-of-state-issues-statement-on-hb-1569.pdf] Related ADM Reports: American Democracy Minute - (Feb. 2026) Proof of Citizenship: Trial Begins on Strict NH Law; FL Bill Advances; VA Bill Ends Voter Roll Searches for Registered Noncitizens 90 Days Before the Election [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2026/02/10/proof-of-citizenship-trial-begins-on-strict-nh-law-fl-bill-advances-va-bill-ends-voter-roll-searches-for-registered-noncitizens-90-days-before-the-election/] American Democracy Minute - (June 2024) NH Voter Suppression Bill Eliminates Sworn Affidavits for Voter Registration, Demanding Citizenship Documents for Otherwise Qualified Voters. It Could Disenfranchise Thousands. [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/2024/06/13/nh-voter-suppression-bill-eliminates-sworn-affidavits-for-voter-registration-demanding-citizenship-documents-for-otherwise-qualified-voters-it-could-disenfranchise-thousands/] Groups Taking Action: Coalition for Open Democracy [https://www.opendemocracynh.org/federal_court_declares_documentary_proof_of_citizenship_for_voting_unconstitutional], ACLU NH [https://www.aclu-nh.org/press-releases/victory-court-declares-nh-anti-voter-law-unconstitutional/], NH Youth Movement [https://www.nhyouthmovement.org/voter-resources] Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org [http://www.americandemocracyminute.org/]  Subscribe for FREE [https://www.americandemocracyminute.org/wethepeople/about-the-american-democracy-minute-radio-report-podcast/subscribe-to-the-american-democracy-minute-podcast/] at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcasting platforms. #NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #HB1569 #VoterSuppression #ProofofCitizenship #NHPolitics #14thAmendment #1stAmendment