The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 10, 2024

South Dakota Democracy Advocates Submit Ballot Measure Signatures for a ‘Top 2’ Single Ballot Open Primary System. If Approved, All Voters Get a Voice in the Primary
May 7th, South Dakota democracy advocates submitted the necessary signatures to put a constitutional amendment establishing a ‘top two’ open primary system on the ballot. The ballot question would allow the 150,000 independent voters whose tax dollars underwrite the primary to actually vote in it.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
South Dakota Searchlight - Open primary push to see opposition from state Republican Party
South Dakota Secretary of State - Text of Top 2 Open Primary Petition
South Dakota Open Primaries - SD Open Primaries Explained

South Dakota Secretary of State - Breakdown of Voter Affililation, May 1, 2024
Dakota News Now - Petitions establishing top-two primary elections, legalizing recreational cannabis submitted just before deadline
Open Primaries Education Fund - Types of Primaries

Groups Taking Action:
South Dakota Open Primaries, Open Primaries

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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #OpenPrimaries #SDOpenPrimaries #Letthemvote #SouthDakotaNews

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 9, 2024

Betrayed by State Officials, North Dakota Native Americans Forced to Again Fight for the Right to Choose Their Own State Representation
In 2021, Native Americans nations negotiated with the State of North Dakota to create majority minority state House districts under the Voting Rights Act, and together defended it in federal court. NOW the State is welching on the deal and joining the GOP plaintiffs in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket - (2023) Federal Court Rejects GOP Lawsuit Aimed At Eliminating North Dakota Tribal Nation Legislative Districts
North Dakota Monitor - North Dakota changes course on tribal redistricting case, asks US Supreme Court to rule
Native American Rights Fund - DEFENDING A MAJORITY NATIVE-VOTER SUBDISTRICT IN NORTH DAKOTA (WALEN V. BURGUM)
U.S. Supreme Court - Docket for Charles Walen, et al., Appellants v. Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota, et al.

Groups Taking Action:
Native American Rights Fund, Campaign Legal Center, Election Law Group

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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #NativeVote #VotingRightsAct #FreedomtoVote

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 8, 2024

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

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.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia - Thornburg v. Gingles
Charis Franklin, Fordham University Law - From Poll Tests To The Purcell Doctrine: Merrill V. Milligan And The Precarious Preservation Of Voting Rights
The American Redistricting Project - Thornburg v. Gingles (1986)
Brennan Center for Justice - Breaking Down the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Decision Out of Alabama
Louisiana Illuminator – Federal court tosses Landry-backed Louisiana congressional map

Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Campaign Legal Center, ACLU, Native American Rights Fund

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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #RacialGerrymandering #VotingRightsAct #VRA