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Democracy Docket email Summarizes New Congressional Redistricting News

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Bill RedpathMay 4, 2026

The following was received in a Democracy Docket email of May 4, 2026:

Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) today signed a new GOP-drawn map that could give Republicans four extra seats in Congress. Voters have already sued to block it.
Alabama: Alabama is preparing to eliminate majority-Black districts while moving forward with an election it may later have to annul. Its special session to redraw started today, even though the state currently has a court-ordered map in place until 2030.
Tennessee: Starting tomorrow, a special session will begin to eliminate the state’s one remaining Democratic stronghold in Memphis.
Louisiana: The state halted an active election to get rid of Black-majority districts, but Democrats are fighting back. Also, civil rights groups said this legal principle prevents Louisiana from suspending elections when votes have already been cast.
South Carolina: Despite GOP pressure for a special session, today Gov. Henry McMaster’s (R) office said he won’t be calling one, the Post and Courier reported.
Virginia: We are waiting for the Virginia Supreme Court to determine whether a Democratic-backed redistricting plan — approved by voters last month — will go into effect. The State Board of Elections is currently blocked from certifying the referendum pending further instruction from the state’s highest court. The board is required by law to certify the results by May 5.
New York: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) announced today a new initiative to explore redrawing the state’s congressional districts.
New Jersey: Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) is also considering redistricting to combat Republicans. “If Trump is going to attack fair voting, then New Jersey is going to stand up so that we can create a counterbalance,” Sherrill said.

New Congressional Redistricting Map in Signed into Law by Florida Governor

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Bill RedpathMay 4, 2026

Sometimes news is not a surprise, and this is such a story. Four US House seats may flip to Republican candidates with the bill that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed today.

Here is a story from Politico.

Thanks again to Political Wire, where I first saw this, for doing what you do!

League of Women Voters of California Announces Opposition to Voter ID Initiative to be on November 2026 Ballot

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Bill RedpathMay 3, 2026

Here is the announcement from the League of Women Voters of California. The first link in the LWVCA announcement takes one to the Ballotpedia page that explains the implications of Yes or No votes on this initiative.

This is one more instance of a troubling and growing trend of conflating the term “Ballot Access” with “Voters’ Rights.” I (and, I do believe, Richard Winger) think that the term ballot access should continue to address candidates’ ability to be on ballots, and that the term “Voters’ (or Voting) Rights” refers to the ability of the electorate to cast a vote.

We think the cause of a robust and effective democracy would be served by adhering to that demarcation.

Libertarian Party of Indiana Chair Addresses Ballot Access Difficulties in Indiana

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Bill RedpathMay 3, 2026

Ballot access laws are difficult in many states, and Indiana is one of them. For instance, Indiana is one of the states in which Ralph Nader never made the ballot as a Presidential candidate.

Yet, the Libertarian Party has maintained ballot access in Indiana since 1994. LPIN Chair Evan McMahon, who is running for Chair of the Libertarian National Committee at the Libertarian Party National Convention, May 22-25, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently addressed Indiana ballot access issues in this oped in the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Update on the Virginia Congressional Redistricting Litigation

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Bill RedpathMay 2, 2026

Richard Winger posted on April 27 about the Scott v. McDougle case before the Supreme Court of Virginia. Here is a new article on the ramifications of the wait on the Court’s impending decision on the legality of the recent redistricting initiative that was passed by Virginia voters on Tuesday, April 21.