Texas said it plans to redraw its congressional map, citing a claim by the U.S. Department of Justice that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. But court records reviewed by Democracy Docket show the state lawmaker who drew those maps said in court just last month that she didn’t consider race in the process.

Thursday, July 10

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Court records show Texas flipped its stance on issue of race in drawing maps

- Texas said Wednesday ([link removed] ) it plans to redraw its congressional map, citing a claim by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. But court records reviewed by Democracy Docket show the state lawmaker who drew those maps said in court just last month that she didn’t consider race in the process.

- The apparent contradiction raises ([link removed] ) further questions about Texas’ decision to conduct a rare mid-decade redistricting, which came after pressure from the Trump White House as it looks to boost the GOP’s chances of maintaining control of Congress next year.

Federal judge again blocks Trump bid to end birthright citizenship

- A federal judge blocked ([link removed] ) President Donald Trump's birthright citizenship order, certifying a nationwide class of children whose citizenship would be threatened. The move follows SCOTUS’ recent ruling ([link removed] ) curtailing judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions.

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- The ACLU is relentlessly challenging the Trump administration’s unconstitutional and dangerous attacks on immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, First Amendment rights, and more.

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DOJ records back claim that Trump judicial nominee urged court defiance

- Senate Democrats released ([link removed] ) batches of documents backing up a whistleblower’s claim that Emil Bove, a senior DOJ official and 3rd Circuit court nominee, told the department to defy federal court orders. Senate Republicans appear set to advance Bove’s nomination next week.

DOJ demands access to Minnesota’s voter rolls

- The DOJ is demanding ([link removed] ) access to Minnesota’s voter rolls, as well as proof of the state’s compliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), according to a letter exclusively obtained by Democracy Docket.

- The DOJ sent a similar letter to Pennsylvania inquiring about the state’s HAVA compliance. And Democracy Docket reviewed a similar letter sent by the department to a third state, which declined to be named.

Speaking of the DOJ, here’s a timeline tracking its anti-voting shift

- Under Trump, the DOJ has radically transformed, attacking voting rights instead of defending them. Many changes went unnoticed. We're highlighting them. Dive deeper here ([link removed] ) .

Trial set over Trump’s use of military in Los Angeles

- A federal judge set ([link removed] ) a three-day trial in August to determine if Trump’s ongoing use of the California National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles violates a federal law that criminalizes the use of armed forces to enforce civilian laws under normal circumstances.

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The ACLU has filed 60+ lawsuits against the Trump administration to challenge their unconstitutional and dangerous attacks on immigrants, trans people, free speech, and more. However, the ACLU still needs your help to make sure that the President’s agenda does not go unchecked. Join the ACLU today to hold the Trump administration accountable. ([link removed] )

Georgia targets voters registered at nonresidential addresses

- Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) announced ([link removed] ) a new audit targeting voters who are registered at non-residential addresses — including P.O. boxes and business locations. Those flagged will be notified and asked to update their registration with a home address. If they don’t, their registration could be canceled.

- Georgia began notifying over 400,000 voters who were flagged as “inactive.” The state has a record of problematic purges. In 2019, Georgia removed more than 300,000 voters, many of whom were later found to be eligible. In 2020, the ACLU revealed the state had likely removed nearly 200,000 voters based on flawed address data.

New lawsuit challenges Wisconsin congressional map

- Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy filed ([link removed] ) a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Elections Commission, claiming the state’s congressional map is an unconstitutional, anti-competitive gerrymander that violates equal protection, the right to vote, and the state’s promise of a free government.

- The group is seeking a court-ordered redrawing of the map. This comes shortly after the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority declined ([link removed] ) to hear a similar case aiming to change the map before the 2026 election.

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