John,

Here are some updates from the last few days you may have missed.

Ohio Redistricting Chaos

• Ohio’s new maps are again before the Supreme Court of Ohio — the legislative maps for the third time and the congressional map for the second. The plaintiffs who successfully challenged the previous maps argue the new ones also violate the Ohio Constitution and suggest Ohio Republicans are trying to use looming election deadlines as an excuse to get away with illegal maps. For more, read our latest piece, “Running Out the Clock.”

Florida Redistricting Showdown

• Since the start of the year, congressional redistricting in Florida has been mired in disagreements between the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). The primary point of contention is the 5th District, a majority-Black district in northern Florida that DeSantis maintains is illegal, while others argue the contrary — that the 5th is legally protected from being dismantled.


• On Friday, the Legislature approved a congressional plan with two map options. In a concession to DeSantis, the primary option largely dismantles the 5th District while the secondary plan maintains it in its current form — yet DeSantis has already vowed to veto both. Get the full details here.

SCOTUS Denies PA and NC Emergency Appeals

• After state courts in North Carolina and Pennsylvania selected new congressional maps, Republicans in both states filed emergency applications in the U.S. Supreme Court to block the maps. Yesterday, the Court denied both applications, ensuring the selected maps will be in place this year.

Oregon Passes Law Protecting Election Workers

• Thanks to Trump-led election lies, there’s been an unprecedented rise in threats directed toward election workers. Last year, Marc highlighted the need to protect election workers from threats and harassment, noting how election workers are “the guardians and caretakers” of the right to vote.


• Last week, the Oregon Legislature did exactly that, passing a bill that permits election workers to withhold their home addresses from public disclosure and increases the penalties for harassment. The bill now awaits the signature of Gov. Kate Brown (D). Read more about the bill here.

Kansas Supreme Court Rejects Attempt to End Redistricting Lawsuits

• Since Kansas Republicans overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s (D) veto to pass a congressional map, several lawsuits have been filed challenging the map for targeting Democratic and minority voters. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt (R) filed a petition in the Kansas Supreme Court asking it to block the lawsuits.


• Last week, the state Supreme Court denied the petition. The court rejected Schmidt’s arguments that the lawsuits raise nonjusticiable questions that Kansas courts cannot decide. The lawsuits will proceed at the trial court level. Find out more about the court’s decision here.

Can’t get enough news? You can always find more details about these updates on our Alerts page.

Thanks for staying in the fight,
Team Democracy Docket