Democracy in the States: Weekly Roundup
Updates on campaigns, policy changes, obstacles and successes for democracy renovation at the state level.
TEXAS: Senate To Vote On GOP's Mid-Decade Redistricting Plan | By Kayla Guo and Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune, Aug 21, 2025
Texas Senators are expected to approve a mid-decade GOP congressional map, aiming to create up to five additional Republican seats, when they reconvene Friday. The bill, which cleared the House on Wednesday, will then be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to sign it.CALIFORNIA: Democratic Counter-Map Heads To Nov. Ballot | By Lauren Gambino, The Guardian, Aug 22, 2025
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a Democratic redistricting plan aimed at adding up to five U.S. House seats and sent it to a November special election, framing it as a direct response to Texas Republicans’ mid-decade proposal.MICHIGAN: State House Passes Ranked-Choice Voting Ban | By Aurora Sousanis, Detroit Free Press, Aug 21, 2025
The Michigan House passed a ban on ranked-choice voting statewide as a citizen-led ballot initiative to require ranked-choice voting continues to gain momentum.NATIONAL: Trump Threatens To End Mail-In Voting | By Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, Aug 18, 2025
President Trump plans to sign an executive order that would end mail-in voting and ban certain voting machines.VIRGINIA: Arlington Funds Ranked Choice Voting Outreach | Arlington County Government, Aug 15, 2025
The Arlington County Board awarded grants on August 15 for public education and outreach about ranked-choice voting, aiming to increase voter awareness ahead of its adoption in local elections.COLORADO: Denver Blocks Ranked-Choice Voting (By One Vote) | By Shawn Griffiths, Independent Voter News, Aug 12, 2025
Denver’s City Council narrowly declined to send a ranked-choice voting measure to voters. This pauses local momentum for a reform some other Colorado cities have adopted and that recently faced statewide headwinds.MASSACHUSETTS: Sec. of State Pushes For Same-Day Registration | By Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Beacon, Aug 13, 2025
Secretary of State Bill Galvin is pursuing a ballot question to let voters decide on Same-Day Voter Registration, presenting it as a direct path forward after legislative hesitation.MASSACHUSETTS: Proposed Ballot Questions Target Elections & Government Reform | By Mike Deehan, Axios Boston, Aug 11, 2025
Voter ID rules, open primaries, legislative leadership stipends, public records laws, and same-day registration are among over 40 proposed 2026 ballot questionsIn case you missed it …
“America as a Bear in a Trap,” By Danielle Allen, The Renovator, Aug 18, 2025
“A Bear in a Trap, Part 2,” By Danielle Allen, The Renovator, Aug 21, 2025
“Renovating Democracy,” By Aidan Fitzsimons, The Renovator, Aug 19, 2025
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Revolution,” By Joanna Kenty, The Renovator, Aug 20, 2025
 | A guest post by
|
Thank you! This is a good time for all Americans to recall a warning and admonition by one of the first (and foremost) Americans, James Madison:
"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
America is enduring the farce and the tragedy, and the preservation of our republic and our democracy depends on us continuing to arm ourselves with the power which knowledge gives.