Democracy in the States: Weekly Roundup
Updates on campaigns, policy changes, obstacles and successes for democracy renovation at the state level.
OHIO: Ohio House Speaker says he won’t let Trump pressure him during redistricting process | Morgan Trau, ABC News 5 – Cleveland, Sept. 11, 2025
Speaker Jason Stephens pledged independence from Trump as Ohio begins redrawing its congressional map. The comments underscore the high political stakes as the state’s redistricting committee prepares to meet.GEORGIA: Judge rejects challenge to Georgia election law provisions on absentee ballots | Kate Brumback, AP News, Sept. 9, 2025
A federal judge upheld provisions restricting absentee ballot applications, rejecting claims they were unconstitutional. Voting rights groups argue the changes continue Georgia’s trend of tightening access after 2020.FLORIDA: Appeals court upholds Florida law barring noncitizens from gathering voter petitions | Kate Payne, AP News, Sept. 11, 2025
The 11th Circuit ruled Florida can bar noncitizens from collecting signatures for ballot initiatives. Critics say the restriction makes it harder for grassroots campaigns to qualify measures for the ballot.MISSOURI: Missouri lawmakers pass gerrymandered congressional map, initiative petition limits | Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent, Sept. 12, 2025
The Missouri legislature approved a congressional map that tilts the state further toward Republicans and added new restrictions on ballot initiatives. Critics say the changes weaken direct democracy and undermine fair representation.NATIONAL: DOJ is sharing state voter roll lists with Homeland Security | Jonathan Shorman, Stateline, Sept. 12, 2025
The Justice Department has begun sharing state voter roll data with the Department of Homeland Security to identify potential noncitizen registrations. Civil rights advocates warn the policy risks false positives and voter suppression.NATIONAL: Supreme Court lifts restrictions on LA immigration stops set after agents swept up US citizens | Lindsay Whitehurst, AP News, Sept. 8, 2025
The Court allowed federal immigration agents to resume wide-ranging enforcement in Los Angeles, rolling back limits put in place after U.S. citizens were wrongfully detained. Critics warn the ruling erodes civil liberties in favor of broad federal power.NATIONAL: Why some longtime gerrymandering opponents are reconsidering their strategies | Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, Sept. 9, 2025
After years of unfavorable court rulings, some advocates are shifting their focus from fighting partisan maps in court to building long-term reforms. The piece explores the limits of litigation and the rise of state-based ballot efforts.RHODE ISLAND: R.I. follows Mass., Conn., in mandating state access to latest COVID-19 shot | Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current, Sept. 12, 2025
Governor Dan McKee signed legislation requiring the state to guarantee access to updated COVID-19 vaccines, joining Massachusetts and Connecticut. Supporters frame the law as an assertion of state power to safeguard public health.MAINE: Gov. Mills issues standing order to make COVID vaccines available to Mainers without prescription | Eesha Pendharkar, Maine Morning Star, Sept. 12, 2025
Governor Janet Mills issued a standing order ensuring residents can access the latest COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription. The move underscores state executive authority in expanding health protections.UTAH: Anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs cite ‘irony’ in Utah lawmakers’ appeal to Utah Supreme Court | Katie McKellar, Utah News Dispatch, Sept. 11, 2025
Utah lawmakers are asking the state supreme court to reinstate a congressional map thrown out for extreme gerrymandering. Reform advocates call it ironic that legislators are appealing to the same court they once sought to strip of redistricting power.NORTH CAROLINA: Judge OKs settlement in North Carolina voter registration lawsuit by Justice Department | Gary D. Robertson, AP News, Sept. 8, 2025
A federal judge approved a settlement requiring North Carolina to notify and assist more than 100,000 voters missing ID information on their registrations.NATIONAL: US court won't allow Trump to shut down museum, labor, small business agencies | Daniel Wiessner, Reuters, Sept. 11, 2025
A federal appeals court blocked the administration’s bid to defund three federal agencies, ruling that the president overstepped his authority. The case highlights ongoing battles over executive power and agency independence.CALIFORNIA/NEW YORK: California, New York could become first states to enact laws aiming to prevent catastrophic AI harm | Madyson Fitzgerald, Stateline, Sept. 10, 2025
Lawmakers in both states are advancing bills to regulate artificial intelligence with the goal of preventing “catastrophic harm.” The proposals would position states as leaders in AI governance, ahead of federal efforts.
Want more background on today’s big issues? Here are a few places to look.
OHIO: Committee on U.S. congressional redistricting formed, sets meeting for Sept. 22 | Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal, Sept. 10, 2025
Ohio leaders established a joint committee to begin congressional redistricting, with its first meeting scheduled for later this month. The process will shape Ohio’s political landscape ahead of 2026.NORTH CAROLINA: Prodded by lawsuits, state seeks to tighten voter ID records for roughly 200,000 people | Gary D. Robertson, AP News, July 17, 2025
After litigation, North Carolina agreed to address gaps in its voter registration database, requiring outreach to hundreds of thousands of voters missing ID details.NORTH CAROLINA: GOP-backed elections rule could violate state law | Rusty Jacobs, WUNC, Aug. 28, 2025
North Carolina’s new rule on local election boards faces criticism for potentially clashing with state statutes. Legal challenges are expected.NATIONAL: Trump signs order seeking to overhaul US elections, including requiring proof of citizenship | Ali Swenson & Christina A. Cassidy, AP News, Mar. 26, 2025
The executive order sought to reshape U.S. elections by mandating proof of citizenship for federal voters. Supporters hailed it as safeguarding elections, while critics decried it as voter suppression.[EXECUTIVE ORDER] Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections | The White House, Mar. 25, 2025
The official text of Trump’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voting and reshaping federal election rules.In case you missed it …
“Fighting the Wildfire With Upgraded Governance,” By Danielle Allen, The Renovator, Sept. 8, 2025
“The Twin Tailspin of Democraic Capitalism,” By Malcolm Salter, The Renovator, Sept. 7, 2025
“A Three-Part Agenda To Fight The Wildfire, Part 1,” By Danielle Allen, The Renovator, Sept. 2, 2025