THIS WEEK

• The GOP’s wild bid to deny Missouri voters a voice on gerrymandering
  
  
• Federal judge dismisses Comey, James prosecutions
  
  
• The Voting Rights Act is still working to stop racist laws

REDISTRICTING

The GOP’s wild bid to deny Missouri voters a voice on gerrymandering

Missouri’s redistricting battle has unfortunately gone under the radar of national news, but Democracy Docket has been following every step of the GOP’s relentless, anti-democracy attack to stop voters from having the final word on the state’s new congressional gerrymander. 

Everything is leading up to one major upcoming deadline: Dec. 11, when organizers must submit at least 106,000 signatures to get a redistricting referendum on the ballot. 

Once the signatures are submitted, organizers say the map can’t be used in an election unless voters approve it. 

But the final days leading up to Dec. 11 are going to be bumpy as voters navigate an ever-growing list of litigation related to the map.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s months of bullying Indiana Republicans appeared to finally garner some results this week, with both chambers of the legislature agreeing to reconvene in December. But Senate Republicans opposed to redistricting have dug in their heels despite waves of daunting pressure, threats and intimidation – and it’s possible Trump still doesn’t have the votes. 

And in Texas, voters are still waiting on a final answer from the U.S. Supreme Court about whether the state can use its Trump gerrymander in 2026. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) this week filed an amicus brief in the case, boldly claiming that the much-maligned letter it sent urging state leaders to redistrict was not, in fact, the reason why Texas redrew its map immediately after receiving the letter. We’ll see if the court buys it. Read more about redistricting here.

WEAPONIZED DOJ

Federal judge dismisses Comey, James prosecutions

In one of the most consequential stories this week, a federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. 

Trump’s second term plan to seek vengeance against his political enemies suffered a major setback, with the court finding acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan couldn’t have brought the charges against Comey and James since the Trump administration appointed her unlawfully. 

“This case presents the unique, if not unprecedented, situation where an unconstitutionally appointed prosecutor, exercising ‘power [she] did not lawfully possess,’ acted alone in conducting a grand jury proceeding and securing an indictment,” the judge wrote.

But the charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning the DOJ can refile them – at least against James. The Comey charges could be done for good, thanks to the statute of limitations. Read more about the prosecutions here.

VOTING RIGHTS  

The Voting Rights Act is still working to stop racist laws

As Democracy Docket readers know, we’re extremely concerned about the Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which could literally allow the GOP to lock in control of the U.S. House for the next generation. 

But we also want to make sure you know how this potential blow to the Voting Rights Act (VRA) could have consequences that extend far beyond redistricting.

Democracy Docket reporter Jim Saksa’s latest deep dive helps connect the dots on where the VRA came from, why we need it now and where it could be headed. Read more here.

NEW EPISODE 

Republicans Freak Out After Huge Redistricting Loss In Texas

What We’re Doing