In It to Win It
In It to Win It's JournalFlorida defends new congressional map, says it lacks 'signs' of partisan gerrymandering
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/florida-defends-congressional-map-redistricting-partisan-00918761Voting rights and civil rights groups have filed multiple lawsuits challenging a new map pushed into law by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. They have argued that the map, which could result in Republicans picking up four seats, is a clear violation of voter approved anti-gerrymandering standards and one of the most extreme congressional maps enacted in the past 50 years.
A circuit court judge will hold a hearing Friday on whether to temporarily block the new map and instead let the states old congressional map which was also recommended by the DeSantis administration back in 2022 be used for the midterms. The 2022 map gave Republicans a 20-8 edge.
Lawyers representing the state filed their response Wednesday and made several arguments some of them procedural as to why the new map should be allowed to remain in place. They argue, for example, that its too close to the August primary to undo the map approved just two weeks ago.
But the 29-page filing also insists those challenging the map have produced scant evidence to back their claims.
The claim of partisan favoritism is tethered only to maps showing the district lines overlayed onto the results of a few elections, hearsay from their supposed experts, thoughts about tweets, their perspective on Fox News coverage, and a single factual representation from the governors map drawer, the lawyers for the governor and state wrote.
Florida defends new congressional map, says it lacks 'signs' of partisan gerrymandering
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/florida-defends-congressional-map-redistricting-partisan-00918761Voting rights and civil rights groups have filed multiple lawsuits challenging a new map pushed into law by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. They have argued that the map, which could result in Republicans picking up four seats, is a clear violation of voter approved anti-gerrymandering standards and one of the most extreme congressional maps enacted in the past 50 years.
A circuit court judge will hold a hearing Friday on whether to temporarily block the new map and instead let the states old congressional map which was also recommended by the DeSantis administration back in 2022 be used for the midterms. The 2022 map gave Republicans a 20-8 edge.
Lawyers representing the state filed their response Wednesday and made several arguments some of them procedural as to why the new map should be allowed to remain in place. They argue, for example, that its too close to the August primary to undo the map approved just two weeks ago.
But the 29-page filing also insists those challenging the map have produced scant evidence to back their claims.
The claim of partisan favoritism is tethered only to maps showing the district lines overlayed onto the results of a few elections, hearsay from their supposed experts, thoughts about tweets, their perspective on Fox News coverage, and a single factual representation from the governors map drawer, the lawyers for the governor and state wrote.
John Roberts Believes in an America That Doesn't Exist - Jamelle Bouie
A reading of my May 6 column on the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais.
You can read the column here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/opinion/callais-voting-rights-act-discrimination.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iVA.dU11.gN04lTmn4jls&smid=url-share
Supreme Court Maintains Mifepristone Access, But Thomas Calls for Comstock Act Prosecutions
https://www.autonomynews.co/supreme-court-maintains-mifepristone-access-but-thomas-calls-for-comstock-act-prosecutions/The order came after the court initially failed to act by its own 5 p.m. deadline, which was set on Monday when Justice Samuel Alito extended a previous deadline. Mifepristone manufacturers Danco and GenBioPro had filed emergency appeals to the high court. These were handled by Alito, the justice assigned to all appeals from the Fifth Circuit. The lower courts ruling is now paused at least until it reaches a decision in this case, filed by Louisiana, and any appeals of that decision return to the Supreme Court.
As is common with emergency orders, the vote count isnt known, though Justices Alito and Clarence Thomas both wrote alarming dissents outlining why they would have let the restrictions take effect.
Thomas claimed that it is a criminal offense to ship mifepristone for use in abortions because of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-vice law that conservatives argue should be used to ban mailing abortion pills, if not to ban abortion entirely. Both Thomas and Alito have shown interest in this legal theory in the past: During oral arguments in Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicineanother mifepristone case that reached the Court in 2024both justices asked questions about the Comstock Act. Thomas said Thursday that Danco and GenBioPro cannot be irreparably harmed by the lower court ruling because the companies are engaging in criminal enterprise. Nearly 115 Republican members of Congress filed a friend of the court brief on Louisianas side, arguing that mailing mifepristone violates the Comstock Act.
Thomas describes the mailing of mifepristone as a "criminal enterprise" and says providers should face federal felony charges rather than obtaining relief from SCOTUS. www.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social) 2026-05-14T21:30:19.455Z
If you care about staying informed re all legal/administrative news developments re abortion rights and how all key actors are navigating the nuanced political landscape and you are not subscribing to AN and following @susanrinkunas.com + @garnethenderson.com - wtaf are you doing?
— Murshed Zaheed (@murshedz.bsky.social) 2026-05-15T01:19:37.038Z
Grocery prices in the U.S. soared faster in April than any month in nearly four years
(ABC News) - Grocery prices in the U.S. soared faster in April than any month in nearly four years ..
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla.bsky.social) 2026-05-14T11:42:43.573Z
abcnews.com/Business/tom...
Understanding the U.S. Constitution (with Melissa Murray)
As a host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, on MSNOW, in her classes at NYU School of Law, and in op-eds, Melissa Murray is known for her accessible explanations of constitutional law. In her new book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, Murray brings her signature insights to bear on the document at the heart of U.S. law and legal culture.
Watch as Murray joins The Briefing with Michael Waldman to discuss the history behind the Constitutions articles and amendments, their relevance today, and their ability to protect democratic institutions.
South Carolina GOP Gov. McMaster plans to call special session to redraw South Carolina House map
Clyburn is the sole Democrat in South Carolinas House delegation; the new map would dismantle his district, leaving the state with 7 likely red seats and no Democratic-leaning ones.
McMasters plan confirmed by four people familiar with the decision, who were granted anonymity to share private details is a reversal of his position earlier this month and follows pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies to gerrymander the state.
The looming special session comes after five Republican state senators voted with Democrats to block a measure that would have allowed them to redraw South Carolinas districts this cycle without a call from McMaster.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/mcmaster-special-session-redistricting-south-carolina-00919106
Kemp calls special session to redraw 2028 maps, overhaul voting process
Archived: https://archive.ph/Qs6vt
The move, announced Wednesday, thrusts Kemp and his Republican allies back into the center of two of the most combustible debates in Georgia politics a day after the June 16 primary runoffs cement nominees for every statewide office.
The first is a looming crisis over Georgias voting system. The second is a redistricting fight over congressional and legislative boundaries for the 2028 elections.
Kemp has ruled out changing the maps for this years races, but Republicans are moving to act now while they are certain a GOP governor can sign the new districts into law.
A special session is required to address a statutory July deadline lawmakers left unresolved when they adjourned in April.
Breaking: Gov. Kemp has called state lawmakers for a special session on June 17 to reshape both how Georgians vote and to redraw the stateâs political maps after last monthâs U.S. Supreme Court decision for the 2028 election. #gapol
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein.bsky.social) 2026-05-13T18:44:57.623Z
www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned from Congress under cloud, says she's running to regain seat
Gift Link
Sun-Sentinel
Cherfilus-McCormick said she is seeking the Democratic nomination in the reconfigured 20th Congressional District, which is concentrated in central Broward County, after Florida Republicans changed the map of Florida congressional districts.
She said she isnt deterred by four other candidates who are already running or by the prospect that U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz might decide to run in the same district. Wasserman Schultzs Broward district was blown up by the new Republican reconfiguration of the congressional map.
The strongest candidate in the race is me, Cherfilus-McCormick said. I never said I wasnt running.
The former congresswoman made it clear she doesnt care for Wasserman Schultz, the senior Democratic member of Floridas congressional delegation. When she was first elected, in a 2022 special election to fill the vacancy left by the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, Cherfilus-McCormick said Wasserman Schultz was dismissive when she arrived in Washington.
The Corrupt Supreme Court Must Be Reformed And Cleansed! (with Prof. Leah Litman) - Wajahat Ali
The Supreme Court is no longer acting like a neutral judicial body.
It has become an ideological weapon.
From gutting the Voting Rights Act to expanding presidential immunity, dismantling abortion rights, empowering dark money, weakening federal protections, and enabling authoritarian power grabs, the conservative supermajority on the Court is radically reshaping American life without the consent of the majority.
Professor Leah Litman constitutional law scholar, legal commentator, and co-host of Strict Scrutiny joins The Left Hook to expose how the modern Supreme Court became captured by billionaire interests, right-wing activists, and partisan operatives masquerading as impartial justices.
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